Asphalt storage pad

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Aron wrote:
I'm an engineer with some experience designing highway pavements. In general, 10,000 lbs is fairly light for a pavement design, so pretty much any of the suggestions in this thread would work (including either of the OP's original pavement and gravel thicknesses), especially if its only carrying that weight occasionally. Its possible that parking a static load in one spot for a few hot days could create a bit of a divot (asphalt is basically a mix of tar and gravel, and tar flows in heat), but I wouldn't think it would be bad. It's really the gravel that provides the load carrying support, so don't skimp there. There's probably not a huge cost difference between the 2.5"/4" design and the 3"/6" design, so I would probably go with the slightly thicker one just for added assurance.

Speaking of gravel, the only suggestion in this thread that I wouldn't follow is the use of pea gravel. It's the angular interlocking characteristics of compacted gravel that provide the weight bearing support; over time, rounded pea gravel would tend to flow away from the concentrated weight points under the tires. I suppose it could work under concrete if the concrete is thick enough, but under asphalt it would probably provide poor support.

If you are referring to me I never suggested using pea gravel for substrate under asphalt. Yes it works VERY well for backfill in ditches and under concrete slabs.

We once filled an old 5'x 5'access well within a sidewalk with pea gravel. We required the contractor to compact with a vibra-plate and he thought we were kidding. The vibra-plate lessened the voids tremendously and more pea gravel was needed to fill in. Don't know if you call that compaction, but it sure wasn't ready for the concrete.