2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ What is asphalt?
Answer: A dark brown/black cementitious material; natural or
refined from petroleum.
◉ How much asphalt binder is used annually in the U.S.?
Answer: Around 30 million tons/year.
◉ What is Asphalt Concrete (AC)?
Answer: Asphalt binder + aggregates.
◉ What are the 3 types of asphalt?
Answer: Asphalt Cement (Binder), Asphalt Cutback, Asphalt
Emulsion.
◉ What is asphalt cement (binder) used for?
Answer: Used in HMA; it's waterproof and durable.
, ◉ What is asphalt cutback and what is the downside?
Answer: Binder + solvent; it is hazardous and polluting.
◉ What is asphalt emulsion and why is it better?
Answer: Binder + water + emulsifier; it is safer and more eco-
friendly.
◉ How does asphalt binder behave?
Answer: Visco-elastic - viscous at high temps, elastic at low temps.
◉ What can happen if asphalt is too soft?
Answer: Rutting.
◉ What can happen if asphalt is too brittle?
Answer: Thermal cracking.
◉ What is asphalt made of?
Answer: Hydrocarbons (H, C, S, N, O).
◉ What is more important in asphalt chemistry: structure or
composition?
Answer: Structure.