You'll
commonly see asphalt on roads, pavements, airport runways, and even
on parking lots. Lauded for its waterproof qualities, as well as its
ease of application, asphalt—also referred to as blacktop—is the
composite material of choice when it comes to modern road
construction. Asphalt pavements consist of a subbase, an asphalt
base, and an asphalt concrete surface guaranteed to withstand heavy
vehicular loads and varying weather conditions.
Yet
despite such tough qualities, asphalt can still take a beating and
sustain severe damage. Asphalt concrete can crack with sufficient
force. Heavy vehicles can put significant strain on asphalt, while
repeated exposure to traffic and extreme temperature swings can
eventually crack the surface of any asphalt pavement. Substandard
road construction quality is another cause for concern.
To address these factors, asphalt surfaces need to be repaired immediately upon detecting signs of damage on the surface. In most cases, a layer of bitumen is poured over the cracks to seal them off and prevent moisture from causing further havoc. If a strip of pavement appears to be in very poor shape, nothing short of complete and proper reconstruction can fix it. Asphalt might be as tough as they say, but without proper treatment and maintenance, it can crack just like anything else.
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