What Is Asphalt and Bituminous Testing?
Asphalt and bituminous tests evaluate the quality, durability, and compliance of materials used in a wide range of road, car park, and infrastructure projects. By providing insights into the characteristics of road construction materials, these tests play a vital role in ensuring structural integrity, preventing premature deterioration, and reducing maintenance costs.
There are many types of bituminous and asphalt test methods, assessing properties such as viscosity, penetration, softening point, ductility, and density. Results from these tests are essential for ensuring selected materials meet the required specifications for safety, longevity, and cost-effectiveness.
Our Asphalt and Bituminous Test Services
Ensuring the quality of bituminous mixtures in road construction is critical to achieving compliance with contract specifications. The use of long-lasting and durable materials from the start also minimises setbacks during construction and informs cost-effective maintenance strategies for the future.
At CTS, we offer a comprehensive range of UKAS-accredited* on-site and laboratory-based bituminous and asphalt testing services across the UK. Our expertise verifies that materials meet industry regulations and specifications, providing assurance of quality, durability, and long-term performance.
Our On-Site Bituminous and Asphalt Test Services
Our on-site testing services assess the performance of asphalt and bituminous materials post-installation, ensuring they meet contract and regulatory requirements.
Asphalt Sampling (BS EN 12697-27)
We conduct systematic sampling of delivered and laid asphalt to ensure consistency and compliance with required specifications. Asphalt samples are taken following strict procedures to avoid contamination and ensure accurate lab analysis.
Coring of Pavement Surfaces: Asphalt Core Sampling (BS EN 12697-27)
Asphalt core samples are extracted from the pavement using specialised coring equipment. These samples are then assessed for thickness, density, and potential defects, providing insight into material quality and construction compliance.
Nuclear Density Test
The nuclear density gauge test uses a nuclear gauge to measure the in-place density and moisture content of asphalt layers. It provides rapid, non-destructive readings, ensuring proper compaction and adherence to design specifications.
Non-Nuclear Density Testing
Using advanced electromagnetic or dielectric measuring devices, this method provides a safe and effective alternative to the nuclear density test, offering similar accuracy without the regulatory constraints of nuclear gauges.
Surface Texture and Macrotexture Analysis (BS EN 13036-1)
Macrotexture analysis is a type of road surface testing. It measures the texture depth of road surfaces, ensuring adequate skid resistance and water drainage. This is critical for road safety, particularly in wet conditions.
Surface Regulatory Testing (Rolling and Transverse Straightedge)
TRRL Supplementary Report 290 / Specification for Highways Works Series 700. This test evaluates the evenness of a laid surface, detecting variations that may impact ride comfort, vehicle wear, and drainage efficiency.
Rate of Spread of Binder and Chippings (BS EN 598-1)
A type of road surface testing method, this test assesses the uniformity and adequacy of binder and chippings application, ensuring proper adhesion and durability of the road surface.
Temperature Measurement: Infrared and Contact Method (BS EN 12697-13)
Temperature is critical in asphalt laying. Infrared sensors provide non-contact temperature readings of the material, while thermocouples and probes allow direct contact measurements, ensuring proper compaction and workability.
Road Skid Resistance Test: Pendulum Test (BS EN 13036-4)
This test measures the skid resistance of road surfaces using a pendulum tester. It is crucial for assessing road safety, particularly in high-traffic areas, junctions, and crossings, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and reducing the risk of skidding accidents.
Our Laboratory Asphalt and Bituminous Test Services
Our laboratory testing services provide in-depth analysis of asphalt and bituminous materials, ensuring compliance with UK and European standards. These can be performed as standalone services or in combination with on-site bituminous and asphalt road testing methods for quality control, compliance verification, and forensic investigations into pavement failures.
Asphalt Softening Point Test
The asphalt softening point test determines the temperature at which the material softens beyond arbitrary softness. Two steel balls are placed on a sample and submerged in a heated water bath. The temperature at which the balls hit the bottom is recorded as the softening point.
Asphalt Penetration Test
We carry out the penetration test for asphalt binder to measure its hardness and consistency, taking an asphalt sample and analysing it in our laboratory. This involves penetrating a needle vertically into the sample under specific temperature conditions.
Ductility Test of Asphalt
An asphalt binder sample is placed into a testing machine and pulled apart at a specified rate, at a temperature below its softening point. The length that the bitumen can stretch before breaking is the ductility value.
Binder Content and Aggregate Grading (BS EN 12697-1 & BS EN 12697-2)
Determines the proportion of bitumen binder and the distribution of aggregate sizes within the asphalt mixture, ensuring compliance with asphalt mix design requirements.
Binder Recovery (BS EN 12697-1 & BS EN 12697-2)
Evaluates the properties of recovered binder from asphalt mixtures, helping to determine the durability and performance of the bituminous material.
Maximum Density Testing (BS EN 12697-5)
Establishes the maximum possible density of an asphalt mixture, which is crucial for calculating air voids and ensuring proper compaction.
Bulk Density and Air Voids Testing (BS EN 12697-6,-8,-29,-32)
Measures the in-place density of compacted asphalt and determines the percentage of air voids, which influences asphalt durability, permeability, and overall pavement performance.
Thickness Measurement
Assesses the actual thickness of asphalt layers, comparing them to design specifications to ensure compliance with construction requirements.
Core Logging and Photography
Provides a visual and documented record of asphalt core samples, allowing for detailed assessment of material composition, layer bonding, and potential defects.
Coal Tar and PAK Testing: Tar Content Analysis
Coal tar analysis determines the presence of coal tar and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAKs), which are hazardous substances sometimes found in older asphalt pavements and require appropriate handling and disposal.
Our PAK testing service requires using a PAK marker testing aerosol together with ultraviolet light to measure the level of contamination in asphalt core samples. If there is a yellowish discolouration of the PAK marker spray, then PAKs are present.
Hot Sand Adhesivity Testing for Pre-Coated Chippings
Evaluates the adhesivity of pre-coated chippings to the binder, ensuring adequate retention and durability of surface dressings.
Asphalt Test and Bituminous Testing Standards & Regulations
At CTS, our experienced team is fully accredited* to perform bituminous and asphalt test services adhering to all applicable standards and regulations for bitumen testing methods.
On-Site Bituminous Testing |
|
|
Nuclear And PQI Density Meter Surveys (Density And Air Voids) |
In-house method |
|
Surface Regularity (Rolling And Transverse Straightedge) |
TRRL Supplementary Report 290 / Specification for Highways Works series 700 |
|
Sampling Of Delivered And Laid Materials |
BS EN 12697-27 |
|
Texture And Macrotexture Analysis |
BS EN 13036-1 |
|
Temperature And Materials Laying Records |
BS EN 12697-13 |
|
Coring Of Pavement Surfaces |
BS EN 12697-27 |
|
Rate Of Spread Of Chippings |
BS EN 598-1 |
|
Road Skid Resistance Test (Pendulum) |
BS EN 13036-4 |
Laboratory Bituminous Testing |
|
|
Binder Content And Aggregate Grading |
BS EN 12697-1 & BS EN 12697-2 |
|
Maximum Density |
BS EN 12697-5 |
|
Binder Recovery |
BS EN 12697-1 & BS EN 12697-2 |
|
Binder Softening Point And Penetration |
|
|
Hot Sand Test For Adhesivity On Pre-Coated Chipping |
|
|
Density And Refusal Density, Including Air Voids Of Cored Materials |
BS EN 12697-6, BS EN 12697-29 BS EN 12697-8, BS EN 12697-32 |
|
Core Logging And Photography |
In-house method |
|
Tar Content |
In-house method |
* For a full list of our UKAS-accredited activities, please visit our Accreditations and Industry Standards page.
Why Choose CTS for Asphalt and Bituminous Test Services?
CTS is proud to be a leading UK service provider. We work with regional and national surfacing contractors, treating every project with the same degree of care and professionalism - from small housing estates to major highway infrastructure.
All our bituminous and asphalt testing services are available individually or in conjunction with our other site / material testing services. Whether it's for an ongoing pavement project, one-off or routine quality checks, or part of a failure investigation - we can work with you to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance in your next project.
Why CTS?
- UKAS-accredited laboratory and on-site testing services
- Expertise in asphalt testing, bituminous analysis, and compliance verification
- Serving regional and national surfacing contractors across the UK
- Comprehensive testing for housing estates, roadways, motorways, and large infrastructure projects
- Dedicated technical team ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance
Contact CTS today for more information on our bituminous and asphalt test services. Our team is ready to assist with expert guidance, tailored solutions, and industry-leading support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between bitumen and asphalt?
Bitumen and asphalt are not the same. Bitumen is a naturally occurring material that is made up of hydrocarbons, while asphalt is a man-made product derived from bitumen.
Is asphalt the same as tarmac?
Both asphalt and tarmac are paving materials used for roads, though they both have different properties and material compositions. Technically, "tarmac" refers specifically to road surfaces only that are made with tar as a binding agent, whereas "asphalt" refers specifically to a mixture of aggregates and asphalt binder.
Why is asphalt density important?
Density testing asphalt is important for preserving and potentially increasing the lifespan of asphalt when in use. Asphalt density test methods include the nuclear density test, maximum density test, and the percentage refusal density test.
What is the straightedge test for pavement?
A straightedge test measures the surface regularity of pavements. This involves placing a straight 2m or 3m beam on the ground and measuring the greatest gaps from the underside of the beam to the floor. An alternative method is to use a rolling straight edge, which is commonly performed on carriageways.
What is Marshall testing for asphalt?
The Marshall method is a comprehensive approach to asphalt mix design, helping to determine the optimal mix for pavement strength and stability.
What are the basic tests for bituminous materials?
The two most common tests used to determine the properties of bituminous materials are penetration and softening point. These tests examine the material for performance and durability.
What do asphalt tests measure?
Asphalt road testing methods can be used to determine many material properties, including stiffness, resistance to deformation, viscosity, and more.
What is asphalt core sample testing?
Asphalt core sample testing involves taking asphalt core samples from the road to identify the make-up and compaction. This is reported as an air void percentage.
What is the importance of bituminous mixtures in road construction?
Bitumen, also known as asphalt binder, is key to the production of asphalt – one of the key bituminous mixtures for surfacing roads. It acts as a binding agent to hold together components such as sand, gravel, and stone, providing strength and weather resistance to pavement and road surfaces.
Bituminous test services are carried out to determine the properties of bituminous mixtures before, during, or after use. Testing is essential for identifying whether the material is suitable for its intended application and adheres to regulatory and industry standards.
At CTS, we provide a wide range of bitumen and asphalt testing services for pavement construction and maintenance projects. Our fully accredited specialists can perform both on-site and laboratory-based bituminous test services, assessing properties such as penetration, softening point, and ductility.