As the weather gets warmer and we can experience temperatures break 40°Cdrivers are warned to rethink travel due to the possibility of the heat damaging our roads.
People across the UK have been told the extreme temperatures can melt roadslead to chaos across the country.
But this isn’t the first time this has happened.
In 2006, gritters had to be sent out to spread gravel on melting tar to create a non-stick road surface after roads melted in parts of England.
Part of the M25 melted in 2003, leaving the London highway is reduced to two lanes between junctions 26 and 27, causing chaos for motorists.
But why is this happening? Here’s what you need to know:
Why does asphalt melt?
Despite being firm and solid, asphalt can become liquid again.
The material is viscoelastic, which means that it is very strong as a solid, but can also become a liquid again.
As the temperature rises, the material softens and melts, allowing it to sink under the weight of vehicles.
According to the AAIf this happens, the road will start to form ridges and become sticky.
Braking and steering will be affected, and it is very dangerous for motorcyclists.
In extreme cases, it can also cover tires and damage your vehicle.
This melting only tends to affect the top layer of asphalt or asphalt, also called the top layer, which is normally between 3 and 5 cm thick.
Roads are built within ‘normal’ design parameters which can vary from country to country meaning extreme weather conditions can cause damage to our roads as they are not built to withstand these conditions.
At what temperature does asphalt melt?
Not all road surfaces are made of the same type of asphalt or tarmac, so the temperature at which roads melt varies.
However, the average temperature at which the asphalt starts to soften is around 50°C.
While this is higher than average summer temperatures in the UK, the dark material heats up quickly in direct sunlight, meaning it’s hotter than you might think.
If the air temperature outside is 25°C, asphalt in the sun is measured at 51°C.
When this happens and the asphalt starts to soften, local authorities send gritting trucks to pick up some of the soft material.
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