Before paving asphalt pavement, a lot of work needs to be done. Proper clearing, excavation, and ground compaction are essential to ensure the longevity of your asphalt surface.
Hot mix asphalt is the most commonly used material for paving roads, parking lots, and driveways. It can be made with various aggregate sizes and is often mixed with oil to make it solid and durable.
Sub-base
The sub-base is an essential component of the asphalt paving process. It provides a solid base for the paving, helping to ensure that it stays strong and can withstand the weight of vehicles.
In addition, the sub-base can help prevent the asphalt’s surface from cracking. This common problem with concrete pavements is much less likely to occur on paved surfaces with a solid base.
This base can be made from various rock types, including quarried rocks and recycled concrete. As a result, it can be used for many applications, from driveways to roads.
Before laying asphalt, the sub-base should be graded and compacted to ensure it’s ready for the pavement. This is done by running a quad-axle dump truck with 72,000 pounds weight over the entire surface.
Binder
Asphalt paving is the process of creating a surface that’s durable and able to withstand repeated use. This is accomplished by laying down a layer of new asphalt made of aggregate, sand, and oil.
The binder is a crucial component of the asphalt paving process. It’s responsible for the strength and durability of the final product, as it holds together the surface and supports the other layers.
It’s also important to note that the binder is sensitive to temperature and can change its rheological properties over time. This can result in rutting and cracking distresses in a pavement’s surface.
Innovative materials like thermochromic asphalt binders have been introduced to combat these problems. These substances can adjust their appearance colors according to the ambient temperature dynamically. In addition, they can change their reflectivity to solar radiation to keep the surface temperature within a relatively reasonable range.
Surface
A asphalt paving companies near me comprise many aggregate layers and a binder to hold it all together. While solid and durable, it can also be susceptible to cracking.
To help prevent these issues, a thorough inspection of your surface is required before any work can begin. In addition, you must partner with an experienced asphalt paving company for your project.
Once the sub-base layer is laid and any soft areas are identified and repaired, it’s time to add the binder layer. This large aggregate mixed with oil makes it extremely strong and durable.
Next, the new surface is rolled smoothly to ensure no small bumps of aggregate or stone will pop through the surface. This process helps ensure that your asphalt will stay soft and functional for years.
Repair
The repair process for asphalt pavement is simple and effective. It can help prevent costly repairs and keep your asphalt looking its best.
Potholes are a common asphalt paving problem that occurs during the winter or early spring when water continuously goes through the freezing and melting cycle. These small holes can cause further damage to the pavement by weakening the base.
Longitudinal cracking runs parallel to the pavement centerline and is caused by poor joint construction. Transverse cracks are perpendicular to the pavement surface and are caused by asphalt binder shrinking and expanding with temperature cycles.
Patching is a temporary solution for minor depressions in the asphalt surface due to poor compaction of the subgrade underneath. To permanently fix these areas, the poor subgrade must be removed and a full-depth patch applied.
Infrared repair (IRR) uses heat to soften the existing pavement and re-compact it. This permits speedy maintenance without needing much new material, especially in cold weather.
