YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING SCIENCE

AND

PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

Lecturer:
Mrs. Akerele
Faculty: School of Environmental Studies

Department: Estate Management and Valuation

Class: ND 1

Course: Building Science and Properties Of Materials

Course Code: EST107

Topic: Asphalt and Bitumen

Group: Five

Group Members Matric Number

Ibrahim Noah F/ND/16/3550033

Onyia Emmanuel M. F/ND/16/3550034

Osolo Yusuf Segun F/ND/16/3550035

Okuazun Daniel Idieho F/ND/16/3550036

Seche Favour Oghenecaro F/ND/16/3550037

Shittu Idris Temitayo F/ND/16/3550038

Kobomoje Oluwatobi F/ND/16/3550039

 ASPHALT AND BITUMEN
Asphalt:- This is a general term for certain mixtures of asphaltic cement and mineral matter.
It is impregnated in rocks (chiefly limestone), there are described as natural rock asphalts.
It is also defined as a mixture of bitumen with a substantial proportion of inert mineral matter.
The following re types of asphalt.
Natural Asphalt
Residual Asphalt (Petroleum Asphalt)
Natural Asphalt: occurs as fossils deposit in places like kaes in Trinidad at the depth of 3 to
60m. is certain 40 to 70 percent pure substance bitumen with about 30 percent water content.
Residual asphalt: is obtained from distillation of petroleum oil with asphaltic base.

Bitumen:- This is a mixtures of hydrocarbons or derived compounds. They may take the form
of a gas, liquid or solid, or they may be viscous. It is obtained by refining process from
petroleum, and also found as a natural deposit or as components of naturally occurring asphalt, in
which it is associated with mineral matter.
Bitumens can take the form of a gas, liquid or solid or may be viscous. It is also available in the
following forms
Straight run Bitumen:- is a type of bitumen distilled to a definite viscousity of penetration
which does no require further treatment like heating.
Blown Bitumen:- It has high softening point that if exposed directly to the sunrays for any
length of time, it does not get soft
Penetration Grades:- is the basic form of bitumens and has to be heated before application.
Cutback Bitumen:- it is bitumen combined with other petroleum distillates. This may be
regard as means of applying penetration-grade bitumen at lower temperature.
Bitumen Emulsion:- it is a product in liquid form formed in aqueous medium and
stabilizing agents. This is also another means of obtaining bitumen into a liquid form so that
it can be easily applied at a temperature.
PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT.
Is a composite material consisting of mineral aggregate bonded together by bitumen.
It is usually plastic in character, strongly adhesive and waterproof.
It plasticity is affected by heat by and overheating may cause oxidation and loss of
volatile components resulting in hardness and brittleness.
At temperature, it is very resistant to water, alkalis and sulphates.

PROPERTIES OF BITUMENS.
A black substance which is opaque in appearance
It is described as having a dead smell on heating as opposed to the aromatic smell of
hot tar.
It is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulphide.
It has good bonding and water proofing properties.
It softens with rise in temperature and its liquid viscosity falls as the temperature is
raised.
Chemically it is considered to be mixtures of hydrocarbons which are predominantly
aliphatic in nature.
COMPARISON OF ASPHALT, BITUMENS AND TAR.
The table below shows the comparison of the properties of asphalt, bitumen and tar.
Properties Asphalt Bitumen Tar
Existing State Solid or Semi liquid Usually solid at Solid as a viscous
normal temperature liquid
Colour Blackish Brown Dark Black Deep Black
Effect on Heating Burns with smoke and Becomes Liquid on Becomes less viscous
becomes plastic at heating on heating
250C
Adhesive Power Not much Good Very good
Carbon content Less More Much
Setting Time Not Much Not Much More
Resistance to acid Good Good Less
and water
DERIVATION PROCESS
Bitumen, by definition is soluble in carbon disulphide, CS2, but other organic liquids are used for
testing that are less objectionable and less inflammable, e.g triclorethylene.
Prepared bitumen is a black solid or viscous liquid. Its viscosity is the subject of tests.
Unlike a pure substance, it has no definite melting point: it gradually softens and becomes less
viscous with rise of temperature. Hence a softening point in place of melting point has to be
defined and is subject to measurement.

USES OF ASPHALT IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

Asphalt is used in building for the following work
Roof covering, Flashing, water proofing of roofs
Damp proof courses
Flooring material
Tanking of basement floors (building water carriers in basement)

USES OF BITUMENS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Bituminous materials are used for the following
Paints:- they are used for the manufacture of bituminous paint and other surface treatments.
The industrial blown grade of bitumen is manly used for this purpose.
Roofing:- roofing felts and shingles (covering of roof) are made of fibre or plastic
impregnated with penetration-grade bitumen and coated with blown grade bitumen.
Damp Proofing:- prefabricated mats which are sprayed with blown bitumen are used for
damp proofing. They are also used as small water-retaining bituminous walls at refuse
disposal sites to prevent pollution from spreading
Tanking of Basement: asphalt and bituminous materials are some of the materials used for
preservation of stonework from attack by salts and other substances present in the ground or
in the atmosphere.
Protection of Structures:- it is used as a protection coating (by impregnation) for concrete
elements such as pliers, slabs etc over these coatings, organic binding of 10-15mm thickness
are also applied to prevent he bitumen from eroding off.
Bitumen is also used for road construction, runways, taxiways etc.
DIFFERENT APPLICATION OF ASPHALT AND BITUMEN
Asphalt Roads: cold asphalt is another suitable surface material which is used extensively for
patching and carpet coats.
Asphalt Roof: Mastic asphalts is highly suitable for covering concrete roof slabs, but because
of its high co efficient of thermal expansion, where the roof is likely to be subjected to more
than maintenance traffic, it is best finished with solar reflective, asbestos, cement or concrete
tiles where sheathing felts and asphalts are required.
Asphalts floors: mastic asphalt floors are natural rock asphalt or limestone. It provides
a joint fewer floors which is dustless and impervious to moisture e.g.an isolating layer of
black sheathing felt to B.S 747 should be provided for thinner floors.
Also pitch mastic asphalt is suitable for a wide range situation. The thickness normally varies
between 19 and 25 mm. it is reasonably, resistance to moisture and fairly low priced.
Bituminous surfacing: has a longer live, can be laid through a large range of temperature and
is less subjected to deformation in hot weather. Hot laid course for minor roads
Bituminous macadam or tar macadam foot path: used to improve the quality appearance of
kerbs and pave areas in housing estates and shopping centers and school but the only
demerits is increase maintenance cost appearance.