Asphalt paver: what it is, types, peculiarities of application

Road construction is being carried out at an active pace, and various types of road-building equipment are involved in this process. The result and budget of the work largely depend on the reliability and quality of the equipment. Asphalt pavers - machines designed for laying road bases and pavements - have special requirements. They distribute and pre-compact the asphalt concrete mixture. This article is about the types and features of modern asphalt pavers.

Features of design and functionality of asphalt pavers

One of the main advantages of pavers is the significant speed of operation, hence the cost of the project is reduced. At the same time, the result is a high quality road surface - homogeneous, durable and perfectly even.

• Mix distribution.
• Leveling of the mixture.
• Pre-compaction of the lower layers.

The technique has a complex device. The design includes a working part and a linear machine. The first element consists of a self-propelled chassis and operator's cabin. The linear machine is directly a functional unit for layer-by-layer paving.

Special mechanical devices - feeders, smoothing plates, vibrators, bars, etc. - are provided in the machine's design for moving, smoothing and compacting the mixture. Modern pavers are equipped with electronic systems and sensors, which makes it possible to fully automate the work of the machine.

Classification of pavers

The paving width is an important parameter when selecting pavers. Taking into account this indicator, it is possible to determine the timing of road construction work.

• 1-3 м.
• 2-4,5 м.
• 2,5-7,5 м.
• 3-9 м.
• 3-12 м.

Small and compact asphalt paver allows you to build paths, sidewalks. The machine with a wide grip is indispensable for highways with several lanes.

Undercarriage and paver performance

Another important criterion when choosing a machine is the design of the undercarriage. In this regard, the following types of pavers are distinguished:

• Tracked.
• Wheeled.

Tracked machines are the most productive. They are used on large highways, for asphalting airports and other large areas. Usually such units have a wide grip for forming seamless strips. A heavy paver is designed for 950 tons of mixture per hour. The weight of the equipment can exceed 10 tons.

Wheeled equipment loses both in terms of power and productivity as it has a narrow grip of up to 2.5 meters. These are so-called mini pavers. However, their advantages include high maneuverability and good travel speed. The working capacity is approximately 250 tons per hour.

Medium pavers are the most demanded, as they perform all the necessary tasks both in city conditions and in the construction of intercity highways. With a web width of 5 meters, they guarantee the production of 700 tons of pavement per hour. The construction weight is between 6 and 10 tons.