BITUMINOUS-BOUND
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
Prepared By:
Samyog Khanal (13/077)
M.Sc. 3rd Sem
Engineering Geology
Central Department of Geology
Kritipur Kathmandu, Nepal
Submitted to:
Dr. Naresh Kazi Tamrakar
Associate Professor
Central Department of
Geology
Kritipur Kathmandu, Nepal
 Introduction
1.Bituminous bound construction Materials are composed of aggregates (such as gravel,
crushed rock, or sand) and bitumen, a viscous, black, and highly sticky material derived
from crude oil.

2.Bitumen is the binder that holds the aggregates together in a bituminous bound
mixture. It acts as a glue, coating each particle of aggregate and creating a strong and
durable material that can withstand heavy traffic loads and adverse weather conditions.

3.Bituminous bound materials can be used in various applications, including surface

courses (the topmost layer of pavement), base courses (the layer beneath the surface
course), and sub-base courses (the layer beneath the base course). They provide a
smooth and stable driving surface, improve skid resistance, and reduce water infiltration
into the pavement structure.
 Flexible Pavements

• Flexible pavement consists of a surface layer of bitumen-bound aggregate (asphalt

concrete), several lower layers of appropriate quality aggregate, and the subgrade
beneath.

• The layers enable the pavement to “bend”, reducing damage and the need for repairs
over time.

• Flexible pavements or roads are areas of asphalt that “bend” or “deflect” due to traffic
loads, making them less susceptible to damage and requiring fewer repairs over time.

• A flexible pavement structure is composed of several layers of different materials

which together enable the road to accommodate this flexing.
 Functions of a Flexible Pavement

Flexible Pavement Serve three functions

The initial (visible) function of flexible pavements is to provide a

surface that is safe, smooth and durable enough for the traffic
anticipated to be using it, over the design life.

The second key function is to distribute loads from the vehicle tires
onto a wider area underneath so that the subgrade does not deform
under repeated loading.

Lastly, it is important to protect the lower pavement layers and

subgrade from any of the weakening effects of water
 Layers of a Flexible Pavement

Foundation
Pavement Section
Section

Surface Course Subbase layer

Binder course Capping Layer

Base Layer Subgrade

 Upper layer, smooth, durable, abrasion-resistant, retaining adequate
friction ,bitumen bound aggregate – asphalt concrete, waterproof
Distribute the load from the surfacing into the base course, strengthening the
pavement
Primary load-spreading layer,the backbone of the flexible pavement, distribute the traffic-
induced stresses at the bottom of the surfacing layers widely and evenly onto the foundation
section

Higher quality, well-graded aggregate, provides a drainage function established

Secondary aggregates or recycled demolition materials. They may also be lime or

cement stabilized soils

Mostly compacted, natural soil and post-construction strength will be affected by water and
drainage.

Figure: Layer of a Flexible pavement shown in cross section.

Sources for the Layers of the Flexible Pavement

Surface Course: Natural gravel of sedimentary origin.

Binder course: Natural gravel of sedimentary origin.

Base Layer: Natural gravel of mixed rock origin-igneous,

metamorphic, and sedimentary.

Subbase layer: Natural gravel of sedimentary origin with a

smaller amount of igneous and metamorphic rock.

Capping Layer: Natural Gravel of igneous and metamorphic

origin. Semi-round particle of smooth surface texture.

Subgrade: Natural gravel of mixed origin with a majority of

sedimentary rock
Table: Different types of testes for flexible pavements.
 Advantages of Flexible Pavement

•With flexible pavement, the subgrade beneath is less likely to deform than

with rigid pavements.

•Repairs are easy and inexpensive with the flexible pavement.

•The installation process does not require joints and materials are cheaper.

•Its short curation time (typically less than 24 hours) makes for quick
installations, reducing traffic disruption.

•Water is unable to rise up through the lower layers, preventing the pavement
from becoming weakened.
 Permanent Deformation in Flexible Pavements

Ac= Asphalt Concrete

Gran.= Granular Material
SA=Single Axle

Fig: Deformation in flexible Pavement, Uzan, J. (2004). Permanent deformation in flexible pavements. Journal
of transportation engineering, 130(1), 6-13.
 Treatment for Flexible Pavement

Fig: Typical pavement life cycle.

Fig: Conceptual relationship for the timing of

various maintenance and rehabilitation
treatments.

Hicks, R. G., Moulthrop, J. S., & Daleiden, J. (1999).

Selecting a preventive maintenance treatment for flexible
pavements. Transportation research record, 1680(1), 1-12.
 Flexible Pavement and Climate Change

Fig: Pavement and climate change interaction.

Fig: Interactions: climate, performance, Qiao, Y., Dawson, A. R., Parry, T., Flintsch, G., &
maintenance, and costs Wang, W. (2020). Flexible pavements and climate
change: A comprehensive review and implications.
Sustainability, 12(3), 1057.
 FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT FAILURES
Different types of failure in flexible pavements are as follows:
1. Alligator cracking or map cracking (fatigue)
2. Consolidation of pavement layers (rutting)
3. Shear failure
4. Cracking longitudinal
5. Frost heaving
6. Lack of binding to the lower course
7. Reflection cracking formation of waves and
8. Corrugation bleeding pumping
 Map Cracking Share failure Rutting

Failure Photographs

Longitudinal Cracking Pot Hole Frost heaving

 Asphalt

• Asphalt is a solid or semi-solid product left

behind during the distillation of petroleum

• Asphalt consists of compounds of hydrogen

and carbon with minor proportions of
nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

• Asphalt is produced in two different ways as

natural asphalt residual asphalt
 Natural Asphalt

• It is the asphalt that occurs in nature.

• If at all any purification is required, it is done by
simple melting and boiling.
• At some places it is found in the lakes, as in south
Africa, described as lake asphalt.
• It contains as much as 70% bitumen and some water
and other impurities.
• It is easily purified by heating and boiling. In doing
so, the water content escapes, the impurities rise up,
leaving the bituminous matter beneath. This refined
asphalt is suitable for making flexible pavements.
 Residual Asphalt

 Residual
 Residual asphalt
asphalt isis obtained
obtained artificially
artificially by
by the
the
distillation
distillation ofof crude
crude petroleum
petroleum oil oil with
with anan
asphaltic
asphalticbase.
base.

It is commonly known as artificial asphalt.

 It is commonly known as artificial asphalt.
 Uses of Asphalt

The main uses of asphalt are as:

It is mainly used for the construction of flexible
pavements i.e. Roads (highways).
To give ling to the swimming pools and other water tanks.
As D.P.C in the building construction works.
 It is used as waterproof cover for the roofs.
It is also used in the preparation of paints.
 Bitumen

It is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, including

asphaltenes, resins, and oils, that vary in
composition depending on the source of the crude
oil and the refining process used.

Penetration Oxidized
Bitumen Bitumen
Emulsifie
d Bitumen
Polymer Cutbank
Modified Bitumen
Bitumen
 This is the most commonly used type of bitumen in road
Penetration
construction. It is characterized by its ability to soften when
Bitumen
heated and to harden when cooled. Penetration bitumen is
classified based on its penetration depth, which is measured
by a standard test method.

This is a type of bitumen that has been modified with

Polymer
polymers to improve its performance characteristics, such as
Modified
elasticity, durability, and resistance to cracking and
Bitumen
deformation. PMB is used in high-stress applications, such as
heavy-traffic roads and airports.

This is a form of bitumen that has been mixed with water and
Emulsified an emulsifying agent to create a stable suspension.
Bitumen Emulsified bitumen is used in applications where rapid
setting and curing times are required, such as surface
treatments and tack coats.
 This is a form of bitumen that has been thinned or cut back
Cutbank with a solvent to reduce its viscosity and make it easier to
Bitumen handle and apply. Cutback bitumen is used in cold weather
applications, such as road maintenance and repair.

This is a type of bitumen that has been air-blown to increase

Oxidized
its viscosity and durability. Oxidized bitumen is used in
Bitumen
industrial applications, such as roofing and waterproofing.
 Tests In Bitumins

• Penetration Test
• Ductility Test
• Softening Point Test
• Specific Gravity test
• Viscosity Test
• Flash and fire point test
• Float test
• Water Content test
• Loss on heating test
 TAR

Tar is a highly viscous black-coloured sticky

substance derived from coal, wood, or shales.

It contains 70 % to 95% bituminous matter.

However, its characteristics depend upon the

raw material from which it is extracted and
the amount of residual matter present in it. 
 Types of Tars

1. Coal tar
It is obtained, as a by-product in the destructive distillation of coal, or
in the manufacture of coal gas having specific gravities and viscosities,
and good adhesive properties.
Coal tars for road works are obtained by coking coal or melting
together coal pitch with oils or dehydrated raw tar.
A typical composition of coal tar from the coke oven plant is true pitch
72 percent, heavy oils 15 percent, medium oil 6 percent, light oil 6
percent, and moisture and ash 1 percent.
Used for coating wooden poles, sleepers, iron poles, latrine walls, etc.
2. Wooden tar
It is obtained by the destructive distillation of resinous wood (pine,
There are five grades of road tars:
RT-1: for surface painting under exceptionally cold weather conditions, hill roads at
very high elevations.
Rt-2: for standard surface painting under normal climatic conditions.
Rt-3: for surface painting and renewal coats and is also used for premixing chips in
top courses.
Rt-4: for premixing tar macadam (base course).
Rt-5: for grouting.
3. Mineral tar
It is obtained by the distillation of bituminous shales. Some examples are tarmac,
tar paving, and tar macadam.
 Uses of Tar

1. It is used for roofing and road making.

2. It is used for making bituminous paints and water-proofing

compounds.

3. Coal tar is used as a preservative for timber.

4. It is used for painting latrine walls.

 Comparison Table Between Bitumen and Tar

Parameter of Comparison Bitumen Tar

Bitumen is derived from sources associated Tar is derived from sources associated with
Derived from
with coal and oil. petroleum and wood.
Exists in Bitumen exists in the solid form. Tar exists in viscous liquid form.
The colour of Bitumen is dark with slight
Colour The colour of Tar is deep dark.
reddish.
Nature Bitumen occurs naturally. Tar usually needs to be distilled.

Carbon Content The carbon content of Bitumen is medium. The carbon content of Tar is very high.

Setting Time
Cost
Molecular weight range
Resistance to weather
Used for
Temperature susceptible
The setting time of Bitumen is very less. The setting time of Tar is more.
Bitumen is more expensive as compared to
Tar is cheaper as compared to Bitumen.
Tar.
The molecular weight range for Bitumen is The molecular weight range for Tar is 150 to
400 to 5000. 3000.
Bitumen is more resistance to weathering
Tar is less resistance to weathering action.
action.
Bitumen is used in construction as damp-proof Tar is used in industries and usually for
course and roofing felt. preserving timber.
Bitumen is less susceptible to temperature. Tar is very susceptible to temperature.
 Types of Aggregates Used in Bituminous
Composition

Bituminous mixtures typically consist of a blend of

aggregates of various sizes and shapes bound together
with bitumen

These are the larger-sized aggregates that make up the bulk of the
Coarse mixture. They range in size from 4.75mm to 20mm and are
Aggregate typically sourced from crushed rocks.

These are smaller-sized aggregates, ranging from 0.075mm to

Fine
4.75mm. They are also known as sand and are often sourced
Aggregate
from riverbeds.
 Types of Aggregates Used in Bituminous
Composition

These are even smaller-sized aggregates, ranging from

Filter 0.075mm to 0.01mm. They are typically sourced from
Aggregates crushed limestone, dolomite, or quartz.

These are aggregates that have been treated with special

Modified chemicals to improve their bonding properties with the
Aggregates bitumen. Examples of modified aggregates include hydrated
lime and calcium chloride.

These are aggregates with a high specific gravity, such as

High-Density
steel slag, magnetite, and barite. They are used to increase the
Aggregates
density of the bituminous mixture and improve its resistance
to wear and tear.
Coarse Aggregates Fine Aggregates

Angular shape Aggregates

Thank You!