What is the preferred practice regarding yield versus thickness checks?

The preferred practice of checking yield constantly rather than thickness is based on ensuring that the asphalt mix is being placed at the correct quantity throughout the paving operation. Yield represents the volume of asphalt material being used per unit area, which directly correlates with the material's performance and longevity.

Continuously checking yield helps identify whether the correct amount of material is being distributed. If the yield is off, it can lead to problems such as inadequate pavement thickness, which may compromise the pavement's structural integrity and durability. This approach enables immediate adjustments to be made in the paving process, ensuring that the overall quality of the asphalt placement meets specifications from the start.

While thickness checks are also important, focusing constantly on yield provides a more direct measure of whether the project will meet its design requirements in terms of material usage. Ultimately, prioritizing yield checks helps in maintaining quality control throughout the project rather than finding out potential issues at the end, which could be more costly to correct.