Bituminous Materials

(Asphalt Cement)

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 Definition
Bituminous materials is a class of black or
dark colored solid or viscous cementitious
substances composed chiefly of
hydrocarbons which are soluble in C2S.

When mixed with aggregates in their fluid

state they solidify and bind the aggregates
together, forming a pavement surface.

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 TERMINOLOGIES
 Asphalt :A dark brown to black cementitious material
in which the predominating constituents are
bitumens, which occur in nature or are obtained in
petroleum processing.
 "Asphalt binder" includes asphalt cement as well as
any material added to modify the original asphalt
cement properties.
 The term "asphalt cement" is used to represent
unmodified asphalt cement only

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 Uses of Bituminous
Materials

Bituminous materials are used:

 Extensively for road construction, because of

their excellent binding or cementing power

and their water proofing properties.
 Used in roofing materials and as protective /
water proof coating.

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Classification of Bituminous Materials

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1. Native asphalts: Obtained from asphalt
lakes these were used in some of the earliest
pavements.
 
2. Rock asphalts: These are rock deposits
containing bituminous materials which have
been used for road surfaces in localities
where they occur.
 
3. Tars: Tars are bituminous materials
obtained from the distillation of coal.
 
4. Petroleum asphalts: These are products of
the distillation of crude oil. These asphalts are
by far the most common bituminous paving
materials in use today.

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 Native Asphalt

Asphalt lake

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Petroleum asphalt

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Petroleum asphalts are products of the distillation of crude
oil. These asphalts are by far the most common bituminous
paving materials in use today.

Crude Petroleum

Products of Petrol Kerosen Lubricating Asphalt

Diesel oil
Distillation e Oil
Fluxing/blending

Cutback Asphalt
Penetration
Grade Asphalt

PR E P A R AT IO N O F R E F I N ER Y A S PH A L T

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Make Up of Crude Oil

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 The major types of petroleum asphalt are:
Asphalt Although a semi-solid at ordinary
temperatures, asphalt may be liquefied by applying
heat, dissolving it in solvents, or emulsifying it.
1.Penetration Grade Asphalt (Asphalt cements)
2. Oxidized asphalts ( Air Blown asphalt)
3. Cut back/blended asphalt (Liquid asphalts)
4. Emulsions (Emulsified Asphalt)

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1.Penetration Grade Asphalt
(Asphalt cement)

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 Asphalt cements (AC) are the primary
asphalt products produced by the distillation
of crude oil.
The term derives from the test which is used
to characterize them according to hardness.

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 Temperature Vs Viscosity

• The viscosity (resistance to flow) of asphalt varies

greatly with temperature, ranging from a solid to a
fairly thin liquid.
• Viscosity-temperature relationships are extremely
important in the design and use of asphalt materials.
• Grades of asphalt and temperature at which they
are used depend to a great extent on their viscosity.
• Viscosity decreases as the temperature increases.

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 Grading of Asphalt Cement

Asphalt cements were originally graded

according to penetration value . This is an
empirical test in which the amount the
needle penetrates a prepared asphalt sample
in five seconds is measured in tenths of a
millimeter under standard conditions.

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 Penetration Test
100g
Penetration in units of 0.1 after 5 sec.

Asphalt cement
(25 oc) Asphalt cement
(25 oc)

The needle penetrates for five seconds &

measured in tenth of a mm under standard
condition(temp. at 25 oc).
For example, if the needle penetrated 9.8 mm-
or 98 tenths of a mm-the penetration value
would be 98. 18
 Asphalt cements are produced in various
viscosity grades, the most common being
AC 2.5, AC 5, AC 10, AC 20, and AC 40.
These roughly correspond to penetration
grades 200-300, 120-150,85-100,60-70,
and 40-50, respectively.

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 Viscosity grades
The viscosity grades indicate the viscosity
in hundreds of poises ± 20% measured at
60°C.
Absolute viscosity is measured in
Pa.s (SI units) and poises (traditional
units). [1 poise = 0.1 Pa . s]
For example:
AC 2.5 has a viscosity of 250 poises ± 50.
AC 40 has a viscosity of 4000 poises ± 800.

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Viscosity is measured in poise (cm-g-s = dyne-second/cm2,

named after Jean Louis Marie Poiseuille). The lower the number

of poises, the lower the viscosity and thus the more easily a

substance flows.  Thus, AC-5 (viscosity is 500 ± 100 poise at

60° C (140° F)) is less viscous than AC-40 (viscosity is 4000 ±

800 poise at 60° C (140° F)).

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 Grades of AC
Viscosity Penetration Grade
Grade
AC 2.5 200-300

AC 5 120-150

AC 10 85-100

AC 20 60-70
For example, AC 2.5 has a viscosity of 250 poises.
AC 40 40-50
AC 40 has a viscosity of 4000 poises.

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2. Oxidized asphalts
( Air blown asphalt)

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 Refinery asphalt may be further
processed by air blowing. This consists
of introducing air under pressure into
soft asphalt under controlled
temperature conditions. The oxygen in
the air reacts with certain compounds
in the asphalt resulting in the
formation of compounds of higher
molecular weight.

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 Uses of Oxidized Asphalt
Although these asphalts are mostly
used for industrial applications such
as roofing and pipe coatings, there is
a road asphalt produced by this
process known as heavy duty
asphalt.

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3. Cutback asphalts
(Liquid asphalts)

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CUTBACK ASPHALT – Asphalt cement that has been

liquefied by blending with petroleum solvents to reduce

viscosity. Upon exposure to atmospheric conditions, the

solvents evaporate, leaving the asphalt cement to perform its

function.

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 Cutback asphalts (Liquid asphalts) are
asphalt cements mixed with a solvent to
reduce their viscosity and, thus, make them
easier to use at ordinary temperatures. They
are commonly heated (if required) and then
sprayed on aggregates. Upon evaporation of
the solvent, they cure or harden and cement
the aggregate particles together.

Grades of liquid asphalts are governed by

viscosity.

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Types and grades are based on the type of

solvent, which governs viscosity and the rates
of evaporation and curing.  
1. Rapid curing(RC) types use gasoline as a
solvent, and therefore cure rapidly.  
2.  Medium Curing (MC) types use kerosene.  
3. Slow Curing (SC) types use diesel fuel, or
they may be produced directly from the
refinery during distillation.
Solvent contents are commonly from 15% to
40% of the total.

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 VISCOSITY
 This is a measure of the resistance to flow. The term is used
as high viscosity or low viscosity.

 A high viscosity material refers to a heavy or still material

that will not flow easily. A low viscosity material is the
opposite. Viscosity is measured in absolute units called poises.
It was formerly measured in empirical values of time,
distance, and temperature. This method was called Saybolt
Furol Viscosity.

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 Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity at 60° C (140° F)

 µ= τ (shear stress)/ γ (shear rate)

where: μ=viscosity (in cgs units of poise). poise = dyne-
sec/cm2 = g/cm-sec (the SI unit of viscosity is the Pa-
sec = N-sec/m2 = 10 poise)
The basic absolute viscosity test measures the time it
takes for a fixed volume of asphalt binder to be drawn
up through a capillary tube by means of vacum, under
closely controlled conditions of vacuum and
temperature (ASTM, 2001). 

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 Absolute viscosity is measured in Pa .s
(SI units) and poises (traditional units).
[1 poise = 0.1 Pa . s]
Kinematic viscosity is measured in
cm2/s (SI units) and stokes or
ceritistokes (traditional units) [1 stoke =
100 centistokes = 1 cm2/s]. Kinematic
viscosity equals absolute viscosity divided
by density of liquid at the temp. of
measurent (about 1 g/cm3)for asphalts.

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4. Asphalt emulsions

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 Asphalt emulsions are mixtures of asphalt
cement and water. As these components do
not mix themselves, an emulsifying
agent(such as soap) must be added. The
emulsifying unit breaks up the asphalt cement
and disperses it, in the form of very fine
droplets, in the water carrier. When used, the
emulsion sets as the water evaporates. The
emulsion usually contains 55%-75% asphalt
cement and up to 3% emulsifying agent, with
the balance being water.

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 The emulsifying agent assists by imparting an
electrical charge to the surface of the asphalt cement
globules so that they do not coalesce . 
 Emulsions are used because they effectively reduce
asphalt viscosity for lower temperature uses (tack
coats, fog seals, slurry seals, bituminous surface
treatments (BST), stabilization material).  Emulsions
are typically either anionic (asphalt droplets are
negatively charged) or cationic (asphalt particles are
positively charged).

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 Types of Emulsified Asphalts
Two general types of emulsified asphalts are
produced, depending on the type of
emulsifier used:
Cationic emulsions, in which the asphalt
particles have a positive charge;
Anionic emulsions, in which they have a
negative charge.
  Anionic emulsions adhere better to
aggregate particles which have positive
surface charges (e.g., silica).
Cationic emulsions also work better with
wet aggregates and in colder weather.

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Tests for asphalt

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 Tests for asphalt
Quality control tests for asphalt materials include the
following:
 Penetration (ASTM D5)
 Viscosity (ASTM D2171, ASTM D2170, ASTM D5)
 Ductility (ASTM D113)
 Thin-film oven test (ASTM D1754)
• The thin-film oven (TFO) test simulates short-term aging by heating a film of
asphalt binder in an oven for 5 hours at 163° C (325° F).
 Solubility (ASTM D2042)
• To check the purity of asphalt
 Flashpoint (ASTM D92)
• determines the extent of asphalt that can be safely heated.
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 Penetration Test
Measure the penetration of a standard needle
into the asphalt binder sample under the
following conditions:
• Load = 100 grams
• Temperature = 25° C (77° F)
• Time = 5 seconds

The depth of penetration is measured in units of 0.1 mm and

reported in penetration units (e.g., if the needle penetrates 8
mm, the asphalt penetration number is 80). 

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 Ductility
 The ductility test measures asphalt binder ductility by
stretching a standard-sized briquette of asphalt binder

Fig: Ductility Fig: Ductility Samples

Test
The stretched distance in centimeters at breaking is then reported as ductility

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 Asphalt Concrete
The main asphalt paving material in use today is asphalt
concrete.

 A high quality pavement surface is composed of asphalt cement,

aggregate and air, hot mixed in an asphalt plant and then hot-
laid.

 Some of the asphalt cement seeps into voids in the aggregate

particles, and therefore is not available to coat and bind
aggregates together leaves more air voids in the mixture than
would be expected by calculating the total aggregate and asphalt
volumes

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 Relative amounts of aggregate, asphalt, and air
are important
 Asphalt absorption of aggregate is less than
water absorption for the same aggregate (by
about 50%) but, important to include the
absorbed asphalt in the calculation, since all
volumes must be measured accurately

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 Aggregates for Asphalt Concrete

 Usually classified as coarse aggregates, fine aggregates,

or mineral filler
 Mineral filler is often used in asphalt concrete mixtures to
supply the fines (< 75m or No 200 sieve)
 Fines are very important in producing a dense-grained,
strong material
 Limestone dust is the most common material used as
mineral filler

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 Aggregates for Asphalt Concrete
In general, aggregates to be used in
asphalt concrete should be:
a. Well-graded  dense, including
mineral filler for strength
b. Hard  for resistance to wear and to
polishing due to traffic
c. Sound  For resistance to
breakdown due to freezing and thawing

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d. Rough surfaced  crushed rough
surfaces give higher friction strength
and a better surface for adhesion of the
asphalt cement

e. Cubical  thin, elongated aggregate

particles break easily

g. Free from deleterious materials

 clay particles, dust, dirt, and
lightweight pieces may lead to a lower
quality asphalt film on the aggregate
particles or may result in breaking of
some of the particles
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 Requirements of asphalt concrete
- Asphalt concrete surfaces must provide smooth,
skid-resistant riding surfaces
- Must be strong enough to carry the imposed loads
- Maintain its properties for the expected design life
- Requirements leading to the intended properties
are: i. Strength
ii. Flexibility
iii. Durability
iv. Skid resistance
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 1. Strength
-Must be sufficient to carry the load
without shear occurring between particles
-Structure must remain intact (friction
between grains must be high)
-Dense-graded mixture is best for high
friction strength with a relatively low amount
of binder
-If the asphalt coating around the particle
is too thick, the amount of friction between
particles is reduced

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 2. Flexibility
- Asphalt concrete must be able to
deflect slightly under each load
without cracking or permanent
deformation
- A more open-graded mixture, with
a higher asphalt content, is best

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 3. Durability

Measures the pavement’s resistance to wear and
aging
 Aggregates should be hard and cubical to ensure
minimum breakdown during manufacture and
during application of loads
 Aggregates should be sound, not susceptible to
disintegration from repeated freezing and thawing
action
 As some aggregates have higher affinity to water
than asphalt cement, water may replace the
asphalt film on the aggregate particles,
destroying the bond between asphalt and
aggregate particles

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 4. Skid resistance
- Loss of skid resistance of asphalt concrete
surface is mainly caused by polishing of
the aggregate or bleeding of the asphalt
cement
- Surface courses usually have lower
maximum particle size in order to increase
projection surface area so as to increase
skid resistance
- Aggregate should be hard and resistant to
wear, and thus resistant to polishing
- Limestone aggregates tend to polish in
many cases

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 4. Skid resistance
- Bleeding occurs on hot days,
when the cement tends to
seep to the surface in mixtures
with few voids
- Specifications usually require
minimum air void content so
that the asphalt cement can be
accommodated in the air void
space as pavement becomes
denser under load
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Property Asphalt Aggregate Air Aggregate
Content Gradation Voids Quality

Strength Low Dense Low Rough faces,

crushed

Flexibility High Open High coarser sizes better

Durability High Dense Low hard, cubical,

resistant to freeze
and thaw, does not
strip
Skid
Resistance Low - High high sand content ,
hard, resistant to
polishing

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The mass-volume relationships for asphalt
The mass-volume relationships for
asphalt (bituminous) concrete are
illustrated in the following figure.

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Mass-Volume Relation for Asphalt Concrete

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M = Total mass (MG + MB)
MG = Mass of aggregate
MB = Mass of asphalt (binder, MBE + MBA)
MBE = Mass of effective asphalt,
(the asphalt binder between particles)

MBA = Mass of absorbed asphalt

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V =Total volume of the compacted mix
VG=Volume of aggregate, (including the aggregate pores)
VBE=Volume of effective asphalt
VBA=Volume of absorbed asphalt
VB=Volume of asphalt (VBE + VBA)
VA=Volume of air between the coated
aggregate particles in the mix
VGE=Effective volume of aggregate (VG – VBA)
VMM=Volume of void less mix (maximum mix
volume)

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The following relationships are usually calculated:

Density () ……………………….. = M/V

Asphalt content (PB)………………PB = MB/M

Effective asphalt content (PBE)…..PBE = MBE/M

Asphalt absorption (PBA)………….PBA = MBA/MG

Air voids (AV)………………………AV = VA/V

Voids in mineral aggregate (VMA)

VMA= VBE + VA

Voids filled with asphalt (VFA)

VFA = VBE/(VBE+VA)
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 Example 1
An asphalt concrete mix contains 2250 kg of aggregate and
150 kg of asphalt binder per m3. Asphalt absorption of the
aggregate is 1.2%. The bulk relative density of the
aggregates is 2.67, and the relative density of the asphalt is
1.05.
Find the density, asphalt content (total, effective, and
absorbed) and the air voids, VMA, and VFA
Given: MG = 2250 kg
MB = 150 kg
PBA = 1.2%
Sp.Gr (agg) = 2.67
Sp.Gr (asphalt) = 1.05

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Example 2

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Asphalt Concrete Mix Design

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 Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete (HMA)
Mix Designs
Objective:
• Develop an economical blend of
aggregates and asphalt that meet
design requirements
Historical mix design methods
• Marshall
• Hveem
New
• Superpave

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 Requirements in Common
 Sufficient asphalt to ensure a durable
pavement
 Sufficient stability under traffic loads
 Sufficient air voids
• Upper limit to prevent excessive
environmental damage
• Lower limit to allow room for initial
densification due to traffic
 Sufficient workability
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MARSHALL MIX DESIGN

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 Mix design involves the following steps:

a. Selection of aggregate proportions to meet the

specification requirements

b. Conducting trial mixes at a range of asphalt contents

and measuring the resulting physical properties of the
samples

c. Analyzing the results to obtain the optimum asphalt

content and to determine if the specifications are met

d. Repeating with additional trial mixes using different

aggregate blends, until a suitable design is found

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 The Marshal Mix Design Method
Method consists of the following major
steps:
a. Aggregates are blended in proportions
that meet the specification
b. Mixing and compacting temperatures for
the asphalt cement being used are obtained
from the temperature-viscosity graph.

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 The Marshal Mix Design Method

c. A number of briquettes, 4 in in
diameter and 2.5 in high, are mixed
using 1200 g of aggregates and
asphalt cement content at various
percentages both above and below
the expected optimum content

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- For surface courses with 12.5 mm (1/2
in) aggregate, the expected optimum
content may be about 6.5%. Therefore,
briquettes would be made at 5.5 %, 6.0
%, 6.5 %, 7.0 %, and 7.5 % asphalt
cement.
d. Density of the briquettes is measured
to allow calculation of the voids
properties.
e. Briquettes are heated at 60oC
(140oF).

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 Stability and flow values are obtained
in a compression test in the Marshall
apparatus to measure strength and
flexibility.
- Stability  maximum load that the
briquettes can carry
- Flow  The compression (measured in
units of hundredths of an inch or mm)
that the sample undergoes between no
load in the compression test
- Results are then plotted on graph
(density, air voids, VMA, VFA) against
asphalt content 75
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Example:
Results of a trial mix have been plotted in the
following figures. The mix is to meet the Asphalt
institute’s requirements for a surface course subjected
to medium traffic, with12.5 mm maximum sized
aggregates.
Solution:
From graphs:
Asphalt content at maximum density=6.2%
Asphalt content at maximum stability=5.8%
Asphalt content at4%air voids (the middle of the 3-5%
allowed)=6.3%

Average asphalt content=6.1%

The mix meets all requirements:

Stability =4000 N (900 lb)
Flow3 mm= (12 units of 0.01 in)
AV =4.3%
VMA=16.0%
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 The End
Read More!

Further reading is recommended

Highway materials, soils, and concretes
By Harold N. Atkins (3rd Edition)

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