Tarmacing refers to the construction of strong and highly resistant tarmac pavement. it involves layers of finely graded crushed stones and tar. Tarmac has become the most popular and widespread surfacing material due to its variety of applications and benefits.
Discovered over a century ago, tarmac or tarmacadam revolutionized the construction of pavement s and roads. It produces a highly durable, weather-resistant yet smooth surface. Tarmac is being used all over the world in constructing roads, runways, parking lots, and driveways.
Tarmacing provides one of the most efficient options for driveway construction. Its sleek look adds up to the aesthetic value of the house.
History of Tarmacing
Surprisingly, the discovery of the tarmac is accidental, just like many other major discoveries. In 1901, an English surveyor Edgar Hooley was walking in Denby, Derbyshire when he came upon a smooth and unusual stretch of the road.
Upon asking the locals, he came to know that a barrel full of tar burst on the road and rendered it unusable for traffic and pedestrians. Locals poured waste slag and crushed stones over the tar to make it usable again which resulted in a smooth yet strong surface.
In the year 1902, he patented the method of mixing hot tar and aggregates to produce a smooth, and durable solid surface. After a lot of experiments and improvements, he finally laid a 5-kilometer-long world’s very first tarmac road. He covered Redcliffe Road in Nottingham with his patented design mix of tar and macadam.
Tarmac has evolved exponentially over the years. new construction techniques and mixed designs have provided stronger than-ever tarmac pavements. That is why tarmac has become the most widely used material for surfacing globally.
Benefits of Tarmacing
Tarmac surfaces provide a lot of benefits, some of which are listed here:
Durability:
Tarmacing provides a highly strong surface that can bear heavy loads of traffic, and withstand severe weather conditions and wear and tear. A tarmac surface is highly durable and can last for more than 20 years if maintained properly.
Low maintenance:
Tarmaced surfaces do not require heavy maintenance which makes them extremely cost-effective too. They only require periodic seal coating and cleaning to stay in a good condition.
Aesthetics:
Tarmaced surfaces provide a sleek and elegant appearance which can increase the curb appeal of your house. they are available in many colors and textures and allow you to choose what suits the best to your house.
Friction:
Tarmac produces good friction between the surface and the tire and reduces any chance of injuries through accidents.
Eco-friendly:
Another benefit of tarmac is that it can be recycled and used for new surfaces. This not only conserves natural resources but also reduces waste.
Vast Applications:
Tarmac is being used all over the world for several applications including roads, runways, driveways, parking lots, and pathways. tarmac can also be applied over already existing surfaces and therefore reduces the cost of the demolition as well.
Method of Constructing tarmac Surfaces
Site Preparation:
Preparing the site is the first step of tarmac construction. In this step, the whole area is cleared of debris and compacted properly. So that it can provide a stable subgrade for the tarmac. In this step, a proper gradient is also provided so that the water does not pool on the surface. Many companies in southwest England are providing their services for driveway Paving in Exeter.
Construction of the Base Layer:
In this step, crushed stone or gravel is laid on the subgrade and then compacted properly so that it provides a stable foundation. The thickness of the base layer and the strength of crushed stone depends upon where the surface is being laid and how much load it is going to bear.
Addition of the Binder Layer:
After the base layer, a binder layer is added. This is a load-bearing layer and is applied to strengthen the pavement. The thickness of this layer is usually kept between 4cm and 6cm depending upon the intended function and the load calculations for the tarmac.
Laying of the Surface Layer:
The surface layer consists of a mixture of finely graded aggregates and tar. This layer is generally thinner than the binder layer and is laid to provide a smooth and durable surface for the pavement.
Compaction of the surface:
After the surface layer is laid, the tarmac is then compacted properly using heavy rollers to make sure the whole structure is tightly packed and bonded.
Finishing:
At last, all the edges of the tarmac are properly sealed to prevent water infiltration and the surface is left for a specific period for curing.
