The Uses of Asphalt Concrete

posted in: Blogs, Syndlab | 0

asphalt concreteAsphalt is also known as blacktop, Pavement, or Asphalt concrete. It is a kind of concrete or composite material used in the paving of roads, parking lots, residential areas, commercial areas, airports, etc. Asphalt paving is a combination of mineral aggregate together with asphalt/ composite materials. Subsequently, laid in layers and compacted with heavy machinery fed from a dump truck.

It is one of the best options and the most versatile pavement material.  Its pavement structures can handle any load, from passenger cars to heavy trucks and airplanes.

This is because properly installing asphalt performs much like concrete. However, it is much less expensive. As such, a well-constructed pavement should last a minimum of about twenty years with timely maintenance.

Areas of asphalt should have an adequate drainage system.  This helps to withstand the effects of weather and traffic. This is because water is an enemy to asphalt paving. Asphalt can also be porous. This is a particular asphalt mix that allows water to drain through the pavement into a subgrade reservoir.

Blacktop and Sealcoating

The use of porous asphalt often meets local impermeable surface codes.  In addition, they offer a good-looking surface that is easy to maintain. A poorly designed and constructed one falls apart in less than one year. Since asphalt concrete is a petroleum product, it is more flexible. Therefore, it is less prone to cracking than concrete.

Asphalt concrete is durable and very useful in the reduction of noise pollution around your home. In addition, it is also smooth, safe, and quiet.  Custom surface mixes reduce splash and spray during rainstorms. And even help treat rainwater.

For asphalt paving to perform well, it must have an adequate structural capacity.  This enables it to carry the in-service loads. You require thicker paving for more heavily loaded areas. And this solely depends on the subgrade which is the core foundation of the paving. The subgrade must be free of topsoil. There should be no water. It should have no vegetation and any soft spots.

Replace or remove soft spots found on the subgrade with good soil.  It should be well compacted to avoid structural damage. A good residential asphalt paving should have an aggregate base layer of about 6 to 8 inches compacted on top of the subgrade. And paving should be done only when weather conditions are favorable.

Avoid cold or rainy weather because asphalt paving needs the temperature to be hot during the installation process. Whether on the road, in a parking lot, or at an airport, asphalt pavements are the best value for the taxpayer dollar. They have the lowest life cycle cost and the highest residual value.

Share this