ASPHALT BINDERS (EXAM 2) QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026-2027
What is asphalt? - CORRECT ANSWER -generally a by-
product of petroleum distillation; a complex hydrocarbon; soluble in petroleum products; can b
e naturally-occuring
What is tar? - CORRECT ANSWER -generally a by-
product of coal production; resistant to petroleum products
How can a source of asphalt be identified? - CORRECT ANSWER -by solubility tests
Where was asphalt obtained from originally? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Island of Trinidad and Venezuela; lakes
What are petroleum-based asphalts? - CORRECT ANSWER -a waste product from refinery-
processing of crude oil; "bottom of the barrel"; properties depend on refinery operations and c
omposition depends on crude source
What are the three bituminous material types? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. asphalt cement/hot mix asphalt
2. emulsified asphalt
3. cutback asphalt
What are emulsified asphalts composed of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
asphalt cement, water, and an emulsifying agent
What are cutback asphalts composed of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
asphalt cement with petroleum solvent
, What are the basic steps of refinery operation? - CORRECT ANSWER -1. pumping
2. storage
3. heating
4. distillation
5. condensing and cooling
6. separation
What are the three components of asphalt? - CORRECT ANSWER -asphaltenes, resins, and oils
What do emulsifiers do? - CORRECT ANSWER -
give surface charge to asphalt droplets suspended in water medium; anionic (limestone compa
tible) or cationic (siliceous gravel compatible); allow for bitumen to be mixed at lower tempera
tures; cheaper, safer, and better for the environment compared to cutbacks.
What are three cutbacks? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Rapid Cure (RC); high volatility of solvent; tack coats and surface treatments
2. Medium Cure (MC); moderate volatility; stockpile patching mix
3. Slow Cure (SC); low volatility; prime coat and dust control
good for fast projects, but not used because it's harmful for the environment
What were the early specification for lake asphalts and for petroleum asphalts? -
CORRECT ANSWER -lake asphalts:
-appearance
-solubility in carbon disulfide
petroleum asphalts:
-consistency
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026-2027
What is asphalt? - CORRECT ANSWER -generally a by-
product of petroleum distillation; a complex hydrocarbon; soluble in petroleum products; can b
e naturally-occuring
What is tar? - CORRECT ANSWER -generally a by-
product of coal production; resistant to petroleum products
How can a source of asphalt be identified? - CORRECT ANSWER -by solubility tests
Where was asphalt obtained from originally? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Island of Trinidad and Venezuela; lakes
What are petroleum-based asphalts? - CORRECT ANSWER -a waste product from refinery-
processing of crude oil; "bottom of the barrel"; properties depend on refinery operations and c
omposition depends on crude source
What are the three bituminous material types? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. asphalt cement/hot mix asphalt
2. emulsified asphalt
3. cutback asphalt
What are emulsified asphalts composed of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
asphalt cement, water, and an emulsifying agent
What are cutback asphalts composed of? - CORRECT ANSWER -
asphalt cement with petroleum solvent
, What are the basic steps of refinery operation? - CORRECT ANSWER -1. pumping
2. storage
3. heating
4. distillation
5. condensing and cooling
6. separation
What are the three components of asphalt? - CORRECT ANSWER -asphaltenes, resins, and oils
What do emulsifiers do? - CORRECT ANSWER -
give surface charge to asphalt droplets suspended in water medium; anionic (limestone compa
tible) or cationic (siliceous gravel compatible); allow for bitumen to be mixed at lower tempera
tures; cheaper, safer, and better for the environment compared to cutbacks.
What are three cutbacks? - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Rapid Cure (RC); high volatility of solvent; tack coats and surface treatments
2. Medium Cure (MC); moderate volatility; stockpile patching mix
3. Slow Cure (SC); low volatility; prime coat and dust control
good for fast projects, but not used because it's harmful for the environment
What were the early specification for lake asphalts and for petroleum asphalts? -
CORRECT ANSWER -lake asphalts:
-appearance
-solubility in carbon disulfide
petroleum asphalts:
-consistency
