Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

UNIT 5

ROAD CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

OBJECTIVES

General Objective
To understand general elements in road construction materials and testing

Specific Objectives
At the end of the unit you should be able to: identify the material used in road construction. describe the function of road materials and testing. explain the purpose of road materials usage and testing. perform the material testing. analyze result of the road materials test.

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

INPUT
BITUMINOUS MATERIAL

5.0 INTRODUCTION Bituminous materials as described hereafter refer to hydrocarbons of variable colour, hardness and volatility, sometimes associated with the mineral matter. Their consistencies at normal temperatures range from something slightly thicker than water to hard and brittle materials that will shatter under a blow from a hammer, but even the hardest of them will flow if subjected to long continuous loading. The non-materials and non-carbonaceous matter is largely soluble in carbon disulphide (CS2). 5.1 FUNCTIONS OF BITUMINOUS MATERIALS Bituminous materials, usually called binders, when used in combination with the mineral aggregate have a number of functions to perform. The various objectives achieved by using a bitumen binder in road construction may be summed up as follows: a. It acts as a cushion for the surface material and absorbs the kneading action of traffic. The abrasive action of the wheels of a vehicle is also resisted. This enhances the life of the pavement. b. It seals the surface of the road against ingress of water, provided the granular material used is dense-graded. c. It binds the surface particles together and loss of material from the surface by suction under the body of the moving vehicle, is thus checked.

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ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

d. If a properly selected bituminous material is used, it resists the action of weathering agencies, like the wind and the sun and ensures a long life for the pavement. 5.2 DEFINITIONS The terms bitumen and asphalt are often confused. They actually refer to the same material and different agencies use either of the two names. Some standard definitions, almost universally accepted are given below : 5.2.1 Bituminous or Asphalt. Mixtures of hydrocarbons of natural or pyrogenous origin, or combinations of both, frequently accompanied by their non-metallic derivatives, which may be gasesous, liquid, semi-solid or solid and which are completely soluble in carbon disulphide. 5.2.2 Liquid Bituminous Materials. Materials having a penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 50 grams applied for one second, of more than 350. 5.2.3 Semi-solid Bituminous Materials. Materials having penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 100 grams applied for five seconds, of more than 10 and a penetration at 25oC (77oF), under a load of 50 grams applied for one second, of not more than 350.

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ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

5.2.4 Solid Bituminous Materials. Materials having penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 100 grams applied for five seconds of not more than 10. Emulsions, cut-backs and road oils are liquids, asphalt cements are semisolids and powdered asphalts are solids. Tars are both liquids and semi-solids, depending upon the particular grade. 5.3 SOURCES OF BITUMINOUS BINDERS Bituminous binders (including tars) represent combinations of hydrogen and carbon. Some of the hydrocarbons used in road construction occur naturally but most of them are obtained as by products from the manufacture of gas, liquid fuels, lubricants, coal-gas and coke. Principal sources of bituminous materials for pavements are given below : 5.3.1 Natural Asphalt. Crude petroleum sometimes works its way up through cracks in the earths crust to the surface, where the rays of sun and the wind drive away the lighter oils, leaving behind a black and plastics material called asphalt. These materials, which occur naturally, are usually found in combination with a fairly high percentage of clay or fine sand which they pick up as they travel up through the cracks. Natural asphalts are sometimes called native asphalts also. 5.3.2 Rock Asphalt. Deposits of lime-stone or sand-stone are sometimes found impregnated with bituminous materials. Such deposits generally form

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ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

good road construction materials. Experience in United States of America, France and other foreign countries has shown that road surfaces constructed with these materials are extremely durable and stable. The percentage of bituminous material in these stones varies from 4.5 to 18 %. 5.3.3 Petroleum Asphalt. Most widely used asphaltic or bituminous materials are those which are derived by the distillation process from crude petroleum. Steam or Air Distillation is employed for the purpose. Steam distillation produces excellent asphaltic materials, whereas products obtained by air distillation usually called blown or oxidized asphalts, find very little use as paving materials. They are however put to other diversified uses.

5.4 PAVING ASPHALT : CLASSIFICATIONS The various Paving Asphalt Classifications are: a. Road oils or Slow-Curing Liquid Asphalts (SC). b. Cut-Back Asphalt : Medium Curing Liquid Asphalts (MC) Rapid-Curing Liquid Asphalts (RC)

c. Asphalt Cements (AC) d. Emulsified Asphalts. e. Powdered Asphalts. 5.4.1 Road Oils Road oils or slow-curing liquid asphalts may be described as the petroleum distillates from which volatile and light fractions are largely removed. They may range from liquid road oil having poor binding

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

characteristics to a very viscous material having excellent binding characteristics and requiring heat to become workable. These oils set very slowly and are employed where the same consistency of binder is desired both at the time of processing and after the curing period has elapsed. They are designated by the letters SC, and range from light liquid SC-0 to semisolid SC-5 consistencies. It may be noted here that higher the number following the letters SC, the higher is the asphalt content with a corresponding decrease in the quantity of fluxing oil. The application temperatures may range from 500C to 3750F. 5.4.2 Cut-Back Asphalts Medium Curing Type Medium curing cut-back asphalts are produced by cutting back asphalt cement with heavier oils like kerosene or light diesel oil. The addition of these oils increases the fluidity of the asphalt cement. These oils evaporated slowly when exposed to heat or air. The presence of these oils makes the asphalt workable at relatively low temperatures, gives it good wetting properties and ensures a satisfactory coating of the finegraded and dusty aggregates. They are designated by the letters MC and range from light MC-0 to almost semi-solid MC-5. The higher the number, the higher is the quantity of asphalt in the cut-back. The application temperature ranges from 500C to 2750F. 5.4.3 Cut-back Asphalt Rapid Curing Type Rapid curing cut-back asphalts are produced by cutting back asphalt cement with light oils like naphtha or gasoline. These products are more volatile than kerosene and diesel oil, and since the distillates evaporate more rapidly than kerosene. The cutbacks are known as rapid curing. Lower penetration asphalt-cements are usually mixed with these oils to prepare rapid-curing cut back asphalt. They are designated by the

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ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

letters RC and range from RC-0 to RC-5 consistencies. Here also, the higher the number, the higher is the quantity of asphaltic cement. Rapid curing products are employed when a quick change from liquid state of application back to original asphaltic cement is desired. 5.4.5 Asphalt Cements Asphalt cement is a heavy binder usually used in the hot-process of preparing asphaltic mixtures. They are the residues left after the lubricating oils as well as fuel oils have been removed from petroleum. They are designated by the penetration range or degree of hardness suitable for the type of construction, climatic conditions volume and nature of traffic to which the pavement is to be subjected. The actual degree of penetration is controlled by the amount of fluxing oils permitted to remain at the end of the process. Steam is used to refine the materials so that the heavier volatiles can de driven off without much increasing the temperature. Excessively high temperatures reduce ductility, lower penetration and cause cracking which results in a less homogeneous product. The softest grade commonly employed for paving is of 200-300 penetration and the hardest grade commonly employed for the purpose is of 30-40 penetration. All asphaltic cements are so viscous that both the aggregate and the binder must be heated before mixing. Working temperatures range from 22250F to 3500F. 5.4.6 Emulsified Asphalts An emulsion is a mixture of two normally immiscible liquids, in this case, the asphaltic cement and water. They are mixed in the presence of an emulsifying agent such as resin or soap. The emulsifying agents helps

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ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

in the mixing of the two materials, resulting in a liquid end-product. The process of mixing consists in dispersing minute globules of asphalt in water in the presence of the emulsifier. An emulsion makes available the asphalt in the liquid form for application at normal temperatures. Water separates out after coming in contact with the aggregates. This process is called the breaking of emulsion. Asphalt cement is, thus, left behind as a binder. These products are superior with wet aggregates as the water medium carries the asphalt into intimate contact with the particle surface. The asphaltic Institute (U.S.A) classified the emulsions as Rapid Setting (RS), Medium Setting (MS) and Slow Setting (SS), these products having fast, medium and slow breaking times respectively. They are suitable for a variety of purposes. They carry an asphalt content of about 55 to 65 percent by weight. Asphaltic cement of 150-200 penetration is normally employed for preparing these emulsions. Care is needed to handle these emulsions since due to excessive pressure, heat or cold, they are liable to break down. 5.4.7 Powdered Asphalt. Hard solid asphalts with penetration of 10 or less are designated as powdered asphalts. For use, they are pulverized to a very fine state of sub-division with 100 % passing No. 10 A.S.T.M. (2mm) sieve and at least 50 % passing No. 100 A.S.T.M (0.15mm) sieve. Powdered asphalts are usually employed for low cost road construction in conjunction with a fluxing medium such as SC-2, SC-3 or SC-4 liquid asphalts. They are also , sometimes, used in the preparation

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

of patented mixes. The principal advantage in using powdered asphalts is that it is in effect, using asphalt cement in a cold mix.

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

ACTIVITY 5

Lets test your understanding with these fun activities to improve your knowledge
5.1 State down the four (4) functions of bituminous materials in chart below.

It acts___________ ________________ ________________ ________________

It seals__________ ________________ ________________ ________________

Functions Of Bituminous Materials It resists_________ ________________ ________________ ________________ 5.2 Give a definitions of the following : a. Bituminous / Asphalt b. Liquid Bituminous Materials c. Semi-solid Bituminous Materials d. Solid Bituminous Materials It binds__________ ________________ ________________ ________________

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

5.3 Match these paving asphalt with its their categories. EMULSION

ASPHALT CEMENT

LIQUID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS SEMI-SOLID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS SOLID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS

POWDERED ASPHALT

TARS

CUT-BACKS

ROAD OILS

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

FEEDBACK ON ACTIVITY 5
Well, how did you find the activities? Lets check out the answers!!!
5.1 It acts as a cushion for the surface material and absorbs the kneading action of traffic. It seals the surface of the road against ingress of water. It binds the surface particles together and loss of material from the surface by suction under the body of moving vehicle. It resists the action of weathering agencies and ensures a long life for pavement. 5.2 The definitions are: a. b. Bituminous / Asphalt - Mixtures of hydrocarbons of natural or pyrogenous origin, or combinations of both. Liquid Bituminous Materials - Materials having a penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 50 grams applied for one second, of more than 350. c. Semi-solid Bituminous Materials - Materials having penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 100 grams applied for five seconds, of more than 10 and a penetration at 25oC (77oF), under a load of 50 grams applied for one second, of not more than 350. d. Solid Bituminous Materials - Materials having penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 100 grams applied for five seconds of not more than 10.

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

5.3

EMULSION

ASPHALT CEMENT

LIQUID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS SEMI-SOLID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS SOLID BITUMINOUS MATERIALS

POWDERED ASPHALT

TARS

CUT-BACKS

ROAD OILS

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

Did you have everything right? Well, we have finished unit 4 and to improve your understanding proceed to self assessment on the next page. BYE - BYE

Question

Highway Engineering 1. 2.

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

Describe the purpose of using a bitumen binder in road construction. Describe the definition of following aspects: i. Liquid Bituminous Materials. ii. Solid Bituminous Materials

3.

State the classification of paving asphalt.

Answer
1. By using a bitumen binder in road construction may be summed up as follows:

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

a. It acts as a cushion for the surface material and absorbs the kneading action of traffic. The abrasive action of the wheels of a vehicle is also resisted. This enhances the life of the pavement b. It seals the surface of the road against ingress of water, provided the granular material used is dense-graded. c. It binds the surface particles together and loss of material from the surface by suction under the body of the moving vehicle, is thus checked. d. If a properly selected bituminous material is used, it resists the action of weathering agencies, like the wind and the sun and ensures a long life for the pavement. 2. 1. Liquid Bituminous Materials.

Materials having a penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 50 grams applied for one second, of more than 350.

2.

Solid Bituminous Materials.

Materials having penetration at 25oC (77oF) under a load of 100 grams applied for five seconds of not more than 10.

3.

The Paving Asphalt classifications are: a. Road oils or Slow-Curing Liquid Asphalts (SC). b. Cut-Back Asphalt : Medium Curing Liquid Asphalts (MC) Rapid-Curing Liquid Asphalts (RC)

Highway Engineering

ROADS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & TESTING

C3010 / UNIT 5

c. Asphalt Cements (AC) d. Emulsified Asphalts. e. Powdered Asphalts.