Tarmac
The second edition of The Dictionary of Urbanism by Rob Cowan, published in 2020, suggests that tarmac can mean:
- ‘A generic name for asphalt surfaces.’
- ‘A patented type of road-surfacing material composed mainly of compacted tar and aggregate. The word is a shortening of tarmacadam, a word combining tar- with the name of the engineer and road-builder John McAdam (1756–1836), who invented a process for building roads with a smooth, hard surface (macadam).’
It suggests that macadam can refer to:
- ‘A type of road construction with a smooth, hard surface, in which layers of compacted, crushed stone are bound with stone dust . It was pioneered by the engineer and road-builder John McAdam (1756–1836).’ Also referred to as stone macadam.
- ‘A similar type of road construction but with the addition of tar as a binder.’ Also referred to as bitumen macadam (bitmac).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Asphalt.
- Bituminous mixing and laying plant.
- Britain's historic paving.
- Coal holes, pavement lights, kerbs and utilities and wood-block paving.
- Glossary of paving terms.
- Code of Practice for Ironwork Systems Installation and Refurbishment.
- Hazard warning surfaces.
- Highway.
- Highway drainage.
- How to lay block paving.
- Pavement.
- Permeable pavements.
- Pervious bitmac.
- Road paving.
- Types of road and street.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.
Building Safety Regulator, 19 August
Gill Kernick appointed Independent Chair of Residents’ Panel.
Connecting knowledge, technology and conservation
Building competence for the future of built heritage.
Building Regulations and Building Safety Act
CIOB publishes free advice for non-domestic clients.
Building Safety Newsletter from MHCLG.
An extraordinary record of steel engineering worldwide.
Households living near new pylons to save on bills.
ECA warns growth must not outpace grid capacity or skills.