What is 12.5 asphalt?

SP 12.5mm – This is a structural mix that is specified in different traffic load applications depending on amount and types of traffic. In heavier traffic loads situations, this mix has an abundance of ½” stone and has a very “rocky” appearance.

What is the difference between 9.5 and 12.5 asphalt?

A 9.5 mm mix has a minimum VMA of 15.0 percent, a 12.5 mm mix is 14.0 percent, and a 19 mm mix is 13.0 percent. Smaller stone mixes have more aggregate surface area to coat, thus requiring more VMA and more asphalt. The lower the VMA, the lower the asphalt content for a given air void level.

What are the 3 types of asphalt?

There are three main types of asphalt: Hot Asphalt, MC Cold Mix, and UPM. There are also different varieties of these asphalts for summer and winter use. Below is a brief overview of each type of asphalt.

What grade of asphalt is best?

The 60-70 grade is usually used only in pavements where traffic is very heavy such as principle city streets and very heavily trafficked rural highways. The second grade, 85-100, is by far the most widely used material for plant mixes and is suitable for most pavements.

What are the different sizes of asphalt?

Standard Superpave aggregate rock sizes range from 2 inches to minus #200 fines. Standard Superpave sieve sizes to measure aggregates range from 2 inch (50 mm) to #200 (. 075 mm). Superpave base courses typically use 1.5-inch or 1-inch rock.

What's In Asphalt?

What is the best thickness for an asphalt driveway?

Residential driveways typically use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt with 3 being suitable for occasional large trucks or heavy equipment. Underneath the asphalt you should have 6 to 8 inches of granular base aggregate.

What is 9.5 mm asphalt used for?

HOT MIX ASPHALT CONSTRUCTION

A single course of 9.5 mm mixture is recommended due to the confined areas generally involved where constructing Sidewalk, Golf Cart Paths or Bike Paths except where poor subgrade is encountered.

What is 25 mm asphalt?

25mm – This layer in the pavement system sits immediate below the wearing course, or binder course if used. Consisting of a larger maximum aggregate size (25mm or 1″), Base course provides a strong foundation for the wearing course.

How thick are most asphalt roads?

Asphalt concrete (AC) is a standard Type B asphalt concrete mixed, spread and compacted as noted in the Caltrans standards. Base material (4 -8 inches) and AC depth (2 - 6 inches) will vary depending on site specific requirements.

Can asphalt be too thick?

If asphalt is applied too thickly, it won't be properly compacted, and over time, that can lead to depressions where traffic is frequent.

How thick should asphalt be for heavy trucks?

For a parking lot traffic with heavy-duty vehicles such as loading dock, trucks, or roadways, the asphalt should be between 10 to 12 inches thick for a poor subgrade and about 6 inches for an excellent subgrade.

How thick should asphalt be before compaction?

Compaction and Thickness—A general rule of thumb is 4 inches for driveways and 6 inches for car parking lots (after compaction). To ensure consistent asphalt thickness, the sub-grade must be fine-graded and compacted prior to placing the asphalt.

How thick should hot mix asphalt be?

A 4-inch thickness may be adequate, but 5 or even 6 inches of full-depth asphalt will assure you of a stronger, stable driveway under a wider range of climate and loads. As an option, some contractors use 6 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate, or gravel, as a base under 3 inches of asphalt pavement.

How much weight can 3 inches of asphalt hold?

An asphalt driveway for residential use can hold approximately 8,000 pounds. Most residential driveways require 2″ to 3″ of asphalt for daily use.

How do you measure asphalt thickness?

A common approach for investigating the layers in a road surface/pavement is to dig a test pit. This method essentially involves digging a hole in the road and directly measuring the thickness of layers within the wall of the test pit.

What grade should my driveway be?

Slope and Width

As a general rule, a driveway should be less than a 15% grade, which means that it should not rise more than 15 feet over a distance of 100 feet. If your driveway is completely flat, however, be sure to build up the middle so water runs off the sides and doesn't pool.

How can you tell the quality of asphalt?

What is the best grade for a driveway?

Ideally, the driveway should grade away from the garage at a 2 to 5 percent pitch. Two percent calculates to one-quarter inch per foot. In many cases, it is necessary to finish the driveway with a diagonal pitch when it is not possible to slope downward and away from the garage opening.

Which asphalt is the best for a driveway?

Hot mix asphalt is considered best for driveways, because construction and design features are suitable to giving it a finished appearance that complements the home.

What is the most commonly used asphalt grade?

However, bitumen 60/70 grade is the most widely used among all other grades. This grade of bitumen can be used in a wide range of temperatures (from -22 to +76), therefore, it can be easily applied to asphalt pavements in various regions across the world.

What is the most commonly used asphalt?

Of all the asphalt types available, hot mix asphalt is the most commonly used on roads, pavements. It is a flexible mix of fine and coarse aggregate and asphalt binder, which produces a highly weather-resistant pavement. Hot Mix Asphalt is heated and poured at temperatures of about 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the best asphalt mix?

The 41A asphalt type is a smoother surface. It is durable, but with a finer rock and sand mixture. This is what most homeowners choose for their driveways.

How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?

Multiply the length, width and depth together to get your number of cubic feet. Then multiply cubic feet by 145 to know how many pounds of asphalt you will need. Divide pounds by 2,000, the number of pounds in one ton. This will give you the number of tons of asphalt needed for your project.

How deep is full depth asphalt?

For full-depth heavy-duty commercial lots, it is recommended to apply a layer about 7.5” thick of hot mix asphalt on the subgrade. For a light-duty parking lot with an aggregate base, a hot mix asphalt layer of 3” thick on a 6” aggregate base is recommended.

How thick are most driveways?

As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended.