Great Lakes Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating LLC
- Great Lakes Asphalt Paving, Striping & Sealcoating LLC
Great Lakes Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating LLC
Asphalt is one of the most common materials used for paving roads, parking lots, driveways, and more. It’s durable, economical, and looks good too. In this article we will dig deeper into the asphalt paving process, explained by our seasoned professionals. We will also be sharing what are the best practices and other technicalities of the process.
Asphalt paving is regarded as a challenging task that requires accuracy and appropriate mix designs. Paving specialists don’t truly consider the potential for error when they are hired to pave asphalt. But mistakes are made, and this is apparent with time. It will be too late to make things right by then. Selecting a trustworthy paving expert is therefore essential if you want to produce superior outcomes. The most typical issues with asphalt pavement are listed below, along with solutions.
Most of the areas where we have to install new asphalt, already have a constructed layer. It could be old asphalt, concrete, or anything else. The first step is to remove that old layer. Professionals use jackhammers, bulldozers, or sometimes with a little bit of dynamite for its removal. Once, the old surface is crushed and turned into pieces, the debris has to be removed from the site. The removed asphalt material is not entirely a waste as it can be recycled. Americans save almost 300 million dollars every year, just with asphalt recycling.
This process is very important as the entire pavement will be built on it. It is also known as sloping and involves the process of leveling the surface to provide a leveled base. If this process is not done with precision, then it will result in unevenness of the final road or pavement. Most contractors nowadays use the latest technology like lasers and automatic grading equipment to ensure an ideal slope. This will result in a smooth road which provides a smooth riding experience and also saves fuel. According to a report, smooth roads can save up to 4.5% of fuel in trucks. It also is crucial for proper water drainage and removal. Improper drainage can result in cracks, potholes, and more.
Sub-base is the aggregate that is laid down before the actual layer of asphalt. It is what provides the strength to the foundation of the pavement. A strong sub-base means that the pavement or road will be able to hold heavy loads like trucks, and heavy transport. It also ensures that the pavement will last for a long period of time. The aggregate used in sub-base is often in crushed form and the most common choice is crushed stones. Although this base is loose it should be compacted with heavy rollers. This compaction minimizes loose spaces in between and further strengthens the base.
This step is optional, but most of the top companies out there perform this step. Before adding the final asphalt layer, the strength of the base is tested. It is done by putting pressure and weight on the surface to check for any loose fitting or soft soil underneath. It’s rare to find any faults in the base during this process, but it’s always good practice to conduct these tests.
Well, there’s one last layer before the actual asphalt layer is laid. This is called a binder. As the name suggests, holds both the sub-base and the asphalt layer on top, serving as a layer of adhesive in between. While adding additional strength, it also helps in evenly distributing the traffic load on the road. This even distribution of weight helps to avoid any deformation of the road and helps in maintaining a smooth surface for a longer time. Not to mention that binders also act as a water-resistant layer on the road.
Finally, now is the time when the actual asphalt layer is added to the prepared base. The asphalt aggregate is made up of crushed stones, gravel, sand, and bitumen. There are some steps that are very important in installing the layer of asphalt but before that, you need to know some of the technical terms and machinery
A screed is a machine that is attached to the tractor. It evenly distributes the asphalt aggregate. It’s advised to preheat your screed before starting the process as it will match the temperature of the hot segregate.
This is the angle at which the screed will be leveling out the material. An optimal angle is necessary for perfect leveling. Many factors play an important role, in determining the optimal angle which includes the amount of material placed, desired thickness, and more.
The head of material and angle of attack almost goes hand in hand, in simple words, the head of material is the amount of aggregate placed in front of the screen. The screed then takes aggregate from this “Head of material” and levels it out perfectly with the optimal angle of attack. The amount of head of material is important. If it’s more than required, then it will result in a thicker and looser layer, it will also increase the friction between the screed and the surface and can ruin the angle at which the material is being poured.
On the other hand, if the material is insufficient, it will result in a thinner layer and the screed can also slide because of insufficient friction.
Most of the Asphalt Paving Services include installing a new pavement and attaching it to a parking lot, or a main road that is already in a good condition. The part where the newly laid asphalt and old asphalt joins is called butt joints or transitions. A good contractor will make sure that they both are perfectly leveled and there are no gaps between the two.
Apart from the obvious color, there shouldn’t be anything else that can indicate that these two are separate. A smooth and level transition will result in proper water drainage and the smoothest driving experience while crossing over the joint.
Installing asphalt is a very technical process that requires proper training and knowledge of how to operate the machines and equipment. There are many details that cannot be covered in a single blog like the composition of the aggregate used in each layer, and more. But the above is a comprehensive guide on some of the most obvious aspects that a bystander can easily observe while watching an asphalt project. Now when you watch contractors laying asphalt pavement, you will know what’s going on.
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