What place does recycled asphalt have in asphalt paving today?
In the United States, we have many resources to explore and work with in this large country. However, building with only newly-found resources is not always necessary, and reusing materials could prove a smart choice. In the asphalt world, recycled asphalt pavement has been around for about 50 years and is becoming more popular again. Is RAP a good option for your asphalt project?
The Nature of Recycled Asphalt Pavement
Recycled asphalt pavement is ground-up pavement mixed with new ingredients, such as bitumen, to form new asphalt pavement. It is a gravelly mixture, still containing old oil and bitumen, paired with new binders.
When construction workers mill old pavement, piles of milled asphalt build up. How can they be put to use?
What Are Its Uses?
RAP can be useful as an additive for constructing new roads, paths, driveways, parking lots, etc. It is also beneficial in repairing existing pavements. Workers can handle recycled asphalt in any season. Reliable Contracting can mix a certain percentage of the recycled asphalt with the virgin asphalt. Once the workers install it as new pavement or patching, it is important to sealcoat it for preservation, just like 100% virgin asphalt pavement.
Benefits
Is recycled asphalt any good? The biggest concern is that it is not as strong as virgin asphalt and will therefore break down faster. So far, the only reason to believe that RAP does not perform as well is that recycled asphalt roads broke down faster than normal roads in the 1970s. However, the process has developed further today to prevent those problems. Today, RAP could perhaps last as long as new asphalt.
Throughout the past 50 years, asphalt binder affordability has fluctuated, influencing the popularity of recycled asphalt. When asphalt binder is more expensive, contractors take another look at RAP. Recycled asphalt is hands-down more affordable than new asphalt and goes to good use.
With the push to recycle and reuse, RAP’s benefit of efficiency has never been clearer. Whether you need asphalt repair or paving for your parking lot, commercial driveway, road, trail, etc., using RAP can help you make the most of what already exists.
Is It Right for Your Commercial Project?
Adding recycled asphalt to the pavement mix can help cut costs while maintaining pavement integrity. Is it right for your project? Reliable Contracting in Maryland is here to answer any questions you might have!
ABOUT RELIABLE CONTRACTING
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.