What is the average safe life period of a road?

Like all things, roads too have a safe life period. The term “safe-life” describes a system or component that is intended to function properly for a predetermined amount of time. Based on the material using which the road is laid, the safe life period varies.

• Asphalt Road – A brand-new, properly constructed asphalt road ought to endure at least 15 years.
  
• Concrete Road – A brand-new, properly constructed concrete road ought to endure at least 20 to 30 years.
  
  
  However there are a lot of conditions that affect and alter the safe life period of roads, such as:
  
  
  • Drainage – Poor drainage encourages erosion, causes safety issues, and reduces pavement life.
    
  • Temperature Extremes – Areas that experience freeze/thaw cycles are subject to shortened road life expectancy, particularly where drainage is poor.
    
  • Substrate Composition – Silty or clayish soil base reduces the safe life period. Poor substrate may necessitate thicker pavement, which increases project cost.
    
  • Wear and Tear – Traffic-induced fatigue takes a toll on both concrete and asphalt, producing ruts and cracks.
    
  • Maintenance – Effective road maintenance takes care of the minor damages in an early stage, thus promoting a longer safe life period of the road. It is the most important aspect and proper road patching material is the key to a safe road.

Maintenance operation of roads are classified as :

• Periodic and Routine Repairs
• Special Repairs
• Resurfacing

Periodic Repairs:
Periodic or routine repairs using road patching materials are those that are made on a regular basis or through adequate maintenance to the road pavements. These are typically done on inexpensive roads. While departmental employees often handle routine repairs, contractors who are invited at predetermined intervals handle occasional repairs.

Special Repairs:
Special issues require unique fixes. In order to prevent the road from getting worse in the future, specific road patching materials are made to address some major issues. Usually, these repairs are made on high-class roadways. Because these repairs are challenging to complete, experienced labour is needed.

What is Road Patching?
Filling potholes or damaged areas of asphalt pavements is the procedure of road patching. To stop further deterioration and expensive pavement repairs, potholes and other pavement damage should be fixed right away using proper road patching materials.
Periodic and proper use of road patching materials to carry out maintenance work is an essential and a very cost effective way of increasing the life of roads. Timely road patching can also lead to the prevention of accidents due to battered roads and potholes and can even save the lives of commuters.

About us:
Bedrock is India’s top manufacturer and supplier of road patching materials. Use our top-of-the-line road patching material to get rid of potholes and other road defects early on and avoid having to spend money on costly repairs.