31st
March
2008
COMMERCIAL PAVING - Paving Contractors
posted in Commercial |
New construction paving and site-development
- This type of paving requires engineering, design and usually blueprints that layout the site, and detailed specifications required to complete the project. Most new construction starts with a plan upon which all phases of construction will be based and bid. The plan will include all specifications of mixes and materials required, permits, surveys, and a detailed site plan. The paving work will generally require prior excavation and grading of the site to prepare for installation of all base gravel. The subgrade conditions will be checked and verified at all phases. Once all subgrade and base conditions are installed the paving will start. This requires installation of base asphalt followed by an additional layer of surface asphalt.
Complete paving re-construction
- This type of paving requires excavation of deteriorated asphalt and installation of new. Excavation can be performed with many different types of equipment including, skidsteers, backhoes, front-end loaders, etc. This excavation process can also be done by milling or pulverizing the existing asphalt and hauling it off site. In most cases the asphalt is removed from site by loading it into dump trucks which haul it to an asphalt plant where it is stockpiled and later recycled into new asphalt material. This process may be required if the current conditions are severe enough that new asphalt cannot be installed over existing or if there is obvious subgrade failure. All subgrades can be verified and corrected after excavation of asphalt is completed. Paving or resurfacing can be started once all basework has been checked, regraded and compacted. This requires a proof roll to check for softness and if necessary, additional gravel installed to strengthen. Paving for commercial applications is generally installed in separate lifts consisting of #301 base asphalt and #404 or #402 surface asphalt. These lifts or layers are installed using a machine called a paver which lays the material down on the prepared base. The paver is operated by workers who set the proper depth of asphalt and drive it as the asphalt is supplied from dump trucks. The material is dumped into the hopper which mechanically feeds it through and out the bottom of the machine. Skilled workers will rake areas as needed and roll the asphalt to compact it to the proper density. This process requires teamwork and several skilled operators who must constantly work in sync with one another to achieve a smooth continuous finished job.
Overlay resurfacing re-cap
- Similar to the paving as detailed above, this method typically only requires one layer of asphalt installed. The surface asphalt is laid over existing pavement. There is usually a lot less excavation required. Typically only at adjoining surfaces the asphalt is removed or milled down to allow for level transitions after resurfacing. This minimal excavation can be completed by machines which can cut out, mill or grind the old surface. The material is swept up, loaded, and hauled from the site. The existing pavement can be thoroughly cleaned and in most cases a liquid binder known as tack is applied to the surface. This tack will help with the adhesion of the new asphalt material being installed. The average overlay resurfacing project is put down at 2? in depth and if necessary a level course can be installed prior to even out any low spots. As with all contractor paving, the existing pavement should be checked for any failures or damage and corrected as needed, prior to resurfacing.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 9:35 am and is filed under Commercial.
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