Recycled asphalt - Any good?

[andyfr]

We have a drive which is 100mtrs long, which bends and is on an incline. At present it is just made up of loads of sand/grit from a nearby river covered with gravel.

The problem we have is when any large wagons deliver they tend to reverse up and usually churn the drive when they start to loose traction. I intend removing the sharp bends and remaking the drive. A colleague has recently had some recycled asphalt put down on his drive and he says it's really good.

Is it just a case of spreading it and giving it a good whacker down?

[Tony McC]

Recycled asphalt? D'yer mean road planings? If so, leave well alone: worse than bloody gravel.

[andyfr]

I assume that's what he means. He has had some of the drive done and he said that it's just delivered cold, spread out and then tamped down, not rolled, and it is rock hard.

[Dave_L]

I've seen many 'commercial' (garage car parks!) 'surfaced' with road planings then compacted with a decent roller - whereas the surface is never going to be properly consolidated, it does give a good hard surface to use.

Large wagons delivering to your house? Is this a common occurance?

You pays your money and takes your choice!

[andyfr]

Large wagons delivering to your house? Is this a common occurance?

We live out in the sticks so are on oil for heating. Usually once a year for a delivery by tanker. Then maybe a couple of other large wagons.

I know it doesn't sound a lot but it only takes one to make a right mess of it and then I have to repair it. As they usually carve a deep hole it can take ages to get it to look okay again.

Does it bind together to make a solid base? How deep should it be?

Thanks

Andy.

[Dave_L]

Yes - road planings, when compacted will 'bind' together to a degree and give you a hard semi-sealed surface - and makes a good base.

If you are running the odd HGV over it, don't expect it to last indefinitely, it will move. The edges to your track, are they kerbed or have any sort of edge containment?

[andyfr]

The drive isn't kerbed but I do have a compact tractor with a backhoe so I can dig down to give an edge to the drive. What depth would you recommend and should there be any hard core underneath?

[Dave_L]

If the present surface is just sand/grit - then some form of hardcore would be prefereble. Obviously a driveway 100m long is going to take an awful lot of filling!

Whatever you do is going to be a compromise; the LGV's will hammer it whereas you'll probably be okish with a light car.

I'd say aim for 150-200mm of hardcore (ideally more) and a surface covering of 100mm or so of road planings.

Compaction with a decent sized vibrating roller would be key to both construction layers. Just keep away from the edges - I'd suggest a 120 roller would suffice, available from plant hire agents.

Hope this helps!

[andyfr]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the reply, very helpful indeed.

Andy.

[Dave_L]

120 Roller......you might get away with a 100...