How to simplify product selection for the right asphalt interlayer 

Solmax’s new Paving Product Selector tool helps road owners, specifiers, and contractors quickly identify the optimal MIRAGRID^® PGM product for road rehabilitation projects involving asphalt interlayer systems. This tool is designed to streamline decision-making, reduce guesswork, and support efficient, long-lasting road maintenance.

Asphalt interlayer systems are a widely used method to extend the lifespan of existing pavements. However, their long-term success depends heavily on selecting the right interlayer system. With increasing pressure to extend lifetime, reduce maintenance costs, minimize disruption, and build more resilient infrastructure, it’s essential that stakeholders have access to reliable tools and trusted materials. The Solmax Paving Product Selector tool responds to this need by providing a guided, technically sound process for selecting the right geosynthetic solution for asphalt overlays.

A professional tool for precise product selection

The Paving Product Selector tool offers a structured approach to identifying the best MIRAGRID PGM product for each specific rehabilitation project. Rather than relying on guesswork or generic recommendations, the tool guides users through four carefully chosen questions, each targeting a key factor in overlay design. The result is a tailored recommendation based upon site-specific conditions, traffic demands, and performance expectations.

1. Road condition and traffic load assessment

The first step involves evaluating the condition of the existing road surface. The tool offers a selection of common pavement damage types – including block cracking, “alligator-cracks”, longitudinal and transverse cracking, rutting, and fatigue cracking – so users can quickly identify the most relevant distress mechanism. Understanding the root cause of deterioration is essential for determining the right mitigation approach.

Once the condition is assessed, the tool prompts users to indicate expected traffic loads. Rather than requiring detailed calculations, the assistant assumes a standard axle load and moderate climate conditions and classifies traffic into categories. This simplifies the process while ensuring the selected solution meets structural demands over the anticipated service life.

2. Overlay thickness and structural function

The next parameter is the thickness of the planned asphalt overlay. Overlay thickness has a direct impact on stress distribution and overall pavement performance. Thicker layers can better distribute loads and delay the onset of reflective cracking, but must also balance project budgets and geometric constraints.

The tool uses this information to evaluate how the selected product will interact with the overlay thickness, ensuring that reinforcement, sealing, or stress relief functions are aligned with the structural design of the pavement system.

3. Functional requirements of the interlayer

A decisive input is defining what the overlay is expected to do. According to standard design guides, asphalt overlays can serve multiple roles beyond simply restoring surface quality. In particular, interlayers are designed to provide:

• Stress relief, to reduce the propagation of existing cracks into the new surface;

• Sealing, to protect the pavement structure from water infiltration; and

• Reinforcement, to increase structural integrity and resistance to traffic-induced stresses.

Solmax offers tailored solutions for each of these needs:

MIRAGRID PGM 14 is ideal for applications where stress relief and sealing are the primary objectives.

MIRAGRID PGL-G is designed for structural reinforcement in high-load environments.

MIRAGRID PGM-G is a high-performance composite that provides all three functions in a single product – making it a go-to choice for complex or high-risk overlays.

By clearly identifying these requirements, the Paving Product Selector tool ensures the recommended solution matches the engineering goals of the project.

4. Tailored output and direct support

After completing the four-question assessment, users receive a recommendation for the most suitable MIRAGRID PGM system. From there, the Paving Product Selector tool allows users to:

• Download a ready-to-use tender specification text for inclusion in project documents;

• Contact the Solmax technical sales team for more detailed consultation or guidance;

• Request additional documentation or support for design approvals.

This integrated functionality makes the Paving Product Selector tool not just a selection tool, but a practical resource for advancing procurement and planning.

Designed for long lasting roads, built for results

Solmax developed the digital tender assistant with input from infrastructure specialists, engineers, and project planners across global markets. The goal was to make the product selection process simpler, faster, and more accurate – without compromising on technical rigor.

Whether for local road repairs or national highway maintenance, selecting the correct interlayer material can significantly improve pavement performance and reduce lifecycle costs. With the digital assistant, users can make well-informed decisions that lead to better project outcomes, improved durability, and greater sustainability.

Why MIRAGRID PGM matters in asphalt overlay design

MIRAGRID PGM products are engineered for durability and performance under real-world traffic and environmental conditions. They help control reflective cracking, extend pavement life, and reduce the need for frequent resurfacing. Incorporating a geosynthetic interlayer like MIRAGRID allows for longer lifetime – contributing to cost savings and lower carbon impact.

Each product in the MIRAGRID PGM range has been tested and validated in a variety of field conditions, offering consistent results in sealing, stress relief, and reinforcement functions. By combining these proven materials with digital selection support, Solmax empowers engineers to design smarter, more resilient roads.