Asphalt Surfacings

Asphalt Surfacings has been written as a reference to the various asphalt course materials and surfacing treatments that are currently available to engineers, enabling them to select the materials and/or treatment that are appropriate for use on specific sites. Appropriate reference is made to the lower structural layers as the properties of all layers interact in producing the required pavement. The current established position in the UK and the emerging developments throughout the UK and Europe are covered. The contributors are all acknowledged authorities on their particular topics selected from every part of the highway engineering industry to achieve a balance between the various approaches required by the different functions they perform.

Ever increasing demands are being made on road and airport pavement surfacings and an expanded range of materials is becoming available for their construction. Asphalt Surfacings is a comprehensive guide to asphalt materials used for surfacing road and airfield pavements. By examining the constituent materials, the construction processes and the properties provided by each type of material, an assessment can be made of the material types appropriate to a particular site and application. Background information is provided on the main component mateials (aggregates, fillers, bitumen and binder modifiers) and on the requirements generally specified for the surfacing layer of asphalt pavements. Each material type is then discussed in turn, from the traditional 'thick' surface course materials (such as rolled asphalt and dense bitumen macadam, as well as asphalt concrete and porous asphalt) through the new thin surfacings, to very thin surface treatments such as surface dressing. Various specialist materials are also covered, including mixtures using recycled materials. There is also a summary of each option available to the engineer, which provides a starting point for finding the most appropriate surfacing. This is an essential guide for student materials technologists and engineers, as well as experienced design and construction engineers.