Pavers verses black asphalt driveway??

vtsnowedin · Jul 3, 2012

If you look back a page you can see that I understand the need for quality base below any pavement. State quality mix is not hard to get if the plant you are buying from is doing state work. Just ask for it and the operator just selects a mix number and out she comes. You might have to wait until they can get to you if they are doing a big job of base mix but other then that it is just as easy to drop it in your truck as it is to drop it into the states contractor's truck. All us state guys and consultant inspectors accomplish with our infrared thermometers and core drills is to document what we got for results. If the mix is right and placed properly it is right and testing it to death doesn't change anything.
I've been doing this kind of work sense 1975 and the job I'm on this year and next includes 46,000 tons of hot mix.

ptgdigger · Jul 3, 2012

The problem I see when looking at failed driveways in this area is always failed base, in a freeze thaw area if you want to build a driveway for the long haul you have to dig out all the organic material at least a foot , more in areas of poor drainage , remember dry solids actually contract when they freeze , water is the one thing in the mix that expands when it freezes , giving you frost heave and cracks. You have to build in some drainage appropriate for the situation , whether that be just some clean stone (57) or weeping tile dumping to an area off the driveway, "crusher run" type stone is good for solid compaction but not for drainage.

Rutting is another issue, rutting can be caused by poor initial compaction in the base, when laying crusher run rent a compactor and compact the moistened gravel in no more than 6" lifts, compaction tests have proven that dry crusher run will never get close to 100% compaction no matter what method is used, you have to add water until it is uniformly moist , not sloppy. Rutting can also be caused by the base shifting sideways close to the edge, you should always extend your base 12" wider on each side than the paved surface, this can also help prevent edges breaking off when running a tire off the edge. Rutting can also be caused by poor drainage which allows your stone base to be pushed into the mud below, see above for assuring good drainage.

Care should be taken in freeze thaw areas to try and choose a driveway site that is as "high and dry" as possible.

Ray

Egon · Jul 3, 2012

Just wondering how many driveways will meet State mix and State sub grade criteria?

How do those little permanent Batch Plants fit into the State Job Market? Usually they are the ones supplying small job (driveway's etc.) asphalt?

By 1975 I'd forgotten whatever little I knew about asphault.