Rosneft starts supplies of high-tech components for road surface of the Formula 1 race track at Sochi
The polymer modified bituminous binder Alfabit, produced by Rosneft was selected as component for the top layer of the asphalt for the fast track Formula 1 Sochi Avtodrom.
The Alfabit group of products of road bitumen were developed on the basis of world famous European technologies. For many years these technology products have been successfully applied in Germany for the construction of expressways. Jointly with German colleagues, Rosneft has carried out the development of the formulations for the production of polymer-bitumen binders (PMB) adapted to Russian climatic conditions.
Since 2008 Alfabit is produced in large quantities at a plant in the town of Ryazan. Bitumen grades, supplied directly from Rosneft refineries at Yaroslavl, Syzran and Ryazan were used as raw material. Styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomers (SBS) of European manufacturers were selected as polymer component.
Distinctive features of Alfabit are its high elasticity, durability and resistance to deformation. These characteristics of Alfabit were taken into account when choosing a binder for the preparation of asphalt mixtures for example for racing tracks. The wearing course has to withstand the extreme demand and load of racing cars at high speed.
The race track was designed by the architectural Bureau of Tilke Engineering (Germany) under the direction of Mr. Hermann Tilke – the experienced developer of Formular 1 race tracks around the world. Prior to this, the German company has successfully finished two similar projects in Russia – the Smolensk ring (Smolensk, 2010) and Moscow Raceway (Volokolamsk, 2012). The wearing courses of these tracks were also built with Alfabit.
For choosing construction materials for the Sochi Circuit, engineers of Tilke Engineering were guided by their own experience in Russia. The experts checked the consistency of qualitative parameters of a number of manufacturers of aggregates and bitumen binders.
Responsible for the design and construction of the Sochi Circuit, JSC Center Omega, jointly with specialists of Tilke Engineering, conducted preliminary laboratory studies on Alfabit - to ensure that components have the required product quality for the project. In spring 2014 the first test laying of the polymer modified asphalt concrete took place. The parties were satisfied with the results.
The selection of Alfabit for the production of the asphalt concrete top layer of the high-speed track was fully justified.
Notes for Editors:
The length of the Sochi Circuit is 5 848 meters. The average speed of the race cars - 215 km/h
Expected lap time - 96.9 sec. The number of turns – 18
The large ring is integrated into the transportation system of the Adler at the Olympic Park – the track is built gently around numerous ice arenas, making the track usable for the whole year.
Before the Olympics game at Sochi a temporary asphalt course was laid on the track. Then the upper layer was milled away - and instead of it the new asphalt layer on basis of Alfabit will be laid, on which the F1 bolides will race in future.
All layers of the future highway are inspected and certified by a specially created Commission. Tilke Engineering will confirm the compliance with all norms of the International automobile Federation (FIA).
Rosneft
Information Division,
July 8, 2014