Task group on bitumen specifications

Report back May 2005

Working groups

• Interim review of current specification

• Quality management during road haul

• Sampling• Introduction of performance based

specifications

Review of current specificationConvenor – Denzil Sadler

• Fine tuning following more than a decade of experience

• Promote equitable procurement• Proposed amendments:

– Mass change after RTFOT (%max) – 0.3– Increase in R&B SP after RTFOT (ºC max) –

7– Viscosity at 60ºC for 60/70 pg bitumen (min

Pa S) – 140• Need to assess long term ageing

Review/cont...

• Caveat on modification:

“Compliance of bitumen with this specification does not guarantee compatibility with various modifiers. Consequently the onus rests with the manufacturer of modified binders to ensure compatibility through testing.”

Quality management during road hauling

• Extended terms of reference• Draft document – Code of practice for

hauling bitumen and liquid bituminous products commissioned by Sabita

• Extending the quality chain and audit trail to point of off-loading

• Role of transporters still to be clarified

Proposals to RPF

• Acceptance of amendments to current specifications

• Acceptance in principle of caveat on modifier compatibility

Performance based specifications

Kim Jenkins