For every road that’s built, several materials for road construction must be sourced to develop it. This is because each road construction material contributes differently to the integrity and cost of the road.
Each road construction company takes careful consideration of its budget, available equipment for road construction, and the project’s specifications before they order road materials. This is because one wrong step can result in a road that may not be able to withstand its application, a delayed timeline, or worse, a construction project that’s severely over budget.
Choosing the right materials for your construction project is one of the key steps in road construction. If you’re eager to learn more about what each material can bring to the table, make sure to continue reading.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a durable road material that’s known for lasting years without proper maintenance. It’s also an ideal road material for the Philippines because of its ability to withstand temperature changes, heavy traffic, and water resistance. The benefits asphalt provides combined with the smooth driving experience it gives to road users make it one of the top choices for road construction.
Asphalt is a mixture that’s made up of several materials, which are: bitumen, aggregates, and fillers. To apply asphalt correctly, it must be heated, dried, and mixed according to the project’s specifications. Then, for large projects, an asphalt paver machine must be used for even application of the product.
Bitumen
Bitumen is the main binding agent for asphalt. It’s a naturally occurring material that’s extracted from crude oil. On its own, bitumen can be used for surface treatment to control dust and increase the road’s waterproofing.
There are different types of bitumen: cutback bitumen and emulsified bitumen. The type of bitumen you’ll need will be dependent on the application you want.
Soil
Soil is the bedrock of the road. Properly compacting this layer of the road can ensure that the road will stand the test of time and the stress of high-traffic areas.
Usually, road compactors are used to ensure that enough pressure has been applied to the soil for the smooth application of the road’s foundational layers.
Aggregate
Aggregates are another major road construction component. This material is made up of coarse and fine particles that are critical to the road’s drainage, strength, and stability.
Concrete
Concrete is another type of road material that’s known for its durability and strength. Its low maintenance, increased reflectivity, and high durability make it a favorite amongst road construction companies.
However, compared to asphalt, concrete is more brittle because it’s known to crack at extreme temperatures and high traffic volumes.
Composite Pavement
Composite pavements combine the benefits of concrete and asphalt to create a road that’s much more durable, resistant to cracks, and low maintenance.
Typically, hot mix asphalt is used for the top layer, and concrete is used for the lower layer.
Recycled Road Materials
The use of recycled road materials has been gaining more attention due to the demand of the public for more eco-friendly materials. Using recycled road materials helps reduce the carbon footprint of road construction companies.
Recycled materials are given a second life because they’re used as aggregates for road construction. Some of the materials used for this application are steel slags, reclaimed asphalt pavement, and crushed concrete.
Road Marking Materials
Finally, you may have a well-built road but without the right pavement markings, it may be unsafe to use.
Road marking materials are specially formulated to withstand traffic and weather. These types of materials are ideally reflective to give drivers clear visibility of the traffic lines at any time of the day. Choosing the best road marking materials for your project won’t just guarantee the longevity of your road, but also the safety of road users in that area.
Using Road Construction Materials Wisely
By now you must already know that each road construction material can change the results of the product. A road is only as strong as its ingredients, which is why it’s crucial for companies to choose the right materials for their project.
Aside from this, another thing that companies must consider is the tools that they have. Constructing roads is not an easy task, it requires the use of construction equipment such as road rollers, concrete mixers, and pavers.
Road construction materials are already expensive enough, combined with the time needed to complete the project, it makes sense to invest in machines that can help your business get the job done. This is why it’s important that you find a heavy equipment supplier that can help you procure all the materials you need when you need them.
If you’re looking for a reliable heavy equipment distributor in the Philippines, why not check out Topspot? Topspot has been in the heavy equipment industry for years and has a wide network of service centers ready to assist you.
Are you ready to complete your road construction projects cleanly and swiftly? Reach out to us today and let us help you procure the machines you need.
