Asphalt is the proven material for Roads and airport pavements. Damage caused by temperature variations and traffic loading involves reflective cracking. This can even occur in new asphalt surfaces. Asphalt has a low tensile strength and being sensitive to quite low levels of expansion leads to the crack formation.

Reinforcement grids fulfil two important functions in an asphalt layer:

• increase the tensile strength of the asphalt
• carry a large proportion of the horizontal tension forces and ensure an even stress distribution over a larger area.

Reinforcement grids in asphalt layers reduce any tensile stresses that may arise and associated risk of overstress. Asphalt layers are effectively reinforced and their service life increased. See the animation for a demonstration of asphalt reinforcement grid installation.