Asphalt is a dark brown and binder material which is found in nature or obtained by processing oil and its main component is bitumen. Bituminous asphalt material applied on a base layer is generally 8 and 18 centimeter thickness depending on the traffic.
There are different types of asphalt types depending on where they are used. For example, mastic asphalt is flexible coatings that are commonly used on bridges or on concrete or steel surfaces. Mastic asphalt mixtures are used for insulation purposes on some concrete surfaces. Stonmastic asphalt is generally asphalt pavements with high bitumen rate to ensure that the roads used by heavy vehicles are not damaged and to prolong the life of roads. Colored asphalt is often used for decoration and security purposes, such as pedestrian crossings, bicycle paths, hiking trails and sports fields. Modified asphalt is used to prevent deformation such as wheel marks, cracks and fatigue cracks on the asphalt. Silent asphalt is used to reduce noise generated by friction between the road and the wheel on highways.
Hot asphalt mixture, fine or coarse aggregate, asphalt and mineral fibers are obtained by mixing in appropriate proportions and appropriate temperature and humidity values provide a high quality permanence and durability. Roads that provide intercity or urban transportation are affected in different ways according to climate characteristics. This sometimes adversely affects the service life of the asphalt. Therefore, in recent years, asphalt production facilities are more economical than hot mixes and cold mixes that can be applied more quickly.
Asphalt mixture is used as coating material in the superstructure of roads. For this reason, it is sought that the asphalt mixture to be used in production facilities meet certain conditions. For example, it must form a road surface that is comfortable for vehicles, smooth, slip-resistant and reliable. Furthermore, it should not lose its properties against the mechanical effects caused by heavy traffic. It must also be resistant to weather conditions such as sunlight, water and frost.
The properties of aggregate and asphalt cement are very important for the asphalt pavement to meet these conditions.
Asphalt, like all materials used in highways, is tested by authorized test and inspection organizations in accordance with the relevant legal regulations and standards published by domestic and foreign organizations. Here are a few standards that are based on these tests:
- TS EN 13108-1 Bituminous mixtures - Material properties - Part 1: Concrete asphalt
- TS EN 13108-2 ... Section 2: Concrete asphalt for very thin layers
- TS EN 13108-3 ... Section 3: Soft asphalt
- TS EN 13108-4 ... Section 4: Hot mix asphalt
- TS EN 13108-5 ... Section 5: Stone mastic asphalt
- TS EN 13108-6 ... Section 6: Mastic asphalt
- TS EN 13108-7 ... Section 7: Porous asphalt
- TS EN 13108-8 ... Section 8: Recycled asphalt
- TS EN 13108-9 ... Section 9: Ultra thin layer asphalt