Efficiency of Asphalt and Concrete in Road Construction

A Research Paper presented to the faculty of Languages and Literature

Department, College of Liberal Arts and Communication,
De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject ENG102

(A Research for Comprehension and Learning)

By:
Aaron James Bumanglag
Mark Aieschelle G. Erasmo
Arvie Jude Hamoy
Timothy James Reyes
Earl John Yutoc
CEE22

Dr. Madonna Amora

November 2016
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ABSTRACT

Philippines has some of the worst roads in the World. This is due to many factors mainly

the environment. Philippines gets a lot of rain and has high humidity in different regions.

Additionally, the roads in the Philippines get a lot abuse from traffic. People want to drive on

smooth roads not only because they are comfortable to drive on but because their cars will last

longer. That is why it is important for contractors to consider the quality of the roads they are

building. The purpose of this study research is to get the competent solution for road construction

which is either asphalt or concrete. The study sought to: determine the advantages and

disadvantages of the two solutions, the difference between Asphalt and Concrete and to

distinguish how these materials affect and benefit the people. In this study
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ______________________________________________________________________________I

Table of Contents _____________________________________________________________________II

Introductions _________________________________________________________________________1

Research Design ______________________________________________________________________5

Instrument __________________________________________________________________________

Sampling Tehnique ___________________________________________________________________

Data Gathering Preparation _____________________________________________________________

Data Analysis ________________________________________________________________________

Results and Discussion _________________________________________________________________10

Short Introdustion ______________________________________________________________________

Problem I _____________________________________________________________________________

References ____________________________________________________________________________

Working Bibliography ___________________________________________________________________

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Introduction

The title for our research topic is “Comparison between asphalt and concrete for efficient

solution in road construction”. Road/s is a route or thoroughfare or way that supports travel by a

means of conveyance. Pavement is a floor-like stone or tile structure. Road is surface, the

durable surfacing of roads and walkways. Asphalt, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or

semi-solid form of petroleum, it can also be called bitumen. Concrete, is a mixture of paste and

aggregates, or rocks. The paste, composed of port land cement and water, coats the surface of the

fine (small) and coarse (larger) aggregates. Infrastructure, the basic physical and organizational

structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a

society or enterprise. This is the definition of terms for our research which will be the words to

be discussed. The aim of our research is to determine which of these two materials would be

appropriate and efficient in terms of making roads because nowadays, modern equipment mostly

concrete and asphalt are the main materials that a contractor and engineers would choose in

establishing road. Which makes us think why them and why can’t it be just one of them? As far

as we know, asphalt can last a minimum amount of time, but it cost less than the concrete and it

can be easily fix. While on the other hand concrete lasts long, like more than a year but it is more

expensive than asphalt and also it is hard to fix. We also want to achieve in our research is to

know what is the people’s choice in terms of paving services. Because we are the ones who uses

mostly roads all of the time and which affects our health and daily living.
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Nowadays, there are many road constructions happening to our country. Every city they

are roads that are renovate even they are highly functional, and creating a new one for a faster

travel time. But because of this many of us are having a problem like being late in work or

school and lastly because of the heavy traffic caused by road constructions, some of us may get

stress out and can cause severe mental disease.

Research on comparison of asphalt and concrete for road construction has underscored to

differentiate the two materials which is another and conclude which is better for road

construction. For example, Mallick and El-korchi(2013) states “ asphalt pavements are generally

made up of layers. Each layer is made up of materials—generally aggregate, binder, and any

other additive.”(p.15). Mamlouck states that” for most concrete structures the curing period at

temperature above 5 degree Celsius should be a minimum of seven days or until 70% of

specified compressive or flexure strength is attained.”(p.273). (Gartner,Jr, 1989)” The first

bituminous mixtures used in the United States were mixture of sand, gravel, broken stones,

ashes, and similar materials using coal tar as the binder….between stability and durability

requirements.”(p.5-6).(Morris, 1990) “On rural projects the native soil itself will form the

primary building materials for road… by waterlogging they will be their normal colour.”(p.26)

(Huang, 2004) “Conventional flexible pavements are layered system with better materials on top

where the intensity of stress is high and inferior materials at the bottom where the intensity is

low.” (p. 8). “Flexible pavements are layered system with better materials on top and cannot be

represented by a homogenous mass, so the use of Burmister’s layered theory is more appropriate.

Burmister (1943) first developed solutions for a two-layer system and then extended them to a

three-layer system (burmister, 1945). With the advent of computers, the theory can be applied to

a multilayer system with any number of layers.” (Huang, 2004, p. 57).

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However, it is alarming that the present engineer have many problems that are occurring

when they are constructing roads. When there is a road construction, there is also a heavy traffic

that will affect people in their daily lives. Even the engineers know what the characteristics of

the materials they couldn’t adjust or develop the road much faster. For this problem they should

know what materials must be used for constructing the road faster, having a high durability and

will last for a long time.

Thus for this research, the researchers wanted to know if which between asphalt mixture

and concrete mixture is more competent in establishing roads. It is the primary objective of the

researchers because the researchers wanted to know the differences between the two before

deciding of which really is better to use when it comes to road construction. This can be done if

the researchers can differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of the concrete and asphalt.

And lastly is to know the effect of the two materials to the people that will be using it. Now the

researchers can determine which of the two materials or chemicals can be used to make the road

more stable and stronger.

Nevertheless, the researchers want to tell to all the readers all the ideas in which is more

efficient in road construction. We want to give them all the information that they can get from

the researchers to know what are their advantages and disadvantages. By determining this, the

constructor can know what is the best materials can be used in constructing a road. The

advantages can give them what is the quality of the two materials are good for some situations

that can occur every day. And for the disadvantages they can know what is the worst quality of

the materials that can destroy the characteristics or quality of the road. The readers will know

which is safer, stronger and also the effects or the asphalt or concrete if you use it in constructing

the roads.
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The paradigm below contains the steps that can be considered for the studies of the

researchers. For the comparison of the asphalt and concrete for competent solution, the

researchers use the advantages and disadvantages of the two materials for the input. The

researcher will conduct an interview to the constructors, engineers and students to determine the

difference between the two mixtures. The researcher will also conduct a survey to all the students

on which they would prefer for constructing a road. This will help the researchers to give a

conclusion on which of the two is the best materials for road construction and to give

information to the readers about the effects of these materials to our environment.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

The researcher will The researcher can

do an interview to conclude what is
Advantages and the engineers who most competent
disadvantages of the have an expertise in solution between
concrete and asphalt in road construction. the concrete and
road construction asphalt, and to
Researchers will give the readers
conduct a survey. about the effects
of these solutions.

Figure 1. Framework of

Methodology:

The researchers used quantitative method in order to determine the answers to the problem of

their research paper. The quantitative method is to tell the problems by way of generating
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numerical data or data that can be transformed into useable statistics. It is used to quantify

attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables. The researchers used measurable data

to formulate facts and solve the problems of the topic. The researchers used data collection

methods include various forms of surveys and interview.

The research topic was efficiency of asphalt and concrete in road construction. That aims to

determine which of them give an efficient road and most steady in terms of establishment. The

researchers wanted to determine where does asphalt can be best with and worst, the same as the

concrete. The researchers wanted to get an answer which will notify not only us but also for the

good of people on what is must be used. Asphalt is known to be cheap and can be easily establish

within day/s but it needs to be resealed every few years. While concrete is more expensive than

asphalt and lasts a long time for about a 30-40 years but when it’s damage it is not easy to repair.

Asphalt is better than concrete in means of quantity while concrete is much useful in terms of

quality; which is why the researchers want to know their efficiency in both terms and why does

Engineers chose asphalt or concrete in road construction.

The researchers chose books that can be used in their research paper. Their search leads to 8

reference books that can be used as a guide for the research paper. The books are all about the

difference and similarities of the Portland Cement Concrete and Hot Mix Asphalt. The

researchers also used some materials that are not significant in their research for a specific

conclusion about something. The books were: Materials for civil and construction engineers 2nd

edition (1999) by Michael S. Mamlouk and John P. Zaniewski, Physical properties of asphalt

cement binders(1995) by John C. Hardin, and other road construction books. The books will

enhance the research output by putting up some theories or terminologies. These terminologies

can give information and some foundation to this research paper. But the researchers is having a
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hard time putting up the output of their research due to the lack of information they get in the

books, so the researchers ended up in using some links/articles in the web to support their

outputs and to build some strong conclusion about their research. For example this website

http://www.pwmag.com/roadways/asphalt-vs-concrete-the-fight-to-pave-our-roads_o, it gives us

the qualities of both asphalt and concrete in the way that they compare it from each other. As for

the books and online articles the researcher will not fully use all of the written articles, facts and

theories in the references so that the researcher can give respect to the writer’s own conclusions

Next, the researchers decide on the criteria needed for the selection of the participants of the

study. The criteria must meet the needs of the purpose of topic; which is why we took a

maximum range or scale of place to increase the possibility of having respondents. Researchers

conducted the survey within a large range of place. It means we accept participants anywhere as

long as it is within the profession of Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Environmental

Engineering, Sanitary Engineering and Contractor/s. The researcher used a purposive sampling

to estimate and organize the number of participants that would be allowed to answer our research

which all of them are in the criteria of having the capability to give suggestions and answer the

questions rightfully. We use an online questionnaire us our instrument to conduct our survey in

which participants will input their answers. The survey - questionnaire consists of ten (10)

questions which five (5) of it are ratings. It is to gather data which contained questions and an

evaluation of the qualities of the asphalt and concrete. The researchers selected five (5) total

participants in the study; which has the profession to satisfy the results of our conducted

research. A focus group discussion (FGD) and field studies will support the answers of

participants and the objective of our study; which is to know the efficiency of asphalt and

concrete in different circumstances. The researchers sought permission from the professor of
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class in course ENGL102a to release the questionnaire into respected participants to fully qualify

the instrument used. We also ask permission from the respondents if they could fully acquire and

answer the survey - questionnaire which is intended for them to comply. Researchers seek for

about ten respondents and only about five of them agreed to consider our request of permission.

The respondents were two Civil Engineers, two Industrial Engineers and one foreman: (1) Engr.

Phai Diongzon, (2) Engr. Ronaldo Esmeralda, (3) Engr. Bryan Fabon, (4) Engr. Jeramie Yutoc,

and (5) Mr. Samuel Diongzon.

Above are the lists of respondents that the researcher will interview and ask to answer their

survey-questionnaire, in order for the researcher to get more knowledge about road construction.

The civil engineers are the one who build plans and calculate which materials can be used in the

construction; this is why we chose this profession as one of our respondents. They will provide

us their experiences about building a road. Next are industrial engineers, they are the one who

knows well about the materials and they enhance products and other resources to be used by the

people. Lastly is a foreman, even the civil engineers are the one who build the plans, the

researchers needs some people that are experience in building roads and have enough knowledge

what is really happening when they are constructing a road.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

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This section presents the analyzed and interpreted data in tabular form that gives adequate

information in answering the problems stated in the study and deliberates the summary of

findings, conclusion, and recommendation according to the presentation, analysis and

interpretation of data that was used in the study.

Problem I. Advantages and Disadvantages of Asphalt and Concrete

Table 1.1 Asphalt Advantages and Disadvantages

Asphalt
Advantages Disadvantages
Economical Care and Sealing
Recyclable Cracks
Ease of Construction Construction
Durability Environmental Issues
Smoothness Equipment Used
Noise  
Safety  
Versatility  

Table 1.2 Concrete Advantages and Disadvantages

Concrete
Advantages Disadvantages
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Durability Functions
Convenient Considerations
Ease of Construction Effects
Non-combustible Warning
Can endure High Temperature Equipment Used
Vehicle consume less fuel Ductility
  Maintenance Problem

Problem II. Effects and Benefits of Concrete and Asphalt to the People using it.

Problem III. The Difference between Asphalt and Concrete

Table 3.1 Difference between Asphalt and Concrete

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ASPHALT CONCRETE
COST Costs less. Starts at about 2 to More expensive: 3 to 10
5 dollars per square foot of dollars per square foot.
driveway. Decorative elements drive
price higher.

CURING Can drive on asphalt almost Wait seven days before

immediately. driving on it.

UPKEEP More maintenance, but it’s Less maintenance, but

easier to do. repairs more difficult.

CRACKING Easier to repair. Cracks and Patching more obvious;

holes can be filled and sealed. may need expensive
repairs.

WEATHER Shrinks and expands with Cracks under extreme

temperature changes. pressure or surface
movement.

OIL AND GAS Oil leaks not as noticeable, but Gas and oil spills leave
gasoline will cause damage. more obvious stains than on
asphalt.

LONGEVITY Up to 20 years. Up to 30 years.

For the years the concrete is the most used material for road construction but lately we the

engineers or builders used asphalt as an alternative material for the roads. They can say that it is

because of some aspect that the asphalt have than the concrete. As the table above shows the

characteristics or specific quality for the roads, they are some qualities that the concrete can

definitely take the best material for the road construction however the asphalt has some qualities

that the concrete are lacking off. The concrete have a higher price in every square foot it is used

than the asphalt, for this the researcher can says that the asphalt can be more used nowadays in
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road construction because of its lower price and lower maintenance than the concrete. But the

asphalt had a lower durability or lifespan than the concrete that can last up to 30 years, in this

time the concrete have cracked or inclined parts if it had not undergo some highly maintenance

each year. And when building a road the curing time of asphalt is less than the concrete, it means

less work for roads, less traffic for people but asphalt is a very dangerous chemical for us. The

asphalt can lead to a sickness or diseases like headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue, reduced

appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer. For this the researcher put up their

conclusions to these two materials in road construction.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The research paper about the efficiency of asphalt and concrete for road construction is a

quantitative-qualitative design with descriptive analytic method. The aim is to get the competent

solution for road construction which is either asphalt or concrete; to know the advantages and

disadvantages of the two solutions, and to know how these materials affect and benefit the

people. We have five (5) professional engineers as our respondents in answering the survey

questions.

Establishing roads are being analyzed carefully by the engineers, contractors before choosing

the material. And which is also based on the financial given that must be spent in constructing.

Building roads is to make transportation easy and comfortable. Geosynthetics perform four main

functions in roads: separation, reinforcement, filtration and drainage; which increase the

pavement performance, reduce construction costs and decrease maintenance. The completed road

way is finished by paving or left with a gravel or other natural surface.

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Roads that are available for use by the public may be referred to as parkways, avenues,

freeways, interstates, highways, or primary, secondary, and tertiary local roads. The researchers’

qualitative paper provides information to future civil engineers as to how road establishment

should be planned in the first place to avoid damages and income problems, and also regrets.

This research provides information for other researchers and readers about the possible events

that will happen.