Why do they use different concreting methods for road surfacing?

Question

I'm pretty sure this goe's on everywhere, like where i live, but everytime there's some road re-surfacing going on they use a different technic! Sometimes the loose stone method, sometimes the smooth concrete (which is best by the ways, i cycle loads and this type is best!) and sometimes other methods! Why is this?

Answer 1

Primarily cost and durability are a major factor when 'councils' choose to resurface roads. However, as new methods are always being developed, this can have a change in the way the new road is either laid or what it may consist of.
What you are seeing, i think, are different stages in the laying of roads. The old road is either ripped up completely, or the top layer is removed only. Then it is sprayedwith a bonding agent, then it has a layer of hot tar, sometimes two or three, then covered with stone chippings.
If you aware of a new road being laid, go another route for a few days because of the dozens of streetsweepers that will be clearing up the excess chippings that naturally occur when laying road.

Answer 2

no idea, but it wouldnt surpirse me if it included:-

-who actually does the job (different contractors may do things in a different manner)
-required finsih (some surfaces are especially 'rough' to improve braking / cornering, some are smoother to improove fuel efficiency)
-amount of time available to do the job (may have limitied time especially if its on a busy road).
-budget, some finsishes are more expensive, so may not get done if its an urgent repair and the budget is already blown.
-changes in government standards/requirements (all those jobsworht employees have got to do soemthing to justify their salaries (so why not invent a new process)
-changes in health & safety legislation AND perhaps nmost scary H&S policies & procedures

Answer 3

it can slo depend as well as traffic amounts, to the ground surface underneath. Shifting sandy soils reuire a harder thicker concrete, where as black top would be unsuitable due to shifting. So geology plays a part.

Answer 4

It all depends on what the road is being used for, loads, traffic amounts etc and whether they are repairing/improving the raod or building new

Answer 5

it probably depends on road traffic levels and the type of vechicles that use it most commonly.

Answer 6

never heard