The Different Types of Pavement

The history of asphalt pavement is one of

innovation. Practically from the day that the first asphalt road was built, manufacturers
and engineers have sought ways to improve the material. As a result, there are now
several different varieties of asphalt pavement.

The Different Types of Pavement

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
The most commonly used asphalt in the United States is HMA. This is the traditional
asphalt pavement, sometimes called blacktop or bitumen, that is an economical,
durable and attractive all-purpose material. HMA typically contains a certain percentage
of reclaimed asphalt pavement although “virgin” pavement is also available.

Fine- and Coarse-Graded Asphalt

Fine-graded and coarse-graded asphalt are HMAs that have been assigned a grade
according to the size of the particles, such as the aggregates, that have been included
in the mix. To qualify as fine-graded, the particles must be small, usually about the size
of a sand grain. Coarse-graded mixes have larger particles, and for many applications,
these are considered to be superior for pavements that require better protection against
rutting.

Porous Asphalt
Porous or permeable asphalt does not seal out water and confine it to the top of the
pavement. Instead, pores in the pavement allow water to penetrate. The water is then
directed into nearby soil instead of into a storm sewer. Top of the pavement runoff is
reduced or eliminated, and fewer or smaller puddles collect on the pavement. Porous
asphalt is more fragile than HMA, however, so it is typically reserved for areas that
support only light loads and/or low volumes of traffic, such as parking lots.
Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)
Stone mastic asphalt has been popular in Europe for several decades, but it did not see
use in America until the 1990s. SMA has a stone matrix that offers superior resistance
to ruts and other deformations. Currently, most SMA is used on heavily traveled
highways and interstates although some cities are using SMA at high-traffic
intersections.

Uncertain Which Type of Pavement You

Need?
Since 1983, Asphalt Pavement Solutions has been helping clients select the best
pavement type for their particular needs. We offer an extensive range of asphalt
maintenance services, including asphalt paving, repairs, driveway sealing and
pavement markings. We have established an exceptional reputation among our
customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland for providing superior
quality at affordable rates.

Highest Priority For U.S. Highways

Recently, more than 3,000 drivers responded

to a nationwide survey that asked them to prioritize 14 road-related factors. The
respondents included operators of privately owned vehicles as well as professional
truck drivers. The questions were designed to determine what drivers wanted from their
roads as well as their attitudes regarding related issues. Here is what the survey found.

Highest Priority For U.S. Highways – An

Example
1. Well-maintained roads were high on the list, with 73 percent of the professional
truckers and 84 percent of the POV drivers prioritizing maintenance.
2. Drivers in both groups felt that maintenance work needed to be performed during low-
volume times to minimize traffic snarls and congestion.
3. When it came to allocating funds to new roads versus spending on maintaining and
repairing current roads, 78 percent of the truckers and 86 percent of the POV drivers felt
that spending should focus on keeping existing roads in good repair instead of building
new ones.
4. Respondents demonstrated an understanding of the costs involved; over half stated
they would support additional or new funding initiatives for road maintenance or
construction, and 69 percent were willing to accept traffic delays for maintenance if they
resulted in smoother, more drivable roads.
5. Safe roads were a high priority for 56 percent of the respondents.
In short, what American drivers want are safe, smooth, well-maintained roads that do
not cause them unnecessary delays. Asphalt pavement delivers everything that the
survey shows that drivers want from their roads.
• Repairing and maintaining asphalt roads does not require the lengthy closures that are
involved with concrete pavement, allowing traffic flow to resume much more quickly.
• Virtually all work on asphalt roads can be done when traffic is light so that rush-hour
congestion caused by roadwork is eliminated.
• Asphalt pavement provides a smoother ride, making it more comfortable as well as
boosting fuel efficiency and reducing vehicle “wear and tear.”
• Asphalt roads are smoother and more even, which makes them safer. The ease with
which asphalt can be repaired means that asphalt roads are often better maintained
than concrete roads, which again increases the safety factor.

To Pave or Not to Pave

Would you be surprised to learn that the

United States has approximately 4.09 million miles of public thoroughfares? What if you
learned that over one-third of those — more than 1.4 million miles — were unpaved
gravel or dirt roads? It might be hard to believe that the U.S. could have so many miles
of unpaved roads in the 21st century, but it is true. The statistic becomes even more
inexplicable when you compare the disadvantages of unpaved roads and advantages of
asphalt pavement.
To Pave or Not to Pave – Why
• Paved roads are safer. Ruts in unpaved roads can wrench control of a vehicle from the
driver and cause an accident. Unpaved roads become very slippery in wet weather,
which can also lead to accidents. In dry weather, dust from an unpaved road can
obscure the driver’s vision, which again poses a risk of accidents.
• Cars traveling on unpaved roads stir up a lot of dust that fills the air. This dust can find
its way inside nearby homes or businesses, exacerbating existing respiratory problems.
• The gravel is not going to remain in place on unpaved roads. It can wash into drainage
ditches and reduce their ability to handle run-off efficiently. Sediment washed into the
drainage ditches along with the gravel can make the problem worse.
• Paved roads make adjacent properties more desirable to employees and customers
as well as those seeking to purchase a home. This, in turn, can enhance property
values.
• If an unpaved road is travelled by more than 100 vehicles per day, it will be
substantially more expensive to maintain than a paved road. As the traffic increases, the
costs of maintaining an unpaved road rise dramatically. By the time that the road is
supporting an average of 250 to 300 vehicles per day, the unpaved road will cost 2.5 to
3 times as much.
Installing asphalt pavement is preferable to leaving a road unpaved in virtually all
scenarios. Whether you base it on maintenance costs, safety factors or economic
impact, it just makes sense.
Asphalt Pavement Solutions has more than three decades of industry experience and
serves customers throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. We offer an
extensive range of asphalt-related services from asphalt paving to sealcoating. We can
apply parking lot markings, car stops, bollards and signage, repair cracks or potholes in
your asphalt pavement, or repair the inlets for your storm water drainage system. Our
crews are dedicated to providing quality work at reasonable rates.

Asphalt Paving And Drainage

Whether they are planning a major highway

or a residential driveway, asphalt contractors are always concerned about drainage
issues. Water that does not drain properly can collect in pools that can freeze and pose
a safety issue, and even during the summer months, puddles of water standing in your
driveway are not particularly attractive. Furthermore, water is the most dangerous
natural force that your asphalt pavement faces, so proper drainage can also help you
protect your investment.

Asphalt Paving And Drainage – How

Important?
Most homes are situated above the street level, so driveways normally increase in
height as they approach the garage or parking area. Paving companies grade the
driveway so that the change in elevation is gradual but consistent. This allows water to
flow down to the street without creating any low spots in which it can collect. Many
factors determine the rate of change, such as driveway length or municipal codes. At
minimum, the height should increase 0.25 inches for every foot of pavement, so if the
driveway is 20 feet long, there should be at least a 5-inch difference in the height. Many
situations call for a greater height differential.
To ensure the best drainage, one side of the driveway should be slightly lower than the
other. Typically, the difference does not need to be much — a 2-percent difference is
normally sufficient. On a driveway that is 10 feet in width, this amounts to a change of
2.4 inches, graded evenly across the entire width of the driveway.
Homes that are located on the downhill end of a driveway face a different problem. The
driveway has enough slope for water to drain efficiently, but where this water ends up
may not be desirable. For example, the water may drain into the garage or basement.
Having a covered trench installed in front of the area you want to protect can channel
the water away safely.
A properly drained driveway will last longer and be both more appealing and safer.
Improper drainage can also result in damage to your lawn and possibly your foundation,
basement or garage.

What Is Your Pavement Telling You

 During its lifecycle, asphalt pavement may go through three
stages: wear, distress and failure. Wear can be mitigated by launching a preventive
maintenance program soon after your asphalt pavement is installed. However,
distressed pavement typically requires prompt repairs to avoid or postpone a major
failure. Distressed asphalt normally shows one or more of the following visual clues that
warn you that something is not right with your pavement.

What Is Your Pavement Telling You –

Examples
1. Rutting: Rutting is the term asphalt contractors use to describe longitudinal wavy
marks in the pavement that follow the path of the traffic. It is an indication that the
pavement cannot support the traffic loads to which it is being subjected. Ruts can
present a driving hazard as water can pool in them, increasing the possibility of
hydroplaning. The vehicle’s direction of travel can also be altered when it encounters
them suddenly or at high speed.
2. Different wavy marks that may appear on distressed asphalt are referred to as
shoving, wash-boarding or corrugation. These are usually found where vehicles stop
and start, such as in the vicinity of traffic lights, stop signs or crosswalks. Wash-
boarding is an indication that the mix was not quite right. It might be that the asphalt
cement used was not the correct type for the climate, or perhaps excessive amounts of
asphalt cement were used. It can also indicate that an insufficient amount of aggregate
was added to the mix.
3. Flushing is the term used to describe smooth, shiny patches on asphalt pavement
that normally appear in the wheel paths. Because it is the result of too much asphalt
cement added to the mix, flushing and wash-boarding may both be present on the same
expanse of pavement. Flushing normally appears during the first few years of the
pavement’s life, and correction often requires removing the existing asphalt and
replacing it.
4. Pavement that shows “rips” or wrinkles has suffered a bond failure. Asphalt pavement
and its underlying base must remain “glued” (bonded) together for proper performance.
If the bond fails in an area, the pavement will try to “move” with the traffic. Bond failures
usually occur during the first year or two of operation. They are commonly the result of
an error made in the installation, but they can also be caused by a structural flaw.
5. Alligator cracking is a term used to describe a pattern of damage involving numerous
connected cracks that resemble an alligator’s skin. The condition can be caused by
water that has penetrated beneath the pavement and destabilized the foundation,
insufficient compaction during installation or pavement that is too thin for the loads
placed upon it.
6. Water or mud being pumped to the pavement’s surface by traffic is an early warning
that potholes will be arriving soon. Mud and water coming from beneath the pavement is
an indication that water has found its way below the asphalt and is attacking the
foundation. When the foundation has been sufficiently destabilized, the pavement will
not have the resiliency to withstand traffic. Potholes will form, and your pavement will
also be at risk for alligator cracking
Asphalt contractors may use a variety of techniques to save distressed pavement. One
of the most common methods used is the cut-and-patch technique. This involves cutting
the pavement to remove the damaged area and then applying a patch of new asphalt.
Another method that is highly effective for some issues is to apply another layer of
asphalt on top of the existing pavement. This is called an overlay. Depending on the
extent and cause of the pavement distress, it may also be necessary to repair the
foundation and/or fill and seal cracks.

Expected Cost For Paving A Driveway

There is no such thing as an average cost for

installing a new driveway. Asphalt contractors use a method for pricing jobs that is
based on a number of different factors. Therefore, every driveway can be a different
price, even if the overall square footage is the same. Here are the primary factors that
must be taken into consideration when determining the cost of a specific driveway.

Expected Cost For Paving A Driveway

1. Many people believe that the square footage — the length of the driveway times its
width — determines material costs. However, the depth of the asphalt required for a
specific location must also be considered.
2. The job will require trucks to deliver the asphalt as well as to move the contractor’s
crew and equipment to the site. How far the job is from the batch plant and the
contractor’s yard plays a part in the cost. The cost of fuel is one aspect, but so too is the
cost of the truckers’ salaries — the more miles behind the wheel and the drive time can
impact costs significantly.
3. Most asphalt paving contractors have invested a great deal of money in tractors,
rollers and other heavy equipment. This equipment speeds up the job, resulting in
reduced labor costs. However, there are areas where the heavy equipment cannot be
used. If any or all of your area is inaccessible, the crew will have to handle tasks
manually, resulting in higher labor costs.
4. Before asphalt can be installed, the ground must be prepared. Debris must be
removed, the base prepared and good drainage must be ensured. Until the contractor
inspects your site, he cannot know how much preparation will be required. Some sites
might require extensive excavation, while others might need little.
Reputable contractors will not provide a firm estimate without seeing your site although
some may be willing to offer a “ballpark” range, depending on your answers to their
questions. Be aware that the actual cost could be less or more than the figures
provided. The best approach is to request that a contractor take a look at your site
before quoting the job.

Paving Over Concrete

Applying an asphalt overlay to a concrete

surface is a common practice. Asphalt paving contractors frequently use asphalt over
concrete on interstates, state highways and city streets. Concrete provides an excellent
base for the asphalt, which must have a well-compacted, stable foundation to yield
superior results. This applies across the country- including Pennsylvania and the
Camden area!

Paving Over Concrete – Why?

Although the majority of concrete surfaces can be paved with asphalt, under certain
circumstances, the concrete does not have the integrity that asphalt needs. The
following questions may be helpful when deciding whether your concrete surface is
suitable for an asphalt overlay.
1. Are the concrete blocks or sections level? Concrete surfaces are constructed with
individual sections. You have probably seen concrete driveways or roadways with one
or more sections that are higher than the adjacent section, or those with sections that
slant upwards or downwards at the edges. It does not take an earthquake to make
concrete move in such a manner — anything that disturbs the soil beneath the concrete,
such as extreme drought, floods, improper drainage or heavy freezes, can make the soil
move, taking the concrete with it.
2. How large are the expansion joints? A space is typically left between adjoining
blocks. This lets the concrete contract in winter and expand in summer without
damaging it. These expansion joints can be a problem for an asphalt overlay. If the
gaps are too large, it will not be long before you have large cracks in the asphalt that
follow the lines of the expansion joints.
3. What is the overall condition of the concrete surface? An asphalt overlay should not
be considered a “quick fix” for damaged concrete. Your satisfaction with the asphalt
surface is proportional to the quality of the concrete. If the concrete has already begun
to crumble, it will continue to deteriorate beneath the asphalt. If the concrete is
separating along a major crack, the crack will most likely continue to spread. Although
many of these problems can be repaired before the asphalt is applied, not addressing
them can doom the overlay. It is also possible that your concrete surface may be so
deteriorated that it is more economical to remove it and build a “total asphalt” project.
Typically, if complete removal is required, it is an indication that the initial installation of
the concrete was improper or that the concrete used was of extremely poor quality —
although exceptions exist.

Asphalt…Fact or Myth

Engineers have recognized the value of asphalt as

a paving material for centuries. Asphalt is versatile, robust and economical. Despite its
known value, certain myths about asphalt still circulate today — myths that we would
like to dispel.

Asphalt…Fact or Myth
Myth: Asphalt plants are a major source of air pollution.
Fact: Early asphalt plants did produce a lot of smelly smoke — but during the same era,
so did steel manufacturers, textile mills and many plants generating electricity for homes
and businesses. Over the last few decades, however, the asphalt industry developed
new techniques to reduce pollutants far below the standards set by the EPA. As a
result, the EPA does not consider asphalt plants to contribute to pollution to any
significant degree.
Myth: Asphalt roads are becoming a thing of the past.
Fact: Asphalt can be found on approximately 95 percent of America’s paved roads. Its
widespread use is due to a combination of factors, which include cost as well as the
speed of installation or repair.
Myth: Concrete pavement is a one-time expense, but asphalt is not.
Fact: Both asphalt and concrete pavements require periodic maintenance and repair to
obtain the maximum life. Both pavements will need repairs over their service life, but
repairs can be made to asphalt in less time and at less expense.
Myth: Asphalt does not require a solid foundation for installation the way that concrete
does.
Fact: Proper installation of an asphalt surface is crucial to obtaining satisfactory results.
Part of the installation involves establishing a level, well-compacted foundation. Just like
concrete, asphalt installed on an uneven, poorly drained foundation can crack or
crumble.

What Happens with Old Asphalt

When old asphalt is torn up and hauled away by

pavement companies that are engaging in new projects, there is an excellent chance
that it will be recycled and reused. In fact, recyclable asphalt and “crushed reclaim” are
valuable materials. Many municipalities require a certain amount of old asphalt to be
used in the construction of new roads and embankments. Reclaimed asphalt generally
improves pavement mixtures so that the new construction material lasts longer. In fact,
reclaimed material is a big part of green technology, which attempts to inject a degree of
sustainability into the world.

What Happens with Old Asphalt

Engineering Properties
Asphalt can be recycled because it has a number of useful properties. Both its moisture
content and its shear strength, for instance, ensure that it will hold up well in a variety of
weather conditions, especially when it is being used secondarily. Its permeability is also
similar to a variety of granular materials that are often used in highway construction
projects. Recycled asphalt is likewise free draining and not susceptible to frost, which
means it can be blended together with other materials to create a more appropriate
aggregate.

The Power of Recycling

Instead of heading to the dump and sitting in repose for decades or even centuries, old
asphalt is recyclable. The material can be easily stored or stockpiled until it is ready to
be used. It does not need to be secondarily compacted and will remain in excellent
shape at the warehouse.

Do construction crews pave in the

rain?
There is a widespread misconception that asphalt pavement can only be installed on
extremely hot, dry days. Although ideal conditions are precipitation-free days with air
temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, asphalt can be applied under a range of
conditions.
That said, it is never a good idea to start a project while rain is falling. If it begins to rain
while work is underway, the job can proceed if the rainfall is not too hard and the
surface is free from standing water. However, if the rain is too heavy, work should be
suspended.
There are two primary problems with installing asphalt pavement in the rain. The first is
that the rain will make the asphalt cool faster as it hits the top layer. It will also expedite
the cooling rate if the foundation is wet. This can cause steam to form between the
asphalt and the base, compromising the installation. The trapped steam will eventually
condense into water, further undermining the integrity of the asphalt.
The second problem is that asphalt must be compacted properly to form a proper bond.
It is more difficult to achieve sufficient compaction in the rain. Additional effort is
needed, including monitoring temperatures to ensure that adequate density is achieved.
If work must be suspended because of rain, it is important that the conditions be
evaluated before work resumes. Standing water, such as might be found in potholes,
must be dried up before paving operations resume. If the rain has washed mud or dirt
onto the surface, this will need to be removed as well. If the foundation was left
unprotected, it may be necessary to allow it to dry for a while or recompact it.

Is asphalt a sustainable material?

 The modern definition of a sustainable
material is one that does not have an adverse effect on critical ecologies or the greater
environment despite being produced in large quantities from renewable resources.
Asphalt meets all of the requirements for a sustainable material.
Each year, approximately 100 million tons of asphalt is reclaimed, with more than 95
percent used to make new asphalt paving. This makes asphalt pavement the most
recycled item in the nation. In addition, recycled asphalt routinely includes other
materials, such as tires, shingles, slag and glass, that might otherwise end up in
landfills.
Over the last four decades, asphalt paving material production has increased 250
percent, but emissions from plants producing asphalt pavement have decreased by at
least 97 percent. Greenhouse gases and other emissions, combined with the low
energy demands of asphalt production, have led the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to state that asphalt plants are not among the industries that the agency
considers to be major contributors to hazardous pollutants.
Another major concern of the EPA is the affect materials have on water quality. Asphalt
is not water-soluble. In fact, some state fish and game agencies use asphalt to line their
hatchery tanks, and some municipalities use it to line water reservoirs supplying the
city’s drinking water. Asphalt is also considered “clean fill” as it does not leach any toxic
chemicals in a landfill.

What a Reliable Blacktop Contractor

can Do for Your Pavement
By: John Verzi
If you have an asphalt surface on your property or are thinking about paving for the first
time, it’s important to contact a reliable blacktop contractor with backing and experience.
In the Philadelphia and Camden area, Duraseal Asphalt Sealing & Line Striping is the
indisputable blacktop contractor, with over 30 years of experience and hundreds of
happy customers under its belt.
Duraseal is able to install and repair new blacktop for both parking lots and driveways.
Once installed, Duraseal can offer a comprehensive maintenance plan for your
pavement to keep it from premature deterioration.

Preventive Blacktop Maintenance

Asphalt sealcoating is the smart thing to do to protect your pavement’s condition and it’s
the most common and cost-effective preventive maintenance procedure. It protects
against oil, salt, water, UV rays, and gasoline; which are deleterious to asphalt and
inevitably come in contact with pavement regularly.
By sealing your asphalt, you are able to keep your pavement looking new while
protecting its integrity. Blacktop sealcoating is a fraction of the price that would be spent
replacing asphalt once it has been damaged to the point of needing pavement removal
or overlays.

Blacktop Repair
However, if a surface is already damaged with cracks, alligatoring, potholes, and other
issues, these must be repaired first. Duraseal uses Infrared technology, which saves
time and money, and provides a seamless fix. No joints means no water penetration
and more protection in the long run.
Our blacktop maintenance services address any and all pavement related issues.
Asphalt Paving – New installations or overlays
Asphalt Sealcoating – Protect pavement against the damaging effects of time
Asphalt Crack Repair – Most cost effective way to extend pavement life
Asphalt Repair – Pothole repair, edge repair, alligator cracking and more
ADA Compliance – Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act
Parking Lot Striping & Pavement Marking – Keep your lot orderly and safe
Traffic Signs, Bollards, Cars Stops and more – Clear instructions for cars & people