Asphalt

Part 1
1

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:
1. Define some important terms.
2. Know and understand the use of asphalt in earlier
civilization.
3. Discuss asphalt production.
4. Discuss and explain the types of asphalt mixture.
 Definition of Terms
2

▪ Binder: A material used to hold solid particles together,

i.e. bitumen or tar.
▪ Bitumen: A heavy fraction from oil distillation (also
occurs as part of natural asphalt).
▪ Tar: A viscous liquid obtained from distillation of coal or
wood. Rarely used in construction currently in the UK.
▪ Asphalt: A mixture of bitumen and mineral filler. Note
that Hot Rolled Asphalt is a road surfacing material.
▪ Mastic: An adhering asphalt which is placed with
troweling.
▪ Macadam: A road construction material with binder and
coarse aggregate. Tar macadam was the first road surfacing
material.
 HISTORY
3

▪ People have known of asphalt’s advantages at least

since the ancient Mesopotamians who used it
about 5000 years ago to cement masonry and
build streets, and to waterproof temple baths and
water tanks.

▪ It may even have been used as a water repellent in

Noah’s Ark.

▪ The first asphalt pavement was laid in Newark,

New Jersey in 1870.
 HISTORY
4

▪ Egyptians made use of asphalt in the

mummification process and as building material.

▪ Greeks and Romans not only used asphalt as a

building material but also used burning asphalt as
a military weapon.

▪ The asphalt used by these ancient civilizations was

natural asphalt formed when crude petroleum oils rose
to the earth’s surface and formed pools.
 Asphalt Production
5

Refinery Operation
OIL WELL FIELD STORAGE TANKS

LIGHT
DISTILLATE SOLVENTS
GASOLENE
PUMPING MEDIUM
STATION DISTILLATE JET FUEL
HEAVY
DISTILLATE LUBRICANTS
TOWER
DISTILLATION HEATING OIL

RESIDUAL ASPHALT
CEMENTS
STORAGE TUBE CONDENSERS
HEATER AND
COOLERS Lighter molecules vaporize
Asphalt cement remains
Residual varies in consistency
 Asphalt Production
6

▪ Asphalt is what remains after crude petroleum is

distilled to produce fuels and lubricating oils.
▪ The amount of asphalt in a crude ranges from a
few percent for light crudes to about 60% for
heavy crudes.
▪ An asphalt’s properties depend on the crude
petroleum’s chemical make-up and on the refining
process.
 TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE
MIXTURES
7

▪ Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following

two types based on whether hot-mixed, hot laid or cold-
mixed, cold-laid:
▪ Hot-mixed, hot-laid asphalt (HMA) concrete mixture
▪ Cold-mixed, cold-laid asphalt concrete mixture

▪ Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following

two types based on whether in-site-mixed or plant-mixed:
▪ Road-mixed or in place-mixed asphalt concrete mixture
▪ Plant-mixed asphalt concrete mixture
 TYPES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE
MIXTURES
8

▪ HMA concrete mixtures can be classified into following

three types based on type of aggregate grading used:
▪ Dense-graded HMA concrete mixture
▪ Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) concrete mixture
▪ Open-graded HMA concrete mixture

▪ Asphalt concrete mixtures can be classified into following

three types based on type additives used:
▪ Rubber-modified asphalt concrete mixture
▪ Polymer-modified asphalt concrete mixture
▪ Sulfur-modified asphalt concrete mixture
 Hot-mixed asphalt (HMA) concrete
9

 A hot-mixed asphalt (HMA) concrete is a mixture of asphalt, fine aggregate or

both fine and coarse aggregates, and mineral filler (optional)
 The grade of asphalt to be used depends on:
 the type of construction
 climatic conditions
 amount and nature of traffic
 HMA concrete is produced and laid in the following steps:
 both aggregate and asphalt are heated prior to mixing to drive off moisture from
the particles and make the asphalt sufficiently fluid (maximum temperatures for
heating asphalt cement and emulsified asphalt are 176.6 °F (80 degree Celsius) and
82.2 °F (28 degrees Celsius) , respectively
 after heating, all the raw materials are mixed in the plant, and the hot mixture is
transported to the paving site and spread on a loosely compacted layer to a
uniform, even surface with the help of a paving machine
 while the mixture is hot it is compacted by heavy, motor-driven rollers to produce a
smooth, well-compacted paving course
 Since the aggregates are thoroughly dried prior to mixing, stripping of asphalt
(i.e., removal from the pavement) will not take place in hot-mixed, hot-laid
asphalt pavements
 Asphalt Paver
10

www.ce.memphis.edu
 Paving Train
11

www.ce.memphis.edu
 Cold-mixed asphalt concrete
12

▪ Like a hot-mixed asphalt concrete, cold-mixed asphalt concrete is also

a mixture of asphalt, fine aggregate or both fine and coarse aggregates,
and mineral filler (optional)

▪ Cold-mixed asphalt concrete is produced and laid at normal

temperature, however, some heating of both the aggregates and asphalt
may be required during winter season

▪ Drying of aggregates is not necessary except when the particles have

surface moisture

▪ To improve bonding, commercial additives are needed in this type of

asphalt concrete
13
14
 Road-mixed and plant-mixed asphalt
concretes
15

❖ A bituminous surface or base course produced by mixing

aggregates and asphalt at the jobsite is called road-mixed
or mixed-in place asphalt concrete

❖ A mixture of aggregates and emulsified or cutback asphalt

prepared at a central mixing plant and spread and
compacted at the jobsite at near ambient temperature is
called plant-mixed, cold-laid asphalt concrete
 Dense-graded HMA concrete
16

 A dense-graded HMA concrete is produced using well-graded

aggregates, and intended for general use

 When properly designed and constructed, a dense-graded HMA

concrete is relatively impermeable

 Dense-graded HMA concrete mixes are generally referred to by their

nominal maximum aggregate size

 They can further be classified as either fine-graded or coarse-graded.

 Fine-graded mixes have more fine and sand sized particles than coarse-
graded mixes
 Stone matrix asphalt (SMA)
concrete
17

 Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) is a gap-graded HMA that is designed to maximize

deformation (rutting) resistance and durability by using a structural basis of
stone-on-stone contact
 Because the aggregates are all in contact, rut resistance relies on aggregate
properties rather than asphalt binder properties.
 Since aggregates do not deform as much as asphalt binder under load, this
stone-on-stone contact greatly reduces rutting.
 SMA is generally more expensive than a typical dense-graded HMA (about 20 -
25 percent) because it requires more durable aggregates, higher asphalt content
and, typically, a modified asphalt binder and fibers.
 In the right situations it should be cost-effective because of its increased rut
resistance and improved durability.
 SMA, originally developed in Europe to resist rutting and studded tire wear, has
been used in the U.S. since about 1990.
 Open-graded HMA concrete
18

 An open-graded HMA mixture is designed to be water permeable

(dense-graded and SMA mixes usually are not permeable)
 Open-graded mixes use only crushed stone (or gravel) and a
small percentage of manufactured sands.
 There are three types of open-graded mixes typically used in the
U.S.:
 Open-graded friction course (OGFC). Typically 15 percent air
voids, no minimum air voids specified, lower aggregate standards
than Porous European mixes (PEM).
 Porous European mixes (PEM). Typically 18 - 22 percent air
voids, specified minimum air voids, higher aggregate standards
than OGFC and requires the use of asphalt binder modifiers.
 Asphalt treated permeable bases (ATPB). Less stringent
specifications than OGFC or PEM since it is used only under
dense-graded HMA, SMA or PCC for drainage
 Rubber-, polymer-, sulfur-modified
asphalt concretes
19

 Asphalt rubber also called ‘crumb rubber’, which is a

recycled product from old tires, is added in quantity
ranging from 1 to 5% (by wt. of asphalt) as additive in the
production of HMA concrete for improving binding
property of aggregate.
 Rubber addition increase the viscosity and the softening point of
the asphalt

 Polymers (such as ethyl vinyl acetate, latex, silicone, and

epoxies) are added to asphalt as additive to produce
polymer-modified asphalt concrete
 Polymer addition increases dispersion, ductility, and adhesiveness
of asphalt

 Sulfur is added to asphalt concrete to provide higher

stiffness at elevated temperatures
 References
20

https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedfiles/planning/info/vapaving/va_
paving_sup_presentation.pdf

http://www.ce.memphis.edu/3137/Powerpoint%20Handouts/15%20-
%20Asphalt%20Production%20and%20Paving.pdf

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/materials/mcs_study_guid
es/bu-mat-chapt7ap.pdf

http://www.pavementinteractive.org/article/asphalt-production-and-oil-
refining/
 Assignment
21

1. What are the factors to consider in designing

asphalt pavements.
2. What are the types of asphalt used in
pavements.
3. Discuss the pavement cross-section.
 The End
22