Yes, it’s widely known that asphalt is used mostly for the paving of roads, parking lots, and driveways. However, the versatility of asphalt makes it useful for other purposes, as well.
What Is Asphalt?
Asphalt is a mix of aggregates, fillers, and binders; and is used typically for the construction and maintenance of roads and parking areas.
The aggregates that are included in asphalt mixtures could be sand, crushed rock, slags, or gravel. Recycled asphalt is mixed with aggregates made of by-products and waste— such as demolition and construction debris— which is very eco-friendly and sustainable for the environment.
To bind these aggregates together, a binder is used— most commonly, bitumen. However, there are also bio-based binders that are now used with also the aim of environmental sustainability.
The average asphalt pavement is a road structure that is built above the formation level, which usually includes both bituminous-bound and unbound materials. This allows the pavement more durability and strength to distribute loads of traffic before arriving at the formation level.
Other Uses of Asphalt
Asphalt is also commonly found in the following sectors:
- Transportation (railway beds, taxiways, airport runways, etc)
- Recreation (tennis courts, running tracks, playgrounds, bicycle paths, etc)
- Agriculture (greenhouse floors, barn floors, etc)
- Industrial (landfill caps, worksites, ports, etc)
- Building construction (flooring, roofing, etc)