What happens to the thickness of the mat when the speed of asphalt pavement increases?

When the speed of asphalt pavement placement increases, the thickness of the mat generally becomes thinner. This occurs because high placement speeds can lead to a reduced ability of the asphalt to spread evenly across the surface. As the machine moves faster, there’s less time for the asphalt to gather and compact adequately, potentially resulting in a thinner application on the mat.

In asphalt paving, achieving the right thickness is crucial for structural integrity and long-lasting performance. Properly maintained thickness helps prevent issues such as cracking and surface wear. Therefore, when placement speed increases, controlling the thickness becomes challenging, often leading to inadequately thick layers that compromise the overall quality of the pavement. This relationship highlights the importance of balancing speed and material application to produce a durable pavement structure.