Asphalt is a flexible pavement.

Asphalt pavements are flexible, this means that they are better able to accommodate variations in temperature without sudden failures. Asphalt pavements can be built without the need for joints which move due to thermal expansion and contraction. Without such joints there is no chance for dangerous “blow-ups” to occur.

---

Reference:
ADAC Motorwelt 6/2014, page 30