The Shell Bitumen Handbook Fifth Edition

The authors
Dr John Read
John began his career working for a consultant testing house before moving on to Lafarge Aggregates. After a period of time running asphalt plants on mobile contracts he began studying for his PhD at the University of Nottingham and after graduating he was appointed as a full time academic member of sta. In 1997 John became the Technical Manager for Croda Bitumen where he was responsible for managing both the QC and R&D laboratories and in 1998 John became the Technical Development Engineer for Shell Bitumen where he was responsible for the development and commercialisation of new innovative products. He was also involved in the day-to-day support of customers. John is currently the Cluster Technology Manager for Shell Bitumen with responsibility for supplying technical services within the UK and Ireland. John sits on many asphalt and bitumen related committees and has published over 50 technical papers, publications and articles.

Mr David Whiteoak
David has worked in the road construction industry for over 30 years. He began his career with Lothian Regional Council working in a wide variety of areas, from trac management to site supervision. In 1977 he left Lothian Region to study Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University graduating with a BSc Honours Degree in 1980. He joined Shell in 1980 working in the Bitumen Group at Thornton Research Centre where he investigated various aspects of the performance of bitumen and asphalt, carrying out technical service activity for customers and the development of new products including Cariphalte DM. In 1986 he joined the technical department of Shell Bitumen UK and it was during this time that David wrote the 4th edition of the Shell Bitumen Handbook. Following the publication of the handbook in 1990 David had a three-year assignment in the Elastomers group of Shell International Chemical Company before returning to Shell Bitumen as the Technical Manager in 1994. David is currently the New Technology Manager for Shell Bitumen responsible for a number of activities including the execution of technical service and R & D activity carried out at the Pavement Research Building. This is a purpose-built laboratory established in conjunction with the University of Nottingham and opened September 2001.

The Shell Bitumen Handbook

Fifth Edition

Published for Shell Bitumen by Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD www.thomastelford.com Distributors for Thomas Telford books are USA: ASCE Press, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4400 Japan: Maruzen Co. Ltd, Book Department, 310 Nihonbashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103 Australia: DA Books and Journals, 648 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132, Victoria

This title has been previously published as Mexphalte Handbook, First Edition, 1949 Mexphalte Handbook, Second Edition, Jarman A.W. (ed), Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd, London, 1955 Mexphalte Handbook, Third Edition, 1963 The Shell Bitumen Handbook, Fourth Edition, Whiteoak, D., Shell Bitumen UK, Chertsey, 1990 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 0 7277 3220 X # Shell UK Oil Products Limited, 2003 All rights, including translation, reserved. Except as permitted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishing Director, Thomas Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD. This book is published on the understanding that the authors are solely responsible for the statements made and opinions expressed in it and that its publication does not necessarily imply that such statements and/or opinions are or reect the views or opinions of the publishers. While every eort has been made to ensure that the statements made and the opinions expressed in this publication provide a safe and accurate guide, no liability or responsibility can be accepted in this respect by the authors or publishers. Typeset by Academic Technical Typesetting Printed and bound in Great Britain by The University Press, Cambridge

Foreword
In editing the text of this book, I have had considerable assistance from many people. They are listed in the acknowledgements. However, a number of people warrant special mention. David Rockli of Rock40C and Ian Walsh of Babtie were pestered by me on a number of occasions and always responded with expertise, courtesy and eciency and I am very grateful to these two giants of the industry. However, there are two other gentleman without whom this enterprise would never have been completed. The rst is Dr John Read who never failed to help me through either his own encyclopaedic knowledge or his vast network of contacts on the many occasions when I needed answers or text or whatever. The other is the main reason why this book came into being, Dave Whiteoak. Dave is known in our industry as the font of knowledge on all subjects associated with bitumen. In addition, all who have met him consider him to be the nicest guy you could wish to meet. He produced the 1990 edition and without him this new book and the opportunity which it aords all of us to enhance our knowledge of asphalt technology would simply not exist. Whilst editing this text, I was constantly reminded of the enormous contribution which has been made by Shell Bitumen to asphalt technology. Indeed, this book demonstrates that continued commitment. This new edition reects many of the very signicant advances which have taken place in the period since the last edition was published. I am condent that you will feel that this is a worthy addition to your asphalt book shelf. Dr Robert N Hunter Technical Editor November 2003

The Shell Bitumen Handbook

Acknowledgements
John and David would personally like to acknowledge all of the help given to them in writing this book by their colleagues in the Shell European Bitumen Technical Team: Mr Theo Terlouw Dr Martin Vodenhof Mr Pierre-Jean Cerino Mr Eivind Olav Andersen Mr Koen Steernberg Mr Mike Southern

The authors and editor also wish to gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by the following people: Mr Fredrik Akesson Mr John Atkins Mr John Baxter of the Road Surface Dressing Association Mr Andy Broomeld Dynapac International High Comp Centre, Sweden Mr Jack Edgar of Hunter & Edgar Mr Terry Fabb Mr Je Farrington Mr Derek Fordyce Dr Mike Gibb Mr Ray Guthrie Dr Tony Harrison of the Rened Bitumen Association Mr Bryan Hayton Ms Delia Harverson Mr Alistair Jack Mr Colin Loveday of Tarmac Mr John Moore of Gencor International Ltd Dr Cli Nicholls of TRL Ltd Dr Mike Nunn Mr Tony Pakenham Mr Mike Phillips Mr John Richardson of Colas Limited Mr David Rockli of Rock40C Mr Robert Thomas of the Institution of Civil Engineers Library Dr Todd Schole Mr Martin Schouten Mr Andrew Scorer of Miles Macadam Ltd Mr Andy Self Mr Dave Strickland Mr Nick Toy Mr Colin Underwood Mr Willem Vonk Mr Ian Walsh of Babtie Mr Maurice White of the Quarry Products Association Professor Alan Woodside Dr David Woodward

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Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Preamble 1.2 The earliest uses of bituminous binders 1.3 The growth of bitumen consumption in Europe 1.4 Sources of binder Manufacture, storage, handling and environmental aspects of bitumens 2.1 The manufacture of bitumen 2.2 Delivery, storage and handling temperatures of bitumens 2.3 Health, safety and environmental aspects of bitumens Constitution, structure and rheology of bitumens 3.1 Bitumen constitution 3.2 Bitumen structure 3.3 The relationship between constitution and rheology 3.4 The relationship between broad chemical composition and physical properties Specications and quality of bitumens 4.1 Penetration grade bitumens 4.2 Oxidised bitumens 4.3 Hard bitumens 4.4 Cutback bitumens 4.5 Bitumen quality 4.6 The CEN bitumen specications 4.7 The SHRP/SUPERPAVE bitumen specication 1 1 1 2 3

Chapter 2

11 11 16 20

Chapter 3

29 29 35 37 38 43 43 45 46 46 47 54 54

Chapter 4

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Chapter 5

Polymer modied and special bitumens 5.1 The role of bitumen modiers in asphalt 5.2 The modication of bitumen 5.3 Multigrade bitumens 5.4 Pigmentable binders 5.5 Fuel-resisting binders 5.6 Thermosetting binders 5.7 Costperformance relationships for modied binders Bitumen emulsions 6.1 Emulsiers 6.2 The manufacture of bitumen emulsions 6.3 Properties of bitumen emulsions 6.4 Classication and specication of bitumen emulsions 6.5 Modication of bitumen emulsion properties 6.6 Uses of bitumen emulsions 6.7 Bibliography Mechanical testing and properties of bitumens 7.1 Standard specication tests for bitumens 7.2 The Fraass breaking point test 7.3 Viscosity 7.4 The bitumen test data chart 7.5 Temperature susceptibility penetration index (PI) 7.6 Engineering properties of bitumen 7.7 Other bitumen tests Durability of bitumens 8.1 Bitumen hardening 8.2 Hardening of bitumen during storage, mixing and in service 8.3 Bitumen ageing tests Adhesion of bitumens 9.1 The principal factors aecting bitumen/aggregate adhesion 9.2 The main disbonding mechanisms 9.3 Methods of measuring and assessing adhesion 9.4 Improving bitumen/aggregate adhesion

61 62 64 81 84 86 87 89 91 92 96 97 106 107 111 117 119 119 124 125 129 136 137 152 157 157 159 168 171 171 174 177 185

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

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Chapter 10 Inuence of bitumen properties on the performance of asphalts 10.1 The inuence of bitumen properties during construction 10.2 The inuence of bitumen properties on the performance of asphalts in service Chapter 11 Aggregates in asphalts 11.1 Origins and types of rock 11.2 Aggregate extraction 11.3 The European aggregate Standard Chapter 12 Types and applications of dierent asphalts 12.1 Coated macadams 12.2 Hot rolled asphalt 12.3 Thin surfacings 12.4 Choice of asphalts on major carriageways Chapter 13 Specication, composition and design of asphalts 13.1 Recipe specications for bases and binder courses 13.2 Recipe specications for surface courses 13.3 Design of bases and binder courses 13.4 Design of surface courses 13.5 Guidance on the selection of mixtures Chapter 14 Asphalt production plants 14.1 Types of mixing plant 14.2 The addition of recycled asphalt pavement 14.3 Additive systems 14.4 Production control testing of asphalts Chapter 15 Transport, laying and compaction of asphalts 15.1 Transportation 15.2 Use of tack coats 15.3 Pavers 15.4 Additional screed systems 15.5 Paving operations 15.6 Compaction 15.7 Specication and eld control Chapter 16 Testing of asphalts 16.1 Fundamental tests

189 191 195 219 219 222 222 231 234 238 239 242 245 246 250 255 259 265 267 268 275 276 276 279 279 279 280 285 286 292 302 305 307

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16.2 Simulative tests 322 16.3 Empirical tests 329 16.4 Determination of recovered bitumen properties 332 Chapter 17 Properties of asphalts 17.1 Stiness of asphalts 17.2 Permanent deformation of asphalts 17.3 Fatigue characteristics of asphalts Chapter 18 Design of exible pavements 18.1 The importance of stiness 18.2 The structural elements of a exible pavement 18.3 Factors involved in pavement design 18.4 Empirical and semi-empirical pavement design 18.5 Analytical pavement design using the Shell Pavement Design Method Chapter 19 Surface dressing and other specialist treatments 19.1 Surface dressing 19.2 Slurry surfacings/microsurfacings 19.3 High-friction surfaces 19.4 Foamed bitumen 19.5 Application of a coloured surface treatment 19.6 Recycling asphalts 19.7 Grouted macadams Chapter 20 Other important uses of bitumens and asphalts 20.1 Aireld pavements 20.2 Railway applications 20.3 Bridges 20.4 Recreational areas 20.5 Motor racing tracks 20.6 Vehicle testing circuits 20.7 Hydraulic applications 20.8 Coloured surfacings 20.9 Kerbs Appendix 1 Physical constants of bitumens A1.1 Specic gravity A1.2 Coecient of cubical expansion A1.3 Electrical properties A1.4 Thermal properties 337 337 340 344 351 353 353 356 358 366 371 371 403 406 407 411 413 415 419 419 424 426 427 428 428 429 430 432 433 433 433 433 436

Appendix 2 Conversion factors for viscosities Appendix 3 Blending charts and formulae Appendix 4 Calculation of bitumen lm thickness in an asphalt Index

437 438 442 445

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Shell Bitumens polymer modied plant at Stanlow, Cheshire, UK

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