Before you can lay down asphalt pavement, there’s a bunch of prep work to tackle. You need to clear the area, dig it out, and compact the ground to make sure the asphalt stays in good shape for a long time. Hot mix asphalt is the go-to material for roads, parking lots, and driveways. It’s made with different aggregate sizes and mixed with oil to make it sturdy and long-lasting.
The sub-base is super important in the paving process. It sets a strong foundation, helping the asphalt handle vehicle weight and minimizing the chance of cracks. Unlike concrete, asphalt with a solid sub-base is less prone to cracking. You can make this base from different rocks, including quarried ones or recycled concrete, making it versatile for driveways and roads. Before you start laying asphalt, ensure the sub-base is graded and compacted. This usually involves running a heavy quad-axle dump truck over the surface to get it ready for paving.
In asphalt paving, the binder is key. A new layer of asphalt is made from aggregate, sand, and oil, held together by the binder, which gives the pavement its strength and durability. However, binders can be sensitive to temperature changes, leading to issues like rutting and cracking. To tackle this, materials like thermochromic asphalt binders are used, which adapt their color and reflectivity based on the temperature, keeping the surface temperature in check.
Asphalt surfaces consist of several layers of aggregates and a binder to hold them together. Even though they are strong and long-lasting, they can still crack. That’s why inspecting the surface before starting any work is important. Make sure to work with a skilled asphalt paving company for the best results. After laying the sub-base and fixing any weak spots, it’s time to put down the binder layer, which uses large aggregates mixed with oil for strength. The new surface is then rolled out smoothly, preventing small bumps. This process ensures your asphalt remains sturdy and functional over time.
Repairing asphalt pavement is straightforward and can save you from expensive fixes while maintaining its appearance. Potholes often pop up during winter or early spring due to cycles of freezing and thawing that weaken the base. Longitudinal cracks run parallel to the pavement’s center and usually result from poor joint construction, while transverse cracks, which go across the pavement, come from temperature-induced expansion and contraction of the binder. Minor surface depressions caused by subgrade compaction problems can be patched temporarily but require a full-depth patch for a permanent fix. Infrared repair (IRR) is another technique where heat softens and re-compacts the pavement, allowing quick fixes with minimal new material, especially useful in colder weather.
