How Does Asphalt Paving Work?

Asphalt pavement has grown to be a common staple in the field of construction almost the whole world over. It makes up the street and highway systems in almost every place that roads are found. It is also a major component of parking lots, tracks, and driveways. If you are going to be involved with a project that requires the use of asphalt, you will want to know how to best complete your project for quality and sustainability. This article will describe the processes behind strong and lasting asphalt paving projects for long term durability to withstand wear and tear.

The process behind paving anything with asphalt has been tried and tested until particular steps were discovered and put in order. Such steps have been both found and formulated through many quality control trials. There are now certain standards that exist that inspectors look for when they are determining the grade of asphalt preparations. Asphalt is first created by following the proper procedures for mixing aggregates. Aggregates consist of materials that are blended to form composites that are structurally sound as well as resistant to damage. High quality asphalt will have a staying power that lasts for a long time.

Aggregate can be made out of materials like sand, gravel or limestone and is the basic makeup of asphalt and concrete. The process for paving something will vary depending on the kind of project that is being undertaken. The steps for paving a driveway will be different from the steps that must be followed to pave a parking lot or a highway. If you are undertaking a personal project for your home, you will want to contact your local authorities to check zoning regulations and other local laws that you may have to follow.

If old asphalt is already in place where you intend new asphalt to be placed, the old asphalt may have to be removed from the area in order the guarantee that the new asphalt will remain structurally sound. Alternatively, the old asphalt may be resurfaced, placing new asphalt over the old.  If the place you intend to pave has a soft consistency, you will want to remove all soft materials to ensure that new asphalt will not experience shifts or movements once it has been placed. To further prepare an area for the placement of new asphalt, an even base should be prepared in order to create a level foundation, because asphalt does not harden.

Once everything has been measured, a base has been laid, and everything has been leveled out, you can start the process of laying out the asphalt. Hot asphalt must be mixed and transported to where it will eventually be placed. For home projects like driveways, crude oil is heated up and then mixed with an aggregate like gravel. After the asphalt has been successfully mixed and is available at the site where it will be placed, it can be placed over the area that you intend to have paved.

Once all of the above steps have been completed and the top coat asphalt has been mixed and brought to the scene, it is placed over the area that has been prepared for it. After it has been placed, the asphalt must then be leveled out the same way that the base layer was. This involves rolling with a large roller drum. Such a drum serves to both smooth and compact the asphalt, which helps to ensure the strength of its structure. Take care of the edges and any remaining loose ends to finish.