Large numbers of dump trucks roam up and down highways transporting various types of materials. A Sand Hauling Truck may be bringing this granular substance to a road construction site or to an asphalt manufacturer. Although blacktop is commonly considered a petroleum product, which is evident from its dark color, it actually contains a large amount of sand and gravel. In fact, asphalt and concrete manufacturers account for the largest use of sand among commercial consumers.
Where does a Sand Hauling Truck driver go to get all this material? Quarries are common sources. Heavy equipment operators dig up the sand in these quarries and load it into the trucks. The drivers then transport the sand to locations where the material is in demand. These commonly are short-run trips, and drivers may travel the same route several times each day when picking up a new load and delivering it to an asphalt manufacturer or a construction site. Sand delivered by a supplier such as Highline Pavement Maintenance may be used as fill, to build embankments along overpasses, or as part of the substrate upon which new blacktop is placed.
Fortunately, sand is an extremely common substance, so suppliers have no trouble meeting customers’ demands. Its composition simply consists of rocks that have broken down over time into tiny pieces. A great deal of sand is made of limestone and quartz. It is the quartz that gives sand its sparkling characteristics. Manufacturers need to buy the material with different components and texture depending on the intended use. For instance, sand is used to make fiberglass, but that material is different than sand used to make asphalt.
Interestingly, some companies obtain sand that is a byproduct of the foundry industry. This type of sand also is useful for manufacturing asphalt when it’s combined with natural sand. Because of its characteristics, the sand must be used in relatively low amounts in asphalt so the resulting blacktop maintains its strength and flexibility. This process is beneficial for recycling a material that otherwise would need to be hauled away and dumped in a specified location. It also provides monetary savings for asphalt manufacturers that they can pass along to their customers. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.
