“Do you use grade control to build a quality road”? If you answered “Yes”, then “Well done”. But wait …there’s more to know. Smoothness is an important indicator for a well-built road. However, the asphalt material and temperature play at least an equally vital role in achieving paving quality. Exactly what is the” new era” of paving quality? The asphalt temperature and paving process, beginning with prep at the plant and continuing all the way through, until the completion of a newly paved road.

So, why is this so important?

Asphalt that is too cold or inhomogeneous, leads to early failure of a road. Croaking, cracking and holding water are the visual signs of a less than preferable pavement job. The principle behind the measuring and monitoring process follows a logic that is already in place for other applications…..

“What’s getting measured….is what’s getting done”.

One that has high blood pressure, relies on monitoring and controlling his/her blood pressure in order to see if diet and medication are working. Right? Experience and Best Practices are valid parameters for good performance, but ultimately one has to “measure” to be precisely in control, assuring the best results.

What gets measured in the paving process? Steps followed and what’s needed?

• Sensors measuring material temperature during transport, in the hopper and during paving.
• Data collected, analyzed and displayed in a useful manner.

#Material Temperature Measurements during Transport

Transporting asphalt over long hauling periods, driving speed and rough weather conditions have a negative impact on asphalt temperatures. As asphalt cools down during transit, the material becomes less homogeneous, leading to premature failures of roads. Using multi-layer insulation with specially designed materials like foam plastic, fiber material, or reflective films, as well as measuring the material temperature with sensors, are pro-active approaches to improving paving quality.

Asphalt Temperature taken from the inside of an Asphalt Truck

#Material Temperature Measurements in the Hopper

The paving material in the hopper is monitored by infrared sensor(s), while temperature values are displayed on the Controller/HMI. This puts the operating crew in the position to make well-informed decisions on how to proceed within their paving operation. The result could mean speeding up the paving process if material is on the cooler side, or worst- case scenario not putting the material down.

Infrared Sensor and Temperature displayed on a Controller/HMI

#Material Temperature during Paving:

The asphalt temperature during paving is measured preferably by an infrared scanner that covers 100% of the asphalt laid down. Paver stops, end-dump trucks and streaks, are some of the reasons for temperature differentials of asphalt materials, causing thermal segregation. Controlling these temperatures in real-time permits paving crews to adjust accordingly, which improves the paving process and results.

Scanner and Wireless Data Transmission

The data collected by itself is, however, not a useful source of making assessments about paving quality. Also, it is not a tool to rely on improving processes. Data needs to be displayed in a useful and easy-to- understand way. Below is a summary of a report, giving a quick overview example of an analysis.

Real-time Data Analysis Pave-IR Speed Diagram

What is one able to conclude?

Consistent paving temperatures are crucial for achieving paving quality. Monitoring temperature in real-time and having access to easy-to-understand data, are needed to obtain a valid solution in the new era of paving quality.

Are you ready for the new era of paving quality? What’s the impact look like for current day paving, as well as the future of the industry?