Site
paving involves the construction, upon a prepared subgrade, of an
ATB course over portions of the
construction area before building or site construction begins. Site
paving is applicable to a wide array of construction projects including but not
limited to shopping centers, schools,
manufacturing facilities, warehouses and roads. Paving a building site prior to completion of
construction has several benefits:
Uniform all weather surface on which construction can be performed in
bad weather. A layer of ATB can be placed during the beginning
stages of site work to serve as a working platform that stays relatively dry
and deformation free during construction. For example, a school parking
lot might be graded and paved with ATB in advance of building construction so
that construction material and equipment can be stored on the ATB surface for
easy all weather accessibility. After construction is complete the ATB
can be repaired and paved over with a final surface course.
Eliminates the need for costly select material. The ATB
subfloor ensures a floor slab that is dry and waterproof.
Reduces erection and storage costs. A smooth, unyielding
surface (even in inclement weather) results in greater crane, forklift and
hoist mobility. The ATB pavement acts as an ideal materials storage pad,
helping to keep building materials clean, organized and out of the mud or dust
of the season.
Reduces grading cost and time. Using ATB, the site need only
be graded once (just before the ATB is placed). Without site paving
areas of heavy construction traffic may need to be periodically graded.
Reduces control point disturbances. Surveyors can set nails in the ATB as vertical and horizontal control points. The firm ATB reduces the
risk of loss or disturbance during construction.
Reduces erosion. Site paving covers the underlying subgrade
and can substantially reduce erosion.
Assumed Traffic
Construction equipment and trucks.
Design Considerations It is generally acceptable to pave a site or parking lot with ATB to the
recommended thickness then pave a final surface course the following year.
Construction Considerations Although site paving is routinely accomplished without an aggregate
subbase, some agencies require a minimal layer of crushed aggregate beneath the
ATB layer to facilitate drainage. This aggregate layer is generally
assumed to contribute little if any structural capacity to the ATB site pavement.
Recommended Reference
Asphalt Institute. (no date given). Full Depth Asphalt
Pavement. Technical Bulletin No. 7. Asphalt Institute. Lexington, KY. (www.asphaltinstitute.org)
Recommended Minimum Site Paving Thickness and Design
(inches)
Site
paving involves the construction, upon a prepared subgrade, of an