CE MATERIALS FINAL EXAM 170 QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What are the classes of bituminous materials? - ANSWER-1. Asphalt Cement:
semisolid-solid material
2. Emulsified Asphalt: mixture of asphalt cement, water, emulsifying agent liquid
3. Cutback: liquid asphalt cement
What is the difference between tar and asphalt binder? - ANSWER-Asphalt is
soluble in petroleum
Tar is not soluble in petroleum
What is a Cutback? - ANSWER-a combination of asphalt cement and petroleum
solvent. Like emulsions, cutbacks are used because they reduce asphalt viscosity
for lower temperature uses
Emulsion is now preferred over Cutback. Why? - ANSWER-Emulsion agent gives
surface charge to asphalt droplets to stick to aggregate.
Anionic: (SS-1) slow setting, low viscosity
Cationic: (CRS-2) cationic rapid setting, high viscosity
What is manufactured sand? What type of aggregate is preferred for asphalt
concrete: dredged or quarried? - ANSWER-Crushed sand with jagged edges.
Asphalt prefers quarried
,Name one deleterious material in aggregates for asphalt concrete. - ANSWER-clay
lumps, shale, soft organic material
Why are higher values of the following parameters desirable in HMA? - ANSWER-
CAA, more % interlock
FAA, more % interlock
Sand Equivalent, close to 100% means low clay%
Why is higher percentage of Flat Elongated particles not desirable in HMA? -
ANSWER-Make compaction more difficult, can break more easily
What is the difference between tack coat and prime coat? - ANSWER-tack coat
goes on top of other layers of asphalt; prime goes on base
What is microsurfacing? - ANSWER-A protective seal coat which extends the life
of pavement. It is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely
crushed stone for traction.
Which of the following fractions of asphalt has the highest molecular weight? -
ANSWER-c. asphaltenes
Which of the following fractions of asphalt has the lowest carbon-to- hydrogen
ratio? - ANSWER-b. oils
Tar is usually resistant to: - ANSWER-a. Jet fuel
,The AC grading of asphalt cement materials is based on - ANSWER-viscosity of
virgin asphalt cement at 140°F
The AR grading of asphalt cement materials is based on - ANSWER-viscosity of
aged asphalt residue at 140°F
Which of the following is NOT a Superpave aggregate consensus property? -
ANSWER-(d) Percent passing No. 200 sieve
(FAA,CAA,SE)
The control sieves for a 12.5 -mm nominal maximum aggregate size Superpave
mixture gradation are: - ANSWER-(max) 19 mm
(nominal) 12.5 mm
(#8) 2.36 mm
(#200) .075 mm
In a penetration test for grading asphalt cement, the penetration measured at 77
°F for 5 seconds was 13.0 mm. The asphalt is most likely in the grade - ANSWER-d.
120-150
According to the Superpave Performance Grading (PG), for a binder grade of PG
70-34,
, "70" indicates the - ANSWER-(b) average 7-day maximum pavement design
temperature at 20 mm depth of that site
According to the Superpave Performance Grading (PG), for a binder grade of PG
70-34, "34" indicates the - ANSWER-(d) minimum pavement temperature at the
surface of that site
The "setting" of asphalt emulsion refers to the - ANSWER-c. evaporation of water
from emulsion
The shear resistance of the aggregate matrix in asphalt concrete is derived from: -
ANSWER-Interlocking between aggregate particles
b. Internal friction between aggregate particles
c. both (a) & (b)
The lack of shear resistance in asphalt concrete will lead to the following distress
in asphalt pavements: - ANSWER-d. rutting
If the maximum aggregate size of a gradation is 19 mm, according to Fuller's
original maximum density formula, the percentage of material passing #4 (2.36
mm) sieve would most nearly be - ANSWER-P = 100 (d/D)^.5
35.2>>39%
What are the physical significance of the following temperatures in asphalt
mixture production and service: - ANSWER-(a) 60 °C - Highest service temp
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What are the classes of bituminous materials? - ANSWER-1. Asphalt Cement:
semisolid-solid material
2. Emulsified Asphalt: mixture of asphalt cement, water, emulsifying agent liquid
3. Cutback: liquid asphalt cement
What is the difference between tar and asphalt binder? - ANSWER-Asphalt is
soluble in petroleum
Tar is not soluble in petroleum
What is a Cutback? - ANSWER-a combination of asphalt cement and petroleum
solvent. Like emulsions, cutbacks are used because they reduce asphalt viscosity
for lower temperature uses
Emulsion is now preferred over Cutback. Why? - ANSWER-Emulsion agent gives
surface charge to asphalt droplets to stick to aggregate.
Anionic: (SS-1) slow setting, low viscosity
Cationic: (CRS-2) cationic rapid setting, high viscosity
What is manufactured sand? What type of aggregate is preferred for asphalt
concrete: dredged or quarried? - ANSWER-Crushed sand with jagged edges.
Asphalt prefers quarried
,Name one deleterious material in aggregates for asphalt concrete. - ANSWER-clay
lumps, shale, soft organic material
Why are higher values of the following parameters desirable in HMA? - ANSWER-
CAA, more % interlock
FAA, more % interlock
Sand Equivalent, close to 100% means low clay%
Why is higher percentage of Flat Elongated particles not desirable in HMA? -
ANSWER-Make compaction more difficult, can break more easily
What is the difference between tack coat and prime coat? - ANSWER-tack coat
goes on top of other layers of asphalt; prime goes on base
What is microsurfacing? - ANSWER-A protective seal coat which extends the life
of pavement. It is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely
crushed stone for traction.
Which of the following fractions of asphalt has the highest molecular weight? -
ANSWER-c. asphaltenes
Which of the following fractions of asphalt has the lowest carbon-to- hydrogen
ratio? - ANSWER-b. oils
Tar is usually resistant to: - ANSWER-a. Jet fuel
,The AC grading of asphalt cement materials is based on - ANSWER-viscosity of
virgin asphalt cement at 140°F
The AR grading of asphalt cement materials is based on - ANSWER-viscosity of
aged asphalt residue at 140°F
Which of the following is NOT a Superpave aggregate consensus property? -
ANSWER-(d) Percent passing No. 200 sieve
(FAA,CAA,SE)
The control sieves for a 12.5 -mm nominal maximum aggregate size Superpave
mixture gradation are: - ANSWER-(max) 19 mm
(nominal) 12.5 mm
(#8) 2.36 mm
(#200) .075 mm
In a penetration test for grading asphalt cement, the penetration measured at 77
°F for 5 seconds was 13.0 mm. The asphalt is most likely in the grade - ANSWER-d.
120-150
According to the Superpave Performance Grading (PG), for a binder grade of PG
70-34,
, "70" indicates the - ANSWER-(b) average 7-day maximum pavement design
temperature at 20 mm depth of that site
According to the Superpave Performance Grading (PG), for a binder grade of PG
70-34, "34" indicates the - ANSWER-(d) minimum pavement temperature at the
surface of that site
The "setting" of asphalt emulsion refers to the - ANSWER-c. evaporation of water
from emulsion
The shear resistance of the aggregate matrix in asphalt concrete is derived from: -
ANSWER-Interlocking between aggregate particles
b. Internal friction between aggregate particles
c. both (a) & (b)
The lack of shear resistance in asphalt concrete will lead to the following distress
in asphalt pavements: - ANSWER-d. rutting
If the maximum aggregate size of a gradation is 19 mm, according to Fuller's
original maximum density formula, the percentage of material passing #4 (2.36
mm) sieve would most nearly be - ANSWER-P = 100 (d/D)^.5
35.2>>39%
What are the physical significance of the following temperatures in asphalt
mixture production and service: - ANSWER-(a) 60 °C - Highest service temp
