What is better asphalt or concrete: materials, technologies, alternatives

For paving projects, deciding between asphalt and concrete is a common conundrum for individuals, companies, and governments alike. Every material has specific benefits and drawbacks that can have an impact on the project’s cost, durability, and maintenance requirements.

Asphalt is renowned for being inexpensive and simple to install. It offers a flexible, smooth surface that is perfect for driveways and highways. But it might not last as long as concrete and needs constant upkeep.

Conversely, concrete is praised for its durability and strength. It is a more resilient choice than asphalt, able to withstand high traffic and inclement weather. The drawback is that installing it could cost more money and take longer.

We’ll go over the main distinctions between concrete and asphalt in this post, along with information on their respective technologies, materials, and some other options you might find useful. You can choose the option that best fits your needs and budget by being aware of these factors.

Aspect	Details
Durability	Concrete tends to last longer than asphalt, often 20-40 years, while asphalt may need replacement in 10-15 years.
Cost	Asphalt is generally cheaper to install, but concrete has lower maintenance costs over time.
Installation Time	Asphalt can be installed and used more quickly than concrete, which requires curing time.
Maintenance	Concrete needs less frequent maintenance but is harder to repair, while asphalt is easier and cheaper to fix.
Environmental Impact	Asphalt is recyclable but contributes more to urban heat islands; concrete is less heat-absorbing but harder to recycle.
Surface Texture	Asphalt provides a smoother and quieter ride compared to concrete, which can be more textured and noisy.
Weather Resistance	Concrete handles heat better, while asphalt performs well in colder climates.
Alternatives	Pavers, gravel, and permeable materials can be used as alternatives to both asphalt and concrete for various benefits.

Essentially pavement materials

Homeowners typically base their decision on a number of factors.

The principal ones are:

• territorial availability and price of material,
• cost of covering installation,
• lifetime,
• need for routine repairs.

We will determine whether concrete or asphalt is preferable based on these factors.

To make your decision a little easier, you should know right away that laying asphalt, paving slabs, and preparing the soil for concrete pouring are all fairly similar processes with roughly the same costs. Generally speaking, we mean the order of the cost, though concrete pavement will cost a little more in terms of time and materials.

Asphalt paving technology

Asphalt is typically laid level with the ground.

To make this feasible, a "bath" for the material’s laying is ready:

1. the top layer of soil is selected, the bottom of the pit is compacted;
2. a layer of sand is poured and compacted with a vibrator;
3. geotextile is laid;
4. a layer of crushed stone is poured;
5. bitumen emulsion is poured.

Material of various fractions is used to backfill the crushed stone cushion. Typically, the largest crushed stone is used for the first layer, followed by medium, and fine-grained material for the final layer.

Each layer in this situation needs to be compacted carefully. Once the cushion of sand and gravel is prepared, bitumen is poured onto the future path. The actual asphalt paving is then completed.

The bad aspects of asphalt are determined by the bitumen content of the material. Everyone has seen how the tarmac "floats" in the summer heat. Furthermore, it is difficult to characterize the fumes produced by such a coating as environmentally benign.

Ecologists made an effort to determine the precise source of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and its derivatives) entering the atmosphere. After conducting measurements and research, Ukrainian scientists discovered that asphalt pavement accounts for up to 15% of all such emissions.

Asphalt concrete

Now let’s examine the distinctions between asphalt and asphalt concrete. Aggregates such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone are used in both situations. Inert materials form the basis. A coating with varying properties is the end result, contingent upon fillers, additives, and binders.

The primary distinction between asphalt and ABS (asphalt concrete mixture) is that large-fraction crushed stone is used as filler in ABS, whereas sand is used in asphalt. Because of this distinction, ABS coatings resist wear better than asphaltic coatings, but their quality is still lower.

The following should be considered when deciding between these two types of coverage:

• Asphalt is smoother and suitable for fast movement.
• For repairs, it is also better to choose a sand-based mixture.
• If a large load is planned, then it is better to choose an ASB.
• Asphalt concrete should be preferred if work is carried out in the cold season.

Furthermore, there are various asphalt concrete grades.

There are currently two brands that are in high demand:

1. Mixture made using crushed stone 1000 – 1200.
2. ABS with filler 800 – 1000.

Several ingredients must be present in the mixture for asphalt concrete technology to work. Different kinds of ABS are distinguished from the component composition.

Prior to installation, it’s crucial to ascertain:

• Presence of mineral components. In essence, in this case, the percentage of filler in the volume of the solution is determined.
• Grain size of mineral components. The mixture can be sandy, gravel or gravel.

Knowing exactly what circumstances lead to the laying is crucial when working with ABS. Distribute warm, cold, and hot compositions. The first should be applied at a composition temperature of at least 120 0 s; applying a cold mixture will suffice to raise the composition’s temperature by roughly 5 degrees.

Beaton

Studying this issue will undoubtedly draw your attention to the name "Beaton." Beaton brand: improved, contemporary features for asphalt concrete. The PLA (gravelly-mastic asphalt concrete mixture), a hot mixture of asphalt concrete, is especially intriguing.

This material is made up of crushed stone, to which crushed sand and mineral additives are added to fill the spaces between the granules with a bitumen solution.

This composition formula sets SMA apart from regular ABS. The crushed stone structure with a rigid frame enables the distribution of loads from the coating’s surface throughout the entire volume. The amount of deformation is greatly decreased as a result.

Asphalt laying

Stone flour and fine sand are combined with the chosen grade of asphalt. After reaching the proper temperature, the resultant composition is layered. At least 7 cm must separate each layer.

At this point, the first significant disadvantage of asphalting becomes apparent: specialized equipment for construction is required. After the laying process is complete, bitumen is poured into each layer.

We should also address the question of whether asphalt can be laid over concrete here. This is not only feasible, but also a rather typical practice. Concrete is frequently poured over the cushion of sand and gravel to increase the coating’s strength.

• increases the strength and service life of the road surface;
• saves on maintenance costs.

Crucial! Asphalt should not be laid in wet or extremely humid conditions. Moisture causes the composition to cool quickly, which keeps it from compacting to the appropriate level.

Repairing asphalt pavement is very easy. Not every layer needs to be removed. Ensuring good adhesion to the surface being restored is sufficient.

By laying cold asphalt, the process of asphalt paving can be made somewhat simpler. These combinations can be applied in any kind of weather. The mixture is tamped after it is laid.

The less complicated technology results in a less durable coating that is appropriate for patching potholes and building pedestrian pathways, but it is not advised for use in high-traffic areas.

The main distinctions in materials, technologies, and available options must be understood when choosing between concrete and asphalt for your pavement needs. Asphalt is a common material for driveways and roads because of its lower cost and faster installation time. Conversely, concrete has better long-term durability and requires less upkeep, making it a great choice for heavy-duty applications like industrial areas and highways. The best material to use will depend on a number of factors, including climate, budget, and the particular use case. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages. Investigating the options can also yield workable solutions for particular circumstances.

Concreting

An algorithm similar to this one governs site construction if you choose to lay concrete rather than asphalt. First things first, dig a pit and fill it with gravel and sand. The distinction is that formwork must be installed before concrete can be poured, and it is within this that the reinforcement mesh is placed. Typically, welded reinforcing mesh that is premade is utilized.

Note: The fill thickness needs to be at least 10 cm in order for the concrete pavement to last long enough.

Without the use of construction equipment, all work involved in building a concrete driveway can be completed independently. Simultaneously, the site itself will take longer because the concrete needs to strengthen before the surface is usable.

Four weeks later, full setting happens. After a few days, concrete is safe to walk on. Concrete’s exceptional strength is its greatest asset.

Airports and transportation hubs are two places where concrete pavement is typically installed due to higher traffic volumes.

The dustiness of untreated concrete is one of the device’s drawbacks. Although applying primers or primer coatings to the surface can prevent this, street surfaces hardly ever use them.

Additionally, freeze-thaw cycles are intolerable to concrete pavement. Water seeping into the cracks will quickly erode the pavement’s integrity if the pouring technology is not used. It will start to separate and crumble.

Note: expansion joints must be installed in any pour larger than 8 m2. This mandatory measure lessens the negative effects of increased vertical operational loads and the impact of shrinkage.

Concrete volume calculator

Paving slabs

We also made the decision to think about this kind of coating as a substitute. Since concrete has stronger strength characteristics than asphalt, paving stones are essentially concrete tiles. Furthermore, setting up such a path is a fairly easy process. The process of preparing the ground for paving stone installation involves pouring and compacting a layer of crushed stone and sand.

The substance itself is available in various thicknesses:

• about 4 cm for pedestrian paths,
• 6 – 8 cm for access roads for light vehicles,
• It is better not to use tiles for trucks.

Paver stone yards are simple to lay out on your own.

Simultaneously, this yard design offers very particular advantages over counterparts:

• High aesthetic characteristics. Tiles are available in various colors and shapes, you will get not only a durable, but also a beautiful coating, which can become a forming element of landscape design.
• To carry out paving work, you do not need to have special construction skills. It is quite enough to be able to use a building level and a mallet.
• The service life of tiles made by vibration pressing is longer than concrete.
• It is very easy to repair such a coating. In order to provide access to underground utilities, it is enough to remove the paving stones from a certain area. The coating can be restored using old stone.
• The technology of installing paving slabs involves natural drainage. Water goes into the seams between the tiles, without stagnating and without destroying the coating.

One drawback of this kind of coating is the material’s expense. The cost of paving stones is 1.5–2 times that of asphalt. Watching the video in this article will teach you more about the technology used in concrete tile installation.

Comparing the economy

Now let’s go back to our original query: is concrete or asphalt more affordable?

We will compile all of this information into a table for this:

Asphalting	Concreting	Paving stones
Term of work on the device of 300 m2 of covering	maximum 2 days	3-4 days for pouring, and 28 days until complete setting	7 days
Period of maintenance-free operation	5-7 years	10-12 years	up to 30 years, depending on the traffic of the site
Possible loads	pedestrians, passenger transport	everything, including trucks	pedestrians, passenger transport
Advantages	fast	work can be done independently	environmentally friendly, beautiful, work does not require special skills, easy to repair
Disadvantages	harmful fumes of bitumen resins	dusting, poor tolerance of temperature changes	High price of the material, there is an increased risk of injury, especially in high-heeled shoes

In summary, the initial cost of paving slabs is higher than that of asphalt and concrete; however, these costs gradually level out because of the long lifespan and ease of repair.

When it comes to initial costs, concrete pavement will be 75–80% more expensive than asphalt; however, asphalt is more fragile and needs ongoing maintenance. For this reason, pavement maintenance expenses level out after about 7-8 years on average.

Be aware that 60% of roads built in the US are made with concrete pavement. 40% of the volume is made up of concrete roads in Germany and Austria. In Russia, only 3 percent of all roads are made of concrete.

A question of order

We have already discussed in the article that asphalt pavement is occasionally placed over a concrete foundation. Is the converse circumstance feasible, though? How is concrete laid down on asphalt? It would appear that there is nothing complicated because crushed stone will be used as filler in both situations; the binder is the only thing that differs. Bitumen is bound by asphalt, and concrete comprises cement. However, some subtleties exist.

The adhesion between the layers of concrete and asphalt will be very low. That is, because it lacks a strong support, the concrete screed will start to crack under heavy loads.

It is best to have the old asphalt removed, if possible.

In the event that you choose not to remove the covering (hey, we all get lazy sometimes), you have the following options for getting out of the situation:

• for pouring, use concrete of a grade not lower than M200;
• The thickness of the screed must be at least 10 cm;
• It is better to pierce the asphalt surface with nails;
• reinforce the concrete screed with road welded mesh.

Furthermore, when pouring concrete over asphalt, particular attention needs to be given to the side of the pour—that is, the intersection of the two layers. Your top screed will start to crack from the inside if bitumen isn’t applied to it.

For your project, the decision between asphalt and concrete will rely on your unique requirements and situation. Asphalt is perfect for large projects or those that need to be completed quickly because it is typically more affordable up front and has faster installation times. Additionally, it is simpler to fix, which is a big plus for ongoing upkeep.

Conversely, the strength and longevity of concrete are truly remarkable. Concrete is more expensive initially and takes longer to install, but it lasts longer and needs fewer repairs, so in the long run, it’s usually a better investment. High-traffic areas and industrial applications favor it because of its resilience to heavy loads and inclement weather.

For environmentally conscious projects in particular, alternatives such as advanced composites, recycled materials, and permeable pavement should be taken into account. These choices may offer special advantages like better drainage, less of an adverse effect on the environment, and increased visual appeal.

In the end, the choice between concrete and asphalt should be made in light of various aspects, including the project’s budget, schedule, and anticipated use, as well as long-term maintenance requirements. You can select the best material for your unique requirements by carefully considering these factors, which will guarantee an effective and long-lasting outcome.

Video on the topic

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