Asphalt is a sustainable paving solution made from a mixture of aggregates, binder, and filler. The aggregates are processed mineral materials such as crushed rock, sand, gravel, slags, or various recycled materials. The binder is used to unite the aggregates together to form a cohesive mixture, and bitumen is most often used as the binder. Asphalt pavement consists of multiple layers, including unbound and bituminous-bound materials acting as the base for the asphalt concrete poured on top.
The quality of the materials used in asphalt matters a lot. To create the highest quality asphalt, total quality management starts from the moment aggregate materials are collected and processed. Asphalt must be able to be both stiff and resistant to distortion, as well as flexible and strong enough to resist cracking. The stiffness and resistance to distortion allow the asphalt to handle applied pressure from motor vehicles, while the flexural strength prevents damage occurring from contrasting pressures exerted on the asphalt.
In summary, asphalt is made of a mixture of aggregates, binder, and filler, with bitumen being the most commonly used binder. The quality of the materials used in asphalt is crucial to ensure that it is durable and long-lasting.
