Improving Pothole Repair: Testing Resin-Enhanced Cold Patch Asphalt

Overview

Potholes are a common problem on roads and can cause damage to vehicles and create safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians. They can also lead to higher repair costs if they are not fixed quickly. The purpose of this experiment was to test different materials to see which one could create a stronger and more durable pothole repair. The hypothesis was that an epoxy-based repair material would be stronger and able to handle more pressure than a traditional cold patch material. To test this idea, a model pothole was created to simulate damage in a road surface. Three different repair materials were tested: a standard cold patch material, an epoxy resin mixture with an amine hardener, and a rubberized epoxy mixture. Materials such as epoxy resin, amine hardener, and modeling material were used to create the test samples. Each repair type was formed into blocks that represented patched potholes. The repaired samples were then tested using compaction and deflection methods to simulate the pressure of a car driving over the repaired surface. Increasing amounts of pressure were applied to each block to determine how much force each repair could handle before showing signs of damage or failure. The results showed that the epoxy-based repair materials were able to withstand greater pressure than the traditional cold patch material. These findings support the hypothesis that stronger bonding materials such as epoxy may provide longer-lasting pothole repairs. This type of repair could help improve road safety, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the life of road surfaces.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Applied Mechanics (Junior Division) · Entry J-02-19

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