ASPHALT

1. Q- What is the temperature of water in getting specific gravity of asphalt?

A- 25*C  1'C
2. Q- How will you get the specific gravity of molded specimen if voids are present in the
sample ?
A- Coat the specimen with paraffin by chilling the specimen in a refrigerating unit to a
temperature of approximately 4.5 'C for 30 minutes and then dipping the specimen in
warm paraffin (5.5'C above melting point).
3. Q- What is the rate of application of MC-1 & RC-2 ?
A- 0.65 lit./sq.m to 1.75 lit./ sq.m. for NC-1
0.10 lit./sq.m to 0.20 lit./sq.m. for RC-2.
4. Q- What is the method normally used for preparing asphalt mix design ? Describe the
essential steps and procedures.
A- Marshall method; The essential steps are;
1. Selection of quality of aggregates.
Important properties to be considered are shape, surface texture & wetting
characteristics of aggregate particles.
2. Selection of aggregate gradation.
Important properties are workability of mix, surface texture of pavement & over-
all economy.
3. Selection of type & grade of bituminous binders. Important properties are
workability, climatic conditions, aging considerations & gradation of aggregate.
4. Determination of correct amount of bituminous binders.
Procedures:
1. Preliminary calculation
a) Calculate surface area of aggregates.
b) Calculate percent emulsion.
2. Determine optimum asphalt content by immersion – compression stability test.
a) Prepare trial mix specimen at different emulsified asphalt content
at 1% increments using the specified compaction method.
b) Calculate theoretical maximum density (D) of each specimen from equation,
100
D, g/cc = % agg. % asp.

S.G. (agg.) S.G. (asp)
c) Determine actual density (d) of each compacted specimen and determine
“dry stability” by unconfined compression test.
d) Calculate percent air voids in total mix from equation,
Dd
%V= x 100
D
e) Determine wet stability to evaluate resistance to water action on duplicate
specimens after immersion in water for 4 days. Losing strength is
considered measure of water action.
5. Q- How would you adjust the mix if air void and stability is low ?
A- Either by increase little asphalt content or by increasing the amount of aggregate
particles.
*Air void is kept above 4 to allow film thickness of asphalt to the aggregate particle
which give durable and stable asphalt mix.

1 Asphalt
6. Q- How would you classify cutback asphalt and their respective spraying temperature ?
A- a) Slow curing cutback (S.C) - - - - - - 10'C – 130'C
b) Medium curing ’’ (M.C) - - - - - - 50'C – 80'C
c) Rapid curing ’’ (R.C) - - - - - - 65'C – 95'C
7. Q- What are the tests you should run on a compacted asphalt pavement ?
A- a) Density & Thickness test
b) Riding quality.
8- Q- What is rutting and its causes ?
A- It is the channel-like grooves that occur in the wheel track of a pavement. The main
causes are;
a) Poor compaction
b) Fine-graded mix
c) Excessive asphalt content, Low air voids.
d) High temperature
e) Excessive wheel and traffic loads
f) Natural aggregates
g) Dune sand more than 7.5% of fine aggregates
h) Low softening point.
9. Q- On the mixing plant, How can you say the hot mix is okey or not okey ?
A- a) Required temp. should be uniform
b) Mix should be free from excessive fines
c) Mix should be free from free asphalt
d) Larger aggregates should not be uncoated
e) Appearance should be uniform
f) Should not be burned
g) Should not be too brown or gray
h) Should not be too fat
i) Should not steam in truck.
10. Q- When do you put the flow meter to determine the flow of an asphalt mix ?
A- Before marshall testing start.
11. Q- How many blows will you apply on each face of asphalt specimen ?
A- *75 blows for heavy loads (Use by M.O.C. in all type of traffic.
50 blows for medium loads
35 blows for light loads.
12. Q- What are the requirements for bituminous coarses in respect of the following;
a) Voids in mineral aggregates
b) Percent air voids
c) Marshall stability
d) Hveem stability
e) Marshall flow
A- Limits
Wearing course Base course
a) V.M.A. 15 13
b) Percent air voids 4–7 5–8
c) Marshall stability (min.) 1000 1000
d) Hveem stability (min.) 40 40
e) Marshall flow (mm) 2 – 3.5 2 – 3.5

2 Asphalt
13. Q- What is the Marshall mixing and compacting temp. of hot mix?
A- Mixing temp. 160'C – 5'C
Compacting temp. 145'C – 5'C.
14. Q- Where will you get asphalt sample during production and paving operation ?
A- During production, samples should be taken from that him, One sample consisting of
four soil samples taken in a small sample units to form a composite sample.
During paving, samples should be taken behind the paver, sample units taken from
different locations constituting of minimum of four sub-samples to make one composite
asphalt samples for grading, Marshall and extraction.
* M.O.C. circular 513, section 1.4.3.
15. Q- What is MC-1 and RC-2 ?
A- MC-1 or Medium curing cutback is a liquid bituminous material having kerosene as a
solvent. Its purpose is to stabilized and waterproof the absorbent surface and to promote
adhesion to the bituminous course to follow.
RC-2 or Rapid curing cutback is a liquid bituminous material having gasoline or
naphtha as a solvent. Its purpose is to provide bond with a super imposed course.
16. Q- What is raveling and its causes ?
A- It is a progressive loosening or separation of aggregate particles in a pavement surface
coarse from the surface downward or from the edge inward.
The causes are;
a) Lack of compaction
b) Construction in thin lift during cold weather
c) Dirty or disintegrated aggregates
d) Too little asphalt in the mix
e) Overheating of asphalt mix
f) Mix is very close to coarse
g) Action of water
h) Sensitive aggregate refuse coating due to special charge (anti-stripping materials
must be used)

17. Q- What is softening point and its use ?

A- It is an indicative measurement of temperature at which the harden asphalt reach an
arbitrary degree of softening.
This is useful in the classification of certain asphalts (bitumens) and tars.
18. Q- What is stripping test and its purpose ?
A- It is a test to estimate the coated area as above 95% or below 95% by static-immersion
in water.
Its purpose is to determine the retention of a bituminous film on an aggregate
surface in the presence of water.
19. Q- What is the reason for some spots appear after every 20 meter behind the paver ?

3 Asphalt
 A- a) Dirty lumps of old asphalt from the paver
b) Temperature of the mix is low
c) Auger is not distributing the mix properly
d) Paver operator is folding the hopper sides after each load
e) Screed is tilted or uneven
f) Screed is not vibrating properly
g) Screed is not heated properly
h) Stopping of continuity.
20. Q- What is the maximum aggregate size for B.B.C. & B.W.C. ?
A- 1½ inch, ¾ inch.

21. Q- What is the rang eof temperature for bituminous mixture delivered to the paver at site ?
A- 140'C – 150'C.
22. Q- What is the pressure at the nozzles of the bitumen distributor is equal to ?
A- 2.00 – 3.50 kg/sq.m.
23. Q- What is the maximum variation allowed for asphalt content ?
A-  0.30%.
24. Q- What is the minimum capacity of power unit and pump distribution system of a bitumen
distributor ?
A- 950 liters/minute.
25. Q- What is the minimum capacity of asphalt distributor ?
A- 4,000 liters.
26. Q- What is the max. loss of Marshall stability allowed for asphalt?
A- 25%
27. Q- What is the min. temp. required for applying prime coat ?
A- 15'C
28. Q- What is the max. plasticity index for combined mineral aggregated of B.B.C. and
B.W.C. ?
A- B.B.C. = 6 & B.W.C. = 4
29. Q- How do mineral filler improve properties of mix ?
A- When voids is high but stability is satisfactory in the mix, it leads to higher permeability
resulting in premature hardening of the asphalt. To reduced voids, filler is increased
which improves the properties of the mix.
30. Q- What will happen if we over-used the filler ?
A- Over-used of filler may bring the voids low in the mix, consequently instability or
flushing after the pavement is exposed to traffic.
31. Q- During paving operation if there is much fine particles, what will happen ?
A- Excessive fines can cause a mix to have a lean, brown, dull appearance like a mix too
little asphalt.
32. Q- If soundness is higher, stability is equal to 1000 kg. Exactly, would you let the
contractor to proceed ?
A- A higher soundness not allowed but it does not help in the longer stability and
durability of the pavement in general. So, it is better to adjust the mix to achieved
higher stability than just to trust on soundness of aggregate alone. The contractor should
be instructed accordingly.
33. Q- What factors affecting the compaction of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Mix properties:

4 Asphalt
 1. Aggregate, If maximum aggregate size or percentage of coarse agg. in the
mix increases, the workability decreases and greater compactive
effort is required to achieve the target density. Natural sand often
turns the mixes tender which are easily over-stressed by heavy
rollers and too much rolling. Combination of filler and asphalt
produces necessary cohesion when the mix cools. But too many
fines will make the mix “gummy” and very difficult to compact.

2. Asphalt, Proper compaction can be achieved only when asphalt is still

fluid enough. Consequently, compaction of the mix is extremely
difficult once the mix has cooled to 85'C. Grade of asphalt is
also important. Higher viscosity asphalt in the mix requires
higher compaction, temperature and/or greater compactive
effort. If quantity of asphalt in mix increases, film thickness of
asphalt on aggregate also increases, which make the mix
workable and easy in compaction and vice versa.
3. Mix temp., Up to a certain point, the hotter the mix, the more fluid the
asphalt and less resistant to compaction and vice versa if it cools.
b) Environmental conditions:
Ambient temperature, humidity, wind and the temp. of the surface under the mix also
affects the compaction.
c) Layer (lift) thickness:
Generally, it is easier to achieved target density in thicker layers of asphalt concrete
than in thinner ones, because of the difference in rate of cooling.
34. Q- What produces a workable mix and non-workable mix ? Do you have to adjust bitumen
content or agg. ?
A- Basic causes of workability are;
1. Larger maximum sizes of particle
2. Excessive coarse aggregate
3. Too low a mix temperature
4. Too much medium-sized sand
5. Low mineral filler content
6. High mineral filler content
So, instead of adjusting bitumen content, the aggregate should be adjusted.
35. Q- What do you check, when you go to the mixing plant ?
A- a) Inspection of truck beds
b) Mixing of aggregate is enough-mixing time
c) Weighing of ingredients i.e., aggregate, filler & bitumen
d) Temperature of the mixture is uniform
e) Appearance of mix
f) Rate of mixing should coordinate with paving requirements.
36. Q- During production of aggregate what do you look for the stockpiled materials ?
A- a) Do aggregate meet quality specifications
b) Are proper sizes being produced
c) Satisfactory storage
d) Separation of stockpiles
e) No segregation allowed
f) Mineral filler kept dry
g) No deleterious materials to acceptable limits

5 Asphalt
37. Q- As asphalt inspector, what important properties you are looking for and what is your
target on site ?
A- a) Asphalt content should check job-mix formula
b) Aggregate gradation should check job-mix formula
c) Required temperature should be uniform
d) Mix should be free from excessive fines
e) " " " " " free asphalt
f) " " not be burned
g) " " not be too brown or gray
h) " " not be too fat
i) " " not steam in truck
j) " " smoke on discharge from hopper
k) Larger agg should not be uncoated, etc.
38. Q- What do you watch during pavement ?
A- a) Temperature of the paving mixtures
b) Appearance of the paving mixtures
c) Alignment and thickness of the pavement
d) Rolling at correct time and temperature
e) Sufficient rolling
f) Surface irregularities and its repairs
g) Quantity paved during the day
h) Stations/Locations paved in each shift
i) Coordination with the mixing plant to maintain the rate of mixing and rate of paving
j) Weather conditions of the day, etc.
39. Q- What is Marshall stability tests ?
A- It is the method that covers the measurement of the resistance to plastic flow of
cylindrical specimens of bituminous paving mixtures loaded on the lateral surface by
means of Marshall apparatus. The method outlines are as follows;
a) Bulk specific gravity determination
b) Stability and flow test
c) Density and voids analysis
d) Loss of stability
40. Q- What is the rate of loading of test machine in the Marshall stability test ?
A- 2 inches (51 mm) per minute
41. Q- What are the test involved for liquid asphalt ?
A- a) Penetration
b) Viscosity
c) Flashpoint
d) Thin-film oven test
e) Rolling thin-film oven test
f) Ductility
g) Solubility
h) Specific gravity, etc.
42. Q- If asphalt sample in laboratory is cooled then reheated for 2 or 3 times (for a breakdown
in equipment), what will heating do to the sample ?
A- Re-heating of asphalt sample in laboratory is not permissible because by this process
the asphalt looses its viscous properties which will not yield the stability, voids in the
mix, and flow etc., and aside re-heated samples will no longer be a representative of the
in-situ pavement.

6 Asphalt
43. Q- Why not to use high penetration asphalt say 100 – 120, Do air voids affected ?
A- Harder asphalt cements are recommended for heavy duty pavements and for hot
weather construction. Generally asphalt of penetration grade 60 – 70 is used in medium
to heavy types of pavements. Higher penetration grade like 100 – 120 will not produce
a thick film of coating around the particles. This will turn the mix instable, indurable
and low in voids. This will filled the air voids more comparatively, making the mix
more brittle and easily disintegrated when exposed to traffic.

44. Q- If stability is low say 400 which is less than the specification, what is the problem ?
A- Stability of asphalt pavement is its ability to resist shoving and rutting under loads
(traffic). Stability depends on internal friction and cohesion. Inter-practical friction is
related to shape and surface texture of the aggregate.
Following are the possible causes and their effects for the instability of pavement:
Causes Effects
1. Excessive asphalt in mix. Wash hoarding, rutting and flushing or
bleeding.
2. Excessive medium size sand in mixture. Tenderness during rolling and for period
after construction, difficult in compaction.
3. Rounded aggregate, little or no crushed Rutting and channeling.
surfaces.
45. Q- What is the maximum variation in specific gravity of marshall mold ?
A-  0.02.
46. Q- What are the type of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Dense graded type : Aggregate is well-graded from coarse to fine, and
contains an appreciable amount of material passing
#200 sieve.
b) Open graded type : Have a poor grading or it may differ from the dense
graded only in the amount of material passing #200
sieve.
47. Q- How to improve filler ?
A- By adding certain amount of :
a) Portland Cement
b) Crusher powder
c) Caolina clay
d) Earth fillers
e) Asbestos powder
f) Limestone powder.

7 Asphalt
48. Q- How to determine the mixing time of asphalt ?
A- Pugmill dead capacity in kilos
Mixing time in second =
Pugmill output in kilos / second
49. Q- How to determine the maximum theoretical specific gravity without using rice method ?
A- By equation:
W
Gmm =
Vsb  Vb  Vab
Where:
W- Weight of compacted mix (grans)
Vsb – Vol. Of agg. (by bulk sp. gr., g/cc)
Vb – Volume of bitumen, cc.
Vab – Volume of absorbed bitumen, cc.
50. Q- What is the formula in determining Percent Index of Retained Strength ?
A- Wet stability
% (IRS) = x 100 (loss of stability)
Dry stability
% IRS - - - - - - 70% minimum.
51. Q- What is the Job-mix formula ?
A- a) Definite grading of aggregate
b) Definite percentage of asphalt
c) Delivery temperature
52. Q- What do you mean by effective asphalt content ?
A- It is the asphalt content that serve as a binder.
53. Q- What do you mean by Voids of Mineral Aggregate (VNA) ?
A- It is an intergranular space between the mineral aggregate particles.
54. Q- Did asphalt affect by acids, alkalis, and salts ?
A- No
55. Q- Why was that material called a thermoplastic material ?
A- Because it softens as it is heated and hardens as it is cooled.
56. Q- Tell us about the difference of the following materials;
a) Cutting back asphalt
b) Cutback asphalt
c) Emulsified asphalt
d) Emulsion breaks or sets
e) Liquid asphalt
A- a) Dissolving the asphalt in selected petroleum solvents.
b) The diluted asphalt.
c) By emulsifying the asphalt with water.
d) When the asphalt and water separate.
e) Combination of cutback asphalt and emulsified asphalt.
57. Q- What is the percentage of aggregate in asphalt mix ?
A- Normally from 90% to 95%.
58. Q- How to classify crude oil ?

8 Asphalt
 A- 1. Asphaltic base crude
2. Paraffin base crude
3. Mixed base crude
59. Q- What is the desired properties of asphalt cement ?
A- 1. Consistency: Is the term used to describe the degree of plasticity of asphalt
at any particular temperature specified and measured by
penetration test or a viscosity test.
2. Purity: Refined asphalts are almost pure bitumen and are usually more
than 99.5% soluble in carbon disulfide (Solubility test).
3. Safety: Asphalt not foam at temperature up to 175'C and flash point of
asphalt should be known.
60. Q- Why you added filler to mix ?
A- a) To improve resistance to weathering.
b) To improve strength.
c) To increase stability.
d) To close the space between coarse and fine aggregate, etc.
61. Q- What are the test for asphalt and its definition ?
A- 1) Penetration - Measures the distance that a standard needle will penetrate a
sample at a specified temperature and at a given time.
Standard Needle - - - 100 grams
Specified temp. - - - 25'C
Time - - - - - - - - - - - 5 seconds
2) Viscosity:
a) Saybolt Furol - Number of seconds required for 60 cc of liquid
asphalt to flow thru an orifice of standard size (0.124
cm) at a specified temperature.
NC 30 - - - - - 25'C
70 - - - - - 50'C
250 - - - - - 60'C
E.A - - - - - - 25'C
Viscosity - - - 60 seconds
b) Kinematic – Time measured for a fixed volume of the liquid to flow
through a calibrated capillary glass viscometer under
accurately reproducible head at a controlled temperature
(60'C).
Approx. time (Sec.) x Viscometer
Kinematic = Calibration.
3) Ductility - Ability of the asphalt to stretch before breaking. Distance
(cm.) that a standard briquette of asphalt cement will
stretch before breaking.
4) Flash point - Indicates the temperature at which the asphalt can be
heated without the danger of spontaneous flask in the
presence of an open flame.
5) Loss on Heating - Determine the loss of volatile oils and change in
penetration cause by excessive heating.
6) Distillation Determine the amount of diluents that distills off at
(E.A & Cutback) - specified temperature denoting its evaporation
characteristics. It also determine the proportion of
asphalt present in the mixture.
7) Specific Gravity - See definition of terms.
8) Spot test - Dissolving the sample to xyleneheptane, If result is;
Negative ( - ), asphalt is okey
Positive ( + ), asphalt is not okey (burned)

9 Asphalt
 9) solubility - Determine the bitumen content of the asphalt.
Bitumen Content - - - - 99%
Solvent used - - - - Trichlorothylene
10) Cement Mixing (E.A) - By mixing 100 cc of E.A. with 50 gram
Portland cement. (passing #14) sieve.
11) Sieve Test (E.A) - Determine the amount of asphalt that is present in
emulsion in relatively large globule.
*Passing #20 sieve – the amount retained is the
large globule which is 0.1%
12) Storage Stability - To detect the tendency of asphalt globule to settle
during storage.
13) Softening Point - Indicates the temperature at which the harden
asphalt reach an arbitrary degree of softening.
62. Q- What are the grades of asphalt cement ?
A- a) 40 – 50 penetration grade
b) 60 – 70 " "
c) 85 - 100 " "
d) 120 - 150 " "
e) 200 – 300 " "
63. Q- How to determine the grade of asphalt ?
A- a) By Penetration Test : Old Method
b) By Viscosity Test : Modern Method 0 temp. of 60'C to 135'C.
64. Q- What are the uses of blown asphalt ?
A- 1. Application for roofing
2. Pipe coating
3. Fill cavities of concrete pavement
4. Use as water proofing membrane, etc.
* Very rare to use in asphalt aggregate mixtures.
65 Q- What do you understand about artificial aggregate ?
A- Blast-furnace slag is the most commonly used artificial aggregate, have unusual
resistance to wear and use in bridge deck & roof deck.
66. Q- What is the suitability of aggregate for use in asphalt construction ?
1. Size and Grading
a) Dense-graded
b) open-graded
c) One size
d) Coarse graded
e) Fine graded
f) Gap graded
2. Cleanliness
3. Toughness
4. Soundness
5. Particle shape – Affect workability & strength.
6. Surface texture
7. Absorption - A certain degree of porosity is desirable as it permits
aggregate to absorb asphalt which then forms a mechanical
linkage between the asphalt film and the stone particle.
8. Affinity for asphalt:

10 Asphalt
 Stripping - Separation of the asphalt film from the aggregate through the action
of water, such material is referred to as (Water Loving) such as
siliceous aggregates (quartzite & some granites).
Aggregates that exhibit a high degree of resistance to film stripping
in the presence of water are usually most suitable in asphalt paving
- mixes, such material is referred to as (water hating) such as
limestone, and dolomite usually high resistance to asphalt film
stripping.
67. Q- What is the desired properties of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Stability - Resistance to displacement and shearing stress caused by
stationary and moving loads.
b) Durability - Resistance to disintegration due to the effects of traffic, water,
and temperature change.
c) Flexibility - Ability of the pavement to adjust to the settlement of the base
without cracking.
d) Skid Resistance - The frictional resistance between the surface of the
pavement and the vehicle tire to resist motion.
e) Workability - Is the ease by which the material can be placed to its
desired form and compacted to required density.
f) Fatigue Resistance - Resistance to wear and aging.
g) Impermeability - Resistance to the penetration of water.

11 Asphalt