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.

Bituminous Materials Testing In Depth

At ACS Testing we are UKAS accredited to carry out a comprehensive scope of testing on bituminous materials, on site and in the laboratory. ACS Testing provide highly skilled technicians who all hold current CSCS cards and are comprehensively trained in the safety aspects of the work they carry out in accordance with appropriate method statements and risk assessments.

Site Testing and Monitoring

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

Sampling from the material around the augers of the paver

Sampling of a workable material in heaps

Sampling coated chippings from stockpiles

Measurement of temperature - of laid materials and in a heap

Measurements of temperature - in a wagon

Compaction monitoring - nuclear method

Texture depth by the sandpatch method

Macrotexture depth - volumetric patch technique

Surface regularity - rolling straight edge

Laboratory Testing

Our permanent laboratories provide a comprehensive range of tests on bituminous materials.

Preparation of samples for determining binder content, water content and grading

Soluble binder content by difference, using bottle rotation machine and pressure filter

Particle size distribution

Maximum density - volumetric procedure

Bulk Density - dry, saturated surface dry (SSD) and sealed specimen

Laboratory compaction of bituminous mixtures by vibratory compaction

Air voids content

Conventional refusal density - vibratory compaction

Percentage refusal density (PRD) - vibratory compaction