Difference Between Asphalt and Concrete Roads – Road is a form of track used for the movement of vehicles and human traffic. Roads are vital facilities that must exist because the flow of land transportation will greatly depend on the availability of roads as access to certain places.
Good road access is also an economic investment for the country because land trade flows, in particular, will always exist every day. Therefore, it is important to build roads that are made of quality materials so that they are durable and not easily damaged.
Difference Between Asphalt and Concrete Roads
Below are the points that will help you understand the difference between asphalt and concrete roads.
Purpose of Making Asphalt and Concrete Roads
The development of road infrastructure in Indonesia is generally asphalt and concrete roads. The selection of basic materials for the asphalt and concrete road construction project is adjusted to the purpose of the road, whether it is only for people to pass with light-weight vehicles or vehicles with heavy loads to pass.
Traffic vehicles with heavy loads usually have a large number of wheels, the type of vehicle will depend on the structure of the road to be traversed. Roads that are not solid when subjected to pressure from heavily loaded vehicles will certainly be easily damaged. If the asphalt and concrete roads are damaged or paved, it will hamper the pace of other transportation users.
The comparison of asphalt and concrete roads is found in the mixture used. Asphalt roads are made of asphalt mix, while concrete roads are made of a mixture of concrete.
Likewise, the comparison of asphalt and concrete roads is also seen from their durability. Concrete roads are more resistant to water and vehicles with heavy loads, while asphalt roads are only suitable for light vehicles used by everyday people.
Advantages of Concrete Roads
- Able to withstand loads from heavily loaded vehicles.
- More resistant to flooding and standing water.
- It is a high initial investment because maintenance is rarely performed.
- Concrete road material is easy to get.
- Can be used on any soil structure without having to repair the soil structure upfront.
Disadvantages of Concrete Roads
- Prices tend to be expensive because concrete road construction costs are aimed at vehicles with heavy loads so that they must produce good quality roads.
- The monotonous color of the concrete makes the streets feel dry and there are no markers. This results in motorists having to be more careful when passing the road.
- When a concrete road is damaged, maintenance costs tend to be expensive and will take a long time. In addition, the level of road elevation will increase due to congestion during repairs.
After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of concrete roads, here are the advantages and disadvantages of using asphalt roads:
Advantages of Asphalt Roads
- Asphalt roads are very suitable for use as light vehicle traffic lanes.
- Asphalt road construction prices are cheaper than concrete roads.
- If there is damage to the asphalt road, you only need to repair the damaged part without affecting the elevation of the road level.
- The road structure is smoother and does not create a monotonous impression because the black color on the asphalt is psychologically proven to give riders a shady impression.
Disadvantages of Asphalt Roads
- It is not resistant to flooding and standing water, so it needs a drainage channel beside the road to drain the water that hits the asphalt road.
- The type of soil that will be overwritten by the asphalt road must be leveled or repaired first.
- Although asphalt roads are relatively inexpensive, maintenance will often be carried out considering that asphalt roads are not as strong as concrete roads, so they are easily damaged.
That is an explanation of the comparison of asphalt vs concrete roads, which we have summarized along with their advantages and disadvantages.
The road is one of the vehicle traffic that can facilitate distribution in the company chain. Paths are also required for individuals to reach a location outside their environment. There are two types of roads in use today, namely concrete roads and asphalt roads. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The following is a comparison of concrete roads and asphalt roads that you must know:
Comparison of Concrete Roads and Asphalt Roads
Concrete has a strong structure and is heat resistant. Concrete is also often used to construct a building. This material is also very easy to find at an affordable price. There are several advantages of concrete roads including the following:
- Concrete has a tight structure so it is very strong to withstand heavy loads. Heavy vehicles crossing this road need not be afraid because cracks rarely occur.
- In addition, concrete can also be applied to weak soils without having to repair the soil structure first. Not only that, but the concrete road is also resistant to puddles or flooding.
- Apart from being easy to obtain, the maintenance costs for concrete roads are also considered to be more affordable than asphalt roads.
Although it has several advantages, concrete roads also have some disadvantages. The disadvantages of concrete roads include:
· Concrete Road Construction Costs Are More Expensive
Maintenance of concrete roads is indeed cheaper than asphalt roads. Unfortunately, the construction costs for construction at the beginning are much more expensive, especially if the road is intended for vehicles with heavy capacities.
· Have an effect
The color of the concrete also creates an eye effect, so drivers have to be extra careful when crossing it, especially at night.
· Need Super Tight Supervision
To build a concrete road you cannot as long as it requires super tight supervision. Especially in the casting process because the quality of the smoothness of the concrete road depends on this process. not only that, if the drying is too fast, the concrete road is prone to cracks.
Apart from concrete roads, there are also asphalt roads. This asphalt road has several advantages, for example, the road can be smoother and less bumpy. The rider becomes comfortable when crossing it and the color is also shady and comfortable for the rider. In the beginning, construction was very cheap compared to concrete roads. No wonder the asphalt road is often used for light vehicle traffic. The drainage system is also very good and is highly recommended for a stable subgrade. Maintenance is also easier than a concrete road because it only changes the location of the damaged road.
Even though it has many advantages, this asphalt road also has several disadvantages. These drawbacks include the following:
· Not Waterproof
Unfortunately, the asphalt road cannot withstand puddles especially when it is flooded. For that, you need to build a good drainage system so that water can be discharged properly and does not settle at one point.
· Cannot be applied to poorly structured soils
The second disadvantage of this asphalt road is that you cannot apply it too weak soil structures. Therefore you need to make improvements first.
So what do you think is it better to use a concrete road or even an asphalt road? Hopefully, the information about the comparison of concrete roads and asphalt roads above is useful for all of you.
