Bituminous Materials Testing

Bituminous road surfacing materials are produced by mixing mineral aggregate with a bitumen binder in predetermined quantities and within defined temperature ranges. Other materials are sometimes added to the mixture, including fibres, polymers and pigments to produce specific performance characteristics.

We are able to offer a comprehensive site testing and laboratory testing service for bituminous materials.

Site testing and monitoring includes laying records, sampling and temperature measurement for compliance testing, surface texture, rolling straight edge, compaction monitoring and core cutting.

Laboratory testing includes determination of binder content and grading of aggregate, maximum density and percentage refusal density

Type of test / Properties measured / Range of measurement	Standard Specifications
BITUMINOUS MIXTURES for roads and other paved areas
Sampling from - around the augers of the paver - workable material in heaps	BS 598-100
Sampling coated chippings from stockpiles	BS 598-100
Binder content and grading of mineral aggregate - extraction bottle method: binder determination by difference	BS 598-102
Percentage refusal density (PRD)	BS 598-104
Density of cores	BS 598-104
Temperature of bituminous mixtures - in the hopper of a paver - in laid-but-not-rolled material	BS 598-109
Maximum density - volumetric procedure	BS EN 12697-5
ROAD PAVEMENT SURFACES
Texture depth by the sandpatch method	BS 598-105
Pavement surface macrotexture depth using a volumetric patch technique	BS EN 13036-1
Macrotexture depth - volumetric patch technique	Specification for Highway Works, HMSO May 2001 Clause 1031
Surface regularity - rolling straight edge	Specification for Highway Works