ASPHALT

I. DEFINITION:
ASPHALT - “ A dark brown to black cementitious
material, solid, semi- solid or liquid in
consistency which the predominating
constituents are bitumen which occurs in
nature as such or which are obtained as
residue in refining petroleum.”
BITUMEN
- the main constituent of the asphalt
- the cementing properties of the asphalt
- it is often called bituminous material
- portion of asphalt that is soluble in carbon
disulfide
- a mixture of hydrocarbons of natural or
pyrogenous origin or a combination of both;
frequently accompanied by non metallic
derivatives which may be gaseous, liquid,
semisolid or solid.
 BRIEF HISTORY

“ ASPHALTU “ or “ SPHALLO “
- Acadian term where in the word asphalt is
claimed to have been derived from.

Asphalt was first used in the nature of a cement for

joining together various objects and it is possible the
term is expressive of this application.
Prehistoric – skeletons of prehistoric animals preserved intact to
present day in surface deposits of asphalt La Brea, pit,
Los Angeles Calif.

3200 to 540 B. C. - Recent Archaeological excavations show extensive

use of asphalt in Mesopotamia and Indus valley, as
cement for masonry and highway construction and as
waterproofing layer for temple baths and water tanks.
300 B. C. - Asphalt extensively used for mummification in Egypt.

1802 A. D. - Rock asphalt used in France for floor, bridge and sidewalk
surfacing.
1838 A. D. - Rock asphalt imported and used in sidewalk
construction in Philadelphia.

1870 A. D. (Circa) - First asphalt pavement laid in Newark, New

Jersey by Professor E. J. DeSmedt, a Belgian chemist.

1876 A. D. - First sheet asphalt pavement laid in Washington D.C.,

with imported lake asphalt.

1902 A. D. – Approximately 20,000 tons of asphalt refined from

petroleum in the United States.

Since 1926 - to present time the petroleum asphalt and road oil
tonnage produced annually has increased steadily.
II. COMPOSITION OF ASPHALT

Scientifically asphalts are colloidal systems in

which asphaltenes constitute the dispersed phase
and the remaining liquid called petrolenes
(maltenes) constitute the dispersing medium.
1. ASPHALTENES
- the substance which remains insoluble and
precipitates or coagulates when an asphalt is
dissolved by a specific solvent such as naptha,
ethyl ether, N-pentane or heptane.

- responsible for the plastic properties of asphalts

and also imparts hardness to it.

- gives color (black, dark brown).

2. PETROLENES

- substance which is soluble in petroleum

solvents as N-pentanes.
- it is composed of resins and oily constituents.
2.1 RESINS
- impart ductility and a high break point.
- provides stickiness (adhesiveness).

2.2 OILY CONSTITUENTS

- responsible for the softness of asphalt.

- for good adhesiveness the oily constituents should be

low and asphaltic resins high.

- influences viscosity of asphalt.

IV. PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT
1. strong cement
2. readily adhesive
3. highly waterproof and durable
4. imparts controllable flexibility to mixture of mineral
aggregates.
5. highly resistant to the action of most acid alkalis and salts
6. solid or semi-solid at ordinary atmospheric temperature but
may be readily liquefied by the application of heat or by
dissolving it in petroleum solvents of varying volatility or by
emulsification.
7. thermoplastic material, (consistency changes as its
temperature changes)
II. USES OF ASPHALT
1. Binder
2. Waterproofing material
3. Joint and crack filler
4. Prime Coat
5. Tack Coat
6. Seal Coat
7. Under sealing (PCCP)
8. Pipe Coating
9. Surface Treatment
10. Roofing
VI. KINDS OF ASPHALT

1. NATURAL ASPHALT (NATIVE)

- asphalt occurring in nature which has been derived
from petroleum by natural processes of evaporation
of volatile fractions leaving the asphalt fraction.

Ex. Rock Asphalt - porous rock such as sandstone or

limestone that has become
impregnated with natural asphalt
through geologic process.

Lake Asphalt - Lake deposits

2. MANUFACTURED ASPHALT
- asphalt from crude petroleum, crude petroleum is
refined and distilled to separate the various
fractions and recover the asphalt.
- such asphalt is produced in a variety of types and
grades ranging from hard brittle solids to almost
water-thin liquids.
- the semi-solid form, known as asphalt cement , is
the basic material.
See Figure : Petroleum Asphalt Flow Chart
 VII. KINDS OF MANUFACTURED ASPHALTS
(ASPHALTIC MATERIALS)
1. ASPHALT CEMENT
- asphalt that is refined to meet specifications for paving, industrial
and special purposes.
CHARACTERISTICS:

- the term is often abbreviated A. C.

- hot asphalt
- solid to semi-solid in consistency
- odorless
- black in color
- basic cementing material
- constituent of all other asphalt types
- penetration graded asphalt cement (5) :
AASHTO M-20
40 - 50
60 - 70
85 - 100
120 - 150
200 - 300
- Viscosity graded asphalt cement (5) :
AASHTO M 226
AC - 2.5
AC - 5
AC - 10
AC - 20
AC - 40
Uses:

1. Item 303 - Bituminous Seal Coat

2. Item 304 - Bituminous Surface Treatment

3. Item 305 - Bituminous Penetration Macadam

Pavement

4. Item 310 - Bituminous Concrete Surface

Course, Hot-Laid
2. LIQUID ASPHALT
- liquid asphaltic product are generally prepared
by cutting back or blending asphalt cement with
petroleum distillates or by emulsifying them
with water.

- - Soft or fluid in consistency

- - Viscosity graded asphalt

KINDS OF LIQUID ASPHALT

2.1 CUTBACK ASPHALT

- asphalt cement which has been liquefied by blending with
petroleum solvents also called diluents (usually a minimum
of 55% of asphalt cement).

CHARACTERISTICS:
- liquid at room temperature
- characteristic smell of petroleum solvents as gasoline and

kerosene
- black in color
CLASSIFICATION:

2.1.1 RAPID – CURING (RC) ASPHALT

Asphalt Cement + gasoline or naptha (light distillate- high volatility)

Viscosity Grades (4) : AASHTO M 81

RC - 70
RC - 250
RC - 800
RC - 3000
2.1.2 MEDIUM – CURING (MC) ASPHALT

Asphalt cement + kerosene (medium distillate – medium volatility)

Viscosity Grades (5) : AASHTO M 82

MC - 30
MC - 70
MC - 250
MC - 800
MC - 3000
2.1.3 SLOW- CURING (SC) ASPHALT

Asphalt Cement + Oil (heavy distillate- low volatility)

Viscosity Grades (4) :

SC - 70
SC - 250
SC - 800
SC - 3000
Uses:

1. Item 301 - Bituminous Prime Coat

2. Item 302 - Bituminous Tack Coat (RC)
3. Item 303 - Bituminous Seal Coat
4. Item 304 - Bituminous Surface Treatment
5. Item 305 – Bituminous Penetration Macadam Pavement
6. Item 306 - Bituminous Road-Mix Surface Course
7. Item 308 - Bituminous Plant-Mix Surface Course, Cold-Laid
8. Item 309 - Bit. Plant-Mix (Stockpile Maintenance Mixture)
9. Item 310 - Bit. Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
2.1 ASPHALT EMULSION
- an emulsion of asphalt cement and water (usually 60% asphalt
and 40% water) which contains a small amount of an
emulsifying agent ( 1 – 2% emulsifier).

- a heterogeneous system containing two normally immiscible

phases (asphalt and water) in which the water forms the
continuous phase of the emulsion and minute globules of
asphalt form the discontinuous phase.

EMULSIFIED ASPHALT – Asphalt Cement + Water + Emulsifier

EMULSIFIER - derivatives of salt (amine or sodium salt)
CHARACTERISTICS:

 liquid at room temperature

 pungent odor
 chocolate brown in color
CLASSIFICATION :

emulsified asphalt maybe either the anionic or

cationic types depending upon the emulsifying
agent.
2.2.1 ANIONIC EMULSIFIED ASPHALT ( - )

electro-negatively charged asphalt globules used for

limestone or calcareous aggregates.

Viscosity Grades (11) : AASHTO M 140

a. Rapid- Setting: RS – 1
RS - 2
HFRS – 2
b. Medium Setting: MS - 1
MS - 2
MS - 2h
HFMS – 1
HFMS - 2
HFMS - 2h

c. Slow Setting : HFMS - 2S

SS - 1
SS - 1h
2.2.2 CATIONIC EMULSIFIED ASPHALT (+)
- electro-positively charged asphalt globules used for
siliceous materials (silica/sand).
Viscosity Grades (6) : AASHTO M 208
a. Rapid-Setting: CRS - 1
CRS - 2

b. Medium-Setting: CMS – 2
CMS – 2h

c. Slow-Setting: CSS - 1
CSS - 1h
Uses:
1. Item 205 – Asphalt Stabilized Rd.-Mix Base Course
2. Item 302 – Bituminous Tack Coat
3. Item 304 – Bituminous Surface Treatment
4. Item 305 - Bituminous Penetration Macadam Pavement
5. Item 306 - Bituminous Rd.-Mix Surface Course
6. Item 308 - Bituminous Plant-Mix Surface Course Hot-Laid
7. Item 309 - Bituminous Plant-Mix (Stockpile Maintenance
Mixture)
3. BLOWN OR OXIDIZED ASPHALT
- asphalt that is treated by blowing air through it at elevated
temperature to give it characteristics desired for certain
special uses.
- penetration grade : 0 to 30
Uses:
1. specially used as joint filler
2. roofing
3. pipe coating
4. under sealing Portland cement concrete pavement
5. waterproofing and other hydraulic application
6. lining of the canal
ASPHALT/CONCRETE JOINT SEALER/FILLER

TYPES:

1. hot-poured elastic type

2. preformed
I. HOT-POURED ELASTIC TYPE:
SPECIFICATION:
AASHTO M 173: Concrete Joint-Sealer,
Poured Elastic Type
- intended for use in sealing joints or filling cracks in
concrete pavements, bridges and other structure

- resilient and adhesive material capable of effectively

sealing joints in concrete against the infiltration of moisture
and foreign material throughout repeated cycles of
expansion and contraction with temperature changes and
that will not flow from the joint or be picked up by vehicle
tires at summer temperature.
Tests Spec’s

1. Safe heating temperature -

2. Pour Point Temperature -

3. Flow 5.0 mm (max.)

4. Penetration 90 (max.)
II. Preformed

Preformed Expansion Joint Fillers

- consists of preformed sheets or strips made of

cane or other suitable fibers of a cellular
cellulosic nature securely bound together and
then uniformly saturated with asphalt.
- or strips formed from clean granulated cork
securely bound together by a suitable asphalt
binder and encased between two layers of
saturated felt or two layers of glass fiber felt.
- premolded strips of asphalt mixed with fine
mineral substances, fibrous materials, cork,
sawdust etc. manufactured in dimension
suitable for construction joints.
SPECIFICATIONS:

AASHTO M 153 : Preformed Sponge Rubber and Cork Expansion

Joint Fillers for Concrete Paving and Structural
Construction

AASHTO M 123 : Preformed Expansion Joint Fillers For Concrete

Paving and Structural Construction (Non Extruding
and Resilient Bituminous Type)

AASHTO M 33 : Preformed Expansion Joint Filler for Concrete

(Bituminous Type)
Nominal Thickness of Joint, mm (in.) Absorption, % (Max.)

25 (1) 2.5
19 (3/4) 3
13 (1/2) 4
9.5 (1/8) 5
Expansion Joint filler having a nominal thickness of less
than 9.5 mm (1/8”) shall not be subjected to a
requirement for water absorption.

For nominal thickness of 13 mm (1/2 in.) and over, shall

absorb not more than 15 percent by volume in 24 hours
and 20 percent by volume for all other thickness.

Blue Book : DPWH Standard Specifications (1995)

Item 705 : Joint Materials
VIII. SAMPLING/MINIMUM TESTING REQUIREMENTS
SIGNIFICANCE :

1.1 Sampling is an important as testing and every precaution

shall be taken to obtain samples that will show the true
nature and condition of the materials.
1.2 Samples may be taken :
1.2.1 To represent as nearly as possible an average of
the bulk of the material sampled or
1.2.2 To ascertain the maximum variation in
characteristics which the material possesses.
 1. SIZE OF SAMPLES FOR ROUTINE LAB.
TESTS :

Asphaltic Materials: 4 liters (1 gal.)

Asphalt Cement
Cut-back Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Joint Sealer
Preformed Expansion Joint Filler = 16” x 16”
 2. MINIMUM TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

Asphaltic Mat’ls.: 1-Q.T. for every 40 M.T. or 200

Drums or fraction thereof

Preformed Expansion Joint Filler/Sealer: 1-QT per

shipment of 93 square meters (1000 sq. ft.) or fraction
thereof
4. CONTAINERS
TYPES OF CONTAINERS:
4.1 Containers for liquid bituminous material samples,
except emulsions, shall be double friction top cans,
square cans with screw tops, or small mouth cans
with screw caps.
4.2 Containers for anionic emulsified asphalt samples
shall be widemouth jars or bottles made of glass or
plastic.
4.3 Containers for cationic emulsified asphalt samples
shall be widemouth jars or bottles made of plastic or
widemouth cans with screw caps.
5. PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SAMPLES
5.1 Sample containers shall be new. They shall not be washed or
rinsed or wiped with oily cloth. Top and container shall fit
together tightly.
5.2 Care shall be taken to prevent the sample from becoming
contaminated. Immediately after filling, the containers shall be
tightly and positively sealed.
5.3 The filled sample container shall not be submerged in solvent
nor shall it wiped with a solvent saturated cloth. If cleaning is
necessary use a clean dry cloth.
5.4 Samples of emulsion shall be protected from freezing by correct
packaging.
5.5 Transferring samples from one container to
another shall be avoided it possible, as
characteristics of materials could be
altered during transfer and there is a
possibility of contamination.

5.6 Immediately after filling, sealing and

cleaning, the sampling containers shall be
properly marked for identification with a
suitable marking pencil on the container
itself, not on the lid.
IX. TESTING OF ASPHALT
1. ASPHALT CEMENT ( 9 tests )

1.1 Specific Gravity

1.2 Loss on heating (Thin-Film Oven Test)
1.3 Solubility
1.4 Spot Test
1.5 Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup Flash Tester)
1.6 Penetration
1.6.1 Original
1.6.2 After loss
1.7 Ductility
1.7.1 Original
1.7.2 After loss
2. CUTBACK ASPHALT ( 8 tests)

2.1 Specific Gravity

2.2 Flash Point (Tag Open Cup Flash Tester)
2.3 Viscosity (Kinematic Capillary Viscometer)
2.4 Distillation
2.5 Test on residue
2.5.1 Penetration
2.5.2 Ductility
2.5.3 Solubility
2.5.4 Spot Test
3. EMULSIFIED ASPHALT (9 tests)

3.1 Specific Gravity

3.2 Storage Stability
3.3 Sieve Test
3.4 Viscosity (Saybolt-Furol Viscometer)
3.5 Cement Mixing
3.6 Distillation
3.7 Test on Residue
3.7.1 Penetration
3.7.2 Ductility
3.7.3 Solubility
 X. SIGNIFICANCE OF TESTS

1. SPECIFIC GRAVITY

a. it is a gauge to a uniformity of supply of an asphalt (if it is being

adulterated or diluted).

b. important during computation and design (Job Mix) essentials

in
the determination of the effective asphalt content and the
percentage of air voids in compacted mix specimens and
compacted pavement.

c. results is of value for making volume correction when

measurements are made at elevated temperature
2. SOLUBILITY

a. determines the bitumen content in asphalt cement that is soluble

in a solvent (carbon disulfide and carbon tetrachloride).

b. measures the purity of the asphalt cement.

c. (portion of the asphalt cement that is soluble represent the

active cementing constituents).

d. (impurities such as salts, free carbon and non-organic

contaminants does not dissolve in a solvent).
3. SPOT TEST

- determines if asphalts is overheated or not during production.

4. LOSS OF HEATING

- determines the loss of volatiles in the asphalt.

5. FLASH POINT

- indicates the safe heating temperature of the asphalt, the

temperature to which the material maybe safely heated without
danger of instantaneous flash (catching fire or explode) in the
presence of an open flame.
6. PENETRATION

- determines the relative hardness or consistency of an asphalt

cement, by measuring the distance of the standard needle used
that penetrate vertically to the sample under the fixed condition of
temperature, load and time.

7. DUCTILITY

- measures the ability of asphalt to stretch without breaking.

- a gauge to adhesiveness of asphalt, the higher the ductility the

more adhesive the asphalt.

8. VISCOSITY

- liquidity or fluidity of asphalt

- consistency test of the liquid asphalt
- determines the flow characteristics of asphalts in the range of
temperature during application.
9. DISTILLATION

- determines the relative proportions of asphalt and diluent present

in liquid asphalt.

- also used to measure the amount of diluent that distills off at

various temperature denoting its evaporation characteristics, this in
turn, indicates the relative rate at which the material will cure “after
application”.

10. SIEVE TEST

- determines quantitatively the percent asphalt present in the form of

relatively large globules in the emulsion. Such globules do not
provide thin & uniform coatings of asphalt on the aggregate
particles.
- determines whether the emulsion has properly emulsified (properly
mixed).
11. CEMENT MIXING

- determines the resistance of the emulsion to breakdown

on
the job.
- determines the rate where in the emulsion will break when
in contact with soil or mineral aggregates.

12. STORAGE STABILITY

- defects the tendency of the asphalt globules in the

emulsion to settle during storage of an emulsified asphalt.
XI. SPECIFICATIONS:

AASHTO M-20 - Penetration Graded Asphalt Cement

AASHTO M-81 - Cut-back Asphalt (Rapid-Curing Type)

AASHTO M-82 – Cut-back Asphalt (Medium-Curing Type)

AASHTO M-140 - Emulsified Asphalt (Anionic)

AASHTO M-208 - Emulsified Asphalt (Cationic)