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WhatisAsphalt
Asphaltisamixtureofaggregates,binderandfiller,usedforconstructingandmaintainingallkindofroads,parkingareasbut
alsoplayandsportareas.Aggregatesusedforasphaltmixturescouldbecrushedrock,sand,gravelorslags.Inordertobind
the aggregates into a cohesive mixture a binder is used. Most commonly, bitumen is used as a binder. An average asphalt
pavementconsistsoftheroadstructureabovetheformationlevelwhichincludesunboundandbituminousboundmaterials.This
givesthepavementtheabilitytodistributetheloadsofthetrafficbeforeitarrivesattheformationlevel.Normally,pavements
aremadeofdifferentlayers:

UsesofAsphalt
Although asphalt is mainly used for paving roads, it can also be used for various other purposes. The versatility of asphalt
makesitsuchawidelyusedmaterial.Amongothers,itcanbefoundinthefollowingsectors:
Transportation(e.g.roads,railwaybedsorairportrunways,taxiways,etc.),
Recreation(playgrounds,bicyclepaths,runningtracks,tenniscourts...)
Agriculture(barnfloors,greenhousefloors...)
Industrial(ports,landfillcaps,worksites...)
Buildingconstruction(floorings...)

HowisAsphaltproduced
Asphaltcanbeproducedinafixedplantoreveninamobilemixingplant.Itispossibletoproduceupto800tonsperhour.The
averageproductiontemperatureofhotmixasphaltisbetween150and190C,whichdependshoweveronthemixtureproduced
(seebelow).
DifferentkindsofAsphalt
To be able to provide the best performance to different sectors, a large variety of asphalt mixes can be offered. Due to the
different requirements e.g. a road needs to fulfill (high traffic, tough weather conditions etc) the respective mix used needs to
haveansufficientstiffnessandresistancetodeformationinordertocopewiththeappliedpressurefromvehiclewheelsonthe
one hand, yet on the other hand, the need to have an adequate flexural strength to resist cracking caused by the varying
pressuresexertedonthem.Moreover,goodworkabilityduringapplicationisessentialinordertoensurethattheycanbefully
compactedtoachieveoptimumdurability.
HotMix
Hotmixesareproducedatatemperaturebetween150and190C.
Dependingontheusage,adifferentasphaltmixturecanbeused.
PorousAsphalt
StoneMasticAsphalt
MasticAsphalt
HotRolledAsphalt

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SoftAsphalt

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WhatisAsphalt
SoftAsphalt
AsphaltConcrete
AsphaltConcreteforverythinlayers
AsphaltConcreteforultrathinlayers
DoublelayeredPorousAsphalt
WarmMix
A typical WMA is produced at a temperature around 20 40 C lower than an equivalent Hot Mix Asphalt.
Lessenergyisinvolvedand,duringthepavingoperations,thetemperatureinthemixislower,resultingin
improvedworkingconditionsforthecrewandanearlieropeningoftheroad.
ColdMix
Cold mixes are produced without heating the aggregate. This is only possible, due to the use of a specific
bitumen emulsion which breaks either during compaction or during mixing. After breaking, the emulsion
coatstheaggregateandovertime,increasesitsstrengths.Coldmixesareparticularlyrecommendablefor
lightlytraffickedroads.

Didyouknowthat...
...asphaltissometimesreferredtoasaflexiblepavement.Thisisduetoitsabilitytolargelyresistthestressimposedbyslight
settlementsofthesubgradewithoutcracking.
...asphaltisthepredominantmaterialusedforroadconstructionandmaintainingtheroadnetworkinEurope?
...25%ofthetotalworldasphaltproductiontakesplaceinEurope?
...theaverageamountofbitumenusedinasphaltis5%byweight?
...Europehasover4.000asphaltproductionsidesandover10.000companiesareinvolvedintheasphaltproductionand/
orlaying?
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