BITUMEN /ASPHALT

DEFINITION

A black or dark brown non-crystalline solid or

viscous material, composed principally of high
molecular weight hydrocarbons, having adhesive
properties, derived from petroleum either by natural
or refinery processes and substantially soluble in
carbon disulphide.
Bitumen that have been used in paving, includes……

1. NATIVE ASPHALT :

A mixture occurring in nature in which bitumen is

associated with inert mineral matter.

2. ROCK ASPHALT :

A naturally occurring rock formation, usually

calcareous, a sandstone in the pores and veins, of
which is found impregnated.

3. PETROLEUM ASPHALT :
These are products of the distillation of crude oil.

ORIGIN

Asphalt materials have been utilized since 3500 B.C. in

building and road construction. Their main uses have
been as adhesives, waterproofing agents, and as mortars
for brick walls. These early asphalt materials were native
asphalt. These native asphalts were found in pools and
asphalt lakes. For example Trinidad and Bermudez lake
deposits (asphalt lake).
First US hot mix asphalt (HMA) constructed in 1870.
Demand for paved roads exceeded the supply of lake
asphalts in late 1800
- Led to use of petroleum asphalts
RAW MATERIALS

It is a hydrocarbon product of Petroleum crude which is

semi solid material. Bitumen by definition is soluble in
carbon disulphide. The hydrocarbons that make up
bitumen can generally be made up of the following :
1. Asphaltenes
2. Resins
3. Oils
Asphaltenes are large, high molecular weight
hydrocarbon fractions precipitated from asphalt by a
designated paraffinic naptha solvent. Asphaltenes have a
carbon to hydrogen ratio of 0.8. It is insoluble in
n-heptane/n-pentane, etc. Asphaltenes constitute the body
of the asphalt.
Resins are hydrocarbon molecules with a carbon to
hydrogen ratio of more than 0.6 but less than 0.8. It
provides ductility and adhesiveness to asphalt.
Oils are hydrocarbon molecules with a carbon to
hydrogen ratio of less than 0.6. Oils influence the
viscosity and flow of the asphalt.

Constitutes of Bitumen :
Complex chemical mixture of molecules that are
predominantly hydrocarbons with a small amount
structurally analogous species (sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen
atoms). Some trace quantities of metal such as vanadium,
nickel, iron, mg, calcium.
Carbon : 82-88 %
Hydrogen : 8-11 %
Sulphur : 0-6 %
Oxygen : 0-1.5 %
Nitrogen : 0-1 %
CLASSIFICATION :

Native Bitumen
Cutback Bitumen
Bitumen Emulsions
Modified Binder
ASPHALT CEMENT/NATIVE
BITUMEN :

The primary asphalt product produced by the distillation

of crude oil. They are produced in various viscosity
grades, the most common being AC 2.5, AC 5, AC 10,
AC20 and AC40. The viscosity grades indicate the
viscosity in hundreds of poises ±20% measured at 60°C.
For example, AC 2.5 has a viscosity of 250 poises ±50.
CUTBACK BITUMEN (LIQUID
ASPHALT):

Bitumen, the viscosity of which is reduced with a suitable

volative diluent usually a petroleum distillate.
It is a fluid binder that can be handled at air temperatures.
It can be mixed with aggregates in cold condition.

Types and grades are based on the type of solvent, which

governs viscosity and the rates of evaporation and curing.

1. RC (Rapid Curing) :
- use naptha or gasoline as a solvent.
- high volatility of solvent
- tack coats, surface treatments

2. MC (Medium Curing) :
- use kerosene as a solvent
- moderate volatility
- stockpile patching mix

3. SC (Slow Curing) :
- use diesel fuel as a solvent
- low volatility
- prime coat, dust control
BITUMEN EMULSIONS :
A liquid product in which a substantial amount of
bitumen is dispersed in a finely divided droplets in an
aqueous medium containing an emulsifier and a stabilizer.
The emulsifying unit breaks up the asphalt cement and
disperses it, in the form of very fine droplets, in the water
carrier. When used, the emulsion sets as the water
evaporates. The emulsion usually contains 55-75%
asphalt cement and upto 3% emulsifying agent.
Emulsifier gives surface charge to asphalt droplets
suspended in water medium
Cationic Emulsions :
- asphalt particles have positive charge
- adhere better with negative particles (e.g., silica)
- acid in nature
- also work better with wet aggregates and in cold
weather
Anionic Emulsions:
- asphalt particles have negative charge
 - adhere better with positive surface charges
(e.g., limestone)
- alkaline in nature

There are three grades of the two types of asphalt

depending on amount and type of agent used
(C indicates cationic type and its absence indicates
anionic type) :
Rapid Setting (RS or CRS) —A quick setting
1.

emulsion used for surface treatment, penetration

macadam and tack coat.

2. Medium Setting (MS or CMS) — A medium

breaking emulsion used for plant or road mixes with
fine aggregates between 5 percent and 20 percent
retained on 2.36 mm sieve. Used for open graded
premix work and bituminous macadam.

3. Slow Setting (SS or CSS) — A slow breaking

emulsion used for plant or road mixes with graded
fine aggregates greater than 20 percent, passes a
2.36 mm sieve and a portion of which may pass a
75 µm sieve. Used in slurry seal, seal coat, soil/sand
stabilization, etc.
TYPES AND GRADES OF BITUMEN
EMULSION (CATIONIC)
Specification for Cationic Bitumen
Emulsion for use in pavement
Applications (First Revision)
The use asphalt emulsion s is growing due to various
problems with asphalt cutback including
● The solvents in the cutbacks, such as gasoline, which
are lost due to evaporation becoming more expensive.
With emulsions, water is the main material that
evaporates.
● Evaporation of the solvents in the cutbacks releases
hydrocarbons into the atmosphere which are damaging to
the environment.
● Emulsions can be used at lower temperatures and are
not as likely to ignite as cutbacks.
MODIFIED BINDERS :
More stable under heavy loads, braking and
accelerating forces and shows increased resistance to
permanent deformation in hot weather. It resists
fatigue loads and having better adhesion between
aggregates and binders.

Types of Modifiers :
1.Sulphur
2.Natural Rubber
3.Crum Rubber from discarded tyres
4.Styrene-butadiene-Styrene (SBS)
5.Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene,etc

General requirements of modifiers :

1. Be compatible with bitumen
2. Be able to resist degradation of bitumen at mixing
temperature
 3. Be capable of being processed by conventional
mixing lying machinery
4. Produce coating viscosity at application temperature
5. Maintain premium properties during storage,
application and in service
6. Be cost-effective

Polymer Modified Binder (PMB) :

A straight run bitumen, the characteristics of which have
been improved by addition of polymers, namely,
styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), ethyl vinyl acetate
(EVA) or polyethylene (PE).

Crum Rubber Modified Binder (CRMB) :

A straight run bitumen whose characteristics have been
modified by addition of crumb or natural rubber.

Advantages of modified bitumens :

1. Lower susceptibility to daily seasonal temperature
variations
 2. Higher resistance to deformation at elevated
pavement temperature
3. Better ageing resistance properties
4. Higher fatigue life of mixes
5. Better adhesion between aggregates and binder,
especially under exposure to water
6. Preventing cracking and reflective cracking
7. Overall improved performance in extreme climatic
conditions and under heavy traffic conditions.

Some other bitumen :

Blown Bitumen (Oxidised Bitumen) — Bitumen, the

properties of which are modified by blowing air through it
at a comparatively high temperature and pressure.
- used in wide variety of industrial application including
roofing, flooring, pipe coating, etc.

Warm Asphalt – It is produced using a synthetic zeolite

(aluminum silicate) during mixing at the plant to create a
foaming effect in the binder.
- use in Europe
- To apply bitumen at reduced temperatures

Foamed Bitumen – created by the computer controller

injection of a predetermined amount of cold water
(usually around 2.5%) into hot bitumen in the mixing
chamber of a pavement recycling unit.