Bitumen and Tar

Learning Outcome
At the end of this chapter, students should
be able to:
 acquire basic knowledge of type,
properties, and testing for bitumen and
tar.
 Understand their manufacturing process.
 Its application in civil engineering.
Introduction
 Bitumen is a class of amorphous, black or
dark colored, (solid, semi-solid or viscous)
cementitious substances natural or
manufactured, composed principally of high
molecular weight hydrocarbons, soluble in
carbon disulfide and found in asphalts, tars,
pitches, and asphalties, it is usually used in
making road pavement.
 Bituminious is defined as a black sticky
mixture of hydrocarbon obtained from
natural deposits or from distilling petroleum.
Introduction
 The main purpose of bitumen in flexible
pavements is to strongly bind and hold
the other pavement components together
and provide a smooth and leveled surface
for the moving vehicles.
 Bitumen also can be used as a sealant and
adhesive material over the ages. It was
also widely used in the water proofing of
boats and ships as it is insoluble in water.
Introduction
 Asphalt(bitumen) materials have been
utilized since 3500 B.C. In building and
road construction. Their main uses have
been as adhesives, waterproofing agents.
 These early asphalt materials were native
asphalt. These native asphalts were found
in pools and asphalt lake (natural deposit).
For example, Pitch Lake in Trinidad.
Manufacturing Process
 Asphalt is simply the residue left over from
petroleum refining.
 Crude oil is heated in a large furnace to
about 340ºC and partially vaporized. It is
then fed into distillation tower where the
lighter components vaporize and are drawn
off for futher processing.
 The residue from this process (the asphalt)
is usually fed into a vacuum distillation unit
where heavier gas oils are drawn off.
Properties of bitumen
1)Adhesive
It has an excellent adhesive qualities.

2) Elastic
Bitumen has the ability to return to a length as close to its
original length when elongates

3) Plastic
Bitumen will flow when temperature are raised but will return
to its original position when load is removed.

4) Hardens
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause bitumen to harden.
Testing on bitumen
1. Penetration test
2. Ductility test
3. Specific gravity test
4. Viscosity test
1) Penetration test
 Measures hardness and softness of
bitumen.
 Measure penetration depth in tenth a
milimeter to which a standard loaded
needle will penetrate in 5 seconds.
2) Ductility test
 It is the property that permits bitumento
undergo great deformation without
breaking.
 Ductility is defined as the distance to
which a standard sample will be elongated
without breaking
3) Specific Gravity test
 Used for classification of bitumen.
 Using pycnometer method or any other
methods.
 4) Viscosity test
 To determine the fluid density of bitumen.
 Measure resistance to flow.
 Very low and high viscosity decreases the
stability of mix.
 Orifice type viscometer or other types of
equipment might be used.
Application
 Road.
 Roofing felt.
 Coating on roofs, walls and floors.