Concrete Roadways

[DuaneM]

I hate when I'm riding along certain sections of interstate thats concrete. You have to put up with the thump..thump..thump..thump because they pour it in sections. It also seems to break up alot and cause little potholes. The only advantage I can see to concrete are cooler surface temperature and it won't rut with the weight of trucks even though you really don't have that issue since trucks are rolling along on the asphault and not sitting on it. Am I missing something else? I have noticed there doing away with concrete on certain sections of 95 now.

[Webmaster]

Initial installation cost, continued maintenance cost, and geography typically determine which pavement is used. Here are some points to consider:

1. Asphalt is less expensive to install, but concrete lasts much longer.
2. Asphalt is less expensive and quicker to repair, while concrete is more expensive to repair and needs "curing" time.
3. Concrete has better night visibility, especially on rainy nights.
4. Fresh concrete is generally less slippery in wet weather.
5. Concrete is hard, while asphalt is soft. Concrete takes heavier loads while asphalt deforms.*
6. Concrete is more prone to frost damage in colder climates.

An asphalt surface that gives you a thump-thump-thump, is most probably a concrete roadway with an asphalt overlay. You are hearing the concrete expansion joints.

*More and more we're seeing concrete being used where there is standing or cueing traffic (intersections, bus stops, toll booths, tarmacs, etc)

[DuaneM]

I figured there was an advantage as far as durability. Better fuel mileage? You would never see it. I just found asphault seems to be alot smoother ride. I-295 around Richmond is a good example. Was mostly concrete and very rough. It looks like there repaving with asphault now. I def understand where concrete would be better in places with standing traffic, but not for cruising down the interstate IMO.

[Webmaster]

Actually, the older an asphalt surface gets, the smoother the ride. However that same smoothness equated to less traction in wet weather.

Asphalt is a "living" surface. It has the ability to expand and contract without the requirement for expansion joints. Expansion joints are required in concrete roadways, thus the "thump", and the joints can allow water to infiltrate, which can freeze and cause frost heaves.