GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Accelerators - Material additives used to accelerate, or reduce, the setting time of concrete causing it to harden faster.

ADA Compliance Services - Provide all necessary services for handicap
code compliance, from ramps to signs and striping.

Aerated concrete - Concrete that is formed using gas forming admixtures that form hydrogen or oxygen bubbles in the cement mix.

Aggregate - A mixture of sand, rock, crushed stone, expanded materials, or particles that improve the formation and flow of cement paste and improve the concrete's structural performance.

Aggregates - There are aggregates all around us, but we take them for granted: they are to be found in parks, gardens, stadiums, trains, motor vehicles, subways and the weatherproof roofing of buildings. Most of the time, they are invisible: the frames of many structures and buildings around us are made of aggregates. Their main basic quality is their strength, which explains why they are often used to provide support. Research into high performance and bituminous concrete has provided clear evidence that the strength limits of materials are those of the aggregates of which they are composed. Thus, they make a vital contribution to the strength of fine materials.

Air content - The volume of air present in a concrete or mortar mix. A controlled air content prevents concrete from cracking during the freeze/thaw cycle.

Asphalt - A brownish black solid or semisolid mixture of bituminous obtained from native deposits or as a petroleum byproduct, used in paving. When heated to the temperature of boiling, it becomes able to be poured. Asphalt should not be confused with tar, a similar looking substance made from coal or wood and incompatible with petroleum derivatives.

Asphalt mix - Amounts of sand stone & stone sizes that are used to create different mix strengths. Many names are given to the various types and the names may vary from state to state or country to country but in general they differ by the amount of sand & stone.
BELOW IS JUST A FEW SAMPLES
Asphalt Grinding - Is used to remove damaged asphalt or to prepare an existing surface for an overlay. The ground asphalt makes an excellent base material. It can also be recycled into new asphalt.

Asphalt Pulverizing - Pulverizing is the process of breaking up your existing asphalt into a gravel, and blend this "new" gravel with your existing base which is compacted, graded, compacted again, at which time it is ready for paving. Pulverizing is a very cost effective way to reconstruct your existing pavement. This process eliminates the expensive excavation and trucking of your existing asphalt, and as a significant bonus, adds to your base aggregate thickness, thereby giving you a stronger base than what had existed previously.

Asphalt resurfacing - The process of placing more asphalt over the existing asphalt or concrete. Sometimes called an asphalt overlay.

Ballast - A layer of coarse stone, gravel, slag, etc., over which concrete is placed.

Base - A prepared gravel foundation for masonry, concrete, brick, pavers or asphalt applications.

Bituminous Pavement - Bituminous pavements are made with by-products of petroleum, such as asphalt. Weather and seasonal changes can cause roadways and the earth below them to rise or fall slightly. As these natural shifts occur, bituminous pavements allow the road surface to bend or flex slightly without breaking.
Bituminous material softens when heated and can be prepared and applied in a wide range of concentrations. Thin layers of bituminous material are sometimes applied with a pressure sprayer to the base course or the top course. The bituminous material seeps into the crushed rock and penetrates the tiny spaces between the compacted rocks, binding the aggregate together. To provide traction for moving traffic, a thin layer of aggregate may then be spread over the bituminous material and compacted.

Blanket - Insulation used for protecting fresh concrete during curing.

Calcium chloride - An additive used in ready mix to accelerate the curing, usually used during damp conditions.

Casting - Pouring a liquid material, or slurry, like concrete, into a mold to form a physical form it will take on as it solidifies.

Cement - A building material made by grinding calcite limestone and clay to a fine powder which can be mixed with water and poured to set as a solid mass. Also used in making mortar or concrete.

Coal Tar - Coal tar is a common ingredient used in the production of pavement sealer due to chemical and UV resistance properties.

Coal Tar Emulsion - A pavement sealer consisting of coal tar, water, emulsifiers, and filler designed to protect and beautify asphalt pavement. Coal tar also provides oil and gasoline resistance.

Cold Planning - Typically removes 1" to 4" of surface asphalt or 1" – 2" of concrete allowing for the application of a thin overlay or wearing surface which preserves ancillary structures (e.g. curb and gutter) but allows improvements to the grade and surface of the pavement section. When used for full roadway reconstruction, cold planning is also capable of removing up to 12 inches of paving material and base in a single pass. Another cold planning application is for slot cutting of only badly deteriorated sections of roadway - then full depth paving to restore an otherwise good road. This helps preserve or correct grade structure and cleans up rutted or cracked surfaces. It also improves bonding and surface quality and reduces costs of roadway rehabilitation.

Compaction - Usually accomplished by static rolling or vibratory rolling equipment on newly placed gravel and asphalt to maximize practical strength, to compress within compressible limits and to eliminate voids and create base strength. The most important step of any paving project.

Concrete - A hard, strong building material created by combining a mineral
(which is usually sand, gravel, or crushed stone) a binding agent
(natural or synthetic cement), chemical additives, and water. It is an
excellent material to be used in road building.

Concrete resurfacing - Process of applying a thin layer of varies materials over existing concrete. Modified polymers, polyesters or epoxy's are used as well as specialized coatings.

Concrete sealing - Term used to apply sealer to concrete products. Concrete becomes less permeable by sealing pores. Sealing concrete products can prevent discoloration and unwanted staining.

Concrete staining - Concrete does not have to be gray anymore! Concrete can be stained in a wide variety of color choices.

Consolidation - Compaction usually accomplished by vibration of newly placed concrete to minimum practical volume, to mold it within form shapes and around embedded parts and reinforcement, and to eliminate voids other than entrained air.

Crack filling - Term used to fill unwanted cracks in surfaces to prevent water penetration and further erosion.

Crack Sealing Roads- Crack Sealing is the process where the street cracks are sealed using a Polymer Modified AC-20 liquid (AC-20 can also contain crumb rubber recycled tires), and other types of Crack Sealing products. The sealing prevents water infiltration into the road base, thus preventing potholes. The current method used for the crack sealing roads is called Well Filling. This method fills the void of the crack in road surfaces; little or no material is placed on the actual road. A minimum 1 inch depth, and 1/2 inch width is needed to use the Well Fill method. This is a cost effective way of extending road life.

Elasticity - The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched.

Emulsion - Pertaining to a water based product. A pavement sealer containing water. A product that cleans up with soap and water.

Fabric Overlays - Provide a waterproof membrane to protect the base, and will also retard reflective cracking.

Grading - The surfacing or leveling of the ground or pitching for drainage.

Gravel - (non processed) The principle paving material, and in all probability the oldest paving material. It is of course important to select a high quality paving gravel. River washed round gravel is soft and not as compact able as most processed gravel's (see processed gravel). Sharp stone gravel in a range of stone sizes self binds to form a smooth and stable surface. Natural or riverbank gravel's can have a wide variety of stone sizes but also have less compact ability.

Insulating Material - A material that reduces or prevents the transmission of heat or sound or electricity.

Landscaping timbers - Pressure treated wood cut and prepared for use as outdoor building material. Generally come in 8’ – 16’ lengths and vary in thickness from 4” – 10” widths. Also known as railroad ties.

Ledge-  A Projection of rock, ore, or granite that may be associated with a vein of non pourous elements not sutable for drainage.

Linestriping - Line Striping assists your visitors in the safe use of your parking lot. It directs traffic to the proper route of entrance and exit, allowable areas to park, loading zones, crosswalks, and defines drive aisles that are wide enough to avoid accidents with cars and pedestrians. Properly designed parking spaces also maximize the number of cars you can safely accommodate.

Loam - Top Soil or Soil used to grow crops, lawns or vegetables highly rich in nutrients or compose for plant growth.

Micro resurfacing - Micro resurfacing is the application of a Polymer Modified Emulsion Base. The entire road surface is overlaid (the material is placed over top of the existing asphalt surface of the street) with a 1/2 to 3/4 inch of material. The depth of material placed on the street is determined by the condition of the existing road surface. If the road surface is in fair condition a 1/2 inch of material is used. If the surface is in poor condition 3/4 inch of material is used.
 
Pavers - A man made brick of solid concrete (usually compressed) used as a decorative driveway, walkway or patio.  They come in many colors & shapes and can create a variety of design patterns.

Paving - Lying of concrete, asphalt or any driveway materials.

Processed gravel - Man-made gravel with controlled amounts of clay, sand & stone. Stone size is also controlled making it a good base for driveways. Natural or riverbank gravel's can have a wide variety of stone sizes, which make them less consistent than processed gravel.

Railroad ties - Pressure treated wood cut and prepared for use as outdoor building material. Generally come in 8’ – 16’ lengths and vary in thickness from 4” – 10” widths also called Landscaping timbers.

R.A.P. Recycled asphalt product - A low cost material because it is a secondary product made from recycled waste concrete & asphalt, and when it requires replacement it can be recycled again any number of times. It also features good economic efficiency as a product that makes use of resource recycling technology. As a recycled gravel material it is making an invaluable contribution to the construction industry and the global environmentally friendly recycling society. (sometimes called blend)

Re-bar - A formed steel rod used to reinforce concrete.

Sealcoating - Process of applying a protective coating to asphalt pavement. Primarily used on driveways, and parking areas, this coating protects asphalt from the damaging effects of petroleum products. It also fills surface cracks to prevent water from entering and damaging the base material. Sealcoating protects and extends the life of asphalt and its deep black smooth appearance is visually appealing as well.  It also means that the driveway does not need to undergo reconstruction as often.

Slurry - A thin mixture of a liquid, especially water, and any of several finely divided substances, such as cement, plaster of Paris, or clay particles. The mixture is used for pumping or for wash over a surface.

Square foot - The basic unit of measurement for area. One square foot is equal to 12” x 12" in width and in length.

Square yard - The basic unit of measurement for large areas. One square yard is equal to 3’ x 3’ or 9 square feet.

Squeegee - A rubber blade Applicator with a long handle designed for spreading driveway sealer.
Striping -  Striping assists your visitors in the safe use of your parking lot. It directs traffic to the proper route of entrance and exit, allowable areas to park, loading zones, crosswalks, and defines drive aisles that are wide enough to avoid accidents with cars and pedestrians. Properly designed parking spaces also maximize the number of cars you can safely accommodate. ADA Compliance Services Provide all necessary services for handicap code compliance, from ramps to signs and striping.

Wire mess - Wire used to reinforce concrete usually comes in a roll and is cut to fit and placed on gravel before concrete is poured, wire fencing can also be used.