What is Asphalt Paving?
Asphalt paving is the process of outdoor flooring construction using asphalt. It is mostly composed of aggregate (stone), sand, additives, and bitumen. The mixture consists of 90 to 95% aggregate and sand, and 5 to 10% of bitumen.
Benefits of Asphalt
Over the years, asphalt has slowly knocked concrete pavements off the spotlight. Until today, it has been the most preferred choice of construction material for roads, parking lots, and the like. To begin understanding why asphalt is considered to be the best choice in road works, let us look at some of its benefits:
- Durable and Long Lasting
Asphalt constructed roads are said to have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, which can still be extended if maintained properly. - Time and Cost Efficient
Asphalt do not require a hefty budget to install. It is considerably cheaper than concrete as well. Aside from that, asphalt construction projects tend to finish faster than any other construction material. - Low Maintenance
Unlike concrete which has to be removed and replaced when cracked, asphalt can easily be repaired by resurfacing the damaged area; this can significantly save a chunky amount on road maintenance costs as well. - Recyclable
Asphalt is 100% recyclable; it is actually the most recycled material in the US. In addition to that, recycled asphalt is claimed to be an even more effective mixture than newly made asphalt mix.
Asphalt Maintenance
As mentioned above, asphalt requires little maintenance. However, repairs will still depend on the severity of damage. But, there are ways to ensure the longevity of an asphalt pavement and reduce the risks of cracks and potholes.
Sealcoating
Sealcoating is the process of coating an asphalt pavement, which should be done every 3 to 5 years. It protects the pavement from weather and traffic wear. This maintenance method is done on old pavements, in order to extend its life span.
In cases wherein asphalt pavement has taken considerable amount of damage, it will not require a full reconstruction of the pavement. There are a lot of repair options that are generally more cost efficient than replacing the entire pavement.
Crack Filling
Crack filling is the application of hot sealant to seal small cracks on an asphalt pavement. This prevents water, oil, and natural elements from penetrating the vulnerable parts of the infrastructure.
Tip: To avoid further damage to the pavement, it will be wise to immediately seal small cracks. This helps avoid the formation of alligator cracks and potholes which can cause deterioration of the asphalt pavement.
Overlay
An overlay is a large scale patch work on an asphalt pavement. It is usually done on pavements that have noticeable cracks, but are not as severe to warrant reconstruction.
Milling
For a worn out surfaces, the pavement can be repaired by milling. This is a method wherein the top layer of the asphalt pavement is removed and replaced. However, this is only recommended if there are no noticeable issues with the underlying subbase of the pavement. This is an effective method of repair which only costs a fraction of full reconstruction.
Patching
Patching is the process of filling in potholes. There are different variations in the execution of this method, but they general idea is to the remove damaged area, fill in the pothole, and tamp down the overfilled pothole.
Asphalt Paving
The entire process of asphalt pavement installation consists of the following steps:
Step 1: Demolition
The process starts with the removal of the existing pavement.to make room for the new asphalt installation.
Step 2: Grading and Sloping
Before setting anything down, the area must be graded to eliminate and lead water away from the pavement. Usually, contractors also re-shape and slope the road to aid in directing the water away from the work area.
Step 3: Sub Base Preparation
After draining the work space, the sub base will be installed. This is the bottom layer of the pavement. It will serve as the foundation of the soon-to-be installed asphalt.
Step 4: Laying Down the Binder Layer
After the sub base, it’s time to add the binder layer. It consists of aggregate mixed with oil. This layer adds durability and strength to the pavement.
Step 5: Proof Roll
Proof roll tests the durability of the underlying layers. This checks if the foundation will be able to support the asphalt properly.
In case the proof roll finds a soft spot in the foundation of the infrastructure, undercutting will be done to solidify the area. Undercutting involves digging and replacing the soft soil with stronger and more durable aggregate materials.
Step 6: Installation of Asphalt Surface
After passing the proof roll test, the asphalt surface will then be laid down on the surface.
Step 7: The Final Roll
Once the asphalt has been laid down, the final roll will be done; it is a process wherein the surface of the newly installed asphalt pavement is smoothed and compacted.
