Paving Specifications
Paving Specifications
(OP)
I have an 800' driveway with a portion that reaches 16% grade. What is a good pavement thickness and number of courses to specify? I was told a 3/4" modified topcoat should be used, any comments?





RE: Paving Specifications
On the slope they may need to have a method for pulling the paver along, which can tear up your base course. My 500 ft.drive on a 10 percent slope in several parts has held up well over 10 years with 3-1/2" thickness. 6 inch base is crushed dolomite. Subgrade is low plasticity clay.
One slope is over 20 percent showing a little loss of fines due to chains on snow plowing equipment.
Don't ever make the mistake of "seal coating". Most of them cause more cracking than if you omitted it.
RE: Paving Specifications
However, I disagree on the seal coat comment. I think one of the best ways to encapsulate volatiles and promote longevity in AC pavement is a seal coat of some sort. Chip seal works the best, but an impermeable layer of some sort will maintain the pavement's design properties.
RE: Paving Specifications
My drvwy is a little over 300FT, it is about the same slope. I went with 4" of 5 sack concrete w/ no. 4 rebar on 18" cc VS. HMAC. But...we have very good low PI soils around here (no base course necessary)with little or no icing up. Concrete was more $, but it will last longer.
RE: Paving Specifications
RE: Paving Specifications
RE: Paving Specifications
RE: Paving Specifications
Also, my checking of pavement conditions when looking to evaluate life usually shows the failure is deterioration at the cracks at the bottom. That is where a good rubberized crack filler in routed joints will extend the life.
RE: Paving Specifications