Metalling of Roads

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 10:26

I've often wondered exactly what 'metalled road' means. This morning I spied a tipper truck with the words "Steel Slag For Safer Roads" across it. Does waste metal form part of the roadbed or is it part of the tarmac?
Someone in the construction industry please educate us laymen!
Paul

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 17:02

Can't think how steel slag improves road safety but the word 'metal' in 'road metal' comes from Latin via Old French and Middle English. "Metallum" mean mine or quarry so road metal was is anything mined or quarried that is laid on the road. The bits don't have to be stuck together with tar - that's a 20th century development.
Biff

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Nov 04, 2002 17:13

Just did a search on the slogan, and it comes up with this:
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-of ... 381m19.htm
which explainsthatblast furnance slag can be added to the mix for laying anti-skid treatments on road surfaces.
Paul