Base Reconstruction

Any asphalt pavement is only as strong as the base that supports it. The base typically consists of 6" to 12" of crushed ABC stone placed directly on the compacted sub-grade.

If the base is not adequate enough to support the loading requirements placed on it, or if water penetrates under the pavement and settles in a specific area, the base will weaken and eventually begin to flex. This flexing causes higher than normal stress on the asphalt resulting in failure.

Occasionally, there are areas within high water tables where the base often stays saturated and presents limited drainage options. These types of areas are often repaired numerous times and continue to fail because the root cause was not properly identified, resulting in the repair of only the symptom of the failure as opposed to the cause.

Our experts are fully qualified at identifying these potentially problematic areas the first time so that a reliable high-quality solution can be designed to prevent repeated failures within the same area. Fix it right the FIRST time.

Our crews are experienced with all types of base reconstruction and repair. Some base reconstruction will only require targeted base removal and replacement, and re-compaction, while others will require a complete reconstruction with sub-grade stabilization and base stabilization techniques. In some cases surface exposed or subsurface drainage systems may need to be installed to adequately control the water within the areas of failure.

Fly-ash, Tensar BX1100 Geogrid, and moisture barrier Geofabric can all be used in various combinations to stabilize the sub-grade and base prior to asphalt placement (or replacement). These techniques have all been field tested on numerous occasions and proven to significantly increase the load-bearing strength of severely saturated base structures.

Fix it the first time and fix it right.

Example of a Dual-Layer Geogrid solution:

Phase 1: Undercut to proper depth, place geofabric on compacted / treated subgrade to prevent contamination of the base aggregate material, place Geogrid reinforcement layer on the fabric, and add first layer of ABC stone.

Phase 2: Spread first layer of stone and vibratory compact.

Phase 3: Apply second Geogrid layer

Phase 4: Finish with the last layer of stone and vibratory compaction.