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Bitumen
Bitumen
Asphalt Cement
Tar
(from petroleum crude)
(from coal) Natural Petroleum
asphaltic bitumen
road tar asphalt binder Bitumen Bitumen
coal tar
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Cutback Bitumen:
Types of Bitumen Binders Cutback Bitumen
Rapid Cure (RC) Grades and Uses
Cut with high volatility solvent such as naphtha or
Neat Bitumen Binder (called Asphalt gasoline
Rapid Curing (RC) Medium Curing (MC) Slow Curing (SC)
Cement in US) [Bitumen + Naphtha] [Bitumen + Kerosene] [Bitumen + Oil]
Medium Cure (MC) Tack Coat and Cold Mix & Patching Mix Cold Mix &
Cutback Bitumen Binders Surface Treatment and Patching Mix
Bitumen binders cut with petroleum Cut with moderate volatility solvent such as kerosene Prime Coat SC - 70
RC - 30
solvents RC - 70 MC - 30 SC - 250
Slow Cure (SC) RC - 250 MC - 70 SC - 800
Emulsified Bitumen Binders MC - 250 SC - 3000
Cut with low volatility solvent such as low viscosity RC - 800
Solution of bitumen, water, and emulsifying MC - 800
agent oil
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Issues with Cutback Bitumen Emulsified Bitumen
High energy, costly solvent is wasted into Blend of bitumen, water, and an emulsifying agent
the atmosphere Produced in a high shear, colloid mill
Air pollution Environmental regulations Emulsion must break or set for water to be
are stringent now removed leaving behind neat bitumen binder
Relatively pollution free (no solvent)
Safety: Cutback bitumen have low flash
Safer to use compared to cutbacks
point
Can be applied at lower temperatures thus saving
fuel costs
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Setting rates:
RS = Rapid Set
MS = Medium Set
SS = Slow Set
Same for anionic and cationic
Setting rate controlled by type and amount
of emulsifying agent
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Viscosity at 60C
Consistency Tests
Consistency describes the viscosity or degree of
Routine Tests for Consistency Definition: Resistance to flow of a fluid
fluidity of bitumen at any particular
Viscosity at 60C Test (ASTM D 2171)
temperature. Near maximum surface temperature Viscometers
of the asphalt pavement - Cannon-Manning Vacuum Viscometer
Bitumen is a thermoplastic material Viscosity at 135C - Asphalt Institute Vacuum Viscometer
Standard temperature for comparison Near mixing and lay down Temperature control (water bath)
Grading based on consistency at a standard temperature for asphalt mix Operation: Under partial vacuum
temperature Penetration at 25C Measurement: Timing marks
Measure of hardening (aging)
Near average service temperature Unit: Poises (P) or Pascal second (Pa.s)
- Elevated temperatures
(1 Pa.s = 10 poises)
- In-service
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Penetration Test
Definition: Empirical measure of consistency
Zeitfuchs determined by measuring how far a needle
penetrates
Cross-Arm Test (ASTM D5)
Viscometer Penetrometer with a specified needle
Bitumen sample in small metal/glass
container
Water bath: 25C
Test duration: 5 sec
Penetration measured in 0.1 mm multiples
Unit: 1 penetration unit = 0.1 mm
60 penetration units = 6 mm
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Penetration Test Softening Point
(Ring and Ball)
Definition: Temperature at which bitumen
specimen cannot support its own weight and
starts flowing
Purpose
Evaluate temperature at which phase change
occurs
Test
Test conducted in Ethylene Glycol
Temperature rise rate 5C/min
Brass ring filled with bitumen and steel ball
placed on it
Temperature measured at the instant the
softened bitumen reaches the bottom
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Solubility Test Solubility (Purity)
Purpose
To determine bitumen purity in terms of
percentage soluble in trichloroethylene (TCE).
Mineral matter is not dissolved in TCE.
Ductility Test
Definition: Ability of the bitumen to be
stretched or drawn without breaking
Test
Empirical test
Test temperatures (25 C, 15 C, or 4 C)
Water bath (salt/alcohol)
Special specimen mold (dog bone shape)
Extension rate (5 cm/min or 1 cm/min)
Test Results in cm
Uses
Measure of tensile properties
Evaluate compatibility of blends
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Specific Gravity
Definition: Ratio of the mass of bitumen binder
at a given temperature to the mass of an Specific Gravity
equal volume of water at the same
temperature
Uses
Specification compliance
Mix design analysis
Monetary compensation/transactions