We have tried to provide you with information to either help you make the right decision when choosing a surface or help you maintain your surface.
Curing
When first laid, the macadam surface is vulnerable to damage and needs time to cure, i.e. harden. This curing process continues during the lifetime of the material. The materials’ ability to remain flexible for many years means that for the first summer after laying it is likely to soften and be vulnerable to damage especially in high stress areas, such as turning areas.
Usage
Due to the nature of macadam, softer binders are used in areas that are to be laid by hand but, both hand laid and machine laid materials are vulnerable in their early life to scuffing in high stress areas. These stresses usually occur when a vehicles’ wheels are ‘turned on the spot’ with the use of power steering. Typical damage shows as small saucer shaped marks on the surface. Turning a vehicles’ wheels whilst stationary should be avoided at all times. During the first summer, care should be taken not to mark the surface with motorbike side stands, ladders, caravan/trailer jockey wheels etc.
Repairs
In many cases, when damage due to power steering occurs, the material can be heated and re-rolled if carried out soon after the event. Weeds may appear through a new surface forming small ‘volcano’ shaped lumps, but these can be treated and the lumps heated and tamped back down.
Spillages
Any oil based product e.g. petrol, diesel, white spirit, would cause severe damage if spilt or used on a macadam surface. To minimise damage should this occur, the area should be thoroughly washed with copious amounts of hot water containing a mild soap. To remove spills such as paint or cement, acids can be used with great care but must be washed off as above, before any integral damage is done to the structure of the material.
Cleaning/Care
Care should be taken when washing a macadam drive using a steam cleaner or power hose. High pressure and chemical reactions could cause some surface material to loosen. As above, nothing more than a mild soap solution should be used to generally clean the drive. Sweeping loose stones and debris from the surface can help avoid abrasions when the surface is being driven over.
1. TYPICAL BLOCKPAVING DRIVE SPECIFICATION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) Blocks: 80mm
b) Sharp sand: 40mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 150mm
d) Subsoil
a) 80mm paviour laid and compacted with kiln dried sand brushed into joints.
b) 40mm of sharp/grit sand laid to levels and compacted.
c) Hardcore base of 150mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
LAYING ON EXISTING MACADAM/CONCRETE
As a) and b) above.
2. TYPICAL MACADAM DRIVE SPECIFICATION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) Bitumen macadam surface course: 25mm
b) Bitumen macadam binder course: 50mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 150mm
d) Subsoil
a & b) Surfacing laid 75mm thick in 2 layers to hardcore base comprising of: 50mm thickness of 20mm dense binder course BS4987 Clause 6.5 followed by, 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 10mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course or 10mm Red surface course.
c) Hardcore base of 150mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
N.B. For drives with high stress areas e.g. tight turning circles, an SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) material can be used.
RESURFACING OF EXISTING MACADAM
Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course BS4987 Clause 7.5 laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 10mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course or 10mm Red surface course.
SURFACING OR RESURFACING ON CONCRETE
Although macadam should ideally be laid on the macadam base suggested above, if the design requires a concrete base, or if macadam is to be used to resurface existing concrete, the following specification may be used: Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course BS4987 Clause 7.5 laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 10mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course or 10mm Red surface course.
N.B. Existing cracks or joints in concrete will show through any macadam surface as hairline fractures over a period of time.
3. TYPICAL ULTRIMAC DRIVE SPECIFICATIONNEW CONSTRUCTION
a) ‘Ultrimac’: 25mm
b) Bitumen macadam binder course: 50mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 150mm
d) Subsoil
a & b) Surfacing laid 75mm thick in 2 layers to hardcore base comprising of: 50mm thickness of 20mm dense binder course BS4987 Clause 6.5 followed by, 25mm thickness of ‘Ultrimac’ Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
c) Hardcore base of 150mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
RESURFACING OF EXISTING MACADAM
Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course BS4987 Clause 7.5 laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of ‘Ultrimac’ Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
SURFACING OR RESURFACING ON CONCRETE
Although ‘Ultrimac’ should ideally be laid on the macadam base suggested above, if the design requires a concrete base, or if ‘Ultrimac’ is to be used to resurface existing concrete, the following specification may be used: Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course BS4987 Clause 7.5 laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of ‘Ultrimac’ Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
N.B. Existing cracks or joints in concrete will show through any macadam surface as hairline fractures over a period of time.
1. TYPICAL BLOCKPAVING FOOTPATH SPECIFICATION
For vehicular access across footpaths the drive specification will be required.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) Blocks: 60mm
b) Sharp sand: 30mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 100mm
d) Subsoil
a) 60mm paviour laid and compacted with kiln dried sand brushed into joints.
b) 30mm of sharp/grit sand laid to levels and compacted.
c) Hardcore base of 100mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
LAYING ON EXISTING MACADAM/CONCRETE
As a) and b) above.
2. TYPICAL MACADAM FOOTPATH SPECIFICATION
For vehicular access across footpaths the drive specification will be required.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) Bitumen macadam surface course: 25mm
b) Bitumen macadam binder course: 40mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 100mm
d) Subsoil
a & b) Surfacing laid 65mm thick in 2 layers to hardcore base comprising of: 40mm thickness of 20mm dense binder course followed by 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course.
c) Hardcore base of 100mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
RESURFACING OF EXISTING MACADAM
Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course.
SURFACING OR RESURFACING ON CONCRETE
Although macadam should ideally be laid on the macadam base suggested above, if the design requires a concrete base, or if macadam is to be used to resurface existing concrete, the following specification may be used: Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of 6mm dense surface course or 6mm Red surface course.
N.B. Existing cracks or joints in concrete will show through any macadam surface as hairline fractures over a period of time.
3. TYPICAL ULTRIMAC FOOTPATH SPECIFICATION
For vehicular access across footpaths the drive specification will be required.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) ‘Ultrimac’: 25mm
b) Bitumen macadam binder course: 40mm
c) Stone or Hardcore: 100mm
d) Subsoil
a & b) Surfacing laid 65mm thick in 2 layers to hardcore base comprising of: 40mm thickness of 20mm dense binder course followed by 25mm thickness of either Ultrimac’ Natural Gravel N075R or Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
c) Hardcore base of 100mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802.
d) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification.
RESURFACING OF EXISTING MACADAM
Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of ‘Ultrimac’ Natural Gravel N075R or Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
SURFACING OR RESURFACING ON CONCRETE
Although ‘Ultrimac’ should ideally be laid on the macadam base suggested above, if the design requires a concrete base, or if ‘Ultrimac’ is to be used to resurface existing concrete, the following specification may be used: Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 25mm thickness of ‘Ultrimac’ Natural Gravel N075R or Natural Green N477R or Glensanda N276R or Rhyalite N375R
N.B. Existing cracks or joints in concrete will show through any macadam surface as hairline fractures over a period of time.
TYPICAL MACADAM ROAD SPECIFICATION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
a) Bitmac surface: 30mm
b) Bitumen macadam binder course: 50mm
c) Bitmac roadbase: 100mm
d) Stone or Hardcore: 200mm
e) Subsoil
a, b & c) Surfacing laid 180mm thick in 3 layers to hardcore base comprising of: 100mm thickness of 28mm dense roadbase followed by, 50mm thickness of 20mm dense binder course followed by, 30mm thickness of 10mm close graded surface course or 10mm close graded Red surface course or 10mm Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm Red Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm High Stone Content Asphalt
d) Hardcore base of 200mm thickness of crushed hardcore or graded crushed stone in accordance with Type 1 to Clause 803, to be laid and consolidated in accordance with Clause 802 in 2 layers.
e) Earthworks to be executed in accordance with Section 600 of the D.O.T. specification. N.B. For areas with high stresses e.g. tight turning circles, forklift use, an SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) material or HSC Apshalt are recommended.
RESURFACING OF EXISTING MACADAM
Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 30mm thickness of a shaping coat of 10mm close graded surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 30mm thickness of 10mm close graded surface course or 10mm close graded Red surface course or 10mm Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm Red Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm High Stone Content Asphalt.
SURFACING OR RESURFACING ON CONCRETE
Although macadam should ideally be laid on the macadam base suggested above, if the design requires a concrete base, or if macadam is to be used to resurface existing concrete, the following specification may be used: Surfacing to be supplied and laid in 2 layers comprising of: 20mm thickness of a shaping coat of 6mm dense surface course laid over a tack coat of cationic emulsion, followed by, 30mm thickness of 10mm close graded surface course or 10mm close graded Red surface course or 10mm Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm Red Stone Mastic Asphalt or 10mm High Stone Content Asphalt.
N.B. Existing cracks or joints in concrete will show through any macadam surface as hairline fractures over a period of time.