Key Types of Road Construction Materials to Know

Road construction naturally relies on soil as a primary material. It is the ultimate point that supports the entire structure of the road.

Fremont, CA: To ensure the motorways are durable and well able to support heavy loads and traffic, road construction requires a variety of unique materials.

Natural soils, aggregates, lime, asphalt, concrete, and assorted products are used as admixtures for improved road quality.

The following are some of the most popular road construction materials:

 The soil

Road construction naturally relies on soil as a primary material. It is the ultimate point that supports the entire structure of the road.

A low traffic rural road's foundation, subgrade, or pavement is primarily made of soil. Road structures require a flat base to function properly.

On site, compaction, which reduces the pore space between soil particles, is usually carried out to give the soil at the base greater stability and resistance.

The aggregate

The most important material for road construction is stone aggregate, also known as mineral aggregate. It is made by breaking up naturally occurring rocks to form coarse aggregate (like gravel) or fine aggregate (like sand).

The most important material for road construction is stone aggregate, also known as mineral aggregate the primary material for relatively cheaper road, known as water-bound macadam.

To ensure aggregates are durable and strong enough for a particular project, a road engineer must test them. The properties of materials are influenced by their origin, mineral composition, and the nature of their bonding.