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Check out the differences between asphalt and concrete, the advantages and disadvantages of each type of paving and how they impact streets in Brazil.
Paving roads in Brazil is a crucial part of the development of the country's urban and road infrastructure. Although the concept of paving is relatively new in our history, the use of roads and streets dates back to the colonial period. Today, we will explore the prevailing choice between asphalt and concrete for streets in Brazil, its advantages and disadvantages, and why asphalt is the most common option.
History and evolution of street paving in Brazil
A paving refers to the surface layer of roads, designed to support vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
This layer is essential to ensure the safety, comfort and durability of roads.
- State innovates and announces that its railways will be fixed to the ground with SUPERGLUE
- Highways (BRs) will have tolls that change prices depending on the time of day! The decision follows what is done in other countries
- The largest railway in the Northeast has a date to be completed and become a fixed route for important minerals extracted from Brazil to China and India
- BE CAREFUL, more than 2 thousand km of highways will be privatized with free flow electronic tolls and those who do not pay may accumulate some 'points' in their wallet!
The most common types of paving are asphalt and concrete. But what makes one option chosen over the other?
Before modern paving, streets and roads in Brazil were made of dirt, sand, gravel or stones.
These materials did not offer a smooth and resistant surface, which made traffic difficult and exposed the roads to the effects of the weather, such as rain and erosion.
In Brazil, the first paving of a highway occurred on Estrada União e Indústria, opened in 1928, which connects Petrópolis to Juiz de Fora.
The first paved street was at Fazenda Carioba, in Americana, São Paulo, in the 1930s.
As the number of vehicles grew and mobility needs increased, asphalt paving became more necessary and popular.
Paving Types: Rigid vs flexible
In Brazil, the asphalt is a prevalent choice, but there are two main types of paving: rigid and flexible.
Rigid Floor: Also known as concrete paving, it is less flexible and is made from a mixture of cement, water, sand and crushed stone.
It is ideal for withstanding stress and heavy loads, resisting climate and temperature variations well. To increase its resistance, it can be reinforced with steel bars.
The concrete is placed on a base of granular or cement material and divided into plates by expansion joints.
Flexible Flooring: Asphalt is the main representation of this type of pavement.
Made from a mixture of aggregates (sand and crushed stone) and bitumen (asphalt mass obtained from petroleum), asphalt is placed at high temperatures and compacted to form a surface that can adapt to thermal variations and soil deformations.
Advantages and disadvantages of asphalt and concrete
Asphalt:
Advantages:
- Speed of Execution: Asphalt can be applied quickly and released to Bandwidth soon.
- Lower Initial Cost: Compared to concrete, asphalt generally has a lower initial cost.
- Lower Roughness: Provides a more uniform and comfortable surface.
- Ease of Repairs: Damage and potholes can be repaired easily by adding more asphalt over the affected areas.
Disadvantages:
- Greater Maintenance Need: Asphalt wears out faster and requires frequent maintenance.
- Thermal Sensitivity: It can soften in heat and harden in cold weather, which can cause warping and cracking.
- Environmental impact: Asphalt production releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Concrete:
Advantages:
- Durability and Service Life: Concrete has a much longer lifespan, being able to last up to 30 years if well maintained.
- Less Maintenance Required: It requires less maintenance compared to asphalt.
- Greater Resistance: Offers better resistance to deformation and greater tire grip.
Disadvantages:
- Higher Initial Cost: The initial cost of concrete is approximately 30% higher than that of asphalt.
- Slowest Execution: Applying concrete is more time-consuming and complicated.
- Increased Noise and Vibration: Concrete pavements can generate more noise and vibration than asphalt pavements.
The choice for the streets in Brazil
In Brazil, the choice between asphalt and concrete depends on several factors, such as volume and type of Bandwidth, climate, soil, cost and availability of materials.
Asphalt is generally preferred due to its ease of installation, lower initial cost and adaptation to Brazilian climate conditions.
However, concrete is still used on roads with heavy traffic, where its durability and resistance characteristics are more advantageous.
Some examples of concrete paving include Rodovia Anchieta, Rodovia dos Imigrantes and Rodoanel Mário Covas, among others.
Additionally, airports also use concrete due to the weight of commercial planes.
With the increasing difficulty and cost of oil, and considering the durability of concrete, it is important for governments and infrastructure managers to carefully consider paving options.
Concrete can be a sustainable and economical alternative in the long term, despite the higher initial cost.
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