reasfaltering

Reasfaltering is a term used in civil engineering and pavement maintenance to describe a combined rejuvenation and resurfacing approach for asphalt pavements. The concept centers on restoring the aged asphalt binder’s properties while applying a thin protective overlay to renew surface texture and sealing ability. In practice, reasfaltering typically involves surface cleaning, assessment of binder aging, application of a rejuvenating agent (such as polymer-modified binders or synthetic oils), and the placement of a thin asphalt overlay or micro-surfacing layer, followed by compaction.

Origins and usage of the term are informal; it is not yet a standardized method in most national or regional specifications. The phrase appears in some industry reports and city-level maintenance guidelines as a descriptive label for strategies that blend chemical rejuvenation with physical resurfacing, rather than as a single, codified procedure. The goal is to extend pavement life with reduced material usage, lower energy demand, and minimized traffic disruption compared with traditional full-depth resurfacing.

Applications and effectiveness vary by climate, traffic, and pavement condition. Typical benefits cited include delayed oxidation of the binder, improved surface texture, and transient gains in skid resistance. Limitations include sensitivity to surface preparation, the availability of suitable rejuvenators, and the need for skilled application to avoid stripping or premature aging. Evaluation commonly uses pavement condition index, life-cycle cost analysis, and post-treatment performance monitoring.

See also: asphalt recycling, pavement preservation, micro-surfacing, rejuvenators.