CE 6504 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING NOTES

UNIT IV HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND PRACTICE

SYLLABUS
Highway Construction Materials
Properties
Testing Methods
CBR Test for Subgrade
Tests on Aggregate
Tests on Bitumen

Construction Practice Including Modern Materials And Methods

Bituminous Road Construction
Concrete Road Construction
Polymer Modified Bitumen
Recycling
Different Materials
Glass, Fiber, Plastic, Geo-Textiles, Geo-Membrane (Problem Not Included)
Quality Control Measures

Highway Drainage

Construction Machineries

Highway Construction Materials

1 List the various classifications of civil engineering materials used for

Highway Construction

The four PRIMARY classes of materials used for HIGHWAY Construction are
Soil for Subgrade
Stone Aggregates
Bituminous Materials
Cement and Concrete Materials

SECONDARY Materials used for HIGHWAY Construction are

Glass
Fiber
Plastic
and
GEO SYNTHETICS
* Geo-Textiles
* Geo-Membranes
* Geo-Fabrics
* Geo-Grids
* Geo-Cells
* Geo-Nets
* Pre-fabricated vertical drains
* Geosynthetic clay liner
* Geocomposites

2 List the properties of Subgrade Soil for good strength and life of highway
pavement
* Stability * Incompressibility * Permanancy of Strength
* Minimum Variation in Volume * Good Drainage ( Permeability, Seepage ) * Ease of Compaction
3 List the various classifications of Stone Aggregates for Highway
Construction

Stone Aggregates are classified as

 Angular Aggregates ( Crushed Stones )
Rounded Aggregates ( Pebbles )
Flaky and Elongated Aggregates
Artificial Aggregates ( C & D Waste )

4 List the situations where the different stone aggregates are used
# Stone Aggregate Type
1 Angular Aggregates
( Crushed Stones )
2 Rounded Aggregates
( Pebbles )
3 Flaky and Elongated
Aggregates
4 Artificial Aggregates
( C & D Waste )
Used for Situations like
for Cement Concrete Roads ( Rigid Pavement )
for GB Granular base in WBM and Bituminous Roads due
to good interlocking ( Flexible Pavement )
for Concrete Roads only due to Low Surface Area and
better Workability
NOT TO BE USED for Concrete Roads
may be used for Sub-base and Base Courses in Bituminous
Roads
may be used as partial replacement for natural stone aggregates for
low volume roads

5 List the characteristics required for Stone Aggregates for Highway

Construction
Stone Aggregates properties required for Good Strength and Long Life of pavements are
Strength * Hardness * Toughness * Durability * Shape and Size
Adhesion with Bitumen * Abrasion Resistance

6 List the various classifications of Bitumen

ASPHALT BITUMEN TAR

are the three major classifications of Bituminous materials for roads

The sub-classifications and properties are listed as under

#
ASPHALT BITUMEN TAR
1 Types * Natural Asphalt * Straight Run Bitumen * Wood Tar
* Residual or Artificial * Cutback Bitumen * Coal Tar
Asphalt * Bitumen Emulsion * Mineral Tar
* Cutback asphalt * Penetration Grade Bitumen
* Asphalt emulsion * Oxidized Bitumen
* Asphalt cement * Polymer Modified Bitumen
* Mastic asphalt * Bituminous Primer
* Plastic Bitumen
* Blown Bitumen
2 Colour in large mass Blackish brown Blackish Brown Blackish Brown
in Thin Film or Dark color with slight or
reddish tinge Deep black
3 Viscous Liquid
State Solid or semi-solid Solid black and sticky
residue
4 Carbon content Low Medium High
5 Water Resistance More More Less
6 Acid resistance More More Less
7 Adhesive power Less More High
8 Less Less More
Setting time
FAST Setting FAST Setting SLOW Setting
9 Stripping Action **** Faster Slower
10 Temperature Susceptibility Less More
#
ASPHALT BITUMEN TAR
11 Susceptibility to solve **** Susceptible NON- Susceptible
in Petroleum Solvent
12 Phenolic Content **** Less More ( so gets
Oxidised Easily )
13 Crystallistaion **** Does Not Get Crytsallized Gets Crytsallized
Hence will become
brittle and will crack
faster in pavements
14 Durability **** More Less

15 Water Resistance **** Good Poor

16 Bonding with **** If water is present, the bitumen Even if water is

Aggregates DOES NOT adhere to the present, the
Aggregates easilu bitumen DOES NOT
adhere to the
Aggregates easily
17 Raw Material **** obtained by the DISTILLATION of obtained by the
CRUDE OIL ( Petroleum ) COMBUSTION of
COAL WITHOUT
Oxygen
18 % of PAH, carcinogenic compounds PAH is in very small % in Bitumen 20 to 30 % of PAH
polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and hence harmless Tar; hence tar is
banned for health
reasons

7 List the various tests for Bitumen

# Bitumen Lab To determine Result

Test
1 Penetration Test
2 Ductility Test
3 Softening Point Test
Also called
RING& BALL Test
4 Viscosity Test
5 Specific gravity test
6 Flash and Fire Point
test.
7 Float test
8 Water content test
9 Solubility test
10 Loss on heating Test
11 SPOT Test
** hardness or softness of bitumen 30 / 40 is the HARDEST grade
** the grade of bitumen 200 / 300 SOFTEST grade
** Deformability / Elongation Minimum 75 cm
** Softening Point cccc
( to assess the vulnerability of damage
under exposure to temperature )
**viscosity Expressed in SECONDS
The viscosity expressed in seconds is the time taken by the 50 ml bitumen material to
pass through the orifice of a cup, under standard test conditions and specified temperatur
** specific gravity 0.97 to 1.02
** fire risk of ingnition / combustion Min 175C for FLASH
Point
Alternative test for Viscosity Time in seconds
Water content present MAXIMUM water content NOT
MORE than 0.2 % by weight
Amount of IMPURITIES NOT more than 1 %
Weight lost due to escape of VOLATILEs MAX Loss in weight
when heated 1 to 2 %
To detect Dark Brown or dark Black
OVER HEATED or CRACKED Bitumen Circle at Centre indicates
CRACKED condition

8 Define Cutback Bitumen and list its types

 Cutback bitumen is used for cold weather bituminous road construction and maintenance.

It is a mixture of bitumen mixed with a VOLATILE SOLVENT.

The distillates used for preparation of cutback bitumen are naphtha, kerosene, diesel oil, and furnace
oil. There are different types of cutback bitumen like rapid curing (RC), medium curing (MC), and
slow curing (SC).

This mixing with volatiles elps in applying the bituminous mix at lower temperatures without heating
Types are
RC Rapid Curing Cutback Bitumen
MC Medium Curing Cutback Bitumen
SC Slow Curing Cutback Bitumen
These are a grade of bitumen that comes under penetration grade bitumen. This type of bitumen has a
temporarily reduced viscosity by the introduction of a volatile oil. Once after the application, the
volatile material is evaporated and bitumen gain its original viscosity.
The penetration grade bitumen is a thermoplastic material. It shows the different value of viscosity for
different temperature. In areas of road construction, it is necessary for the material to be fluid in nature
at the time of laying i.e. during surface dressing.
It is also essential for the material to regain back to its original hardness and property after setting.
This is ensured by cutback bitumen. The fluidity is obtained for any bitumen by raising the
temperature. But when it is necessary to have fluidity at lower temperatures during surface dressing,
cutback bitumen is employed.

9 Define Bitumen Emulsion and list its types

The this type of bitumen forms a two-phase system with two immiscible liquids. One of them is dispersed as
fine globules within the other liquid. When discrete globules of bitumen are dispersed in a continuous form of
water, bitumen emulsion is formed.

This is a form of penetration grade bitumen that is mixed and used for laying purposes.
An emulsifier having a long hydrocarbon chain with either a cationic or anionic ending is used for dispersing
the bitumen globules. This emulsifier provides an electrochemical environment. The ionic part of the chain has
an affinity towards water and the bitumen is attracted by hydrocarbon part.

Bitumen during Dispersion in an emulsifier

As shown in figure below, the hydrocarbon binds the bitumen globules strongly and the ionic part is seen on the
surface of the globules. Depending on the ions present, the droplets take a charge.
The emulsions can be cationic (positive charge) or anionic (negatively charged). The globules of the same
charge hence repel each other, making the whole system stable. To facilitate adhesion with the aggregates (that
are negatively charged), cationic emulsions are more preferred.
The stability of emulsions is dependent on the following factors:
Types of bitumen emulsifier and its quantity * Water evaporation rate
Bitumen quantity * Bitumen globules size
Mechanical forces
The emulsions are applied by using sprays. For this viscosity is a primary concern. With the increase of bitumen
content, the mixture becomes more viscous. This is found to be sensitive when the amount exceeds 60%.
10 Define Polymer Modified Bitumen and its advantages
 Polymer modified bitumen is the type of bitumen obtained by the modification of strength and the
rheological properties of the penetration graded bitumen. Here for this 2 to 8% of polymer is added.

The polymer used can be either plastic or rubber. These polymers vary the strength and the viscoelastic
properties of the bitumen. This is achieved by:

1. Elastic response increase

2. Improvement in cohesive property
3. Improvement in Fracture strength
4. Providing ductility

Some of the examples of rubber polymers used are styrene block copolymers, synthetic rubbers, natural
and recycled rubbers. Plastics that are thermoplastic polymers are also used.

11 List the different grades of Bitumen

* Bitumen is graded based on the Penetration test results
* Bitumen is graded based on the Viscosity test results
* Bitumen is graded based on the Superpave Performance

Grades based on the Penetration Test

1. Hardest Bitumen Grade 40 50
2. 60 70
3. 85-100
4. 120-150
5. Softest Bitumen Grade 200-300

Penetration 40 means 40 * 0.1 mm = 4 mm

Penetration Grade 30 / 40 means penetration is in the range of 30 to 40 = 3 to 4 mm

Penetration Grade 80 / 100 means penetration is in the range of 80 to 100 = 8 to 10 mm

12 List out the various construction machineries required for Bitumen Roads

Rr3rf3g
12 List

Stone Agg

13 List

Stone Agg

14 List

Stone Agg

15 List

Stone Agg

** List

Stone Agg
Q DESCRIBE the various lab tests for bitumen
1. PENETRATION TEST
PENETRATION Test measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in tenths of a
millimeter to which a standard loaded needle will penetrate vertically in 5 seconds. BIS had standardized the
equipment and test procedure.
The penetrometer consists of a needle assembly with a total weight of 100g and a device for releasing and
locking in any position. The bitumen is softened to a pouring consistency, stirred thoroughly and poured into
containers at a depth at least 15 mm in excess of the expected penetration. The test should be conducted at a
specified temperature of 250C.
Penetration value is largely influenced by any inaccuracy with regards to pouring temperature, size of the
needle, weight placed on the needle and the test temperature.
In hot climates, a lower penetration grade is preferred. The Fig-1 shows a schematic Penetration Test setup.

OBJECTIVE To determinate the penetration of bitumen.

EQUIPMENT & APPARATUS
*Container * Needle * Stop watch * Water bath * Penetration apparatus * Thermometer

PROCEDURE
1. bitumen is softened to a paving consistency between 750 C and 1000C above the approximate temp at
which bitumen softens.
2. The sample material is thoroughly stirred to make it homogeneous and free from air bubbles and water.
3. sample containers are cooled in atmosphere of temperature not lower than 13C for one hour. Then they
are placed in temperature controlled water bath at a temperature of 25C for a Period of one hour.
4. weight of needle, shaft and additional weight are checked. total weight of assembly should be 100 g.
5. Using the adjusting screw, needle assembly is lowered and the tip of the needle is made to just touch the
top surface sample.
6. needle assembly is clamped in this position. contact of the tip of the needle is checked using the mirror
placed on the rear of the needle.
7. The initial reading of the penetrometer dial is either adjusted to zero or the initial reading is noted.
8. Needle is released by pressing a button and a stop watch is started. The needle is released exactly for a
period of 5.0 secs.
CALCULATION
The difference between the initial and final penetration readings are taken as the penetration
value.
TYPICAL RESULTS 30 / 40 is the hardest grade
2. DUCTILITY TEST
Ductility is the property of bitumen that permits it to undergo great deformation or elongation. Ductility is
defined as the distance in cm, to which a standard sample or briquette of the material will be elongated without
breaking. Dimension of the briquette thus formed is exactly 1 cm square. The bitumen sample is heated and
poured in the mould assembly placed on a plate. These samples with moulds are cooled in the air and then in
water bath at 270C temperature. The excess bitumen is cut and the surface is leveled using a hot knife. Then the
mould with assembly containing sample is kept in water bath of the ductility machine for about 90 minutes. The
sides of the moulds are removed, the clips are hooked on the machine and the machine is operated. The distance
up to the point of breaking of thread is the ductility value which is reported in cm.
The ductility value gets affected by factors such as pouring temperature, test temperature, rate of pulling etc.
A minimum ductility value of 75 cm has been specified by the BIS. Fig-2 shows ductility Test Process.

OBJECTIVE For determination of ductility of distillation residue a given bitumen.

CODE IS : 1208-1978 Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials (Determination of ductility)
EQUIPMENT & APPARATUS
Briquette mould,
Ductility machine with water bath and a pulling device

A putty knife

Thermometer

PROCEDURE
1. The bitumen sample is maintained to a pouring temperature (75C to 100C) and poured into the mould
assembly and placed on a brass plate, where a solution of glycerin or soap solution is applied at all
surfaces of briquette mould exposed to bitumen.
2. After the sample is poured to the mould, thirty to forty minutes the entire assembly is placed in a water
bath at 27C.

3. Then the sample is removed from the water bath maintained at 27C and excess bitumen material is
cutoff by leveling the surface using hot knife.

4. After trimming the specimen, the mould assembly containing sample is replaced in water bath
maintained at 27C for 85 to 95 minutes. Then the sides of mould are removed and the clips are carefully
booked on the machine without causing any initial strain. Two or more specimens may be prepared in the
moulds and clipped to the machine so as to conduct these test simultaneously.

5. The pointer is set to read zero. The machine is started and the two clips are thus pulled apart
horizontally.

6. While the test is in operation, it is checked whether the sample is immersed in water at depth of at least
10 mm.

TYPICAL RESULTS extension in cm

3.SOFTENING POINT TEST also called RING AND BALL TEST
Softening point denotes the temperature at which the bitumen attains a particular degree of softening under the
specified condition of test.
The test is conducted by using Ring and Ball apparatus. A brass ring containing test sample of bitumen is
suspended in liquid like water or glycerin at a given temperature. A steel ball is placed upon the bitumen sample
and the liquid medium is heated at a rate of 50C per minute. Temperature is noted when the softened bitumen
touches the metal plate which is at a specified distance below.
Generally, higher softening point indicates lower temperature susceptibility and is preferred in hot climates.
Fig-3 shows Softening Point test setup.

OBJECTIVE For determination of softening point of a given bitumen.

EQUIPMENT & APPARATUS

Ring and Ball apparatus,
Steel balls
Brass rings
Ball guide
Support
Thermometer
Bath with stirrer

PROCEDURE
1. Sample material is heated to a temperature between 75 and 100C above the approximate softening
point until it is completely fluid and is poured in heated rings placed on the metal plate.
2. To avoid sticking of the bitumen to metal plate, coating is done to this with a solution of glycerin and
dextrin.
3. After cooling the rings in air for 30 minutes, the excess bitumen is trimmed and rings are placed in the
support.
4. At this time the temperature of distilled water is kept at 5C. This temperature IS maintained for 15
minutes after which the balls are placed in position.
5. Then the temperature of water is raised at uniform rate of 5C per minute with a controlled heating unit,
until the bitumen softens and touches the bottom plate by sinking of balls. At least two observations are
made. For material whose softening point is above 80C, glycerin is used for heating medium and the starting
temperature is 35C instead of 5C.
RECORD /REPORTS

The temperature at the instant when each of the ball and sample touches the bottom plate of support is recorded
as softening point value.An average value of two tests is reported as softening point value.

TYPICAL RESULTS 35 C to 70 C

4. SPECIFIC GRAVITY TEST

The specific gravity of bitumen is defined as the ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen of known content to
the mass of equal volume of water at 270C. The specific gravity can be measured using either pycnometer or
preparing a cube specimen of bitumen in semi solid or solid state.
In paving jobs, to classify a binder, density property is of great use. In most cases bitumen is weighed, but when
used with aggregates, the bitumen is converted to volume using density values.
The density of bitumen is greatly influenced by its chemical composition. Increase in aromatic type mineral
impurities cause an increase in specific gravity.
The specific gravity of bitumen varies from 0.97 to 1.02.

INTRODUCTION
Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the mass of a given volume of the bituminous material to the mass of
an equal volume of water, the temperature of both being specified as 27 0C.
APPARATUS
Specific gravity bottle of 50 ml capacity, ordinary capillary type with 6 mm diameter neck or wide
mouthed capillary type bottle with 25 mm diameter neck
Balance having least count of 1g

PROCEDURE
1. The specific gravity bottle is cleaned, dried and weighed along with the stopper.
2. It is filled with fresh distilled water, stopper placed and the same is kept in water container for at least
half an hour at temperature 270C.

3. The bottle is then removed and cleaned from outside. The specific gravity bottle containing distilled
water is now weighed.

4. The bituminous material is heated to a pouring temperature and is poured in the above empty bottle
taking all the precautions that it is clean and dry before filling sample materials. The material is filled up to
the half taking care to prevent entry of air bubbles.

5. To permit an escape of air bubbles, the sample bottle is allowed to stand for half an hour at suitable
temperature cooled to 270C and then weighed.

6. The remaining space in the specific gravity bottle is filled with distilled water at 27 0C , stopper placed
and is placed in water container at 270C.

7. The bottle containing bituminous material and containing water is removed, cleaned from outside and is
again weighed.

CALCULATION
Specific gravity = weight of bituminous material/weight of equal volume of water

= (c-a)___
[(b-a)-(d-c)]
Where,
 a = weight of specific gravity bottle, g
b = weight of specific gravity bottle filled with distilled water, g
c = weight of the specific gravity bottle about half filled with bituminous material, g
d = weight of the specific gravity bottle about half filled with material and the rest with distilled water, g
RESULTS
At least three measurements should be made for determining value of the specific gravity

TYPICAL RESULTS Sp Gr of Bitumen = 0.97 to 1.02

5. VISCOSITY TEST

Fig-4 Viscosity Test Saybolt Furol Viscometer viscosity test of bitumen emulsion

Viscosity denotes the fluid property of bituminous material and it is a measure of resistance to flow. At the application
temperature, this characteristic greatly influences the strength of resulting paving mixes.

Low or high viscosity during compaction or mixing has been observed to result in lower stability values. At high viscosity,
it resists the compactive effort and thereby resulting mix is heterogeneous, hence low stability values. And at low viscosity
instead of providing a uniform film over aggregates, it will lubricate the aggregate particles.

Orifice type viscometers are used to indirectly find the viscosity of liquid binders like cutbacks and emulsions.

The viscosity expressed in seconds is the time taken by the 50 ml bitumen material to pass through the orifice of a cup,
under standard test conditions and specified temperature. Viscosity of a cutback can be measured with either 4.0 mm
orifice at 250C or 10 mm orifice at 25 or 400C.

TEST FOR BITUMEN EMULSION: VISCOSITY BY SAYBOLT FUROL VISCOMETER

PURPOSE
Viscosity indicates the resistance to flow due to its internal friction. Higher the viscosity, lower the rate of flow. The test is
conducted to see if it is in the specified range. The Test result is expressed in seconds for the flow of 60 cc of the emulsion
sample through a 3.8 mm diameter orifice under the specified conditions of the test.
APPARATUS
Saybolt Furol Viscometer
Stop watch
PROCEDURE
1. Clean the oil tube with a solvent, such as benzene, and remove excess solvent from the gallery. Pass the entire
material through a 150 micron wire strainer before introducing into the oil tube.
2. After the tube is cleaned, pour into the tube a quantity of the material to be tested, sufficient to wet the entire
surface of the tube. Allow to drain out.
3. The plunger commonly supplied with the viscometer shall never be used on instruments maintained as standards.
Insert the cork stopper not less than 6.0 mm and not more than 9.5 mm into the lower end of the air chamber at the bottom
of the oil tube, taking care that the cork fits tightly enough to prevent the escape of air, as tested by the absence of oil on
the cork after it is withdrawn.
4. If the test temperature is above that of the room, heat the material to not more than 1.50C below the temperature of
test.
5. Pour the material into the oil tube until it ceases to overflow into the gallery. Keep it well stirred with the oil tube
thermometer, care being taken to avoid touching the outflow tube. Adjust the bath temperature until the temperature of the
material remains constant.
6. After thermal equilibrium has been attained, no further adjustment shall be made in the bath temperature. The test
results shall be discarded if the indicated bath temperature varies by more than +0.030C.
7. After the temperature of the material in the oil tube has remained constant within +0.020C of the desired
temperature for one minute with constant stirring, withdraw the oil tube thermometer and remove the surplus liquid quickly
from the gallery by means of the withdrawal tube so that the level of the material in the gallery is below the level in the oil
tube proper. Insert the tip of the withdrawal tube at one point in the gallery.
8. The test shall be started over again if the tip of the withdrawal tube touches the overflow rim. Under no condition
shall the excess liquid be removed by rotating the withdrawal tube around the gallery.
9. Place the receiving flask in position so that the stream of liquid from outlet tube strikes the neck of the flask, care
being taken that the graduation mark on the receiving flask is not less than 10cm, not more than 13cm, from the bottom of
the bath. Snap the cork from its position and at the same instant start the timer. Stop the timer when the bottom of the
meniscus of the liquid reaches the mark on the neck of the receiving flask.
10. Time in seconds as determined by the prescribed procedure, with the proper calibration correction, is the Saybolt
Furol viscosity of the material at the temperature at which the test is made.
11. Report the results to the nearest 0.1 second for viscosity values below 200 seconds and to the nearest whole
second for values 200 seconds or above.
REPORTING OF RESULT
Time in seconds as determined by the above described procedure, with the proper calibration correction, is the Saybolt
Furol Viscosity of the material at the temperature at which the test is made.
Report the results to the nearest 0.1 s for viscosity values below 200s and to the nearest whole second for values 200s or
above.
REFERENCE
IS 3117 1965
REQUIREMENT CRITERION
As per IS: 8887 -2004, the acceptance limits of viscosity for different types of emulsion are as follow.
Type of Emulsion Acceptance Limits at 500C
Rapid Setting (RS-1) 20 100 SECONDS
Rapid Setting (RS-2) 100 300 SECONDS
Medium Setting (MS) 50 400 SECONDS
Slow Setting (SS-1) 20 100 SECONDS
Slow Setting (SS-2) 30 150 SECONDS

6 FLASH POINT AND FIRE POINT TEST

At high temperatures depending upon the grades of bitumen materials leave out volatiles. And these
volatiles catch fire which is very hazardous and therefore it is essential to qualify this temperature for
each bitumen grade.

FLASH point as the temperature at which the bitumen vapour of

momentarily catches fire in the form of flash under specified test conditions.
Flash Point: the lowest liquid temperature at which application of the test flame causes the
vapors of the sample to ignite.

FIRE point is defined as the lowest temperature under specified test

conditions at which the bituminous material itself ( not the vapours ) gets
ignited and burns

Fire Point: the temperature at which the test flame causes the sample to ignite and remain burning for at least
5 seconds.

Minimum Temperature FLASH Point 175 C

FIRE POINT always HIGHER Than FLASH POINT
7 Float Test

If the consistency if bitumen is not determined by the orifice viscometer nor the
penetration test, the consistency is measured by float test.
The apparatus consists of a float made of aluminum and a brass collar filled with the
specimen material to be tested which is screwed to the float.
The test specimen is then filled in the collar, cooled to a temperature of 5C and
screwed into the float.
The float assembly is floated in water bath at 50C and the time required in seconds for
the water to force its way through the bitumen plug is noted as the float test value. The
higher the float test value, the stiffer is the material.

8 SPOT TEST
This test is for detecting over heating or cracked bitumen. This test is considered to be more sensitive
than the solubility test for detection of cracking.
Procedure:
i) About 2 gm of bitumen is dissolved in 10ml of naptha( the petroleum product).
ii) A drop of this solution is taken out and placed on a filter paper, one after one hour and another after
24 hour after the solution is prepared.
iii) If the strain of the spot on the paper is uniform in color, the bitumen is accepted uncracked, if the
spots form dark brown color or black circle in the centre with an annular ring of lighter color
surrounding it, the bitumen is considered to be over heater or cracked.

9 LOSS ON HEATING TEST

When the bitumen is heated it loses the volatility and gets hardened. About 50gm of the sample is
weighed and heated to a temperature of 1630C for 5 hours in a specified oven designed for this test.
The sample specimen is weighed again after the heating period and loss in weight is expressed as
percentage by weight of the original sample.
Bitumen used in pavement mixes should not indicate more than 1% loss in weight, but for bitumen
having penetration values 150-200 up to 2% loss in weight is allowed.

10 Solubility Test
Any impurity in the bitumen can be determined by dissolving the bitumen in carbon disulphide or carbon
tetrachloride (Pure bitumen is soluble in both the solvents).

Procedure:
i) A sample of about 2 gm of bitumen is dissolved in about 10 gm of solvent.
ii) The solution is filtered and the insoluble material is retained, washed, dried and weighed.
iii) The weight is expressed in the percentage of original sample.

The insoluble material should be preferably less than 1%. In solubility test with carbon tetrachloride, if black
carbonaceous residue is over 0.5%, the bitumen is considered to be cracked. The minimum proportion of the
bitumen soluble in carbon disulphide is specified as 99%.

2 Explain the CBR Test in detail

CBR Test - California Bearing Ratio

Table gives the standard loads adopted for different

penetrations for the standard material with a C.B.R. value of
100%
 Penetration of plunger
Standard load (kg)
(mm)
2.5 1370
5.0 2055
7.5 2630
10.0 3180
12.5 3600

The test may be performed on undisturbed specimens and on

remoulded specimens which may be compacted either
statically or dynamically
USES AND SIGNIFICANCE of California Bearing Ratio Test:
CBR test used to evaluate the strength of a sub grade soil, sub base, and base course material
for design of thickness for Highways and Airfield Pavements as per the Flexible Pavement
concept.