Asphalt Roads Melt

During hot weather, asphalt roads can melt and become dangerous. The melting process affects the surface course layer of the road, which is between three to five cm thick. The melting process can affect the performance of braking, steering, and even coat tyres. Fortunately, it doesn’t affect the entire road, only the top layer.

In recent years, extreme weather has caused roads to become unsafe in India. This was due to poor quality pavement and high asphalt temperatures. Thankfully, recent developments in road construction have made modern asphalt resistant to high temperatures. It can withstand temperatures as high as 80C, whereas older Asphalt is not suited for this.

While asphalt roads do not melt under normal conditions, there are several conditions that can trigger the process of melting. For example, older and south-facing roads are more susceptible. This is due to the fact that asphalt’s dark color absorbs heat from the sun, causing it to become softer. In addition, hot temperatures can affect railway tracks and cause them to buckle. High temperatures also weaken the binder holding the road together.

Why Do Asphalt Roads Melt?

If asphalt is heated up, it can expand so much that it eats up adjacent slabs. This can cause potholes and ripples in the surface of the road. This can cause damage to cars. However, this isn’t the only problem. One recent incident occurred at the Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, where airplane tires had sunk into the asphalt.

When temperatures exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, asphalt can melt. But when temperatures are between 250 and 275 degrees, it’s more resistant to melting. That’s because the melting point of the material is somewhere between 1200 and 1550 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the actual melting point of road tar depends on the wind and sun exposure.

In hot climates, asphalt is prone to liquifying and melting. At 250 degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes liquid again. Similarly, it can also become solid at room temperature. When the temperature is close to room temperature, it acts much like concrete. This means that if temperatures get too hot, asphalt will become soft and start to crack. Meanwhile, the weight of traffic on these roads causes ridges. Thankfully, these ridges are often repaired using gritters.

Another reason asphalt roads are susceptible to melting is the cold weather. During the summer and fall monsoon season, Arizona receives up to half its annual rainfall. This season can result in sideways rain, dusty air, and violent winds. While these conditions can be uncomfortable, they can be detrimental to the condition of asphalt pavement.

Hot weather can also affect concrete roads. Since concrete pavement is constructed with slabs, there is a space between them, which accounts for expansion and contraction as hot and cold weather increases. If this space is not properly maintained, debris can enter the spaces and cause concrete pavements to melt. In both cases, there is a solution depending on the design and location of the roadway.