SHAWN HUTCHINGS
ASPHALT ANSWERS
BEST PRACTICES FOR
Cold-Weather Paving
SHAWN HUTCHINGS
C old weather doesn’ t have to bring your paving season to a stop. With the right planning, equipment preparation, and disciplined field operations, contractors can still deliver high-quality, long-lasting pavement even as temperatures fall. Winter conditions shorten the compaction window, cool the mat quickly, and increase quality-control demands— but with the proper approach, crews can continue working efficiently and confidently.
Temperature management is the first and most important factor in cold-weather paving. Crews should closely monitor the air and surface temperatures as well as the temperature of the asphalt mix at laydown. Ideally, air should be around 40 ° F and rising, the surface at least 35 ° F, and the mix between 275 ° F and 300 ° F depending on the design. Using infrared thermometers or thermal imaging allows the crew to know exactly how the mat is cooling behind the screed. If the temperature falls below roughly
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