It’s not a good sight to have the road in bad state for prolonged periods as it hinders safety and reduces the lifespan of the road. Road resurfacing, however, is like surgery for the road that helps restore the road to its original condition, enhance driving conditions, and maintain road safety.
Luckily, there are various methods that can be employed depending on the condition of the road, budget, and desired outcomes. Materials can also be sourced from Kane Construction to ease the processes. As for the methods involved, here are the common examples and how they’re carried out.
1. Overlay Resurfacing
When it comes to common road resurfacing methods, overlay resurfacing has emerged as one of the most common methods and has proven useful for improving the conditions of existing roads.
The method involves applying a new layer of asphalt or concrete over the existing surface without removing the old material. The material ranges in thickness from a minimal 2.5cm, and some reach up to 10 cm, depending on the road’s condition and traffic loads.
Overlay resurfacing is useful for minimising traffic disruption because it doesn’t close up roads. Also, it’s cost-effective, making it easier to restore the road’s structural integrity.
2. Mill and Fill Method
You could call this the opposite of overlay resurfacing as it involves removing the top layer of the existing road surface using a milling machine. What’s great about this process is that it creates a smooth, even base for the new surface while allowing for the removal of damaged or deteriorated materials.
Following the milling process, the road is then filled with asphalt and this will provide compactness and improve the durability of the surface. Now you know why it’s called mill and fill, and its biggest perk is that it’s the perfect comprehensive solution for roads with extensive wear and tear, including roads with potholes.
However, the process is more costly than overlay resurfacing, but it’s a price worth paying as it offers detailed solutions for roads in serious conditions.
3. Full-Depth Reclamation
As extensive road resurfacing methods go, full-depth reclamation is top of the pile as it is the only method on this list that involves the complete removal and reconstruction of the existing road structure.
The process is marked by milling the entire asphalt surface before mixing it with the underlying materials to create a new base layer. To complete the process, asphalt is applied on top of this reclaimed base.
As for the benefits of the process, it’s applicable to roads that have undergone serious deterioration and, therefore, cannot be adequately repaired through overlay or mill and fill methods.
Finally, full-depth reclamation not only restores the surface but also improves the structural integrity of the road. The downside is that the method is time-consuming but the results are worth the wait.
Other common methods include chip sealing which involves using liquid asphalt and aggregate chips as well as micro-surfacing which is a thin-layer application of a mixture of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, aggregates, and additives.
Conclusion
And there you go, the common road resurfacing methods and their impact on the reconditioning of roads. Proper comprehension of these methods will help highlight their perks and downsides for better planning and application to road fixing processes.
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