COTM 4192:

HIGHWAY
ENGINEERING II
Chair of infrastructure Design and construction
1
2-2: BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT MATERIALS
 Objective: After completing  Lecture organization
this lesson the student is  Basic definitions
expected to understand  Types of Bituminous binders
1) The different definitions  Asphalt Cement
in Bituminous materials  Source
2) The different types of  Refining process
bituminous binders, their
 Physical Tests and
source, production and
procedures
classifications
 Grading of Asphalt cement
3) the basic Physical
properties, tests and  Emulsion
grading systems  Cut backs
4) the main uses of the
different types of
bituminous materials
and their specification
requirements
2
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
I. Basic definitions
In order to understand the contents and avoid
confusions on different literatures let us first define
basic terms.
No. Terms America’s literatures British literatures
1 Asphalt Is a dark brown to black Is a natural or mechanical
cementitious material , in which mixture of bitumen with
bitumen is a predominant solid mineral mater or
constituent, which occur
Aggregate
naturally or obtained from
petroleum refining
2 Bitumen Is a class of black or dark Is a dark brown to black
brown color cementitious viscous cementitious
substance, natural or material obtained
naturally or produced
manufactured, composed of
from petroleum refining
high molecular weight process. 3
hydrocarbons. Eg. Asphalt,
Tar, pitch, asphaltenes, e.t.c
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PAVEMENT MATERIALS
No. Terms America’s literatures British literatures
3 Asphalt A fluxed or unfluxed asphalt Is a binding material
cement specially prepared with having cementing
quality and consistency for qualities suitable for
construction of pavement construction of Asphalt
pavement
4 Asphalt Is a mixture of Asphalt binder
concrete with Aggregate for the
construction of pavement

As per the above definition both Asphalt and Bitumen refers to the same
material in America and Britain respectively.

However, for our case we will use asphalt and bitumen interchangeably to
refer to the basic constituent of the HMA. 4
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MATERIALS

II. Bitumen/Asphalt Vs Tar

The above two terms bitumen and Tar are always

confusing. However, there are basic differences in
source, physical as well as chemical properties.

Bitumen: is a black to dark brown cementing

material obtained naturally or from refining
petroleum.

currently, it is in use almost all part of the world

exclusively.
5
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Tar : is a dark cementing material produced by

destructive distillation of bituminous coal.

it has a distinctive odor and currently it hardly

in use due to;

 its some undesirable physical characteristics such

as, very high temperature susceptibility

 Its significant health hazard, such as; eye and skin

irritation due to fume
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 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS
Comparison of Bitumen and Tar

Criteria Bitumen Tar

Color Dark brown to black Dark color
Source Naturally or petroleum Destructive distillation
refining of Bituminous coal
Odor Have distinctive odor
Undesirable High temp.
physical susceptibility and
Characteristics health hazard
Application Currently in use Outdated
Solubility Soluble in petroleum Resistant to petroleum
products products
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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

III. Types of Bituminous binding materials in

pavement construction
the main types of bituminous binding materials used in
pavement construction include
1. Asphalt cement (penetration grade Asphalt)
2. Emulsion
3. Cut backs
4. Tar

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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS
Bituminous Materials

Natural Bitumen Refinery Bitumen

Penetration grade Liquid bitumen

Lake Rock asphalt
bitumen
asphalt

Cutbacks Emulsions

Slow curing Medium curing Rapid curing Anionic Cationic

9
cutback cutback cutback emulsion emulsion
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
A. Asphalt cement /Bitumen
i. Historical background
 Asphalt cement is one of the man’s oldest engineering
materials due to its adhesive and water proofing properties.

 It was used in ship building industry by Sumerian in

6000 BC.

 In Indus valley ancient civilization it was used in large

public bath construction before 3000B.C

 In 2600 B.C it was used in mummification and building

construction by Egyptians

 In general, it was used as mortar in building and paving

blocks, caulking of ships and numerous water proofing
applications

 Currently it is used as main flexible pavement materials

since 1878 when it is first used in Asphalt pavement 10
construction in Pennsylvania , WD.
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
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ii. Source of Asphalt cement

As said above the two main sources of asphalt are

a. Natural Asphalt
b. Petroleum Asphalt

a. Natural Asphalt
 Naturally exists in two forms
1. As relatively soft Asphalt material [Trinidad,
Bermudez , e.t.c]
2. As hard, friable, black material in the vein of rocks or
impregnated in various stones; lime stone and sand
stone. [western Canada, e.t.c]

Some of the predominant sources of natural asphalt include; 11

Trinidad asphalt lake, Bermudez , Venezuela, e.t.c
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS PAVEMENT MATERIALS

12

Trinidad Lake Asphalt

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 Trinidad asphalt lake was the earliest source of

Asphalt pavement construction in 1878.

 The lake had supplied more than 90% of the

world wide consumption from 1875 to 1900.

 The estimated capacity it has is about 8,000,000

tones of Asphalt.

 N:B; only in 1990 USA and Europe had used

40,000,000 tones of Asphalt. 13
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
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b. Petroleum Asphalt
 Obtained from fractional distillation of petroleum

 Became dominant after invention of refining of

petroleum and popularity of Automobiles.

 Currently, available in quantity and quality for any

construction

c. Petroleum refining process

 Crude oil/Petroleum : is a mixture of heavy
molecular hydrocarbons found naturally buried under
the crust of earth
 It is found through out the world; however, the main
sources include, Mexico, Venezuela, middle east, USA,
the former USSR, northern and western Africa, e.t.c 14
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
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 Different sources have different contents of crude

oil due to the difference in geological formation

 Accordingly, crude oils from different sources

have different Asphalt content

 One of the index used to measure the content

asphalt is American Petroleum Institute [API]
gravity .
141.5
_ 131.5
 API gravity = Specific 15
gravity
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 API is an arbitrary expression of density of

materials expressed at 60oc. Some typical values
include

Substance Typical API Values

Water 10
Asphalt 5-10
Gasoline 55
Low API gravity crude oil < 25 [yields high %
Asphalt]
High API gravity crude oil > 25 [yields low %
Asphalt ]
16
 Boscan Arabian Nigerian
Venezuela Heavy Light

API Degree 10.1 28.2 38.1

Sp. Gravity 0.999 0.886 0.834

% sulfur 6.4 2.8 0.2 17

 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
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 Basic refining process
 Crude oil is heated in large furnace to
Atmospheric

above 340oC and partially vaporized. The

process

vapor is fed in to distillation tower where

lighter components drawn off for further
processing.

The residue of the above process [asphalt]

Vacuum


process

is fed in to vacuum distillation unit where

heavier gas oils are drawn off

 The residue of the above process

considered as a straight run Asphalt or can
be further processes 18
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
 Straight run bitumen is the bitumen that is
produced by petroleum refining whose viscosity has
not been adjusted by blending with other materials or
by softening it with cut back or other solvents or any
other methods.
 Blown material is a straight run bitumen but which
is further treated by blowing air through it when the
bitumen is in hot condition. The bitumen which
results out of this process is called as blown bitumen.

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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
 Refining of petroleum crude is usually done by
fractional distillation.
 Petroleum crude consists of various components
having different boiling points.
 As a result these constituents are separated by
fractional distillation process. Since bitumen is the
one having the highest boiling point among these
fractions it is a residue that is going to be available
after the distillation process is completed.

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PETROLEUM REFINING PROCESS

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 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 Physical Tests of Asphalt cement

 The main physical tests in Asphalt can be categorized
as follow
Asphalt Physical tests
Consistency Durability Purity Safety tests Other
test tests tests tests
1 Viscosity test Thin film Oven Solubility Flash point Specific
[absolute & test [TFO] test [Cleveland gravity
Kinematic] open cup test]
2 Penetration Spot test
3 Softening Rolling Thin
Point [Ring film oven test
and Ball test] [RTFO] 22
4 Ductility test
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 N:B. as part of the Superpave [superior performing

Asphalt pavement] there are new performance
evaluating tests. Such as
i. Pressure aging vessel test – [PAV]
ii. Rotational Viscometer – [RV]
iii. Dynamic shear rehometer – [DSR]
iv. Bending beam rehometer –[BBR]
v. Direct tension tester – [DTT]

 However, this discussion will only focus on the

conventional tests only.

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 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS
I. Consistency test
Consistency refers to the degree of fluidity of
Asphalt cement at any particular temperature

since asphalt is both Thermoplastic and

viscoelastic material, its consistency depends
on Time, temperature and loading.

24
Temp. 25 oC Temp. 25 oC Temp. 60 oC
Time : 1 hrs Time : 4 hrs Time : 1 hrs
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 As shown earlier, the following empirical [except

viscosity] tests are used for measuring consistency
1. Viscosity test [ Absolute and kinematic ]
2. Penetration
3. Softening point
4. Ductility
 Before discussing each test let us look the
representative testing temperatures
Temperature Condition represented
25 oC Average Pavement temperature
60 oC Maximum pavement temperature
135 oC Mixing, pumping, spraying ,e.t.c temp. 25
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
 Viscosity
 tells us about its fundamental and rheological
behavior. Rheology is the study of flow and
deformation of materials. Viscosity gives us an idea
about the rheology of bitumen.
 Viscosity is the resistance offered by a fluid to a
shearing force which is opposite of fluidity.
 It is necessary to learn about the flow and
deformation of bitumen binders at different
temperatures corresponding to construction and also
service temperatures.

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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Viscosity at high handling temperatures that is at

135 degree centigrade and 150 degree centigrade
and
 at high service temperatures typically at 60 degree
centigrade is of interest for us.

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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

1. Absolute viscosity test @ 60oC

Viscosity is defined as a resistance to flow of
fluid
 two types of viscometers are used
1. Cannon –manning
2. Asphalt Institute Vacuum viscometer

28
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 The test method and procedure is described on ASTM

D2171
 Procedures :
i. The viscometer is mounted in thermostatically controlled constant
water or oil bath at 60oC.
ii. Asphalt will be charged it to the viscometer & apply partial vacuum
to assist movement
iii. Record the time the asphalt take to pass between the time marks
iv. Calculate the viscosity as :
i. V2 = T2 [V1/T1] Where, V2 =viscosity of the unknown material
V1 = viscosity of standard material
T2 = time of unknown material
T1 = Time of standard material

But [V1/T1] =calibration constant and provided by

manufacturers 29
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
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2. Kinematic viscosity @ 135oC

 Test method and procedure is ASTM
D2170
 Zeitfuchs cross arm viscometer
 Since at 135oc , asphalt is fluid no need
of vacuum
 kinematic viscosity can be defined
Absolute viscosity divided by the
density of the fluid.
Absolute Kinematic Specific
Viscosity = viscosity x gravity 30
(poise) (stokes)
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 Example : An asphalt Cement has a kinematic

viscosity of 800 centistokes. Its specific gravity is
1.03. what is the Absolute viscosity of the
asphalt.

 N:B:
 1 stock = 100 centistokes

 The unit of absolute viscosity is poise and kinematic

viscosity stocks.

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 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
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3. Penetration Test
 It is the first empirical consistency test invented by,
H.C. Bowen of the Barber Asphalt Paving Company
in 1888.
 Conducted at 25 oC to simulate
the average service pavement
temperature
 The test methods and procedure
is described on ASTM D-5

32
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34
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING
PAVEMENT MATERIALS

 Test procedure:
1. A container of asphalt brought to a standard temp.
of 25 oC in thermostatically controlled bath
2. The sample is placed under a needle of specified
dimension
3. The needle is loaded with 100gm weight and
allowed to penetrate for 5 sec .
4. The depth of penetration is measured on 0.1mm
[dmm] as penetration

 N:B: for highly viscous asphalt the penetration

is small and vise versa. 35
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

4. Softening point test [Ring & Ball test]

 Test method and procedure is ASTM D-36
 It is the temperature at which an asphalt cement
began phase change
Procedure :
i. Fill asphalt in the brass rings
and suspend in backer filled
with water
ii. Place the steel balls on the
asphalt
iii. Heat the bath at a rate of
5oC/min
iv. Record the temperature at
which the asphalt touch the
bottom arrangement
v. Average the results of the 2 36
samples
37
 the ball starts moving down as the bitumen
becomes softer and once the ball moves by a
distance of about 25mm the temperature attained
at that point is the softening point of bitumen.

38
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Softening point is the temperature at which the

binder attains a specified consistency.
 Application of Softening point test:
1. It helps to understand the visco-elastic properties of
Asphalt
2. Help to predict the high temperature shear resistance of
asphalt & HMA
3. It helps to determine the asphalt mixing temperature of
HMA

Mixing Temperature (oC) = 110 oC + softening point (oC)

39
5. Ductility Test
 it is an empirical test that measures the
resistance of asphalt for cracking failure
 gives a measure of the tensile properties of the
bitumen.
 It is the distance in cm that a standard briquette
of asphalt will stretch before breaking

40
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42
43
44
45
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS
II. Durability tests .
 Durability is a measure of how well an asphalt binder
retains its original properties when subjected to normal
weathering and aging process.
 Aging [hardening of asphalt] is the main problem in
the Asphalt pavement performance.
 When asphalt cement Ages, its viscosity increases
and become more stiff and brittle.

 The main causes of asphalt aging are:

1) Oxidation : is the reaction of oxygen with asphalt
film
it increase with temperature and occurs during
HMA production
it is the main cause of short term aging 46
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Bituminous binders basically undergo aging due

to the loss of volatile matter and oxidation.
 We know that there is certain quantity or certain
amount of volatile matter present in bituminous
binders with time and in certain conditions the
volatile material is going to be lost. So that is one
change that is going to happen to the bitumen
with time.

47
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

2) Volatilization. The evaporation of the lighter

constituents of asphalt binder.
It is primarily a function of temperature and occurs
principally during HMA production.

3) Polymerization. The combining of like molecules to form

larger molecules. These larger molecules are thought to
cause a progressive hardening.

4) Thixotropy: I t is a reversible rearrangement of Asphalt

molecules to cause the asphalt become harder

heating and agitation will reverse this hardening

48
pavement with little or no traffic fail due to thixotrophic
hardening
2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

5) Syneresis. The separation of less viscous liquids from the

more viscous asphalt binder molecular network

6) Separation. The removal of the oily constituents, resins

or asphaltenes from the asphalt binder by selective
absorption of some porous aggregates.
 In addition, aging of asphalt classified in to two:

1) Short term aging: which occur during HMA production

2) Long term Aging: which occur during the life of HMA

pavement due to Environmental factors,

49
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Hence, measuring of durability relates with

measuring of Aging.

 However, there is no direct test to measure

aging. Rather, standard tests conducted on the
aged sample which simulate the actual
condition.

 In order to simulate the short tem Aging, there

are two tests in the conventional test; these are
1. Thin Film Oven Test [TFO]

50
2. Rolling Thin Film Oven Test [RTFO]
 Thin Film Oven Test
 Test method ASTM D-1754
 Helps to simulate the aging during production of
HMA
Procedure:
1. Place 50 gm sample on pan

2. Place the sample in rotating

shelf of aging machine at 163
oC

3. The shelf rotate at 5-6 RPM

for 5 hrs

4. Conduct penetration or
viscosity test on the aged
sample
5. Determine the residue 51
penetration and weight loss
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Rolling Thin Film oven Test

 The test method is ASTM D 2876
 The same function as TFO test but it gives faster

result
 The arrangements are

52
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

III. Purity Test

 Purity test refers to the presence or absence of
insoluble materials in the Asphalt cement

 In principle, pure asphalt is soluble entirely in

CS2 or Trichloroethyline

 Test Method used is ASTM D-2042

 Expressed as a percentage of insoluble wrt the

total mass of the asphalt
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2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

IV. Safety Test

During HMA production
asphalt heated at high
temperature

If the asphalt produce fume it

will ignite and cause fire.
Hence, in order to ensure
asphalt cement should meet
safety test requirement

Cleveland open cup test is

the main safety test
54

Test method ASTM D 92

 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Asphalt cement Grading start

 Why we need to grade asphalt????

 Historical development:
 From 1878 to 1900, most of the asphalt used in sheet
asphalt, penetration asphalt and mixed asphalt
pavement were mainly from Trinidad and Bermudez
asphalt lakes.

 The asphalt from these sources were profoundly

different in consistency. In addition, the grew of
petroleum asphalt production demands the assurance
of consistency of asphalt
55
 2-2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Initially, peoples uses Chewing to check the

softness [“consistency”] of asphalt

 In 1888, H.C Bowen of barber Asphalt paving

company, invent the first penetration test and
machine

 In 1910, after several modifications on test

machine; penetration test become principal
means of controlling consistency at 25oC.
 In 1931 American Associations of State Highway
and Transport officials [AASHTO] published
56
standard specifications for penetration grade
Asphalt cement.
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MATERIALS

 In 1960 the FHWA, ASTM, AASHTO, the

industry and state highway departments wants
gradation of asphalt to be done by Viscosity @
60oC
 In 1987, as part of Superpave research
programme a new grading system developed in
America called “performance Grading” system

 Hence, in summary of the above developments

we do have three basic asphalt grading system
1) Penetration Grading
2) Viscosity Grading 57

3) Performance grading
 GRADING METHODS USED IN USA

58

NCAT, 1996
I. Penetration Grading of Asphalt Cement
 It is based on penetration test on original asphalt
@25oC, 100gm weight & 5 sec loading
 Accordingly, there are five grades of asphalt
 40-50 ; 60 -70 ; 85 -100 ; 120 – 150 and 200 – 300

Advantage Disadvantage

1 The test is done at 25° which is The test is empirical and does not
reasonably close to a typical measure any fundamental
pavement average temperature. engineering parameter such as
viscosity
2 provide a better correlation with
low-temperature asphalt binder
properties than the viscosity test
3 Temperature susceptibility can be
determined by conducting the test
at temperatures other than 25° C
4 The test is quick and inexpensive. The test does not provide
59
Therefore, it can easily be used in information at mixing and
the field. compaction temperatures.
 .

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MATERIALS
II. Viscosity Grading of Asphalt Bitumen
 It is based on viscosity test on Original or Aged
asphalt @60oC.
 There are six grades based on original asphalt and
five grades based on aged asphalt in Rolling thin
film oven test.
Standard Grading based on Original Asphalt (AC)
AASHTO
AC-2.5 AC-5 AC-10 AC-20 AC-30 AC-40
M 226

 The viscosity grades indicate the viscosity in

hundreds of poises ± 20% measured at 60oC (140oF).
For example, AC 2.5 has a viscosity of 250 poises ± 50.
61
AC 40 has a viscosity of 4000 poises ± 800.
 Standard Grading based on Aged Residue (AR)
AASHTO
AR-10 AR-20 AR-40 AR-80 AR-160
M 226

NB: The prefix AC and AR refers to the original and aged asphalt respectively

Advantages
1 Unlike penetration test,
viscosity is a fundamental
engineering parameter.
2 Temperature susceptibility
can be somewhat
determined because
viscosity is measured at
three different
temperatures (penetration
only is measured at 25° C
(77° F)).
Disadvantages
The principal grading (done at 25° C may
not accurately reflect low-temperature
asphalt binder rehology.
When using the AC grading system, thin
film oven test residue viscosities can vary
greatly with the same AC
grade. Therefore, although asphalt
binders are of the same AC grade they
may behave differently after 62
construction.
2.2 : BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT MATERIALS

63
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MATERIALS

 Chemical properties of Asphalt Binders

 It is an asphalt binder’s chemical properties that
determine its physical properties as well as the field
performance of HMA.

 The chemical properties can be studied at

1. Molecular level
2. Intermolecular level
 The molecular level chemistry of Asphalt is very
complex and less important for our purpose.
However, the intermolecular structure or chemistry
determines the behaviors of Asphalt.
64
 The main components of Asphalt Cement are

Asphalt Cement

Asphaltenes Maltenes

When we dissolve Asphalt

Cement in non-polar solvent Resins Oils
like pentane, hexane, heptanes
1. The precipitate or the
insoluble is known as
Asphaltenes Asphaltenes:
2. The soluble portions are •are dark brown friable solids
known as Maltenes •Responsible for the hardening of the
Asphalt cement

Maltenes
• are soluble hydrocarbons 65
•Easily converted in to Asphaltenes due to
oxidation or rearrangement
 Liquid Bitumen
 Liquid binders are modified penetration grade bitumen
prepared as liquid products for handling at relatively low
temperatures and mixed with aggregates either when
cold or only warmed sufficiently to make them surface-
dry.
 The two forms of liquid bitumen are:
 Cutback bitumen -- prepared by dissolving the asphalt cement in
a suitable volatile solvent to reduce their viscosity to make them
easier to use at ordinary temperatures,
 Bitumen emulsions --- prepared by emulsifying the asphalt

cement in an aqueous medium

 These types of asphalt are not used in HMA production. However,
they are extensively used in pavement repairs, sub grade
stabilization, bituminous surface treatments (BSTs), slurry seals,
tack coats, Prime coat fog seals, 66
 Asphalt emulsions
 produced by breaking asphalt cement, usually of 100-250
penetration range, into minute particles and dispersing
them in water with an emulsifier.

 These minute particles have like electrical charges and

therefore do not unite. They remain in suspension in the
liquid phase as long as the water does not evaporate or
the emulsifier does not break.

 Asphalt emulsions consist of asphalt, which makes up

about 55 percent to 70 percent by weight, up to 3%
emulsifying agent, water and in some cases may contain a
stabilizer.

67
  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.

 Each of the categories is further divided into three

subgroups, based on how rapidly the asphalt emulsion
will return to the state of the original asphalt cement
as: rapid setting (RS), medium-setting (MS), and slow
setting (SS).

68
 A cationic emulsion is identified by placing the letter
"C" in front of the emulsion type; no letter is placed in
front of anionic and non-ionic emulsions. For example,
CRS-2 denotes a cationic emulsion, and RS-2 denotes
either anionic or non-ionic emulsion.

 The anionic and cationic asphalts generally are used in

highway maintenance and construction.

 Since anionic emulsions contain negative charges, they

are more effective in adhering aggregates containing
electropositive charges such as limestone, whereas
cationic emulsions are more effective with
electronegative aggregates such as those containing a
high percentage of siliceous material.

 Cationic emulsions also work better with wet69

aggregates and in colder weather.
 Bitumen emulsions break when sprayed or mixed
with mineral aggregates in a field construction
process; the water is removed, and the asphalt
remains as a film on the surface of the aggregates.

 In contrast to cutback bitumen, bitumen emulsions

can be applied to a damp surface.

70
 Cutback Bitumen
 During construction, upon curing by evaporation of the solvent,
the cured-out asphalt cement will be in approximately the same
condition as before being taken into solution and bind the
aggregate particles together. The curing period depends on the
volatility of solvents.
 Cutback bitumen are grouped into three types based on the type
of solvent, which governs the rates of evaporation and curing:
 Slow-curing (SC):,
 Medium-curing (MC), and

 Rapid-curing (RC).

 Each type of cutback bitumen is subdivided into several grades

characterized by their viscosity limits. The viscosity is controlled
by the quantity of cutback solvent to make the various grades
from very fluid to almost semi-solid at ambient temperatures.
71
1. Slow-curing (SC):
 Obtained directly as slow-curing straight-run asphalts
through the distillation of crude petroleum or as slow-
curing cutback asphalts by "cutting back" asphalt
cement with a heavy distillate such as diesel oil.

 They have lower viscosities than asphalt cement and are

very slow to harden. Slow-curing asphalts are usually
designated as SC-70, SC-250, SC-800, or SC-3000,
where the numbers are related to the approximate
kinematic viscosity in centistokes at 60oC (140oF).
 They are used with dense-graded aggregates and on
soil-aggregate roads in warm climates to avoid dust.
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 Medium-Curing (MC) Cutbacks:
 produced by fluxing, or cutting back, the residual asphalt
(usually 120-150 penetration) with light fuel oil or kerosene.

 The term medium refers to the medium volatility of the

kerosene-type dilutent used.

 Medium-curing cutback asphalts harden faster than slow-

curing liquid asphalts, although the consistencies of the different
grades are similar to those of the slow-curing asphalts. However,
the MC-30 is a unique grade in this series as it is very fluid and
has no counterpart in the SC and RC series.

 The fluidity of medium-curing asphalts depends on the amount

of solvent in the material. MC-3000, for example, may have only
20 percent of the solvent by volume, whereas MC-70 may have
up to 45 percent.
 73
These medium-curing asphalts can be used for the construction
of pavement bases, surfaces, and surface treatments.
 Rapid-Curing (RC) Cutbacks :
 Produced by blending asphalt cement with a
petroleum distillate that will easily evaporate, thereby
facilitating a quick change from the liquid form at
time of application to the consistency of the original
asphalt cement. Gasoline or naphtha generally is used
as the solvent for this series of asphalts.

 The grade of rapid-curing asphalt required dictates

the amount of solvent to be added to the residual
asphalt cement. For example, RC-3000 requires about
15 percent of distillate, whereas RC-70 requires about
40 percent.

 These grades of asphalt can be used for jobs similar to

those for which the MC series is used, but where there
is a need for immediate cementing action or colder 74
climates.
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 2-2: BITUMINOUS BINDING PAVEMENT
MATERIALS

 Currently, the predominant liquid asphalt used

worldwide is Emulsion Asphalt. This is due to:
1. Emulsions are Environmentally friendly than
cutbacks
2. Cut backs induce lose of high energy content
products to the atmosphere
3. Emulsions have less fire risk unlike the cut backs
4. Emulsions can be used in damp conditions and less
energy required

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ANIONIC EMULSION

78
CATIONIC EMULSION

79
80
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SLURY SEAL APPLICATION

82