Monday, October 7, 2013

General Information To Know About Paving

By Rhea Solomon


The term paving is often used when describing the process in which pavement or road surface is created. This structure is made from a combination of durable materials that are placed over a section of ground. The process is mostly done in order to sustain vehicular or foot traffic in an area, such is true for construction of roads and walkways.

Historically, it was more common to see gravel roads, granite setts and cobblestone. These surfaces have largely been replaced by concrete or asphalt in the modern world, particularly in developed countries. Road surfaces are typically marked with paint to help guide traffic. Nowadays, permeable paving techniques are being used for both low-impact walkways and roadways.

Asphalt, which may also be known as asphalt concrete, has been employed since the early 1900s. Many surfaces of this type are placed on top of a gravel base that is as thick as the asphalt layer. It is common for this type of concrete paving to be installed in places where high amounts of traffic are reported, including main highways that see a lot of traffic and have to be durable and accommodating. Some of the advantages that come with using this surface is the lower price, easiness of repair and low amount of noise. There are also disadvantages, such as: lack of durability, low strength, and tendency to turn slick and soft under hot weather conditions.

Portland cement, water, coarse aggregate and sand are used as the main ingredients for concert surface mixtures. In the concoctions made today, extra admixtures may be included to lower water requirements and chemical reactions and increase the overall workability. The kind of pavement may be known as jointed plan, jointed reinforced or continuously reinforced, depending on the system of jointing that is used to control cracks. The strength and durability of this type are recognized as main advantages although the expensive price tag and time for construction are considered disadvantages.

The combination of Portland cement concrete with asphalt is known as composite surfaces. These are typically used to rehabilitate roadways that already exist, instead of new construction. In some instances, asphalt overlays are placed over distressed concrete as a way to smooth the surface. A disadvantage with this application is movement in the joints between the concrete slabs that lie underneath can cause cracks known as reflective cracks.

Distressed materials from these structures may be recycled. They might also be reused when it comes to fixing up roads. Pavement that is in place is made into smaller pieces that are taken to asphalt or concrete plants and added to other pavement mixes. Sometimes the recycling is done in place to serve as a base or subbase for new pavement.

The application of these types of surfaces is a big part of nation development. It allows for ease in transportation because it improves the overall conditions. People working in the construction industry know what type of paving should be used and where it should be installed.

Paving comes in many different forms and is mostly used for walkways and roadways. Traditionally seen as cobblestone, granite setts and gravel roads, pavement is now mostly asphalt or concrete. Durable materials are employed to construct these surfaces, which are primarily created to support human traffic.




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