Macadam Road
Macadam Road
(OP)
Has anyone in recent history been involved in constructing a true "macadam" or McAdam road? I have a private development project that the owner wants a true "macadam" road for two reasons:
1. The "rustic" look of the roadway.
2. He thinks he can have it built cheaper than typical asphalt pavement.
I can't argue the "rustic" look as it's an aesthetic issue, but from a serviceability and construction cost standpoint, I think he's missing the boat.
In our area, there's plenty of competitive contractors who can construct asphalt roads, i.e. good prices. For this type of work in this day and age, it's almost specialty work with specialty prices.
I also think that the roads will be destroyed by construction traffic by the time the 10th house is built. From the reading I've done, this system was adequate when folks were riding buggies, but now I don't think it's appropriate.
Any thoughts or suggestions, please?
1. The "rustic" look of the roadway.
2. He thinks he can have it built cheaper than typical asphalt pavement.
I can't argue the "rustic" look as it's an aesthetic issue, but from a serviceability and construction cost standpoint, I think he's missing the boat.
In our area, there's plenty of competitive contractors who can construct asphalt roads, i.e. good prices. For this type of work in this day and age, it's almost specialty work with specialty prices.
I also think that the roads will be destroyed by construction traffic by the time the 10th house is built. From the reading I've done, this system was adequate when folks were riding buggies, but now I don't think it's appropriate.
Any thoughts or suggestions, please?





RE: Macadam Road
Remember, rustic once meant an outhouse out back. Not everything old is rustic. How are those home owners going to feel about the macadam being tracked into their houses on their kids shoes?
RE: Macadam Road
This lead to tarmac (tar-macadam) roads, an ancestor of modern hot mix asphalt.
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"Come to think of it, there are already a million monkeys typing on a million typewriters, and the Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare.
- Blair Houghton
RE: Macadam Road
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Macadam Road
RE: Macadam Road
RE: Macadam Road
By the way there is a differnece betwen USA and UK definitions of bitumen macadan and asphalt but it certainly isn't the same material. Different grading of the aggregates and different specs for the bitumen.
Zambo
RE: Macadam Road
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RE: Macadam Road
www.highwaysmaintenance.com/SDtext.htm
RE: Macadam Road
Different researchers have found different values for the traffic a gravel road can take before it's more cost effective to pave it, ranging from 4 to 150 vehicles per day.
You might want to look at this section of the Cornell Local Roads Program on gravel roads:
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"Come to think of it, there are already a million monkeys typing on a million typewriters, and the Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare.
- Blair Houghton
RE: Macadam Road
ACTrafficEngr is correct about gravel roads washboarding though. See the Plasticity Modulus about suitability of materials for gravel surfaced roads.
RE: Macadam Road
Also, if the client wants to dedicate the road to the municipality after construction, check the munciipal road specifications. They'll very likely want more than gravel or surface treatment.
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"Come to think of it, there are already a million monkeys typing on a million typewriters, and the Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare.
- Blair Houghton
RE: Macadam Road
Have used it many time for several reasons....inexpensive surface treatment, and crack relieve layer.
RE: Macadam Road
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"Come to think of it, there are already a million monkeys typing on a million typewriters, and the Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare.
- Blair Houghton
RE: Macadam Road
Maybe your owner can provide specific examples of locally built rustic roads...see how they were built and how they are standing up.
the problem with experimenting with unusual non-standard pavements is that in any accident, you will have insurance companies saying your pavement was at fault...not their driver. So you may have to defend your pavement in court..
RE: Macadam Road