Asphalt concrete pavement construction – how good Russian roads should be made

A nation’s infrastructure cannot exist without good roads, which have an impact on everything from the economy to daily commutes. It is essential to build long-lasting asphalt concrete pavements in Russia because of the country’s sometimes severe climate and great distances. To guarantee that these roads endure over time, how precisely should they be constructed?

This article will examine the fundamentals of building asphalt concrete pavements with an emphasis on the unique difficulties and specifications of Russian roadways. We’ll examine the building materials, the construction method, and the upkeep procedures that contribute to the excellent condition of these roads.

This guide will give you a clear and concise overview of the best practices for creating durable asphalt concrete pavements in Russia, regardless of whether you work in the construction industry professionally or are just interested in learning how good roads are built.

General information

One of the primary demands of the document is that interstate standards for the quality of the road surface be taken into consideration during the construction and restoration of road surfaces, in addition to the requirements of the set of rules itself.

  • In addition, it is necessary to take into account the degree of impact of the work on the environment. Measures are also taken to protect nature from pollution. A certain balance must be maintained that does not allow excessive harm to nature, changes in environmental and geological conditions are not allowed.
  • Damage to the soil vegetation is allowed only in the immediate area of ​​​​the work.
  • All damage that was nevertheless caused to the surrounding nature during construction and repair activities must be eliminated before the facility is put into operation.

  • Sites where mineral materials are stored on the territory of asphalt plants, at mixing plants and various bases must be equipped with a solid foundation with the possibility of drainage, which will prevent the material from being washed away by rain.
  • Work on laying asphalt concrete pavement can only begin on a specially prepared roadbed, which must be clean, level and not frozen.

  • Each layer of asphalt is laid only after the marking work has been carried out to secure the edges and elevation marks.

That’s interesting to know! All marking is done with specialized surveying tools and in compliance with the defined protocol.

  • Laying asphalt in the cold season is permitted only on a roadbed that has been fully prepared before the onset of negative temperatures. The only exception is construction in permafrost conditions.

That’s interesting to know! It is necessary to remove any snow and ice from the roadbed before applying the asphalt concrete mixture. All work is halted during blizzards and snowfall.

  • The composition of the laid mixtures is selected according to the regulatory documents regulating them.
  • The geotextile used must correspond to the class specified in the project.
  • Incoming inspection of all building materials is carried out according to the code of rules 48.13330.
  • As the roadbed is laid (at least 100 meters), operational control is carried out. It involves monitoring: elevation marks along the road axis, the thickness of the uncompacted material along the axis, the width of the roadbed, evenness and transverse slope.

How road works are organized

The projects for the site, the organization of construction, and the production of works must all be complied with by the organization of activities for laying asphalt concrete pavement in addition to the set of rules.

  • All preparatory activities should be carried out within the established timeframes and in the order established by the technical documentation.
  • If the road has a single-level intersection with railway tracks, then the latter are installed first – here"s a pun.
  • When constructing temporary roads, if the project provides for the use of GM (geotextile materials), it is necessary to use reinforcing rolled geosynthetic products and geomaterials

Preparation

The geodetic breakdown base’s volume and composition are determined by Code of Practice 126.13330.

  • First of all, the area is cleared for the future roadbed. If the work is carried out in permafrost conditions, then clearing of bushes and forests can be carried out to the width of the road only in winter.

  • Disturbance of the vegetation layer within the right-of-way is not allowed, as well as uprooting stumps "in reserve".
  • If the construction of a road is designed according to the principle of exploitation of the base of the roadbed from thawing soils, then clearing of the strip can be carried out at any time of the year.
  • If an embankment of at least 150 centimeters is made under the road, then stumps up to 10 centimeters high are allowed to be left in the base.
  • Excavation works can begin only after complete removal of clearing waste from the site.

  • Before the development of soil quarries, measures are taken to secure the boundaries of the site allocated for this.
  • When all preparatory work is completed, the lands from the temporary allotment are reclaimed according to the project, and transferred to users.

Construction of the roadbed

The construction of a roadbed that satisfies all legal requirements comes next.

  • The process of constructing the roadbed should not be interrupted. Interruptions are allowed only in places where various artificial structures are located, in areas with special soil conditions and areas of concentrated work.
  • Usually the roadbed is made with some reserve, which is determined by the design bureau. Exceptions may be made for work carried out on the territories of agricultural and industrial enterprises.

  • The roadbed should always reach the design level. Its surface and slopes should be planned. The operation of drainage systems and strengthening of slopes is ensured.
  • Embankments of dusty and clayey heavy soils, the height of which exceeds 3 meters, are completed a year before laying the road surface from cement and asphalt concrete.

These were the general guidelines for getting the roadbed ready. We will now enumerate the actions taken in this instance.

  • It all starts with the breakdown. In this case, all positive points, pickets, main and intermediate points of curves, corner apexes on turns are taken out into nature and fixed. Additional benchmarks are installed at high embankments and deep cuttings (more than 3 meters).

  • The breakdown of all contours of cuttings, embankments, and other structures is carried out from the benchmark and picket signs at least every 10-20 meters on curved sections and 50 on straight ones. This is done immediately before performing a certain technical operation.
  • The project establishes the thickness of the fertile soil layer to be removed. This is done over the entire surface that the roadbed will occupy. It is stacked in specially designated places, or along the strip.

  • Before work begins on the construction of the roadbed, it is necessary to complete all activities for the construction of water interception and drainage systems.

  • Also, before the start of embankment construction, drainages are made and various communication lines are laid.
  • If there are lumps and stones within the strip, the diameter of which exceeds 75% of the embankment thickness, then they must first be removed.
  • The base is leveled. If the soil is dense and non-draining, then it is necessary to make a transverse slope – single-slope or double-slope.
  • Any local depressions (pits, pits) are filled with the same non-draining soil with subsequent compaction so that water cannot accumulate in these places.

  • The base must be compacted immediately before the construction of the overlying layer. If the depth for compaction exceeds the thickness of the layer, then the excess is removed and moved to another section. After compaction, the soil is returned to its place and also compacted to the required state.
  • When an existing embankment is expanded (road reconstruction) with a height of more than 1 meter, benches are made on its slopes, the width of which reaches 2 meters. For lower embankments, loosening of existing slopes is carried out.

Development of embankments, cuttings and creation of the foundation

These topics take up a significant portion of the text of the document and are broken up into numerous chapters, each of which outlines how to work in various settings, on various kinds of soil, and with various foundation materials and technologies. Since we are unable to review everything, we will use the essential requirements and points as an example, making the process at least somewhat understandable.

  • Development of cuttings and reserves begins with low-lying areas on the terrain.
  • Before these activities on slopes steeper than 1:3 or in places where landslides are likely, it is necessary to install special protective devices, which are usually provided for by the project.
  • Only the same types of soil are allowed to be used in one embankment layer. The only exceptions may be cases provided for by the design documentation.
  • The connection of different types of soil is carried out according to the principle of wedging.
  • The soil backfill starts from the edges and moves to the middle, across the entire width of the roadbed.
  • Subsequent backfilling from the edges is not permitted.

  • In order to compact the soil from the edges of the roadbed, if it is not envisaged to carry out this with special means, it is possible to backfill a layer that will exceed the design boundaries of the embankment by 30-50 centimeters.
  • Excess soil is removed during slope planning, when the embankment has already been completed. It can be used for land reclamation, creating ramps and backfilling shoulders.
  • The soil is backfilled in layers, each of which is compacted while maintaining the design longitudinal slope. Before the layer is compacted, it must be planned so that a single-slope or double-slope slope is formed towards the edges of the roadbed. The slope level is 20-40%.
  • After compaction, the soil density must meet the requirements of SP 34.13330
  • Typically, soil compaction is carried out with heavy rollers, but in conditions of insufficient space for their passage, it is permissible to use installations of vibration, impact and vibro-impact operating principles.

That’s interesting to know! It is forbidden to use tamping slabs closer than three meters to man-made structures and to raise the backfill above the pipe that passes beneath it by less than two meters.

  • The soil to be compacted must be optimally moist. The selection of the most efficient compaction method is carried out on site by means of trial compaction.
  • If the soil does not have optimal moisture, the number of roller passes over it increases. If the humidity does not reach the values ​​​​indicated in the following table, it is pre-moistened.

  • If the soil is to be compacted, the moisture content of which is higher than the established optimal values, then it should first be dried naturally. To do this, it is loosened, harrowed, etc.
  • Sand, loose soil, slag, inactive ashes are also added to such soil, and layers of geosynthetic materials are also used.

  • To dry the soil, it is also necessary to introduce active additives: fly ash, lime, gypsum, cement.
  • The required amount of these additives is indicated in the following table.

  • If compaction of subsidence and semi-subsidence soils is carried out, then ramming methods with subsequent rolling of layers are used.

Works to strengthen the roadbed

The following specifications are included in the document for finishing works:

  • Strengthening of shoulders and their planning is carried out after the construction of the road surface. During the work, all temporary ramps are eliminated.
  • Ditches and ditches are strengthened immediately, as they are constructed.
  • Slopes In embankments, with a height of 6 meters and recesses of the same depth, you need to perform immediately as soon as their individual tiers are built.
  • All strengthening work is regulated, designed specially projects. All technological regulations are approved only in the prescribed manner.
  • The following methods can be used for strengthening: sowing grass, using reinforced concrete blocks, constructing monolithic structures, using geomats, geogrids and geocomposites.

Stage Description
Subgrade Preparation Level the ground and ensure proper drainage to prevent water buildup.
Base Layer Apply a layer of crushed stone for stability and load distribution.
Binder Layer Use bitumen mixed with aggregates to create a strong bond.
Surface Layer Apply a final layer of asphalt concrete for a smooth driving surface.
Compaction Compact each layer to eliminate air pockets and increase strength.
Quality Control Regularly check materials and construction techniques for consistency.

Russian roads must be constructed with high-quality asphalt concrete pavement if they are to last and be safe. Establishing a strong foundation is the first step in making sure the ground is level and stable. This is an important step because over time, cracks and potholes could result from any weakness in the base.

A layer of carefully blended asphalt concrete is then applied. The mixture needs to be properly proportioned between bitumen and aggregates. Asphalt layers that have been properly planned and installed offer a durable, smooth surface that can tolerate heavy traffic and inclement weather.

Proper drainage systems are essential as well. Water is the enemy of asphalt roads because it can seep into the pavement, causing damage and shortening its life, if proper drainage isn’t in place. Good drainage prolongs the life of the road and contributes to its integrity.

The last piece of advice for maintaining Russian roads in excellent shape is routine maintenance. Resurfacing and timely repairs keep small problems from growing into bigger ones. Everyone benefits from safer and more dependable roads when high-quality asphalt concrete pavements are maintained consistently.

High-quality asphalt concrete pavement construction, appropriate layering, and painstaking craftsmanship are essential for creating well-built Russian roads. This entails utilizing long-lasting asphalt mixtures, making sure the foundation is solid, and applying each layer precisely and compacting it. By concentrating on these essential components, Russian roads can endure severe weather, high traffic, and fewer repair needs, which will ultimately result in safer and more dependable transportation.

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Dmitry Sokolov

Chief engineer in a large construction company. I have extensive experience in managing construction projects and implementing modern technologies.

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