Asphalt Paving in Terrace

What Is Asphalt?

Asphalt pavement is a mixture of coarse aggregates (rock and stones), fine aggregates (sand and stone dust), and a binder composed of bitumen and modifying oils and polymers.

Hot-mix asphalt is produced in stationary or portable plants according to a “mix design.” The mix design specifies the appropriate proportions of aggregates of various sizes as well as the weight and properties of the bitumen binder.

In the plant, measured amounts of coarse and fine aggregates are heated and blended with the bitumen at a controlled temperature to produce hot-mix asphalt material. The hot-mix emerges from the plant as a tarry viscous material that is generally stored at temperature inside an insulated silo before being transported to the construction site in a dump truck.

Asphalt pavement is produced by spreading a smooth, even mat of the hot-mix asphalt onto the road base using machines called pavers and then compacting the mat with rollers. The compacting process compresses the loose mat into a tight interlocked matrix of stones and dramatically increases the binder contact between stones, which gives the asphalt pavement its strength.