Quality Perspective and Advancements in Specifications of Bitumen in India

This paper discusses the quality perspective and advancements made in specifications of bitumen in India. The rutting behavior of bituminous mixes prepared with bitumens from different sources is described. It is found that the absolute viscosity at 60 oC correlates very well with the pavement’s fail temperature as well as to the rut depth. The paper gives detailed background to the selection criterion of viscosity grade bitumen for different climatic conditions of India. The progress of standardization, duly supported by the scientific and engineering logics adopted in development of specifications, is described in detail. The role of chemical composition of bitumen in deciding the quality of bitumen is also dealt with in the paper.