As surprising as it may seem, the asphalt laid on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit has no higher quality standards than the bitumen laid on Quebec’s road network.
• Also read: Additional $15 million in public funding for Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve asp
• Also read: Gilles-Villeneuve circuit: the brand new paddocks absorb water
Both are the highest standards in the industry, according to Alain Carter, professor of civil engineering at Montreal’s École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS). They would also be suitable for racing cars, which are obviously less heavy than vehicles on the road network.
“Damage on a race track is not the same as on the road. On the other hand, there is the possibility of observing surface degradation and bituminous coating movement, explained the person who is also in charge of the laboratory on the pavement and bituminous materials of the ÉTS.
“With the wider tires and very high speed, there is more shear from the surface,” he added.
Photo archive, QMI Agency (Joël Lemay)
(1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing RBPT) during the Formula One Canadian (F1) Grand Prix Formula One race at Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal on Sunday June 19, 2022. JOEL LEMAY/ AGENCE QMI
Several factors can affect the quality of bitumen including components, thermal resistance and pouring temperature.
To look good
But given the volume of traffic on the circuit, there is no reason to say that the work will not last longer, he says.
“The devil is in the details. The problem, which doesn’t necessarily apply to the circuit, is that you fix the layer above without fixing the layer below, so we’re not solving the problem,” he explained.
To explain this new work, he also presented the hypothesis of the inflatable neighbor syndrome and the international showcase of the Canadian Grand Prix. New asphalt would look better for the world.
The SPJD defended the execution of this work, emphasizing the tenfold performance of the materials required in the bitumen mix. These would be “the best performers on the market right now,” said company consultant Jessica Gaulin.
The SPJD estimates the lifespan of the new surface to be around fifteen years.
Can you share information about this story with us?
Do you have a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?
Write to us or call us directly at 1-800-63SCOOP.