An Insight Into Asphalt Pavement Installation Methods Followed By Asphalt Paving Contractors in Georgia

We are surrounded by asphalt everywhere we go, be it the roads, pavements, expressways or bridges. Asphalt plays an important role in construction of pavements, as they offer a degree of flexibility and versatility that is unmatched by any other material. Plus, they are inexpensive to manufacture and apply, offering high returns on investment for contractors and builders.

Asphalt paving contractors in Georgia and elsewhere around the country follow their own specific methods for pavement construction, but the general steps followed is always the same, more or less.

Step 1: Cleaning the Surface

For a clean installation, the existing surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned of debris, stones and other hurdles. If the surface is untouched, then it is simply cleaned for installation. But if there is already an existing installation on it such as broken asphalt or concrete or stone, they are demolished to clear out the area entirely. Fresh asphalt is always applied on a clean surface except in special circumstances where asphalt needs to be applied as reinforcement on existing asphalt pavement.

Step 2: Grading the Surface

The second step involves planning of water drainage and run-off so that rain water and storm water won’t get accumulated at the base. Accumulated water can loosen asphalt and damage it from inside, hence proper drainage planning is necessary.

Step 3: Installing Base Layer

The third step involves installing a base layer that provides a strong foundation for asphalt layer which will be installed on top of it later. Different asphalt paving contractors in Georgia use different materials for base layer such as stone, gravel, sand or soil. The type of base to be laid out depends on the usage scenario of the pavement surface. The base layer is properly compacted to make it smooth.

Step 4: Installing Binder

The fourth step involves installation of binder material. Binder is a special joining mixture made from mixing aggregates with oil to make it strong and hard, while allowing asphalt to properly bind with the base layer. Binders are also designed to be as waterproof as possible to prevent water from asphalt pavement surface to run off into the base layer.

Step 5: Installing the Asphalt Surface

The fifth step involves installation of the main asphalt layer on top of the binding layer. Hot asphalt is freshly made on-site or off-site by mixing aggregates, sand and oil and heating them together to form a sticky, oily mixture. This is then carefully laid across the surface, covering all edges and later pressed with a roller truck. In places where the pavement needs to be joined with existing pavements, special joints are provided to smoothen the transition from old road to new road and vice versa.

Step 6: Rolling the Surface Flat

After all installation work is wrapped up, the roller truck runs across the entire surface multiple times to properly smoothen out the surface and push back any pocking stones out from surface. It is then left to dry for a few hours, after which it is deemed ready for public use.