Asphalt is an aggregate mixture of rock, sand, gravel, or slags used for construction. You can use it for building roads, railway tracks, airport runways, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks. When the summer is in full flight, the heat’s effects on surfaces paved with asphalt become clear. Heat affects asphalt because it is a dark substance that absorbs a lot of heat. Prolonged heat absorption can adversely affect asphalt, leading to soft spots. You should know about these effects if you work jobs in construction for Kilgore Companies that involve asphalt.
The following are the effects of heat on asphalt:
Cracking
Cracking is a typical result of asphalt heat absorption, which you will see working jobs in construction. You will find cracks in older asphalt surfaces. It could also affect new surfaces covered with asphalt. Places with a lot of traffic, like parking lots and highways, will often experience cracking.
Raveling
Raveling is where heat affects layers of asphalt as it goes down and deeper. It begins with surface damage and causes water or moisture to seep into the asphalt aggregate and soil. Separation of the asphalt aggregate and binder or their insufficient compaction is the leading cause of asphalt raveling.
Oxidation
Asphalt oxidation happens when UV rays from the sun cause a chemical reaction with the asphalt leading to a chemical reaction where lighter oils mix with heavier oils, reducing the number of binding oils in the asphalt aggregate. It weakens the asphalt’s structure and makes it more brittle and less elastic.
Tracking
Asphalt can absorb the heat from the sun, making it extremely hot. The surface will become soft, releasing tiny bits of asphalt that can stick to any surface it contacts.
It helps to understand how asphalt reacts to heat if working jobs in construction. Kilgore Companies will have solutions to counteract the above effects.