The Basics of Asphalting

Asphalting refers to the process of applying a layer of hot mix asphalt (HMA) over road surfaces. HMA consists of stones, sand, and gravel mixed and bound together by asphalt cement (derived from petroleum residue). Lump Gilsonite enhances HMA by adding thermal stability, elasticity, and water resistance qualities. Choose the best asphalt paving contractor in Elk Grove.

Mixing

Mixing is the process by which coarse aggregate, filler, and bitumen are combined into HMA. This may occur either through wet or dry process mixing methods, with microencapsulated PCMs being dispersed into water before being mixed with mineral aggregate and filler to form HMA. The dry process involves directly mixing aggregate, filler, and bitumen for a low-stiffness modulus mixture, leading to improved mechanical properties of porous asphalt, such as splitting, fatigue, and rutting performance. Furthermore, this mixing method has the potential to significantly reduce dust produced during mixing operations, especially those producing plants with low aggregate degradation rates and strict gradation specifications.

Compaction

Compaction refers to the process used by tamping and vibratory equipment to get maximum performance out of asphalt mixes. It makes an essential contribution to creating smoothness on blacktop surfaces and overall durability. It should not be neglected; its outcome could have an immense effect on their smoothness and lifespan.

Compaction’s main aim is to increase material density by decreasing air void content and, therefore, creating more robust and more durable pavement surfaces. Many factors can impact compaction efforts, including temperature, lift thickness, roller patterns, overlapped patterns, and speed.

Rolling the mix while it’s still hot is critical to achieving maximum compaction, and a double-drum vibratory roller should be near behind a paver to accomplish this objective. A good technique is stopping forward motion on each pass before continuing in an arc towards the center of the panel – this allows it to take full advantage of temperature while avoiding drum depressions in finished pavement surfaces. Furthermore, by decreasing equipment speeds, shearing stress increases, and particle arrangements can become denser more efficiently.