ISA cements relationship with INDOT for State Route 62 improvements using PoreShield

In the Midwest, the road salts applied to roadways in the winter cause calcium oxychloride to form in concrete. This compound continues to expand, even in the summer months, putting pressure on concrete pores and causing cracks, holes and other deterioration.

PoreShield is a sustainable solution that takes a different approach from its competitors.

“PoreShield is unique in the way it behaves from the beginning,” PoreShield Technical Lead for Indiana Soybean Alliance Paul Imbrock said. “It’s absorbed deep into the concrete rather than coating the surface.”

PoreShield provides a different mechanism of protection to the surfaces on which it’s applied compared to similar products. Because PoreShield’s viscous, hydrophobic material moves and forms into the pavement to fill in cracks as they form, rather than sitting on top of it, damage to the surface of the concrete won’t affect the PoreShield application like it would other products.

Strengthening a State Route

Currently, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is using PoreShield to treat more than 10 miles of roadway on State Route 62. This is the largest INDOT project in which PoreShield has been used, with more than 5,500 gallons of PoreShield being applied. This is also the first full-scale project where PoreShield is applied across the entire roadway as opposed to a bridge deck or smaller surface area.

In most cases, state departments of transportation require a series of steps to be taken before a product is cleared to be used in a state roadway repair project. This process includes product approvals, demo projects and integration into the overall design process.

The State Route 62 project is a unique situation, Imbrock said, because INDOT was part of the initial PoreShield research that led to the product patent. “PoreShield was developed to meet a real need that INDOT had identified on concrete pavements,” Imbrock said. “It’s nice to know they have faith in the research they’ve put forth, and they’re using it in a pretty big way now.”

The State Route 62 project is currently in a state of special provisions – a process of developing specifics and provisions for other contractors to follow in order to be compliant with the manufacturer’s instructions for using a product. Imbrock said this step is necessary for any product that is intended to be distributed for standard use and is used to help contractors get the desired quantity of product needed for a particular project to a job site.

Gary Fox, construction area engineer for INDOT, said that future uses of PoreShield will be determined based on the performance and durability of the application used in the State Route 62 project. He said products like PoreShield align with INDOT’s goal of improving Indiana’s infrastructure and maximizing the life of the state’s jointed concrete pavements.

“INDOT continually evaluates products like PoreShield that aid in taking care of our infrastructure and providing value for taxpayers,” Fox said.

PoreShield is gaining attention from state departments of transportation like INDOT for a number of reasons. Because PoreShield increases durability and extends the life of concrete, it preserves tax dollars that would typically be spent on additional repairs.

Using PoreShield also saves costs on time and labor as it’s more efficient to apply and requires fewer crew members per project. Because PoreShield sinks into the concrete and fills in holes and gaps as they’re created, it also extends the life of the concrete, which means less repairs are needed for maintenance.

Finding the right partners

When working with a product like PoreShield, finding the right contractor partners to perform the application is key for developing relationships for future projects. For the State Route 62 project, JBI Construction, based in Evansville, Ind., was selected for the job.

Imbrock said working with contractors on PoreShield projects is mutually beneficial.

“Once they have the first project down, they really seem to like it,” Imbrock explained. “Because it’s made from soybeans, PoreShield creates a safer environment for workers. This product is very low hassle and easy to apply.”

Typical pavement treatments are applied using a backpack sprayer connected to a truck, but JBI Construction developed a custom applicator for the State Route 62 project, allowing a one-man operation to quickly treat PCCP joints on miles of highway.

Supporting infrastructure and a strong bottom line for Farmers

With the increased support of PoreShield by state departments of transportation and contractor partners ultimately comes increased demand for U.S. soybeans. In fact, for every one mile of concrete bridge treated with PoreShield, 400 bushels of soybeans is used in that application. Farmers are forward thinkers who are looking beyond the current growing season to plan for a thriving, viable future for their farm.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance seeks to help farmers in their mission for a successful tomorrow. Uses for soy have expanded well beyond the traditional uses of food and feedstock. Solutions like PoreShield help U.S. soybeans break into new market categories, which ultimately means more demand.

Not only do Indiana farmers benefit financially and economically from PoreShield projects like the current State Route 62 project, but they also get the benefit of stronger infrastructure for transportation. Having stable, reliable roadways and bridges is important as farmers navigate between fields in-season and transport their crops to the elevator during harvest.

Imbrock noted this added benefit of PoreShield, saying that it helps increase efficiency for farmers as they transport their crops.

“If you have to go five miles out of the way to get your beans to the elevator, that’s a great cost and inconvenience,” Imbrock said. “Not only do Indiana farmers benefit from having another avenue for their soybeans to be used, but they’re also reaping the benefits of PoreShield itself through improved infrastructure.”

Future of INDOT and PoreShield

Partnering with state departments of transportation like INDOT creates a number of opportunities for the use of PoreShield to expand through additional projects within a state as well as projects in other states. Imbrock said he is looking forward to seeing where PoreShield is used in the future.

“I’m excited to see the Department of Transportation project in Indiana take off and see increased use in other states on bridge decks,” Imbrock said. “As state and local agencies use PoreShield for a wider variety of applications, it adds a lot of credibility and increases opportunities for other projects.”

For more information about PoreShield, visit PoreShield.com.