TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION NR.

5
ASPHALT MIXTURES
CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I

ASPHALT MIXTURES.....................................................................................
I.1
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................2
I.1.1 SUBJECT AND FIELD OF APPLICATION......................................2
I.1.2 TYPE OF MIXTURES......................................................................2
I.2
DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS........................................................2
I.2.1 AGGREGATES................................................................................2
I.2.2 FILLER.............................................................................................5
I.2.3 BITUMEN.........................................................................................5
I.2.4 QUALITY CONTROL.......................................................................6
I.3
ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION..................................................7
I.3.1 COMPOSITION OF ASPHALT MIXTURES....................................7
I.3.2 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ASPHALT MIXTURES.......10
I.3.3 APPROVAL OF EQUIPMENT.......................................................12
I.3.4 ASPHALT PLANT..........................................................................12
I.3.5 ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION............................................14
I.3.6 ASPHALT PLANT SETTING.........................................................14
I.3.7 ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION CONTROL.........................15
I.4
ASPHALT MIXTURE LAYING...........................................................16
I.4.1 TRANSPORT.................................................................................16
I.4.2 PRELIMINARY WORKS................................................................16
I.4.3 LAYING..........................................................................................17
I.4.4 COMPACTION...............................................................................19
I.4.5 SURFACE TREATMENT...............................................................19
I.4.6 LAYING CONTROL.......................................................................20
I.5
TECHNICAL CONDITIONS..............................................................22
I.5.1 GEOMETRY AND GEOMETRICAL TOLERANCES.....................22
I.6
ACCEPTANCE OF THE WORKS.....................................................23
I.6.1 PRELIMINARY ACCEPTANCE.....................................................23
I.6.2 FINAL ACCEPTANCE...................................................................23
I.7
ROMANIAN LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE......................23

ASPHALT MIXTURES

I.1

INTRODUCTION

I.1.1 SUBJECT AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

This technical specification concerns the roadbases and other hot rolled
bituminous layers, made of hot asphalt mixtures consisting of natural
aggregates and non-paraffinous bitumen.
The requirements contained in this technical specification do not apply to
mixtures with bituminous sands and/or bituminous emulsions.
I.1.2 TYPE OF MIXTURES
The asphalt base shall be constructed using bituminous mixtures with
processed or unprocessed natural aggregates, hot mixed in asphalt plants
and laid using mechanical equipment.
Asphalt pavements belong to the category of hot mixed rolled asphalt
concrete. Generally, they consist of two layers:
the upper layer, wearing course made of asphalt mix type Ba 8, Ba 16 and
Ba 25;
the base layer, binding course (or basecourse) made of asphalt mix type
Bad 25 and Bad 31.
I.2

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS

I.2.1 AGGREGATES
All aggregates used in bituminous mixtures shall be thoroughly washed prior
to their use in the road pavement.
Aggregates for asphalt bases
For road bases of bituminous mixtures, a mixture of different types of
processed or unprocessed natural aggregates is used. These aggregates
shall comply with the quality conditions in accordance with the standard
stipulations, as follows:
MATERIAL:
natural sand type 0-3 or 0-7
pure sifted gravel type 3-7
gravel type 7-31
double crushed sand type 0-3
grit type 0-8
spalls or chipping type 8-16 or 16-25
limestone filler

IN CONFORMITY TO:
STAS 662-89
STAS 662-89
STAS 662-89
STAS 667-90
STAS 667-90
STAS 667-90
STAS 539-79

The content of the fraction passing the 3,15 mm sieve shall be as follows:
TYPE OF MIXTURE (STAS 7970-76)
Type A
Type B
Type C

SPECIFICATION LIMITS
> 65%
45 to 70%
25 to 50%

The grading and the minimum content of crushed aggregates for the mixture
types A,B,C, should be conforming to table 1a and table 1 b.
Table 1 a
CHARACTERISTICS
Grading of aggregates confined
between the types
Content of aggregates larger than
3.15 mm, % by mass
Maximum permissible content of
aggregates larger than 31.5 mm, % by
mass
Content of fine parts less than 0.09
mm, % by mass
Minimum content of filler, % by mass
Obligatory minimum content of broken
aggregates for the traffic classes: %
by mass
-light and very light traffic
-medium traffic
-heavy and very heavy traffic

Bituminous mixtures
Type A
Type B
Type C
see fig.1
see fig.2
see fig.3
0-35

30-55

50-75

10

10

10

8-20

4-12

2-10

0
45
not used

0
30
45

0
0
35

Table 1 b
Sieve
Size
mm
31.5
16
8
3.15
0.63
0.2
0.09

% Passing through sieve for asphalt mixtures

Type A
90 - 100
82 100
75 100
65 100
42 83
12 55
8 - 20

Type B
90 - 100
77 100
64 88
45 70
22 52
6 30
4 - 12

Type C
90 - 100
65 100
45 80
25 50
10 35
4 22
2 - 10

The permitted tolerance in crushed aggregate fraction content is 20% by

weight of the total aggregates.

Aggregates for asphalt pavements (wearing course and binder/base

course)
A mixture of types of processed or unprocessed natural aggregates complying
with the requirements of STAS 662-89 (for natural sand type 0-3 or 0-7 and
gravel type 7-31; 7-16; 16-31) and STAS 667-90 (for crushed sand type 0-3
and chipping type 3-8; 8-16 and 16-25) are used for the asphalt
pavements.Chippings originating from igneous rocks with a maximum Los
Angeles wearing value of 20 shall be used for the wearing course mixtures.
Limestone or chalk is used for the filler, in accordance with STAS 539-79.
The limits of the percentage of natural aggregates expressed by weight of the
total aggregates are illustrated in table 2.a
Table 2 a
Natural aggregates
% of total aggregates
Filler and portion of sands less
than 0.09 mm,%
Filler and sand 0.09-3.15 mm,%

Type of asphalt mixture

Ba 16r
Ba 25
Bad 25

Ba 8
Ba 16
8-11

remainder
till 100
Chippings over 3.15 mm,%
45-70
Pure sifted gravel and screened
gravel over 7.1 mm,%
*) Only crushed sand 0.3.

Bad 31

7-10 *

5-12

1-6

1-6

remainder
till 100
58-70
-

remainder
till 100
50-70
-

remainder
till 100
65-80
-

remainder
till 100
45-68

The grading of the natural aggregates is confined to each type of asphalt

mixture, within the limits given in table 2 b.
Table 2 b
Sieve
Size
mm
31.5
25
16
8
3.15
0.63
0.2
0.09

% Passing through sieve for asphalt mixtures

Ba 8
90-100
30-55
18-35
11-25
8-11

Ba 16
90-100
55-78
30-55
18-35
11-25
8-11

Ba 16r
90-100
50-65
30-42
18-25
11-15
8-10

Ba 25
90-100
65-90
50-75
30-50
15-35
8-25
5-12

Bad 25
90-100
60-80
35-55
20-35
10-30
5-20
1-6

Bad 31
90-100
80-95
60-80
35-55
20-35
10-30
5-20
1-6

Notes to table 3:
For concrete type Ba 8, Ba 16, Ba 25 and Bad 25, mixtures of crushed and
natural sands are used; the percentage of natural sand in blending shall
be 30-50%.
The composition of the natural aggregates for concrete Bad 31 for the
binder course (base course) is made up of mixture 3-7; 7-16 and 16-31 or
7-31 types.

For the binder course Bad 25 and Bad 31, it is recommended to add 2%
filler.
The Contractor may apply to use sieve sizes conforming to International
Standards, i.e. other than STAS. In this case, the Contractor shall provide
the correlation between the different Standards, supported by a qualified
organisation. The Contractors proposal shall be submitted to the Engineer
for approval.

I.2.2 FILLER
Limestone or chalk filler shall be used and it shall comply with the
requirements in Table 3:
Table 3
STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR FILLER
Fineness (passing to 0.09 mm fraction)
min 80%;
Water content
max. 2%.
The addition of the dust from the dust collector is not permitted in the wearing
course.
I.2.3 BITUMEN
To construct bituminous pavements and road bases of asphalt mixtures, the
following types of bitumen shall be used in compliance with SR 174-1/1997:
bitumen type D 60/80;
bitumen type D 80/120.
The conditions to be achieved by the bitumen are shown in table 4.
Tab. 4
TEST
Penetration at 25C, dmm
Softening point, C
Ductility at 5C, cm
Ductility at 25C, cm
Fraas breaking point, C
Marcusson flamm. Point,
C
Solubility in org. solv., %
Paraffin content, %
Density at 15C, gr/cm3
Colloidal Instability Ind.
Adhesion to aggregates

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
D 60/80
D 80/100
60 to 80
80 to 100
49 to 55
44 to 49
>4
>5
> 100
> 100
< -13
< -15
> 250
>250
> 99
<2
> 0.995
< 0.5

> 99
<2
> 0.992
0.5

80

80

REFERENCE
STANDARD
STAS 42-68
STAS 60-69
SR 61-88
SR 61-88
STAS 113-74
STAS 5489-80
STAS 115-80
STAS 8099-68
STAS 35-81
NAR Technical Instruction
N. 521/R
STAS 10969/3-83

TEST

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
D 60/80
D 80/100

TFOT
Mass loss, %
Residual penetration, %
Increase of soft. Point, C
Residual duct. at 25C,
cm
RTFOT

< 0.80
> 50
< 10
> 50

Mass loss, C
Residual penetration, %
Increase of soft. Point, C
Residual duct. at 25C,
cm

< 0.90
> 50
< 10
> 50

REFERENCE
STANDARD
NAR Technical Instruction
N. 535

< 0.80
> 47
<9
> 75
NAR Technical Instruction
N. 536
< 0.90
> 47
<9
> 75

The requirement to improve the adhesion of the bitumen to the aggregates

shall be established during the preliminary studies, depending upon the
quality of the bitumen and the nature of the aggregate. If necessary an antistripping agent shall be added to the bitumen .
The Contractor should submit to the Engineer and Employer the specifications
concerning the use of admixtures including the quality control procedures
along with the application for approval. The admixture dosages shall be
approved by Engineer the on the basis of the Romanian laws and regulations
and the approved method statement.
The bitumen type to be used shall be proposed by the Contractor and must
be approved by the Engineer according to updated laboratory test results. The
laboratory tests shall also include the fatigue and flow trials to determine the
resistance to rutting.
I.2.4 QUALITY CONTROL
The materials for the manufacture of asphalt mixtures shall be continously
checked in accordance with the appropriate standards and with the
requirements of this chapter of the technical specification. Routine checks and
tests shall be carried out by the site laboratory and consist of the following:

Tab. 5
Bitumen
penetration at 25oC
STAS 42-68
softening point by ring and ball test
STAS 60-69
adhesion
STAS 10969/1-83
Note: as a routine test, the site laboratory should check the bitumen to aggregates
characteristics following the qualitative procedure described in STAS 10969/1-83.
Chippings
mineralogical nature(visual examination)
STAS 4606-80
sieve analysis
STAS 4606-80
particle shape
STAS 730-89
passing to 0,09 mm
STAS 730-89
Gravel and crushed gravel
mineralogical nature (visual examination)
sieve analysis
STAS 4606-80
particle shape
STAS 730-89
passing to 0,09 mm
STAS 730-89
crushing ratio
STAS 730-89
fines content
STAS 4606-80
Sand
mineralogical nature (visual examination);
sieve analysis
STAS 4606-80
fines content
STAS 4606-80
organic matter
STAS 4606-80;
sand equivalent
STAS 662-89
activity coefficient
STAS 667-84
Filler
fineness
STAS 539-79
moisture content
STAS 539-79
I.3

ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION

I.3.1 COMPOSITION OF ASPHALT MIXTURES

The composition of the asphalt mixture to be used for the construction of the
roadbases or of the layers of the bituminous pavements shall be established
on the basis of a preliminary study, taking into account the technical
requirements stipulated by the technical specification.
The study shall carried out by the Contractor in his central laboratory or an
authorized laboratory.The mix formula of each asphalt mixture, supported by
the results of the required laboratory tests and including all the requested
supporting documents, shall be submitted for the Engineer's approval.
The Report of Mix Design Submission For Approval shall include at least the
following documents:
Complete analysis of the materials used in the testing programme
(aggregates, bitumen, filler, admixtures, etc.). The tests:should include all the

tests requested in paragraphs I.2.1, I.2.2 and I.2.3 of this Technical

Specification and shall be updated, i.e. shall refer to samples taken not more
than two months before the date of submission of the the Report. The
aggregate gradings that are part of the mixture design study shall be carried
out by washing, i.e. a washed loss of the material passing through the 0,09
mm sieve shall be carried out prior to the sieve analysis.
Marshall test for five binder contents distributed on both sides of the retained
content. The test shall be planned on the basis of 0,5% increments of asphalt
content. The Marshall specimens shall be compacted applying 75 blows to
each side. The parameters that shall be determined during the test are the
following: stability at 60C, creep index at 60C, apparent density, water
absorption, voids content in the asphalt mixture (VIM), voids in the aggregates
mixture (VMA) and voids filled with asphalt (VFA).
Determination with a 10 t press of the physical mechanical characteristics of
the asphalt mixtures on cubic samples including compressive strengths at
22C and 50C, the reduction of the compressive strength after immersion in
water for
28 days for the same contents of bitumen.
The Certificates of Conformity of the materials proposed in the Report
(aggregates, bitumen, filler, admixtures etc.).
After having checked the characteristics obtained for the proposed
composition, the Engineer, if he has no objections or possible modification
proposals, shall agree to the execution of a trial section using the formula
proposed by the Contractor.
All the dosages for the aggregates and the filler shall be established
according to the total weight of the dry granular material, the fine parts
included, and the binder dosage shall be established at the bituminous
mixture weight.
The grading of the natural aggregates, for each type of asphalt mixture shall
be included within the Specification Limits indicated in tables 1a, 1b and
2a,2b. On the basis of the overall aggregate grading which is proposed in the
Report and that represent the mix design target, the Contractor shall clearly
indicate the Job Mix Formula limits. The job mix formula limits shall be
calculated from the proposed mix design grading by the applicatiion of the
allowable tolerances for a single test (see table 6). The job mix formula should
be applied in the asphalt production process evaluation and control. The job
mix formula is the specific target grading that the Contractor must meet during
production. However, if the application of the job mix formula tolerances
results in a job grading control band outside the specification grading band,
the limits imposed by the specification grading band shall be applied. Any
variation outside the job mix formula shall be investigated and the cause of
the variation shall be corrected. If necessary, the job mix formula shall be
revised with the agreement of the Engineer.

Tab.6
TABLE OF ALLOWABLE TOLERANCES
Passing to > 3,15 mm
4,0 %
Passing to 0,63 mm
3,0 %
Passing to 0,2 mm
2,0 %
Passing to 0,09 mm
1,5 %
Bitumen content
0,3 %
The optimum bitumen content shall be established by the Marshall preliminary
laboratory study. The bitumen content shall be determined graphically, i.e.
using the separate graphical plot of stability, flow, unit weight of the total mix,
VIM, VFB and VMA. It is suggested, as a starting point, to choose the asphalt
content at the median of the percent air voids limits and then to check if all of
the criteria are met. The optimum bitumen content shall be within the limits
shown in table 7 for base courses and in table 8 for pavements.
Table 7
Content of binder
- for mixtures with round
aggregates, % by mass
- for mixtures with crushed
aggregates, % by mass

Bituminous mixtures
Type A
Type B
4.0-6.0
3.5-5.0

Type C
3.3-4.8

4.0-6.4

3.4-5.0

3.6-5.4

Table 8
Technical class of the road
III
IV, V
Technical category of the street
I, II*
II, III*
III, IV
Content of binder, % by mass of the asphalt
mixture
5.7-6.7
5.7-6.7
6.0-6.7
5.7-6.7
5.7-6.7
6.0-6.7
5.7-6.2
5.7-6.2
5.5-6.7
5.5-7.0
4.0-5.0
4.0-5.0
4.0-5.0
4.0-5.0
I, II

Type of asphalt mixture

Ba 8
Ba 16
Ba 16r
Ba 25
Bad 25
Bad 31

*) For roads in cold climate, the binder content for mixtures Ba 8, Ba 16, Ba
16r, shall be increased by a maximum of 0.3% in relation to the binder content
indicated in table 6.

The filler/bitumen ratio is recommended to be within the limits listed in table 9:

Table 9
FILLER/BITUMEN RATIO LIMITS
BA 8 and BA 16
BAR 16
BA 25
BAD 25 and BADPC 31

1,1 to 1,5
1,4 to 1,6
0,9 to 1,5
0,2 to 1,0

I.3.2 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ASPHALT MIXTURES

The physical and mechanical characteristics of the asphalt mixtures, during
the laboratory study and during manufacture shall comply with the
requirements listed in table 10 and with the conditions stated in table 11 and
12 for mixtures for bituminous pavements.
Table 10
Type A
CHARACTERISTICS
Very light
and light

Medium

Type of bituminous mixture

Type B
Type C
Classes of traffic
Very light
Medium
Very light Medium to
and light
to very
and light
very
heavy
heavy

A. CHARACTERISTICS DETERMINED BY MARSHALL TEST

a/ for round aggregates
- stability at 60oC, N, min
2500
3500
2500
3500
2500
3500
- creep index, 1/10 mm
10-40
10-40
10-40
10-40
10-40
10-40
b/ for crushed aggregates
- stability at 60oC, N, min
3000
4000
3000
4000
3000
4000
- creep index, 1/10 mm
10-30
10-30
10-30
10-30
10-30
10-30
- content of voids, %, vol
2-24
2-10
2-10
- apparent density, kg/dm3,
2150
2200
2200
min
B. CHARACTERISTICS DETERMINED BY TEST ON CUBES
- compressive strength at 22 oC,
0.20
0.25
0.25
N/mm2, min
- water absorbtion, % vol, max
2-16
2-12
2-12
- apparent density, kg/dm3, min
2100
2150
2150

Table 11
Characteristics on
Marshall cylinders

Technical
class of
road

Stability (S) at 60oC, kN,

min.

I, II

Creep index (I), mm

III
IV, V
I, II

Ratio S/I, kN/mm

III
IV, V
I, II

Apparent density, kg/m3,

min
Water absorption % vol
Voids in the asphalt mix
(VIM)
Voids in the mineral
aggregates (VMA)
Voids filled with asphalt
(VFB)

III
IV, V
-

Bitumen
type

Ba 8, Ba
16,
Ba 25
7.50-13.00
7.50-15.00
6.00-12.00
5.00-10.00
1.5-4.5
1.5-3.5
1.5-4.5
1.5-4.5
2.50-4.00
2.50-5.00
2.00-4.00
1.50-4.00
2350

Type of mixture
Ba 16r

Bad 25,
Bad 31

D80/120
9.50-13.00
6.00-12.00
D60/80
9.50-15.00
D80/120
7.50-13.00
4.50-10.00
D80/120
3.00-10.00
D80/120
1.5-3.5
1.5-4.5
D60/80
1.5-3.0
D80/120
1.5-3.5
1.5-4.5
D80/120
1.5-4.5
D80/120
2.50-4.00
2.00-4.00
D60/80
1.50-5.00
D80/120
2.00-4.00
1.50-4.00
D80/120
1.00-4.00
D80/120
2350
2300
D60/80
D80/120
1-5
3-5
2-6
D60/80
The procedure of calculation of the volumetric
properties of the compacted asphalts mixture
should be preliminary submitted to and approved
by the Engineer. The reference values will be fixed
accordingly.

Table 12
Characteristics on cubes

Compressive strength at
22oC, N/mm2
Compressive strength at
50oC, N/mm2
Reduction
of
the
compressive
strength at 22oC at 28 days
of keeping in water, % max
Apparent density, kg/m3,min
Water absorption
Swelling after 28 days of

Bitumen
type

D80/120
D50/80
D80/120
D50/80
D80/120

Type of mixture
Ba 8, Ba 16, Ba
25
3.0-5.2
3.5-6.5
0.7-1.2
0.7-1.6
30

Ba 16r
3.0-5.2
3.5-6.5
0.7-1.2
0.7-1.6
30

Bad 25, Bad

31
-

2250

2250

2200

2-6

4-7

3-8

2.0

2.0

D50/80
D80/120
D50/80
D80/120
D50/80
D80/120

keeping in water, % vol, max

I.3.3 APPROVAL OF EQUIPMENT
The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer the technical information
concerning the equipment to be used in the production, laying and
compaction of the asphalt mixtures. The information submitted shall be
sufficient for a preliminary evaluation of the suitability of the plant and
equipment to perform the works. The approval shall be granted after
installation and after checking all equipment is in good working order and can
fulfil the contract requirements
I.3.4 ASPHALT PLANT
The asphalt plant shall be equipped with facilities enabling it to fulfil the
requirements for the various mixture categories (both technical and capacity
requirements) and the transportation and construction methods chosen by the
Contractor.
The asphalt plant shall be fully be automatic and equipped with devices for
the control of the dosage of the components and for the interruption of
preparation in case of deviations from the required schedule. The dosage of
the aggregates and of the filler shall be by weight while the dosage of the
bitumen may be either by weight or by volume. The addition of the bitumen to
the mixture shall take into account the bitumen density/temperature
relationship (at 150-170C the density of the bitumen usually ranges between
0,900 and 0,920 gr/cm3).
The minimum requirement of the asphalt plant is to have a capacity of
80t/hour under a 5% wet aggregate content.
The Engineer may agree the use of continuos asphalt plant (drum mixer) with
the condition that the dosage of the aggregates and of the filler is by weight.
The scales shall be calibrated and checked regularly. The calibration data
shall be recorded in a specific register.
For checking temperatures, the hot bins, the bitumen tanks and the dryer
drum shall be fitted with thermometers whose calibration shall be regularly
checked. The calibration data shall be recorded in a specific register.
The asphalt plant shall have at its disposal storage tanks with a capacity
greater than, or at least equal to, the daily average consumption; each shall
be equipped with a graduated gauge and a device for heating the binder to
the necessary temperature, avoiding any overheating, however slight. The
binder temperature shall be between 150-160 0C for D80/100 bitumen type
and between 170-1800C for D60/80 bitumen type.
During the production, the bitumen supplied to site shall be tested in
conformance with the provisions of clause I.2.3 of this Technical Specification.
The bitumen may not be used until the tests of verification have been
completed and its compliance with the Technical Specification requirements
verified. To allow for an efficient bitumen quality control, a tank fitted with a
reflux pump and with a capacity of at least one working days bitumen
consumption, shall be used for storage.
The permissible tolerance of the binder temperature is given in table 13.

The filler shall be stored in the asphalt plants in silos equipped with
appropriate devices for feeding and extraction which permit filler bathing in
accordance with the tolerances indicated in Table 13.
The silos for the filler shall contain at least the quantity for one days
production.
Table 13
Parameters

Bitumen dosage
Dosage of granular aggregates
Dosage of sand
1. with > 10 % fine parts
2. with < 10 % fine parts
Mixture temperature at the plant exit
Content of water of the aggregates
after drying
Temperature of bituminous binder
Dosage of filler, by weight

Permissible tolerances
Wearing course +
Road base
Binder course
2%
5%
3%
5%
5%
5%
5%
0.5%

10%
5%
10%
0.5%

5%
2%

10%
2%

Note:
The tolerances are expressed by weight of the theoretical amount according to the plant
setting. These tolerances that deal with the technical acceptable deviations of the production
process should NOT be confused with the tolerances indicated in Table 6.

The aggregates shall be dosed by weight. The dosage device shall be able to
feed the aggregates in accordance with the job mix formula and in
accordance with the technical tolerances indicated in Table 13.
The asphalt plant shall have at its disposal the necessary mechanical
equipment for the uniform feeding of the aggregates in order to maintain
constant production.
The necessary steps shall be taken to avoid heating of the aggregates at a
temperature causing binder burning. The temperature of the aggregates shall
be between 160-1700C when D80/100 or D100/120 bitumen type is used and
between 170-1900C for D60/80 bitumen type. The water content of
aggregates after drying shall not exceed 0.5% and should be checked at least
once a day.
The asphalt plant shall possess a system for feeding and bathing the binder
either by weight or by volume. Dosage shall be in accordance with
permissible tolerances indicated in Table 13.
The Contractor shall allow for the storage of at least one third of all the
aggregates designated for the site per year.
The area where the aggregates are stored on site should be:
Easy accessible;
Paved. Concrete or asphalt platforms should avoid any contamination of the
deposited material.
Effectively drained.

Wide enough to include at least one third of the volume of aggregates

required for the asphalt works, considering that the individual stock piles
should not be over 6 meters high and with a maximum length to width ratio of
3.
The individual types shall be stored separately. Mixing of the different types
shall be avoided by using separating walls.
The stock-piles shall be clearly identified by panels where the source and the
size limits of the relevant types are indicated.
The asphalt plant shall be equipped with a mixer capable of producing uniform
asphalt mixes. The asphalt plant shall be provided with a security system to
prevent emptying of the mixer during mixing. The mixing time shall be set
depending on the type of mixing plant and the type of asphalt mix and shall be
approved by the Engineer after checking that the aggregate particles are
completely coated with asphalt cement.
At the discharge from the mixer, special devices shall be provided and special
precautions taken to limit the segregation of the asphalt mixtures during their
storage and loading for transport. If a storage bunker is used, this shall be
heated.
I.3.5 ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION
The production of the asphalt mixes shall be carried out only in automated
asphalt plants.
Special attention shall be paid to checking the provisions concerning the
binder content and to ensure proper coating of the largest grains by visual
observation.
The temperature of the asphalt mixture measured at the discharge from the
drum of the dryer should be within:
155 and 170C in case of bitumen type 60/80 pen;
160 and 180C in case of bitumen type 80/100 pen.
The Contractor shall ensure that the laying and compaction temperature
requirements can be met even in the most unfavorable situation that may
reasonably occur during the execution of the works.
I.3.6 ASPHALT PLANT SETTING
After the acceptance of the equipment by the Engineer, the Contractor shall
undertake the following operations of adjustment and gauging:
cold bin calibration;
hot bin calibration;
bitumen dosage calibration;
filler dosage calibration;
Thermometer calibration;
Checking the bin screens;
Checking the condition of the mixer.
The Employer/Engineer shall issue the operation license, after having
ascertained that the properties of each constituent will permit the achievement
of the prescribed mixture within the limits of the permissible tolerances.

If, as result of the adjustments, certain apparatus or devices prove defective,

the Contractor shall replace them, repeat the adjustment and then submit
them again for the Engineers approval.
The Contractor is not entitled to claim any payment for the immobilization of
the equipment or for attending staff required prior to obtaining the operating
license, or if such a license is refused.
I.3.7 ASPHALT MIXTURE PRODUCTION CONTROL
The quality control of asphalt mixture production shall be ensured by
preliminary checking, routine checking and acceptance checking as indicated
in table 14.
Table 14
Construction
Phase

Nature of control or testing

Preliminary
Production

Composition study
Control of adjustment of the
asphalt plant

Production

Grading of cold feed samples

Grading of hot feed samples
and control of the job mix
formula
Grading of the asphalt mixture
Determination of the content of
bitumen and filler
Temperature of the mineral
aggregates, of the bitumen
and of the mixture at the mixer
exit
Stability at 60oC
Creep index
Marshall apparent density
Marshall water absorption

Category of
inspection
A
B
C

Frequency of inspection
or test

for each type of product

before manufacture begins of
each type of product and
further on a regular base as
per Engineer instruction
daily
daily
daily
daily
continuously

one at each 400 m3

one at each 400 m3
one at each 400 m3
one at each 400 m3

A - Preliminary information tests;

B - Quality control;
C - Acceptance control.
I.4

ASPHALT MIXTURE LAYING

I.4.1 TRANSPORT
The transport of the asphalt mixture shall be carried out using well insulated,
sheeted vehicles which shall be cleaned of any foreign matter before loading.

The use of products that may dissolve the binder or damage the mix (diesel
oil, burning oil etc.) is prohibited.
The volume of the hauling vehicles shall be determined by the working output
of the plant, and the capacity shall be such as to prevent interruption.
The vehicles shall be equipped with tarpaulins that shall be used regardless of
distance and weather conditions.
I.4.2 PRELIMINARY WORKS
Before laying the mixture, the support layer shall be well cleaned. Loose
materials, dust and anything that might affect the bonding between the base
layer and the asphalt pavement layer shall be removed.
Where the support layer has an inadequate or uneven transversal profile,
steps for its rectification shall be taken. The compaction and the moisture
content should be uniform over the entire road base surface.
The surface of the support layer on which the asphalt base is to be laid shall
be dry.
The priming coat is a thin layer of bitumen sprayed onto the surface of an
existing layer, usually unbound or cement/lime bound material.
In the case of unbound granular base, the priming coat shall consists of a film
of cationic emulsion, rapid or medium curing depending upon the texture and
the density of the surface. The application rate shall be within the range 0,7 to
11 kg/m2. Other materials may be used with the agreement of the Engineer.
In the case of cement/lime bound granular base, the priming coat may be the
same as the bituminous protection film applied to prevent water evaporation.
In this case, the following conditions shall be achieved:
The loose sand that is not retained by the bituminous protective film shall be
completely removed;
If necessary, the layer shall be additionally sprayed with cationic emulsion,
rapid curing but in no case shall the total amount of residual bitumen
(protective emulsion + integration of the prime coat) exceed 0,8 kg/m 2.
The tack coat is a thin layer of bitumen that acts as a binder to assist bonding
of a new asphalt layer to a previously laid asphalt layer that has been
exposed for some time.
When constructing bituminous pavements, a tack coat shall be applied to the
working joints and the support surface using a cationic bitumen emulsion with
rapid breaking. Other materials may be used with the agreement of the
Engineer.
The tack coat may be waived in the case of laying of the second layer on the
same day as the previous one.
For the tack coat, the residual bitumen should be within 0.3 and 0.5 kg/m 2 ,
depending on the texture and on the density of the support layer.
The characteristics of the emulsion shall ensure an effective breaking before
laying the bituminous mixture. The binder shall be compatible with the one
used in the manufacture of the bituminous mixture.
The tack coat shall be applied at a maximum distance of 100 m from the
finisher.

I.4.3 LAYING
The laying of asphalt mixtures shall be accomplished with the aid of a paving
machine capable of spreading without causing segregation to the profiles and
the thickness stated in the specifications.
Laying of the bituminous mixtures shall be carried out during the warm
season, at temperatures higher than +10 oC, in the period March-November, in
accordance with the regulations in force.
When using bitumen type D80/120, laying is permitted until 15th November,
and when using bitumen type D60/80 until 15th September
Laying of the mixture after these times may be carried out only with the
approval of the relevant Romanian authorities.
Laying shall also be interrupted during wet weather.
During laying and compaction, the asphalt mixtures shall have temperatures
in accordance with Table 15, depending upon the type of binder.
Table 15
Type of
binder

D50/80
D80/120

Minimal laying temperature oC

Asphalt
Asphalt
base
pavement

140
130

150
140

Minimal temperatures at compaction oC

START
END
Asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt
base
pavement
base
pavement

130
120

140
130

100
90

110
100

The temperature of the mixture shall be checked at the hopper of the paved.
The required temperature shall be established during testing for optimum
compaction.
Bituminous mixtures not complying with the tables 10-12 requirements shall
be rejected. Such mixtures shall immediately be removed from the site
because they cannot be re-heated in situ. The same procedure shall be
applied to asphalt mixtures that are cooled in the hopper of the paved as a
consequence of mechanical defaults.
The laying of the asphalt mixtures shall be carried out for the following:
Wearing course in a single layer;
Binder course in a single layer;
Asphalt base course in one or more layers depending on the thickness of
the layer and the efficiency of the equipment used.
The paving machine shall be equipped with an automatic leveling system. In
the case of screed width extension, the left and right augers shall be extended
as well in order to ensure the uniform distribution of the mixture and to avoid
risk of segregation. The vibrating screed shall be fitted with heating devices
on both the main and the extended sections.
The asphalt mixtures shall be laid continuously and uniformly. In the case of
accidental interruption of the laying, the mixture that has not been properly
compacted shall be promptly removed. The paving machine shall be emptied
removing the mixture from the hopper and from the screed section. The area
where the interruption occurred should be treated as a transverse working
joint.

Laying shall be across the entire width of the lane. Where this is not possible,
the Contractor shall propose the width of laying and the position of the
longitudinal joints to the Engineer.
The maximum thickness of the materials spread during a single pass shall be
established by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer.
The speed of laying with the finisher shall correspond to the delivery of the
mixtures from the plant and it shall be as constant as possible in order to
avoid any interruption.
A skilled worker shall correct any unevenness immediately after laying and
before any compaction, using fresh material carefully placed by shovel in front
of the roller.
There shall always be sufficient mixture in the hopper of the laying equipment
to avoid uneven spreading of the material.
Longitudinal and transverse joints shall be even and tight.
The longitudinal joint of a layer shall never overlap the longitudinal joint of the
layer below, whether the latter belongs to the binding course or to the
roadbase, made up of asphalt mixture or of a material treated with hydraulic
binder.
The above-mentioned overlapping joints shall be displaced by at least 20 cm.
At the same time joints under the wheel tracks shall be avoided.
The joints separating the bituminous mixtures spread from day to day, shall be
constructed in such a manner as to ensure complete continuity between the
old and the new surfaces.
The edge of the old strip shall be painted with bituminous emulsion.
Transverse joints of the various courses shall be displaced by at least one
meter.
The edge of the adjacent lane shall be cut over its whole width, removing a 50
cm strip. The cut should be vertical and should extend to the whole thickness
of the layer.
Any surface newly created by cutting shall be painted with bituminous
emulsion just before completion of the new strip.
I.4.4 COMPACTION
The compaction method shall be proposed by the Contractor and approved by
the Engineer after gauging tests during the first days of laying. These gauging
tests shall be carried out as the Contractors responsibility; the Engineer may
require the intervention of an authorized laboratory to carry out the necessary
compaction tests at the Contractors expense. In compliance with the
preliminary test investigation, the Contractor shall propose to the Engineer:
the capacity and other specification details of all equipment;
the working schedule of all equipment in order to ensure a number of
required passes;
the speed of all equipment;
the tire pressure (this can vary between3 and 9 bars);
the laying temperature which shall not be lower than the minimum stated
in this specification.

The proposed method shall be considered satisfactory if the apparent

Marshall density obtained during the trials are higher than 98% of the
apparent Marshall density obtained during the trials of the mixture
composition..
The number of the rollers to be provided shall be consistent with the number
of paving machines and with the number of asphalt teams that are proposed.
Compaction of the asphalt mixtures shall be carried out in such a way as to
obtain optimum values for the physical and mechanical characteristics of
surface and deformation.
The compaction shall be carried out along the line of the road, from the edges
the road centre line; on sections having gradients or on those with crossfall,
this operation shall be carried out from the lower to the higher edge.
The rollers shall operate smoothly, without jerks, in order to avoid waving of
the pavement.
The surface of the layer shall be constantly checked and any slight
unevenness on the surface shall be corrected over the whole width, after the
first pass of the compaction roller.
When constructing successive layers, as in the case of roadbases, the laying
and the compaction shall be carried out separately for each individual layer.
To ensure a good connection between the layers, the upper layer shall be
applied within 24 hours of the application of the first layer and the surface of
the first layer shall be clean and dry.
The compaction rollers shall be equipped with protective aprons. They shall
never be more than 50 m behind the finisher.
I.4.5 SURFACE TREATMENT
After completion of the pavement, the pore sealing of the surface shall carried
out by spreading 2-3 kg/m 2 of sand of 0 - 3.15 mm with 2 - 3% bitumen, by
rolling, except on rough asphalt concrete.
The use of crushed sand is preferred.
For sections completed after 1 October or constructed before this date in
shaded areas with an excessive humidity or with reduced traffic, the surface
sealing shall be carried out by painting with the approval of the
Employer/Engineer.
Painting shall carried out by spraying bitumen or rapid breaking cationic
emulsion with 60 % bitumen diluted with water (one part emulsion with 60% of
bitumen for each part of clean, non-alkaline water) and the spreading of sand
of 0 to 3.15 mm with a minimum dust content (below 0.09 mm) in the following
quantities:
a)
spraying with bitumen
spreading of sand (preferably crushed sand)

0.5
kg/m2;
3 - 5 kg/m2.

spraying with cationic emulsion with 60 %

bitumen diluted with water
spreading of sand

0.8 - 1 kg/m2;
3 - 5 kg/m2.

The pore sealing may be achieved with a suspension of bitumen with filler
diluted to 15 % bitumen content , with the same quantity of sand.

The surface sealing shall be applied on pavements of asphalt concrete with

coarse aggregates within one month of construction. This shall be a hot
applied bituminous treatment in accordance with this specification.
I.4.6 LAYING CONTROL
During the compaction, the Contractor shall constantly check that:
the construction schedule is as established during the trials;
the compaction equipment shall be in place on site and in continuous and
regular operation;
the elements defined during the tests (the load of all equipment, their
working schedule, the speed, the tyre pressure, the maximum
distance between finisher and the first tyre-roller) shall be strictly
observed.
The Engineer has the right, in the case of insufficient self-regulation, to stop
the works on the site until the Contractor takes the necessary remedial steps.
During construction of the works, the Engineer reserves the right to request
additional tests to ensure that there are no significant deviations in the results
obtained.
If such occasional checking produces results less than the specified reference
density obtained in the trial of the product composition, the Engineer shall
require new compaction tests, canceling the compaction methods initially
established.
If these new tests are un-able to achieve the reference density, new criteria
shall have to be set.
If these new tests confirm the initial results, unless the Contractor can supply
proof that the required density has been achieved on other days, it shall be
considered that the compaction equipment has not operated under the
prescribed terms. Consequently, a penalty shall be applied for the period
between the two inspections.
The Contractor is not entitled to any payment for his equipment and staff
during the time of carrying out the new trials.
When the profile checking has been carried out visually, an inspection of the
average quantity laid on the surface shall be undertaken. This checking shall
be carried out throughout the working day.
The average quantity of material laid on the surface shall be equal to that
established in the specification or the Contractors method statement, with a
tolerance of 10%.
When adjustment of leveling relating to markers independent of the highway
is permitted by the Engineer, the checking of the levels shall be carried out on
surfaces corresponding to every working day, on the centre line and at the
edge (between 0.2 m and 0.3 m from the edge of layer), as well as on every
design cross section and also at all other points established by the Engineer.
The permitted deviations for leveling regulation are as follows:
2.5 cm for the roadbase;
1.5 cm for the binder course.

Tolerances shall be met in 95% of the controlled points.

Unevenness shall be inspected at the surface of each layer:
transversally, by means of an 3 m long straightedge when the road has
plane slope;
longitudinally with a 3 m long rolling straightedge.
The longitudinal control shall be carried out by passing the straightedge along
the centre line of each laying strip, especially at points where the finisher or
the site stops.
Transverse control shall normally be carried out at each profile (cross section)
within the width of the laying strip. The maximum unevenness shall not, in any
case, be higher than the value shown in table 16 for the wearing course layer.
Table 16
Maximum Unevenness
Wearing course layer
3 mm
3 mm
4 mm
4 mm
5 mm
7 mm

Road Category
Road Class I
Streets Category I - III
Roads Class II
Streets Category IV
Road Class III
Road Class IV and V

The frequency of the construction controls shall be those shown in table 17.
Table 17
Group of
controls
Construction
controls

Profile
controls

Nature of control or testing

Laying temperature
Gauging of the compaction
workshop

Occasional compaction control

by coring
Surface adjustment control of
the average laid quantity
Levelling regulation
Inspection of unevenness

A - Preliminary information tests;

Control category
A
B
C
x
x

x
x
x

Control frequency
Continuous
At the beginning of
works and when an
occasional
control
finds
incorrect
compaction.
A core per 250 m of
road.
Every day and at the
end of the site works.
At every point
indicated by the
Engineer.
At every point
indicated by the
Engineer.

B - Quality control;
C - Acceptance control.
I.5

TECHNICAL CONDITIONS

I.5.1 GEOMETRY AND GEOMETRICAL TOLERANCES

The thickness of the layers shall be those stated in the standard cross
sections of the design.
The local deviation limits of the thickness stated in the design, for each
distinct layer are -10%.
Deviations which increase the thickness are not considered cause for
rejection.
The layer widths shall be be those stated in the design.The permissible local
deviation limit shall be 5 cm.
The slopes in cross section and the gradients in the longitudinal profile shall
be as indicated in the design.
The permissible deviation limit for the crossfall is 0.5%.
For the levels of the longitudinal profile, the following local deviations are
permitted:
2.5 cm for the roadbase and the support layer;
1.5 cm for the binding course and the wearing course.
The permissible unevenesses along the strip under the 3 m straight edge are
3 mm.
I.6

ACCEPTANCE OF THE WORKS

I.6.1 PRELIMINARY ACCEPTANCE

The inspection and, where appropriate acceptance of the roadbases of the
coated bituminous materials and of the bituminous shall be carried out in two
stages: preliminary and final.
The preliminary inspection takes place when all the works and tests stated in
the Contract have been carried out.
The acceptance committee shall examine the works relating to the Contract
requirements concerning the technical and quality conditions of the
construction and examines all test results.
After this inspection, and where appropriate acceptance, the preliminary
report shall be signed.
I.6.2 FINAL ACCEPTANCE
The final inspection and, where appropriate, acceptance shall take place at
the expiry of the guarantee period and shall be carried out in compliance with
the legal requirements in force, and in accordance with the requirements of
this technical specification.
I.7

ROMANIAN LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE

LAW OR REGULATION IN FORCE

STAS 174-97
C 56-85
STAS 7970-76
Law no.10/1995
This list is not necessarily complete.

SUBJECT
Road works. Bituminous pavement,
rolled warm
Norm for quality checking of the
construction works and installations
Roadwork. Hot laid base layers of
rolled bituminous mixtures
Low regarding quality in constructions