Asphalt: it is everywhere. It is what most roads are made of. It is what most parking lots are made of. And it is the topic of this blog. You see, asphalt is everywhere, yet we tend to take it for granted. Do you even know what asphalt is? What is it made of? How is it created? We will delve into these questions in our blog, “What is Asphalt?”
Asphalt is made up of stone, also known as aggregate; sand; additives; and liquid petroleum. The mixture is typically 90% aggregate and sand and 10% liquid petroleum. This combination forms a highly durable material that still maintains superior flexibility, allowing the surface to adapt to changing conditions produced by weather and the constantly changing surface beneath the pavement. It is this flexibility, this durability, which makes asphalt such a popular pavement.
How is Asphalt Created?
- Predose: The first step involves weighing the aggregate using a belt weighing instrument.
- Drying: Next, the aggregate is dried at about 300 degrees sing a drying drum. Then the aggregate is reweighed and sifted into silos.
- Aggregate: Now the aggregate is transferred to the mixer where the liquid petroleum is eventually added according to a measured rate of flow.
- Storage: When the mixture is ready, it is stored in a heated silo until it is transported to the job site.
How is Asphalt Layed?
- Unless the asphalt is being laid over existing asphalt (overlay), it is the preparation of the ground beneath the pavement that is the most influential factor in the life of an asphalt pavement surface. Without proper groundwork the life of the paved surface is greatly reduced.
- Spray a thin coat of liquid asphalt binder (hot tack) onto the surface using an asphalt distributor.
- Lay the asphalt pavement using an asphalt paver and compacted using asphalt rollers.
PTG Enterprises, an Asphalt Contractor in Baltimore, Maryland
Since 2001, PTG has set the standard for quality asphalt work in the Baltimore area, paving thousands of miles of asphalt lots. Unlike those other asphalt contractors, PTG cares about you and your business. In fact, when you hire PTG, you’ll work with owner Patrick Gillen from start to finish, from the initial site visit and pre-construction meeting to the final walk-through. Those other asphalt contractor won’t do that!
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
If you have any questions about Asphalt or if you are looking for an asphalt contractor in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Sources:
What is Asphalt Pavement? Pavemanpro.com
Tags: asphalt, What is Asphalt
