How Does Asphalt Paving Work?

Asphalt paving is a logistical tour de force. It must always be ensured that there is enough mix available and that the material does not cool down.

The road paver always sets the pace in asphalt paving. This is because its output dictates how many asphalt mixers need to be deployed, how many trucks are required to transport the mix to the job site and how many rollers are necessary to produce final compaction.

Perfect job site logistics key to optimum paving temperature

Even the planning stage is correspondingly complex and important in asphalt paving. Depending on the paving width and speed, as well as layer thickness, asphalt construction sites demand real logistical expertise to make sure there is always enough material in front of the paver's screed. Because interrupted paving and cooling of material are the 'natural enemies’ of fresh mix.

Precise material management increases quality

Another important feature in addition to temperature is the gentlest possible handling of the mix. This is because asphalt consists of crushed stone in different particle sizes coated with bitumen, so if it is not handled gently enough, it can become segregated. Every point at which material is transferred – so from the truck to the paver on the job site, for example – is critical here, which is why the design of the material hopper and an optimum flow of material are just as important in this process as they are in the continued transport of the mix.

Screeds – the tools for road pavers

Conveyors continue the transport of the mix through the paver, discharging it in front of the screed where augers spread it across the pave width required. Fixed-width or extending screeds perform the actual paving, using a variety of systems such as tampers, vibrators and pressure bars to precompact the base, binder or surface course produced.

Material feeders are frequently used to keep material flowing, especially on large job sites. These supplementary machines uncouple material transfer, transporting the asphalt to the paver on a conveyor.

Optimum final compaction

The compaction of high compaction screeds enables the rollers following the road paver to achieve the final compaction required by the client in fewer passes. Coordination is usually effected in terms of either high compaction or rapid machine advance, which has an impact on the number of rollers required. Continue to Asphalt compaction.