Asphalt paving is nothing more than the process of regularizing roads through a layer of machined asphalt concrete. This technique consists of mixing asphalt in a plant since the stone aggregates and additives present in the asphalt cement must reach a temperature above 170 ºC.
However, it is necessary to remember that, before receiving the asphalt paving winnipeg that composes the track, road, or street, several layers or steps must be carried out to prepare the soil to accept the final paving. Therefore, the asphalting process goes far beyond the application of the asphalt mix.Also, you should know that asphalt pavings are bound to get cracks with normal wear and tear, and that can be filled using hot asphalt crack filler.
Check below how each of these steps works.
Subgrade
In general, the subgrade represents the terrain that will provide support to receive the road. Therefore, this is the strip of land that must be prepared to receive the asphalt structure that will be carried out, including the weight of the vehicles that traveled there. This stage is of fundamental importance since, without the earthwork and adequate soil compaction, the other phases may be compromised.
Sub-base
The granular base is also called the granular base; the sub-base is formed by a reinforcement layer between the subgrade and the base. Its function is to optimize the asphalt’s durability so that it reaches the expected useful life, that is, between 8 and 12 years. For this purpose, crushed stones of up to 10 centimeters in diameter and stone powder are used to fill in the gaps. Then they are compacted by a steamroller to guarantee the reinforcement of the base.
Base
The base, in turn, consists of stones up to 5 cm in diameter and an asphalt compound used to create greater consistency and waterproofing. The asphalt emulsion, a bituminous compound, is applied to ensure better adhesion between the bed’s asphalt coating and the base.
Bed
A material forms the bed from petroleum applied at a minimum temperature of 50 ºC. This is because the asphalt concrete coating must take on a sticky consistency. However, during the cooling process, the asphalt becomes more rigid, attaching itself to the base to form the track. At that moment, chemical compounds are added to make the asphalt more resistant. In some cases, its useful life can reach up to 30 years.
Track
Finally, the track is the surface on which cars and pedestrians can move freely. For this purpose, steam roller finishes are carried out to guarantee better compaction of the asphalt and carry out any corrections and marking of signs.
What is the impact of paving on people’s lives?
Aesthetics and functionality are essential characteristics of a modern city. Thus, paving public roads plays a vital role – since it ensures mobility, sanitation, stainless tactile pads and other crucial urban infrastructure items. Besides being more visually pleasing, asphalt is a more suitable coating for locomotion and brings more comfort to citizens.
On the other hand, paving has an even more critical role in people’s lives. As it is an essential basic service, paving is useful for getting around quickly from one place to another, especially in large centers. Therefore, for this activity to occur correctly, the asphalt must support the loads exerted by the vehicles.
Another advantage of paving public roads is directly associated with drivers who use streets, avenues, and highways, especially since it brings more security, improves performance and mobility. Finally, paving is also related to the quality of life and health of residents.