No matter which surface you choose, the base you put under it plays a big role in it's longevity. If you were building a road from scratch today, you'd certainly put a proper base under it. But many city streets were built over 100 years ago and we just keep resurfacing them. They fail early because the poorly engineered base that moves or erodes. And many old streets were put in without a thought for drainage except for what might trickle along the curb. That's one of the reasons we get localized flooding during downpours.
They are both concrete. A concrete is an aggregate and a cement. Both use gravel and sand aggregates. One uses asphalt as a cement and the other uses Portland Cement. Asphaltic concrete or Portland Cement concrete. Asphalt does not last as long. If a developer is providing the roads then cities require concrete. The choice sometimes becomes political and which source the politician is associated with. In downtown Houston the north-south streets are concrete and the east-west streets are asphalt. Why? One councilman had an asphalt plant and another had a Portland Cement batch plant. Compromise.
No matter which surface you choose, the base you put under it plays a big role in it's longevity. If you were building a road from scratch today, you'd certainly put a proper base under it. But many city streets were built over 100 years ago and we just keep resurfacing them. They fail early because the poorly engineered base that moves or erodes. And many old streets were put in without a thought for drainage except for what might trickle along the curb. That's one of the reasons we get localized flooding during downpours.
Interesting, thanks!
They are both concrete. A concrete is an aggregate and a cement. Both use gravel and sand aggregates. One uses asphalt as a cement and the other uses Portland Cement. Asphaltic concrete or Portland Cement concrete.
Asphalt does not last as long. If a developer is providing the roads then cities require concrete. The choice sometimes becomes political and which source the politician is associated with. In downtown Houston the north-south streets are concrete and the east-west streets are asphalt. Why? One councilman had an asphalt plant and another had a Portland Cement batch plant. Compromise.