This study evaluates the applicability of mastic asphalt concrete for backfilling mini-trenches of communication cables. Characterization tests, such as the dynamic modulus, flow-number, Texas overlay, four-point bending beam, and Hamburg wheel tracking tests, were conducted on conventional mastic asphalt concrete and lower-temperature mastic asphalt concrete. A structural analysis of the backfilling of mini-trenches of mastic asphalt concrete was performed and compared with the results of conventional soil backfilling methods using the finite-element method. The performance year was calculated based on the strain behavior and the results of the structural analysis. A life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was performed based on net-present-value method. The results of laboratory experiments show that the lower-temperature mastic asphalt concrete performs better than conventional mastic asphalt concrete in terms of resistance to permanent deformation and fatigue cracking. The performance year of the mastic asphalt concrete is three times longer than that of the conventional sand-backfilling mini-trench. The LCCA results indicate that the cost of backfilling by the mastic asphalt concrete is two times lower than that by the conventional sand-backfilling mini-trench.

Due to the rapid advancements in power distribution, television, and telecommunication, aerial cables have been rampant in urban cities. Aerial cables, while cost-effective, contribute to visual pollution, pose safety hazards, and complicate urban planning. To solve these challenges, many cities are exploring new ways to construct these cables without the use of high poles and one of the solutions is transitioning to underground cable by minitrenching method. Minitrenching offers a less invasive, more efficient solution for underground cable deployment. This study highlights the potential of innovative minitrenching materials to enhance underground cable protection while addressing the limitations of aerial cable installations in urban settings. Three minitrenching materials were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in protecting underground cables from heavy truck loads using finite element method (FEM). The materials tested were: (1) sand backfill with asphalt concrete surface, (2) cement mortar backfill with self-compacting mastic asphalt surface, and (3) cement mortar backfill with asphalt concrete surface. Results showed that the proposed materials (cement mortar and self-compacting mastic asphalt) significantly reduced strain on the underground cable compared to traditional materials (sand and asphalt concrete). The strain values decreased from 713 microstrains with traditional materials to 333 microstrains with the proposed materials, representing a reduction of approximately 53%. The third combination, intended as a maintenance material, yielded an intermediate strain value of 413 microstrains, demonstrating its acceptability as a minitrenching material.

PURPOSES: This study developed a new backfill method for mini trenching. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the new backfill method in the field. METHODS: In this study, asphalt pavement was created to verify mini trenching. Trenching test sections were then made in various trench widths in the asphalt pavement. The trench widths were 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, and 25 cm. For the trenching test section, a general backfill method and new backfill method (2-layer SCB) were devised and applied. To evaluate the test section, a vehicle loading test and FWD (falling weight deflectometer) test were performed. RESULTS : In the vehicle loading test, the duct vertical strain of the general section was up to 22 times larger than that of the 2-layer SCB section. According to the results of the FWD test, the D0 deflection of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section. These results indicate that 2-layer SCB has a good structural performance. With the use of FWD data, BLI (base layer index) and MLI (middle layer index) were analyzed. BLI is an indirect index for evaluating base layer. The BLI of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section, because the bottom layer (cellular mortar) of the 2-layer SCB is superior to that of the general section. MLI, on the other hand, is an indirect index for evaluating subbase layer. As the trench width increases, MLI increases. The MLI of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section. These results indicate that the damage is relatively greater when the trench width increases and that the 2-layer SCB strengthens a relatively weakened subbase. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the performance of the 2-layer SCB was analyzed. The results of the study showed that good performance was obtained when 2-layer SCB was applied to a mini trenching section.