There is probably no material more critical to infrastructure than bitumen, which is used in everything from roads and runways to roofs and water barriers. The demand for infrastructure will soar in 2025, and construction sustainability will become more paramount than ever. With these trends, understanding bitumen and its classifications and applications will become crucial.
This ultimate part will explain to civil and site engineers, procurement engineers, construction contractors, and construction enthusiasts everything you need to know about bitumen, its various types and grades, and the construction sectors and types of projects requiring the material.
What is Bitumen?
Like all other types of bitumen, black and sticky bitumen is unsolidified and is extremely thick in viscosity. It is termed simply ‘bitumen’ and is the end product of natural processes involving hydrocarbons within deposits. It can also be produced as a byproduct of petroleum and oil decanting. Its amazing physical and chemical, waterproofing, and durable properties make bitumen critical in construction.
Instead of simply decanting the oil, the crude can also be heated to incinerate, which makes it soft and bitumen is solidified. Upon incineration, the bitumen becomes a binder, seal, and it can be used for asphalt and road construction. It is thick, runs slowly, and can be sticky enough to hold particles of aggregates.
Why is Bitumen important to construction?
Bitumen is important for building strong structures because it:
- Acts as a binder in the construction of roads and pavements.
- Withstands a wide range of temperatures and heavy loads.
- Acts as a waterproofing and weatherproofing.
- Resistant to oils and chemicals, which ensures durability.
- It is environmentally friendly as it is easily recyclable and low in cost.
Due to all these benefits, it is used in a lot of civil engineering projects all over the world.
Types of Bitumen
Bitumen can be classified into different categories depending on the source, nature of processing, and the method of application. These include:
1. Natural Bitumen
Although this type of bitumen is less processed and therefore contains impurities, it is more commonly used in waterproofing and roofing because it is mined from natural deposits, for example, tar sands.
2. Petroleum Bitumen (Refined Bitumen)
This type of Bitumen is the most used in construction as it is refined from crude oil obtained during the processing of oil. In fact, this type can be classified into different grades depending on the specific construction needs.
3. Cutback Bitumen
This type of bitumen is used in colder temperatures as it is a lot more viscous. Bitumen is mixed with a solvent, which can be kerosene or gasolin,e to reduce the viscosity for easier application. Cutback bitumen is used in surface roads, as well as in construction.
4. Bitumen Emulsion
A bitumen emulsion is produced when bitumen is dispersed in water in the presence of an emulsifying agent. Because it can be applied at ambient temperature, it is safer and more environmentally friendly than other emulsified mixtures. The use of emulsions in cold mix paving and in surface dressing is widespread.
Bitumen is further divided into grades
The physical characteristics of bitumen, especially the viscosity and the hardness of it, is paramount in determining the grade of bitumen, In Order, It performs effectively in the differing climatic and traffic conditions. India and other countries use the penetration grading, however, it is also common to use viscosity grades.
Bitumen of Penetration Grade
The penetration grade of bitumen is determined by the depth, in tenths of a millimeter, to which a needle of standard gauge, at a temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade, in a period of five seconds, is subjected to a predetermined load.
Some of the more common penetration grades are:
- 40/50 Grade: Is a hard bitumen mainly used in areas with extreme temperatures and heavy trafficked roads.
- 60/70 Grade: In most cases used for the erection of roads of medium hardness
- 80/100 Grade: In most cases used for roads which have low volume of traffic and are in areas of cooler climate.
Bitumen of Viscosity Grade
For the production of hot mix asphalt, it is pertinent to understand the flow characteristics of bitumen at elevated temperatures, which is what viscosity grading is.
Some of the viscosity grades are:
- VG-10, VG-20, VG-30, VG-40
These are the most common bitumen grades in regions with high temperatures and heavy traffic.
Properties of Bitumen Affecting Construction Use
Considering the properties of bitumen, its commonly used in construction:
- Viscosity: Influences the ease of construction and the level of compactness of the road while being laid.
- Softening Point: The higher amount of temperature which bitumen can sustain before reaching to softening point.
- Penetration: The more rigidity and less flexibility the bitumen has, the lower the number of penetrations it has.
- Ductility: The amount the bitumen can withdraw before it breaks, the more resistance it has to cracking the more ductility it has.
- Adhesion: The ability to bond with aggregates while being stripped away by water.
Main Uses of Bitumen
Out of all construction sectors, road construction is the primary and waterproofing is the second sector which Bitumen is used in.
1. Construction of the road
One of the main uses of Bitumen, is during road construction as it has a vital function. It serves as the binder in Asphlat concrete and holds the aggregates which forms a flexible and durable pavement.
- Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): Heated bitumen which is mixed with a primary aggregate to form the surface of the road.
- Surface Dressing: Dressing surface is the technique of spraying a blend of emulsified bitumen and water onto the pavement to fill in the surface cracks and to improve skid resistance.
- Seal Coats: Coats which keeps the bitumen surface protected and prevents it from cracking, prolonging the road life and reducing the level of maintenance which is needed.
- Cold Mix Asphalt: Intermediate bitumen: cold patch bitumen or bitumen emulsion, is used in low temperature applications during patching.
2. Waterproofing and Roofing
The properties of Bitumen such as waterproofing and its self ability makes it ideal for roofs, roofing felt, membranes, and coatings.
- Bituminous Membranes: Used on flat roofs and basements to prevent water seepage.
- Roof Shingles and Coatings: Enhance durability and weather resistance.
- Damp Proof Course (DPC): Bitumen layers prevent rising damp within walls and foundations.
3. Industrial Applications
Bitumen serves as a protective coating for pipes, industrial line work, and as a corrosion barrier and insulating material in numerous settings.
4. Soundproofing and Insulation
Bitumen-based products are used for soundproofing of floors and walls because of their damping quality.
Challenges in the Use and Handling of Bitumen
Bitumen is versatile, but its use and handling is challenging because of the factors below;
- Temperature Sensitivity: Needs to be heated for handling and application, which adds to the energy bill.
- Environmental Concerns: Traditional cutback bitumen employs the use of solvents that contain volatile organic compounds.
- Health and Safety Risks: Exposure to the fume generated during the heating requires adequate ventilation and protective equipment.
- Storage Stability: Bitumen requires adequate bitumen to prevent hardening or contamination.
Newer technologies focus on emulsions, polymer modified bitumen, and other eco good substitutes.
New Developments in Bitumen Construction for the Year 2025
The construction industry is evolving, and bitumen technology is advancing accordingly:
- Polymer-Modified Bitumen (PMB): advancements in the elasticity, durability and deformation resistance increase efficiency on heavy workloads
- Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP): improving economics by minimising the incorporated reclaimed bitumen and aggregates in RAP.
- Eco-Friendly Bitumen: Innovations on warm-mix asphalt and bio-bitumen technology shift the bitmap workability and carbon emission ratio in construction toward more favorable values.
- Smart Bitumen: Equipped with sensors and self-healing additives, provides self-monitoring for the pavement layer and optimises its longevity
All the above technologies promote sustainable development of infrastructure across the globe.
Best Practices for The Procurement and Use of Bitumen
In terms of quality and performance, construction professionals should strive to:
- Correctly specify the Grade: Consider the geopolitical and anthropogenic factors that shape the area into which the bitumen grade will be applied.
- Sourcing from Reliable Suppliers: Evaluate the pertinent certifications and the control of quality from the suppliers.
- Implement Appropriate Procedures for Storage: Overspace the procedures of heat and storage which will lead to the preservation of the materials from becoming contaminated and hardening.
- Training for the Personnel: Safety and proper procedures should always be adhered to for the heating, handling, and application of the materials.
- Correctly Use the Additives as Required: Polymers and other modifiers used should be relevant and project specific to obtain the desired performance in a project.
In Conclusion
It can be observed that the application of bitumen ensures a solid and durable construction which can be diverse in its application such as in waterproofing and infrastructural building of roads. The different grades, types, and properties of bitumen allows strategic construction planning which will optimize the results. Over the next couple of years, it can be seen that infrastructural construction will experience an upward shift which will in turn lead to the application of the new technology in the bitumen industry.
Would the construction project benefit from the right bitumen products for performance and risk of?
We at Moglix Business can assure you of the finest quality and extensive technical support and assistance which will ensure that every solution provided is pertinent and relevant to the needs of your project. Reach out to us as soon as possible in order to protect your construction projects with quality bitumen.
