The Essentials of the Asphalt Pavement Construction Process: Key Steps to Ensure Pavement Quality
This article details the key steps in hot-mix asphalt pavement construction, covering 20 key points, including asphalt mixture transportation, paving, pavement compaction and forming, joint treatment, and opening to traffic.
1. Construction Preparation
1.1 [Bridging Coat, Tack Coat, and Seal Coat]
In asphalt pavement construction, the purpose of the bonding and adhesion between the pavement structure is achieved through specific spraying and application methods. To ensure good adhesion between the asphalt mixture surface and the non-asphalt base layer, a bonding oil should be sprayed on the base layer surface before paving and ensured to fully penetrate the base layer. Liquid asphalt or emulsified asphalt with good permeability should be selected as the bonding oil.
Tack coat strengthens the bond between the asphalt layers of the pavement and between the asphalt layers and the cement concrete pavement. Fast-crack or medium-crack emulsified asphalt, modified emulsified asphalt, or fast-setting or medium-setting liquid petroleum asphalt is recommended. Tack coat should be applied on the same day as the surface layer is paved. Seal coat oil is typically made from modified asphalt or modified emulsified asphalt. Seal coat aggregate should be hard, wear-resistant, and clean, and its particle size and gradation must meet regulatory requirements.
1.2 [Transportation and Spreading]
During transportation, maintaining temperature and preventing contamination are crucial. Application temperature requirements must be met. Before loading, spray a layer of release agent or anti-adhesive agent. During transportation, cover the asphalt mixture with a tarpaulin to maintain temperature and protect it from rain and contamination. If the asphalt mixture does not meet application temperature requirements or exhibits clumping or rain exposure, it must not be used.
2. Paving Operations
2.1 [Hot Mix Asphalt Paving]
For hot mix asphalt, appropriate equipment must be used for paving, and the paving temperature and speed must be controlled to ensure a smooth surface. Choose a tracked or wheeled asphalt paver for paving. Before paving, apply a thin layer of release agent or anti-adhesive agent to the paver’s receiving hopper to ensure smooth placement of the mixture.
On urban expressways and main roads, it is recommended to use two or more pavers in a coordinated operation to minimize construction joints. The paving width of each paver should be controlled within 6 meters.
2.2 [Paving Temperature and Thickness Control]
The purpose of controlling paving temperature and thickness is to ensure that the pavement quality meets design requirements. The minimum paving temperature for hot-mix asphalt mixtures should be determined based on the thickness of the paving layer, current air temperature, wind speed, and the surface temperature of the underlying layer, and should strictly comply with regulatory requirements.
During construction, the loosening coefficient of the asphalt mixture should be determined through trial paving and compaction tests. The average thickness should be verified by verifying the total amount and area of ??asphalt mixture used. A loosening coefficient range of 1.25 to 1.50 is suitable for asphalt macadam mixtures, while a range of 1.20 to 1.45 is suitable for manual construction.
3. Compaction and Jointing
3.1 [Compaction Process]
The compaction process requires precise temperature control and the use of appropriate rollers to ensure the durability and structural stability of the pavement. The maximum thickness of the compacted layer should not exceed 100mm to ensure the stability of the pavement structure. Initial compaction should be performed using a steel-wheel roller for static compaction, ensuring uniform and smooth rolling. Final compaction should be performed using a double-wheel steel drum roller until no wheel marks are visible.
3.2 [Joint Treatment]
When treating joints, pay attention to the offset distance and utilize appropriate jointing techniques to enhance the integrity of the pavement. The longitudinal joints of the upper and lower layers should be offset by a certain distance: at least 150mm for hot joints and at least 300-400mm for cold joints. When paving in echelons, hot jointing techniques should be utilized, leaving an appropriate width of the paved section as a reference surface for subsequent paving, and then performing cross-joint compaction.