Potholes are a staple on Saskatchewan roads and other regions where the freeze-thaw cycle between seasons is commonplace.

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering are using the Canadian Light Source as part of their research to see if recycled materials can be used to build durable roads in climates that experience significant temperature swings from season to season.

Haithem Soliman is one of the USask researchers. He hopes the research group’s findings will one day lead to sturdier roadways.

“There’s also other recycled materials that can be added or included in the asphalt mix which is for example, old tires. Old tires can be shredded to small particles and mixed in with asphalt products. There’s also old asphalt shingles, that is different material that can be recycled and placed in our roads.”

The researchers have used the beamline as part of their study which has allowed them to see damage within roadways and asphalt materials at a very small scale.

Soliman adds they also hope using recycled materials will result in a lower carbon footprint.

The study has experienced some delays due to COVID, but has been in the works for the last two years.