Asphalt concrete

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.

Asphalt is a blackish-brown liquid, semisolid, or solid, depending on the asphalt formulation or mixture used. Asphalt fumes are produced during the manufacturing and heating of asphalt, which is used in road and roof construction, and in rubber and adhesives.

The ASTM defines asphalt or asphalt cement as “a dark brown to black cementitious cement in which its predominant components are asphaltenes that may be natural or obtained as a residue in the refining of crude oil.”

In terms of infrastructure, its main use is to pave roads, highways, highways and spaces such as airport runways. It is also frequently used as a surface coating for canals and dams or to waterproof civil works.

Asphalt can be manufactured both cold and hot. In most cases, to make asphalt, cracked oil is mixed with gravel or stone to form a type of mass, which is then placed on the roads.

Regarding the main characteristics of asphalt, we can say that it is a super waterproof, adherent material that is ideal for building pavements. It has a long durability, as it remains the same despite time and resists high temperatures. Other characteristics would be viscosity and elasticity.

Types of asphalt and uses

■ Solid Asphalts or Asphalt Cements.

■ Liquid Asphalts or Cut Asphalts or “Cut-Backs”.

■ Asphalt Emulsions.

■ Modified Asphalts.

■ Industrial Asphalts.

The most used asphalts in the world today are petroleum derivatives, which are obtained through an industrial distillation process of crude oil. They represent more than 90% of the total asphalt production. Most crude oils contain some, and sometimes almost all, asphalt.