Asphalt is a tough and durable material for parking lots and roads. To get the most out of this paving material, you need to start with the right foundation.
This involves putting down layers of crushed rocks and soil and compacting them really well. This creates a strong sub-base that can withstand heavy traffic and weather conditions.
Asphalt is incredibly durable and lasts for years with very little maintenance. Its durability is due to the perfect blend of hard and soft materials. Asphalt is a mix of different types of aggregates held together with bitumen.
The different components of asphalt are carefully selected and proportioned to create the right balance. This mix is baked to form the final pavement. Asphalt is a sustainable material because it requires less energy than concrete to produce and install. It also uses much fewer chemicals. Its dark color helps to reduce glare and melts snow and ice faster. It is safe to drive on even in bad weather conditions.
It is a good choice for roads and driveways because of its resilience. It can withstand high levels of traffic without cracking or breaking. It is able to support large vehicle loads, including trucks and buses, while resisting the stresses of varying temperatures. This flexibility allows it to accommodate the varying temperatures of a particular area, as well as any freezing and thawing cycles.
The life of asphalt is influenced by many factors, including temperature, the amount of traffic, and the type of vehicles driving on it. However, the lifespan of an asphalt surface is determined mostly by its structural integrity and how well it is maintained.
Generally speaking, an asphalt surface is able to withstand high traffic volumes and frequent heavy vehicle use for decades before needing full reconstruction. The strength of the asphalt is derived from its base courses, which are designed to bear the load above an unbound granular layer and an intermediate course that binds the layers together. This structure allows asphalt to withstand long periods of use without needing extensive reconstruction or complete replacement.
Another factor that contributes to the longevity of an asphalt pavement is its resistance to deterioration by sunlight, water, and salt. Exposure to UV rays can cause the material to degrade, but this can be mitigated by using protective surfacing materials. Fortunately, the asphalt industry is constantly researching and developing new technologies to prolong the life of asphalt surfaces.
It’s Flexible
Asphalt is flexible, meaning it is able to adapt to changes in the climate. It also has the ability to absorb the impact of traffic and other activities that might cause damage to the pavement surface. This flexibility helps the surface last longer and reduces maintenance costs over time. This is especially important for commercial properties that receive a lot of foot and vehicular traffic.
When you hire an experienced contractor, they will make sure that the new surface is built properly. This includes doing the necessary grading for proper drainage and ensuring that the layer is thick enough to support vehicles. It is also a good idea to put down a layer of gravel before laying down the asphalt, as it will help prevent erosion. In addition, the contractor will use a device known as a proof roll to detect any soft areas that may not be strong enough for load bearing and replace them with stronger aggregate materials.
Once the grading and gravel are put down, the contractor will add an asphalt binder layer. This is the black, sticky material that holds the aggregates together. The quality of this material plays a major role in the longevity of the asphalt. An ideal binder will have consistent adhesion at high temperatures, resist shear deformation and provide adequate stress relaxation at cold temperatures to avoid thermal cracking distress.
After the binder is laid down, the next layer of the asphalt will be put down. This layer will be a mix of various types of aggregates. The size of these particles determines the final texture and strength of the surface. Then the asphalt will be rolled, which compacts and smoothes the pavement. Once the asphalt is rolled, it will have to sit and dry for 24 hours before anyone can drive on it. This is because the sun oxidizes the oils in the asphalt and makes it black.
This process is called hot mix asphalt (HMA) and it can be made in a mobile plant or an industrial facility. These plants can produce as much as 800 tons of HMA per hour. The HMA is created by mixing a variety of ingredients, such as stone, sand and additives, with bitumen or liquid asphalt. These ingredients are measured, mixed and then baked to create the final asphalt product.
It’s Easy to Maintain
Asphalt is not only an affordable paving material but also is incredibly easy to maintain. With routine maintenance such as seal coating, crack filling, and repairing potholes, your asphalt can last for years. This helps save you money in the long run and gives you a better return on your investment.
Asphalt’s smooth surface reduces wear on vehicle tires, making it a great option for residential and commercial driveways, roads, and parking lots. It also resists different weather conditions like rain, snow, and extreme heat, making it a more resilient choice than other paving materials.
To begin paving with asphalt, contractors must first prepare the area. This involves grading, which slopes the road or pavement toward grassy areas so that water drains away from the surface. The contractor then puts down a sub-base layer, which is a load-bearing layer of aggregates. Most often, this includes crushed stone. Next, a binder course is put down to bind the layers together and create a more durable asphalt surface. The binder is most likely made from bitumen, a sticky black byproduct of petroleum.
Lastly, the surface course of asphalt is put down. This is the layer that carries most of the load from vehicles and environmental pressures. It must be able to withstand rutting and have a high level of stiffness. It also needs to have a good level of fatigue resistance and have enough stability.
Since asphalt can be used in almost any situation, our amazing Paving crew is able to finish a project quickly and efficiently. Most of the time, within an hour of the final rolling and compaction, vehicles can drive on the new asphalt. This minimizes downtime for businesses and keeps traffic flowing smoothly with less disruption to your day-to-day operations. In addition, the dark color of asphalt provides a good contrast to roadway markings, reducing glare and making driving safer for everyone on the road. For these reasons and more, asphalt is the preferred paving material for most businesses and homeowners in Texas.
It’s Affordable
Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates, binders and fillers that is mixed, baked and cooled. It is used to construct and maintain roads, driveways, parking lots, railroad tracks, airport runways, bike lanes, playgrounds, sports complexes and other infrastructure projects. Asphalt is made from recycled materials including rubber tires, slags from steel and iron manufacturing, and construction and demolition debris.
Asphalt paving is much more affordable than other paving options, especially concrete. The cost savings can rapidly add up for businesses and homeowners. It also reduces wear and tear on vehicles which could otherwise incur costly repairs. The dark color of asphalt also provides a high contrast between the road and white or yellow roadway markers, which increases visibility during poor weather conditions.
Additionally, asphalt is a lot faster to install than concrete. This saves time and money for the people responsible for constructing and maintaining roads and parking lots. It can also be resurfaced in less time than other types of pavement, which means it is easier to keep up with maintenance tasks.
Lastly, asphalt is more environmentally friendly than other options. Concrete requires more energy to produce than asphalt, which makes it a less sustainable material. However, asphalt is 100 percent recyclable and can be repurposed into different products with minimal loss of its durability or performance.
The permeability of porous asphalt is another environmentally friendly feature that helps it stand out from other types of paving. This allows oxygen and water vapor to pass through the surface, which can be beneficial for plants and animals in the surrounding area. It also helps with natural drainage and can be a great benefit for people who live in flood zones.
As an added bonus, asphalt can reduce the need for expensive and harmful salts on snowy and icy roads. This is because it can re-liquefy and melt ice more quickly than other paving materials, which helps to keep the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. In addition, asphalt can help to prevent rutting and other structural damage that results from slow-moving vehicles stressing the surface over a longer period of time.
