Information
Definitions and terms used in the asphalt paving industry.
Asphalt Paving Definitions
811 Dig
Aggregate
Alligator Cracks
Interconnected cracks forming a series of small blocks resembling an alligator’s skin, and caused by excessive deflection of the surface over unstable subgrade (also referred to as crocodile cracks)
Asphalt
A mixture of materials like Bitumen (sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of residue found in nature & often found in natural beds or as a byproduct of oil refining petroleum distillation). It is primarily mixed with aggregates (sand, gravel, crushed rock) to create sturdy surfaces for driveways, roads, parking lots, and roofing. Much of the aggregate materials included in the mix are recycled from demolition & excavation or previous asphalt, stone or concrete builds.
- Hot-mix asphalt – The most common type for flexibility and weather resistance
- Cold-mix asphalt, which is ideal for winter pothole repair
Asphalt Contractor
Asphalt Paver
Also called a paving
machine is specialized construction equipment used to lay asphalt on driveways,
roads, bridges, and parking lots, providing even distribution and preliminary
compaction. They feature a hopper for material intake, conveyors, and a screed
that shapes and compacts the surface. Major types include tracked/wheeled
asphalt pavers for large projects and compact, versatile pavers for smaller
jobs.
Asphalt Types
Base
A
term referring to the material installed before the asphalt layer is applied.
Base is comprised of either crushed stone or in some cases an asphalt product.
The base provides the finished pavement’s load-bearing capabilities. It
typically measures 3 to 4 inches in residential driveways and 18 inches or more
on roadways and heavy vehicle traffic parking areas.
Batch Plant
A
manufacturing facility for producing asphalt paving mixtures that proportions
blending. They manufacture asphalt in small batches rather than continuously
and are more suited for small manufacturing runs and (frequent) changes in
mixture types.
Binder
The binder is a type of asphalt & will be the first layer of a new asphalt installation to a roadway or parking lot when preparing to have heavy vehicles or heavy traffic. It goes just above the sub-grade or sub-base. And below the top or fine top layers.
Bitumen
This
is a technical term for the 'glue' in asphalt or a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of It may be found in natural deposits or may be
a refined product or byproduct of petroleum. Before the 20th century, the term asphaltum was also used.
Blacktop
Blacktop
is a common "slang" term for asphalt. This term should not be used in
requesting any specifications or work as it is commonly used with different
meanings for unique areas. As an example, blacktop can serve as a reference to
a hot oil treatment or penetration pavement a well as liquid sealant or
asphalt.
Compaction
This is the process of increasing material density—such as soil, asphalt, or waste—by reducing air voids through mechanical force or weight or A compressing of a certain volume of material into a smaller volume. Compaction is crucial for creating stable, durable construction foundations. It enhances bearing capacity and reduces material settlement. TRUE PAVING using a machine roller for leveling & compacting our materials and in some cases we also will use a hand roller & hand tamper tools.
Cracking
Cracking refers to the separation or splitting of the asphalt layer. This can occur due to various factors, including excessive loads, extreme temperatures, or the natural aging process of the asphalt. Cracking is a common issue in asphalt pavements and can lead to further deterioration if not addressed promptly.
Density
Density
is a reference to a material’s weight at a certain volume. Asphalt density is
attained with a mechanical compaction of the hot material after our paving machine
places it. We try to achieve a certain density depending on the job
specifications.
Drainage
Removing
excess water from land, buildings, and structures using gravity, pipes, and
graded surfaces to prevent flooding, erosion, and foundation damage. Asphalt
surfaces are graded & pitched or sloped slightly to help facilitate the
elimination of surface water.
Drum Plant
Produces asphalt continuously & has very high production capacities .
Emulsion
An emulsion is a mechanically produced combination of ingredients that do not normally mix. For instance, asphalt emulsions are created by mechanically milling warm asphalt into minute globules, dispersing them in water, and adding a small amount of an emulsifying agent. Emulsions are often used in various paving applications, such as tack coats and seal coats, to improve adhesion and protect the pavement.
Grade
For our purposes, it is the degree at which a paved surface rests to allow for water to be drained. It is also a reference to the natural or manipulated incline of the terrain; or act of sloping or leveling a base layer or sub-grade prior to paving.
Joint
An asphalt joint is an area where two unique asphalt sections join together or meet up. (sometimes referred to as a Butt Joints) This is typically a highly visible area following the completion of a paving project. It is often called a “seam”. There are several kinds of joints but the main 2 are Longitudinal Joints: Parallel to the direction of paving, connecting two lanes. Transverse Joints: Perpendicular to paving, occurring where work stopped and restarted.
Low VOC
Typically used in reference to lot marking paints. In order to be defined as Low VOC, paint must release below 150 g/liter and be virtually odor-free.
Paving Machine
A paving machine, or asphalt paver, is specialized construction equipment used to lay asphalt on driveways, roads, bridges, and parking lots, providing even distribution and preliminary compaction. They feature a hopper for material intake, conveyors, and a screed that shapes and compacts the surface. Major types include tracked/wheeled asphalt pavers for large projects and compact, versatile pavers for smaller jobs.
Pitch
Grading
an area properly before installation can ensure your driveway is able to be
easily pitched to direct water away from home foundations to prevent basement
flooding & to ensure proper water runoff and prevent pooling. It
should slope away from the home towards the street, or off into the yard away
from the foundation. A properly pitched driveway should not have standing water
or puddles still after 24hrs.
RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement)
Often considered for economic and environmental reasons, RAP refers to ground asphalt which is added back into a virgin asphalt mixture at the mixing plant. Recycled pavements may have different performance characteristics than conventional mixtures. TRUE PAVING will only use the specific recycled mix if requested by the customer.
Screed
The section of the paving machine that distributes and compacts asphalt. Screeds typically float along the asphalt. Their adjustment determines the final width along with the asphalt mat’s valley or crown profile.
Slope
The slope of a paved surface refers to the degree to which it is angled to aid in the drainage of water. A proper slope is essential to prevent water from pooling on the surface, which can lead to pavement damage and safety hazards.
Stone Base
A
layer within the pavement system beneath the driving surface. This base is
typically comprised of crushed stones with different gradations and sizes
available depending on the vehicle traffic expected above.
Sub Grade (Sub Base)
The
bottom most layer in the pavement system, either natural to the site or brought
in to strengthen the natural area. Typically,dirt, soil, clay or sand
are found in the sub-grade layer & they all can be prepared to provide
support for a pavement system or structure above. This is the foundation layer for
any asphalt installation.
Sustainability
The long-term maintenance of ecological, social, and economic systems by meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
Tack Coat
Asphalt oil, or a lightweight asphalt emulsion applied between asphalt layers to act as an adhesive ensuring a strong, monolithic bond that prevents slippage, delamination, and water infiltration. It is essential for overlay projects, enhancing pavement durability and preventing premature failure.
Tracking
This results when materials or products are collected by automobile tires, sneakers, the wheels of shopping carts and so on. They are carried from the pavement and spread to surfaces where the material should not be. TRUE PAVING employees are always hyper aware of where they are walking & any possible tracking areas. We supply them with PPE to prevent this & take steps to avoid any tracking of sealant or asphalt tar.
Transverse Crack
A break within asphalt pavement at a 90-degree angle to the road’s direction or the direction at which asphalt was placed. This is a description term used by our estimators when determining job scope.
Transverse Joint
A joint in asphalt pavement that sits at a 90-degree angle to the roadway’s direction or the direction at which the asphalt was placed. This is a description term used by our estimators when determining job scope.
Wedging
Asphalt wedging is a repair technique that applies a tapered, triangle-shaped wedge of asphalt to the edge of a road or driveway to correct sinking, improve structural integrity, and eliminate dangerous vertical edge drop-offs. It prevents crumbling by strengthening the edge, providing a gradual transition for vehicles, and aiding water drainage.