Department of Civil Engineering

Mar. 15, 2012

International University - VNU HCMC

CE214U-Constructions Materials
Asphalt concrete

Nguyen Dinh Hung Dr. Eng.

Bituminous materials for civil engineering 1

Asphalt is a popular road construction material today because of its cost
and performance advantages: pave faster, more efficiently, more
economically and with greater serviceability than any other paving material;
Natural asphalt was discovered in 1595, but it was not bound with coal tar
and used to pave roadways until 1902;
Bitumen, the solid or semi-solid residue of the refinery process to make
gasoline from petroleum, quickly replaced natural asphalt for paving roads;
Recently, synthetic polymers have been added to improve performance
and durability.

Bituminous materials for civil engineering 2

Bituminous surfaces (pavements and surface treatments) are used to
provide a roadway wearing surface and to protect the underlying
material from moisture;
Because of their plastic nature, bituminous surfaces are often referred to
as flexible pavements, in contrast to concrete pavements, which are
identified as rigid pavements;
Bituminous surfaces are produced by mixing solid particles (aggregates)
and a bituminous material. Since the bituminous material serves to bond
the aggregate particles together, it is referred to as binder (organic).

Classification of bituminous materials

(Goetz and Wood 1960)

Classification of bituminous materials

Asphalt is the type of bituminous

material most frequently used in
surfacing roads and airfields,
road tars are sometimes used.
Most properties of asphalt and tar
are similar, except that tars are
not soluble in petroleum
products.
Molecular
weight

As a result, tar surface

treatments and tar seal coats are
often used when the pavement is
likely to be subjected to spills of
petroleum fuels.
A major disadvantage of tar is its
tendency to change consistency
with small variations in
temperature.
C=73-88%; H=8-12%, O = 1-2%;

Bituminous materials for road structures

Bituminous materials a blend of hydrocarbons of different molecular

weights;
The characteristics of the asphalt depend on the chemical composition
and the distribution of the molecular weight hydrocarbons;
At room temperatures, asphalt cement is a semisolid material that cannot
be applied readily as a binder without being heated.
Liquid asphalt products (cutbacks and emulsions) have been developed
and can be used without heating;
Liquid asphalt cement is mixed with carefully selected aggregates
(distribution of aggregate) to create types of asphalt concrete.

Bituminous materials for civil engineering 6

Porous asphalt concrete

Bituminous materials for civil engineering 7

Mainly in Vietnam: from crude petroleum residues:
Compound: C=22-88%; H=8-11%, O = 0-1.5%; S=0-6%, N =0.5-1%
Properties of bituminous materials needs to be evaluated before mixing
with aggregate:
Rotational viscosity by viscometer,
Solubility

the test
temperatures

Flash point tests

dynamic shear rheometer
the rolling thin film oven
Pressure-aging vessel condition:

short-term and
long-term effects

Properties of asphalt cement

Rolling Thin-Film Oven - RTFO (ASTM D2872)

RTFO is used to determine the effect of heat and air on a moving film of
semi-solid asphaltic materials. The results are determined from
measurements of the asphalt properties before and after the test (mass
loss);
Result is used to prepare samples other tests: rutting potential with the
dynamic shear rheometer and pressure-aging vessel

Pouring 35g bitumen into

special bottle (jar)
Placing the bottle in a rack of
oven
Rotating 15 rpm and hot air jet
blows 4 l/min at 163C in 75 min

Properties of asphalt cement

Pressure-Aging Vessel - PAV (ASTM D6521)

PAV is to simulate in-service oxidative aging of asphalt binder that occurs
in during pavement service;
Residue from this process may be used to estimate the physical or
chemical properties of an asphalt binder after 5 to 10 years in the field

Put bitumen from RTFO

For 20 hours
Pressure: 2.1MPa

Properties of asphalt cement

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Flash Point (ASTM D92) - Direct Tension Test (ASTM D6723).

At high temperatures, asphalt can flash or ignite in the presence of open
flame or spark, because evaporated oil becomes inflammable. High value of
flash point is a good property of bitumen.
Direct tension test: constant rate of deformation of 1 mm/min, temperature
of 25C. It expresses boding of bitumen itself. Length (strain), load (stress)
are measured. High length and load is a good property of bitumen.

Properties of asphalt cement

Rotational Viscometer Test (ASTM D4402)
RVT is used to determine the viscosity of asphalt binders in the high
temperature range of manufacturing and construction.

The asphalt binder sample is placed in the sample chamber at 135C;

Then both are placed in the thermocell;
A spindle is placed in the asphalt sample and rotated at a speed (20rpm)
Viscosity is determined by machine

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Properties of asphalt cement

Penetration (ASTM D5)
The penetration test measures consistency of asphalt cement at 25C
A standard needle of 100 g: starts penetrating from surface within 5
seconds. Every 0.1mm is recorded as penetration value.
A large penetration value indicates soft asphalt
Small penetration value indicates high condensible

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Properties of cutback and emulsion

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Distillation of Cutback and Emulsion (ASTM D402/D244)

The distillation test of cutback asphalt (ASTM D402) measures the amount
and character of volatile constituents by volume at specified temperatures
(225C, 315C or 360C);
The distillation test of emulsified asphalt (ASTM D244) determines the
percent of residue and oil distillates by weight at specified temperatures;
To determine time that cutback and emulsion harden (setting time of
concrete).

Types of bitumen

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Types of bitumen

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Types of bitumen

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Aggregates

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Aggregates (or mineral aggregates) are hard, inert materials such as

sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, or rock dust;
Aggregates are the principal load-supporting components of an Asphalt
Concrete pavement;
They total 90 to 95 percent of the mixture by weight (coarse aggregate:
2065%, sand: 3066%, powder: 414%) and 75 to 85 percent by volume;
To determine if an aggregate material is suitable for use in asphalt
construction, evaluate it in terms of the following properties:
Size and grading: maximum size of aggregate, distribution of aggregate
size;
Cleanliness: Remove unsuitable materials out of aggregate. It can cause
poor bonding;
Toughness: Resist crushing or disintegration during ixing, placing, and
compacting; or under traffic loading;

Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Aggregates

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To determine if an aggregate material is suitable for use in asphalt

construction, evaluate it in terms of the following properties:
Soundness: to resist deterioration caused by the weather
Particle shape: influence the asphalt mixture: strength and workability and
the density achieved during compaction via lock together;
Surface texture: influence Workability and pavement strength. Rough,
sandpapery texture results in a higher strength than a smooth texture;
Absorption: The porosity of an aggregate permits the aggregate to absorb
asphalt and form a bond between the particle and the asphalt. A degree of
porosity is desired, but aggregates that are highly absorbent are generally
not used.
Stripping: When the asphalt film separates from the aggregate because of
the action of water, it is called stripping. Anti-stripping agent is required, if
aggregates readily susceptible to stripping action.

Basic aggregate properties

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

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The design asphalt content varies for different material types, material
properties, loading levels, and environmental conditions: hot mix asphalt
(asphalt cement > 120C), cold mix asphalt (cutback and emulsion) plant
mix, bituminous mix, bituminous concrete, and many others.
Design method in Vietnam is seminar to Russia and ASTM (USA):
Marshall (ASTM D1559), and Hveem (ASTM D1560);
Marshall is more popular due to be simpler;
Fundamental to each design are the following:
Traffic loading (volume and weight),
Soil-support capability (including
drainage considerations),
Material specifications (aggregate
and asphalt).

Design proportion for asphalt concrete

The design of asphalt mix: selecting and proportioning constituent
materials to obtain the desired properties;

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The basic steps required for performing Marshall mix design are as
follows:
Aggregate evaluation
Asphalt cement evaluation
Specimen preparation
There are two major features of the Marshall method of mix design:
Marshall stability and flow measurement
Density and voids analysis
Design asphalt content determination
The resistance to plastic deformation of a compacted cylindrical specimen
of bituminous mixture is measured when the specimen is loaded
diametrically at a deformation rate of 50 mm/minute.

Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Aggregate Evaluation & Asphalt Cement Evaluation
They total 90 to 95 percent of the mixture by weight (coarse aggregate:
2065%, sand: 3066%, powder: 414%) and 75 to 85 percent by volume;
The grade of asphalt cement is selected based on the expected
temperature range and traffic conditions;
Bitumen: 3 to 12% (4 - 7%) by weight;
Most highway agencies have specifications that prescribe the grade of
asphalt for the design conditions.

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

No.
200

B (%)

0-5

0-3

3.0 - 4.5

40 - 50

20 - 40

0-4

4.0 - 5.0

70 - 100 20 - 40

5 - 20

0-4

4.0 - 5.0

70 - 100 45 - 75 20 - 40

5 - 20

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

70 - 100

35 - 60 15 - 35

5 - 20

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

75 - 100 50 - 80

25 - 60 10 - 30

5 - 20

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

75 - 100 35 - 55

20 - 35

10 - 22

6-16

6 - 16

4 - 12

2-8

3.0 - 6.0

Mix type

2.5 in

1.5in

1 in

IA

100

35 - 75

0 - 15

3/4 in

IIA
IIB

100

IIC

IIE

1/2 in

100

100

IID

100
100

2
3

IIIA

100

3/8 in

No. 4

No. 8

No. 16

No. 30

No. 50 No. 100

IIIB

100

75 - 100 60 - 85 35 - 55

20 - 35

10 - 22

6-16

6 - 16

4 - 12

2-8

3.0 - 6.0

IIIC

100

75 - 100 60 - 85 30 - 50

20 - 35

5 - 20

3 - 12

3 - 12

2-8

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

75 - 100

45 - 70 30 - 50

20 - 35

5 - 20

3 - 12

3 - 12

2-8

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

75 - 100 60 - 85

40 - 65 30 - 50

20 - 35

5 - 20

3 - 12

3 - 12

2-8

0-4

3.0 - 6.0

80 - 100 55 - 75

35 - 50

18 - 29 13 - 23 13 - 23

8 - 16

4 - 10 3.5 - 7.0

80-100 70 - 90 50 - 70

35 - 50

18 - 29 13 - 23 13 - 23

8 - 16

4 - 10 3.5 - 7.0

80 - 100

60 - 80 48 - 65

35 - 50

19 - 30 13 - 23 13 - 23

7 - 15

0-8

3.5 - 7.0

80 - 100 70 - 90

55 - 75 45 - 62

35 - 50

19 - 30 13 - 23 13 - 23

7 - 15

0-8

3.5 - 7.0

85 - 100 65 - 80

50 - 65

37 - 52 25 - 40 18 - 30 18 - 30 10 - 20 3 - 10 4.0 - 7.5

85 - 100 65 - 80

50 - 65

37 - 52 25 - 40 18 - 30 18 - 30 10 - 20 3 - 10 4.0 - 7.5

65 - 78

50 - 70 35 - 60 25 - 48 25 - 48 15 - 30 6 - 12 4.5 - 8.5

65 - 80

47 - 68 30 - 55 20 - 40 20 - 40 10 - 25

IIID
IIIE

100
100

IVA

100

IVB

100

IVC
IVD

100
100

VA
VB

100

VIA

100

VIB

100

VIIA

100

VIIB

85 - 100 85 - 100
100

100

85 - 100 50 - 95
100

70 - 89 55 - 80 30 - 60 30 - 60

3-8

4.5 - 8.5

10 - 35 4 - 14 7.0 - 11.0

95 - 100 85 - 98 70 - 95 40 - 75 40 - 75 20 - 40 8 - 16 7.5 - 12.0

Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Specimen Preparation
Specimens: 101.6 mm (4 in.) in diameter and 63.5 mm (2.5 in.) in high
15 are for stability and flow,
3 are for theoretical maximum specific gravity Gmm;

Marshall stability and flow measurement

The Marshall stability (N): maximum load
carried by the specimen soaked at 60C
within 30 40 min. and load rate 51mm/min
The flow value (0.25mm): deformation up to
the maximum load.

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Density and voids analysis

VTM: Void in Total Mix

VMA: Void in Mineral Aggregate
VFA: Void Filled with Asphalt

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Theoretical maximum specific gravity

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Design asphalt content determination

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Properties of asphalt concrete

Indirect Tensile Strength

2P
t
tD

P: Peak load (N)

D, t: Diameter (mm) and length (mm) of sample
t: tensile strength of asphalt concrete

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Design proportion for asphalt concrete

Diametral Tensile Resilient Modulus

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To evaluate the structural response of the asphalt pavement system, the modulus
of asphalt concrete material is needed;
The diametral tensile resilient modulus is computed as

Based on Marshall stability (S - kN) and flow (F - mm), Young modulus of asphalt
concrete can be determined based on Nijboers experimental equation:

E elastic ,60 C

S
1.6 daN / cm 2
F

Properties of asphalt concrete

Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) Rut Test is

based on AASHTO TP 63
Sample kept in test temperature within 6 hrs 64C
Under the pressurized rubber tube rack (578N
100psi)
Wheel acting 8000 cycles
Samples at specified air voids
APA Rut < X mm to pass

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Department of Civl Engineering

International University VNU HCMC

Thank you for your kind attention!