PREPARATION AND PLACING OF PREMIX:

In a hot mix plant of a required capacity with the desired quality control, the premix is prepared and the
bitumen may be heated up to 150 to 177 degrees centigrade. By over 14 degrees centigrade from the binder
temperature, the aggregate temperature should not differ.

By the transporters, the hot mixed material is collected from the mixture, and by a mechanical paver at a
temperature of 121 to 163 degrees centigrade, it is carried to the location.

In the strength of the resulting pavement structure, the control of the temperatures during the mixing and
the compaction is of great significance.

ROLLING:
By rolling at a speed not more than 5km per hour, a mix after it is placed on the base course is thoroughly
compacted, and by 8 to 12 tones roller the initial or break down rolling is done.

With a fixed wheel pneumatic roller of 15 to 30 tones having a tire pressure of 7kg per sq.cm the
intermediate rolling is done and with water, the wheels of the roller are kept damp.

The number of passes required depends on the thickness of the layer and in warm weather if the initial
rolling was not adequate rolling on the next day helps to increase the density.

QUALITY CONTROL OF BITUMINOUS CONCRETE

CONSTRUCTION:
To ensure the quality of the resulting pavement mixture and the pavement surface the routine checks are
carried out at site and periodical checks are made for aggregate grading, the grade of bitumen, the
temperature of aggregate, and temperature of paving mix during mixing and compaction.

For these requirements, at least one sample for every 100 tones of the mix discharged by the hot mix plant
is collected and tested. In the laboratory, one test of the field density is conducted to check whether it is at
least 95% of the density obtained for every 100 sq.m of the compacted surface.

FINISHED SURFACE:
By a 3.0 m straight edge, the Asphalt Concrete surface should be checked and the number of undulations
higher than 6.0 mm should not exceed 10 in a length of 300 m and the longitudinal undulations should not
exceed 8.0 mm.

ADVANTAGES OF BITUMEN ROAD:

There are the following advantages of bitumen road as given below;

A SMOOTH RIDE SURFACE:

It provides a smooth surface to ride because it does not make use of any joints and as compared with
concrete pavements, it also gives less sound emission. It maintains the smoothness because the wear and
tear are less in the bitumen road.

GRADUAL FAILURE:
The concrete pavement shows brittle failures and the deformation and the failure is a gradual process in
bitumen road.

QUICK REPAIR:
The repairing of bitumen road is a quick process and they set fast so they don’t consume time in reverting
the path for traffic.

STAGED CONSTRUCTION:
In a situation when problems of fund constraint or traffic estimation problems are faced, this helps in
carrying out staged construction.

LIFE COST IS LESS:

As compared to concrete pavement, the initial cost and overall maintenance cost of bituminous pavement
are less.

TEMPERATURE RESISTANT:
They are not affected by de-icing materials and act resistant against high temperatures from melting.

DISADVANTAGES OF BITUMEN ROAD:

There are also some disadvantages of bitumen road such as;

1. These are less durable and have low tensile strength.

2. The bitumen road will slick and soft in extreme weather and improper weather conditions.
3. To soils, bitumen with impurities can cause pollution.
4. During extreme conditions of temperature, the cost of construction is high.