Bitumen in Australia
Sprayed seals are very important to Australia. Use of this technology has allowed the establishment of an all-weather road network by a population of 20 million people living in a country with a land mass of seven million square kilometers. Much of the past research into bitumen performance has been from a hot mix asphalt perspective; however research into the bitumen and binder needs from a sprayed sealing perspective will soon be increased. The Australian Standard for road making bitumen, AS 2008, is now more than ten years old and is subsequently under review. A survey of interested parties was undertaken as part of this review, and opinions from both suppliers and users regarding bitumen gradings were unanimous – the current system based on viscosity should not be changed. Whilst debate continues as to the usefulness of the existing ‘long term effect of heat and air’ (durability) parameter is likely to continue in Australia, the durability test will certainly remain as an available option to those states that specify it. The bitumen demand for road making in Australia has been at a plateau of around 900,000 tonnes for several years, and there is no suggestion that this may change in the immediate future.
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Authors:
- Neaylon, K
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 2009
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: 11p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bitumen; Durability; Seal coats; Specifications; Standards; Viscosity
- Geographic Terms: Australia
- ATRI Terms: Australian standard; Bitumen; Durability; Specifications; Sprayed seal; Viscosity
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01481766
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB
- Files: ATRI
- Created Date: May 21 2013 10:55AM