Paving Equipment Rentals

Asphalt Paving

About Asphalt?

Asphalt has been used in road-building since 1920. Asphalt paving may also be referred to as asphalt concrete.

The material using in paving is called Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and contains a binder of bitumen which allows it to sustain plastic deformation.

Asphalt is fairly durable and flexible although fatigue results from repeated heavy loading.

Asphalt is relatively low cost and low noise. It is also easier to repair when damaged. Aspahlt does not last as long as concrete or other paving material. Asphalt can withstand less weight than concrete and is also known for heating up in hot weather and may become slippery or sticky .

Asphalt is also not as environmentally friendly, and may add to hydrocarbon pollutants to soils, groundwater, and waterways.

How is Asphalt Laid down?

Asphalt pavement is laid on a gravel base which should be as thick as the asphalt layer. If the soil is soft or expansive, clay or peat, a very thick gravel base must be laid down using cement or lime. In extreme soft soils polystyrene blocks are used as the base.

The asphalt is spread out and flattened using a free floating screed, engineered in the 1930's and helped to revolutionize asphalt paving.

Advantages of Asphalt Paving:
lower cost
flexible
easy repairs

Disadvantages of Asphalt Paving:
less tensile strength
heats in hot weather
pollutants
not long lasting