Roadpaving

Roadpaving is the construction or resurfacing of road surfaces to provide a durable, smooth, and safe driving platform. It includes material selection, subgrade preparation, base construction, pavement laying, and finishing operations that ensure proper load transfer, drainage, and longevity.

Two main paving materials dominate modern roadpaving: asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete. Asphalt pavement uses asphalt binder with aggregates, typically installed with a paving train and compacted by rollers. It offers lower initial cost, rapid construction, and easier maintenance. Concrete pavement uses cement, water, and aggregates, often with reinforcement and joints; it provides high strength and long service life in heavy-traffic or extreme climates. Subbase and base layers made from gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized materials support bearing capacity and drainage.

Construction typically proceeds from the bottom up: site grading and drainage, subgrade stabilization if needed, laying of a subbase and base course, then the surface course (asphalt or concrete). Asphalt is laid with a paver and compacted while hot; concrete is placed in forms, leveled, edged, and jointed, then cured. Quality control and compaction are critical to performance.

Maintenance options include crack sealing, pothole repair, resurfacing or overlays, and full-depth reclamation. Recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled concrete aggregate are common in modern practice to reduce material use and environmental impact.

Roadpaving practices vary by climate, traffic, and standards, but aim to maximize safety, durability, and cost-efficiency over the pavement’s lifecycle.