KH 4444: Roads Construction

HIGHWAY PAVEMENT MATERIALS

BITUMEN / ASPHALT

BITUMINOUS MATERIALS

Bituminous materials are used extensively for roadway construction, primarily because of their excellent binding or cementing power and their waterproofing properties, as well as their relatively low cost.

Bituminous materials consist primarily of bitumen, which, according to ASTM D8, is a class of black or dark colored solid or viscous cementations substances composed chiefly of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons; by definition, it is soluble in carbon disulfide.
Bituminous materials are divided into two broad categories: asphalts and tars

ASPHALTS
Asphalts are black in color Asphalts are the residues of the petroleum oils. Asphalts have no odor, are more resistant to weathering, and less susceptible to temperature Asphalt most commonly can be divided into 4 types
Asphalt Cements Emulsified Asphalts Cutback Asphalts

CHARACTERISTICS

As ambient temperatures asphalt cement is a black, sticky, semisolid and highly viscous material. It is strong and durable cement with excellent adhesive and waterproofing characteristics. It is also highly resistant to the action of most acids, alkalises and salts The largest use of asphalt cement is in the production of HMA which is primarily used in the construction of flexible pavements throughout the world

GRADES
Several standard grades of asphalt cement, base on consistency, ae available commercially. 3 methods base on penetration, viscosity or performance

CUTBACK ASPHALTS

Asphalt cement produced from the vacuum-steam distillation exists as a semisolid at room temperature, and usually proper workability can be attained by heating the asphalt cement to a temperature of 120 to 165'C (250"F to 330'F) to liquefy it. In order for asphalt products to attain workability at room temperature, they must be rendered liquid at room temperature. There are 2 ways to liquefy asphalt without resorting to heat: dissolve (cut) the asphalt in solvent or emulsify it in water.

CUTBACK ASPHALTS

When volatile solvents are mixed with asphalt cement to make a liquid product, the mixture is called "cutback asphalt. After cutback asphalt is exposed to air, the volatile solvent evaporates, and the asphalt in the mixture regains its original characteristics (cured).

Following are three types of cutback asphalt and the solvent used. 1. Rapid-curing (RC: gasoline or naphtha) 2. Medium-curing (MC: kerosene) 3. Slow-curing (SC: road oils)

CHARACTERISTICS

Emulsified asphalt is a mixture of asphalt cement, water, and an emulsifying agent. These three constituents are fed simultaneously into a colloid mill to produce extremely small globules (5-10) of asphalt cement, which are suspended in the water.

The emulsified agent imparts the electric charges (cationic or anionic) to the surface of the asphalt particles, which causes them to repel one another; thus the asphalt particles do not coalesce.

TYPES

2 most common types of emulsified asphalts are anionic and cationic, a classification dependent on the emulsified agent. The anionic type contains electronegative charged asphalt globules, and the cationic type contains electropositive charged asphalt globules. The choice of anionic or cationic emulsions is important when considering various types of aggregates. The anionic emulsions carry a negative charge and are effective in coating electropositive aggregates such as limestone. The positive charge in a cationic emulsion reacts favourably with an electronegative aggregate, such as the highly siliceous aggregates.

GRADES

Anionic emulsified asphalt: Rapid setting (RS) RS-1, RS-2, HFRS-2 Medium setting (MS) MS-1, MS-2, HFMS-2, MS-2h Slow setting (SS) SS-1, SS-1h Cationic emulsified asphalt: Rapid setting (CRS) CRS-1, CRS-2 Medium setting (MS) CMS-2, CMS-2h Slow setting (SS) CSS-1, CSS-lh

The "h" designation means harder base asphalt cement is used in the emulsion.
The "HF" designation refers to a high-float residue of the emulsion.

ASPHALT EVALUATION

ASPHALT EVALUATION

Special focus was given to test and analysis such as: Penetration Test Softening Point Test Thin Film Oven Test

PENETRATION TEST

PENETRATION TEST
Introduction The Penetration Test is an empirical test used to measure the consistency of asphalt cement. Generally, the penetration of a bituminous substance may be defined as distance in hundredths to which a standard needle penetrates the material under known conditions of time, loading and temperature. This test is used for evaluating the consistency of asphalt material before and after heating. Objective To measure the penetration value of asphalt, which is melted and cooled and kept at a room temperature of 25C.

SOFTENING POINT TEST

SOFTENING POINT TEST

Introduction The softening point is defined as the mean of the temperatures at which the bitumen disks soften and sag downwards a distance of 25mm under the weight of a steel ball. In general, with materials of these types, softening does not take place at a definite temperature. As the temperature rises, these materials gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle or exceedingly slow-flowing materials to softer and less viscous liquids. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by a fixed, arbitrary, and closely defined method if the results are to be comparable. This method is useful in determining the consistency of bitumen in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of supply. Objective To determine the temperature at which a phase change occurs in the asphalt cement.

THIN FILM OVEN TEST

THIN FILM OVEN TEST

Introduction Thin film oven test indicates approximate change in properties of asphalt during conventional hot mixing at about 150C (302F) as indicated by viscosity, penetration or ductility measurements. It yields a residue, which approximates the asphalt condition as incorporated in the pavement. If the mixing temperature differs appreciably from the 150C level, more or less effect on properties will occur. Objective The goal of this test is to determine the effect of heat and air on a film of semi-solid asphalt materials. The effects of this treatment are determined from measurements of selected asphalt properties before and after the test.

FACTORS

The increased demand on HMA pavements. Traffic volume, traffic load and tire pressures have increased significantly in recent years causing premature rutting of HMA pavements.

The environmental and economic pressure to dispose of some waste materials and industrial byproducts (such as tires, glass, ash and etc) as additives in MHA
Public agencies willingness to pay a higher first cost for pavements with a longer service life or which will reduce the risk of premature distress (failure)

OBJECTIVE

To optimise the performance of asphalt mixture by balancing their rheological properties to ensure they are: Insensitive to temperature Ageing Moisture damage Modification improve asphalt which are deficient relative to the current requirement and improve the properties.