Driveway Design - FAQ Asphalt

Frequently asked Questions - Asphalt

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Asphalt

Concrete

1. What is Asphalt?
Asphalt is a dark brown or black cementitous material which is a natural constituent of most crude oils fount throughout the world.

2. What is Tar?
A dark brown or black cementitous material produced by the destructive distillation of Bituminous coal. This product is not used in the Industry.

3. What is Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)?
Specification grade asphalt (binder) is heated and combined with specification crushed dried sand-gravel in a quality controlled mixing plant. The HMA is then loaded onto trucks for delivery to construction sites.

4. Is Asphalt and Hot Mix Environmentally Sound?
Yes, in fact it is the most recycled product in the USA at 80 percent. That compares to significantly lower percentages for aluminum cans, newsprint, plastic and glass beverage containers, and magazines.Asphalt driveways and roads are removed, recrushed, mixed with additional aggregate and asphalt cement (binder), remixed, and placed back on driveways and roads. In fact, in 2002, the EPA de-listed HMA plants as a major source of emissions based on data leading them to conclude that no asphalt concrete manufacturing facility has the potential to emit hazardous air pollutants (HAP) approaching major source levels. See http://beyondroads.com/visual_assets/EPA_Delisting_report.pdf for more information.

5. What is Flexible Pavement?
The ability of an asphalt pavement structure to conform with loads and withstand temperature changes. Generally, flexibility of the asphalt paving mixture is enhanced by a slightly higher asphalt content.

6. What is Pavement Structure?
A pavement structure with all its’ courses of asphalt-aggregate mixtures, or a combination of asphalt courses and untreated aggregate courses placed above the subgrade.

7. What are the benefits of Hot Mix Asphalt?
You’ll recognize several benefits with Hot Mix Asphalt, compared to other, more costly options.

It is strong and durable.
It is engineered to withstand freezing and thawing.
No need to worry about salting your driveway in winter. Hot Mix Asphalt is unaffected by salt.
Unlike other, more rigid materials such as concrete, Hot Mix Asphalt is designed to flex and “give” with slight settlements or frost heave. Hot Mix Asphalt lends itself readily to the types of service that are usual in residential areas. If a utility line must pass under your driveway, repairs are more easily and quickly performed than with alternative materials such as concrete. The same is true if undue ground settlement should occur naturally.

8. How do I care for my new asphalt driveway?
See the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association Care and Maintenance of an Asphalt Driveway article here.

9. What makes asphalt crack?
In Minnesota the frost penetrates the ground as deep as 3 to 6 feet. The ground, when frozen this deep will heave often times as much as 1 to 2 inches. Asphalt will give to a certain extent then will crack. Now matter how strong the asphalt pavement is constructed, the forces of nature are stronger.

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