People who drive regularly—whether to go to work or have a road trip with their loved ones—are aware of the various factors that affect their performance on the road. One major factor that may change how an individual drives is their ability to focus on the road, which can be attributed to their experience in driving. How they feel may also affect their driving performance. If an individual feels sleepy or is inebriated, their ability to drive safely may be greatly altered.
In addition, there are external factors that can influence a driver’s performance. A major external factor is the weather. Driving in heavy rains can be difficult even for most experienced drivers. The weather can also affect the clarity and brightness of the surroundings, which is crucial in driving safely.
Aside from the weather, the condition of the road is a major external factor that can affect a driver’s efficiency. Even the smallest bumps, cracks, and other damages on the pavement may affect the driver’s control of a vehicle. That is why it is best to drive on smooth roads without any damage that would require drivers to dodge and swerve. Thankfully, asphalt can provide roads with a smooth surface and keep drivers safe.
The Basics of Asphalt
Asphalt is a material that is made by combining aggregates, binders, and fillers. It is typically used in the construction and maintenance of roads and other paved surfaces because of the various benefits that it provides:
Smoothness
Asphalt allows for the continuous construction of highways and roads without any joints. This creates a flawless surface that provides drivers with a smooth and quiet ride.
Safety
The material’s smoothness helps vehicles have maximum tire contact with the road. In turn, this increases automobiles’ skid resistance, keeping drivers and their passengers or cargo safe.
Asphalt is also a dark-colored material that helps reduce glare on the road, keeping drivers focused on their surroundings. Its darkness also provides high contrast for lane markings so motorists can easily see them.
Durability
Asphalt is a flexible material, which makes it able to adapt to the weight of the vehicles driving over it. The material’s pliability also allows it to withstand the occasional overloading of the surface. This means that asphalt can tolerate heavy loads for a long time without showing any signs of damage.
Types of Asphalt
There are two types of asphalt that are commonly used in constructing and maintaining roads and other paved surfaces. They are referred to as hot and cold mix bitumen or asphalt.
Hot Mix Asphalt
This type of asphalt can be used after being heated up on a jacketed kettle from 150 to 180 °C. It often consists of 95% aggregates and sand, bound together by asphalt cement or bitumen.
Hot mix asphalt is a widely used material in the construction industry. It is often utilized in the paving and repair of the following:
- Driveways
- Parking areas
- Roads and highways
- Potholes
Cold Mix Asphalt
Cold mix asphalt, as its name suggests, is a kind of asphalt that can be used without being heated up. This material can be poured straight from the bag without using any additional equipment.
Similar to hot mix asphalt, cold mix asphalt is made up of aggregates and cutback or bitumen emulsion. Additionally, it is utilized in various ways, just like its counterpart.
Cold Mix Asphalt Applications
Cold mix asphalt is a versatile material that can be used in different ways. Some of the most common uses of this product are the following:
Potholes
Potholes are a common problem on roads. They are parts of pavement that have cracked and worn away until a hole formed in the area. If not addressed immediately, it can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and pedestrians to trip while walking.
An easy way of repairing this kind of road damage is through cold mix asphalt. The material can be directly poured into the cleaned pothole to repair it. Then, the asphalt should be stamped and compacted in place to ensure that it will not budge.
This method of repairing potholes is also used in airports. Cold mix asphalt is utilized as a quick and easy fix for potholes found on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons.
Wheel Rutting
Aside from potholes, cold mix asphalt is a great fix for wheel rutting. This kind of road damage is characterized by a depression or groove in the road caused by the constant pressure provided by vehicles’ wheels.
This can easily be repaired with cold mix asphalt. The material can be used to level the rut with the surrounding area and compacted so the asphalt mix cures properly in place.
Utility Cuts
Utility cuts are done on road surfaces when underground utilities need to be installed, replaced, or repaired. Most of the time, this is done when working on pipes and cables located under the pavement.
After the work is done on the underground utilities, the hole made on the pavement is filled in with cold mix asphalt. Doing this helps contractors finish their work much faster and without using any additional machines.
Railway Tracks
Railway tracks that are left unused for good need to be covered for drivers’ and pedestrians’ safety. This is especially important if the tracks crossroads. If left exposed, these railway tracks can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and even cause pedestrians to trip.
Cold mix asphalt is used to quickly cover up unused railway tracks that run through roads and highways. Using this material allows contractors to open the road to traffic immediately after working.
Rooftops and Parking Lots
Aside from being used on roads and highways, cold mix asphalt can be utilized on rooftops and parking lots. This material is used as a waterproofing layer that can protect the rooftops of buildings and public parking lots. Doing this can ensure the longevity of the surface and the prevention of water damage.
Oil Reservoirs
Bitumen is a hydrophobic material, making cold mix asphalt hydrophobic as well. This characteristic makes cold mix asphalt an ideal product in constructing oil reservoirs. The material is used in creating a hydrophobic layer in oil reservoirs, which allows it to prevent any leaks.
Paving
Aside from being used for repairing small areas, cold mix asphalt can be utilized as a paving material. However, it can only be used to pave low-traffic or rural roads since it is not as durable as hot mix asphalt. It cannot withstand bearing heavy loads and vehicles, such as large trucks and buses.
Cold Mix Asphalt: The Go-To Road Solution
Cold mix asphalt is a versatile material that can help you address your road repair and construction needs. It can also be used on other applications aside from roads and highways.
There are various reasons to prefer using cold mix asphalt for your projects. First, this material is cost-effective compared to hot mix asphalt. You can purchase it in smaller bags if you are only working on a minor repair instead of buying it in bulk. You also do not have to rent or obtain additional equipment to heat the material.
Cold mix asphalt is also easy to use. All you must do is clean the surface where the material needs to be applied, open the bag, and pour the asphalt mix straight into the area. You do not require any high-technology equipment to complete the task.
Lastly, cold mix asphalt is environmentally friendly. Using this material allows you to accomplish your job without any emissions because you do not need gas-powered equipment to heat the product. This means that you can reduce your carbon footprint when using cold mix asphalt.
For more information on why you should use cold mix asphalt for your next project, reach out to us at Rua Seguridad. We have experienced team members who can assist you in making your decision.
