Surface Preparation
From Pavement Interactive
This content is part of the Pavement Interactive Core series of articles.
- Construction
- Surface Preparation
- Subgrade Preparation for New Pavements
- Existing Surface Preparation for Overlays
- HMA Construction
- Plant Operations
- Transport
- Placement
- Placement Considerations
- Compaction
- Mat Problems
- PCC Construction
- Plant Operations
- Transport
- Steel Placement
- General Paving Procedure
- Fixed Form Paving
- Slipform Paving
Before a pavement is actually placed at the construction site the surface to be paved must be prepared. Adequate surface preparation is essential to long-term pavement performance. Pavements constructed without adequate surface preparation may not meet smoothness specifications, may not bond to the existing pavement (in the case of overlays) or may fail because of inadequate subgrade support. Surface preparation generally takes one of two forms:
- Preparing the subgrade and granular base course for new pavement. This can involve such activities as subgrade stabilization (e.g., with lime, cement or emulsified asphalt), over-excavation of poor subgrade, applying a prime coat or compacting the subgrade.
- Preparing an existing pavement surface for overlay. This can involve such activities as removing a top layer through milling, applying a leveling course, applying a tack coat, rubblizing or cracking and seating an underlying rigid pavement, and replacing localized areas of extreme damage.
Specific actions for each method depend upon the pavement type and purpose, environmental conditions, subgrade conditions, local experience and specifications.