Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures
Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials
10.12 Spray Rate of Bitumen
10.12.1 General
When carrying out surface dressing work using a motorised bitumen distributor, it is
necessary to measure the rate of spread of the bitumen. Too low a rate of spray will
result in chippings not adhering to the surface and too high a rate of spray will lead
to ‘fatting up’ of the surface in addition to being uneconomic.
There are two basic types of bitumen distributor, those which supply bitumen at a
constant pressure to the spray bar and those in which the pressure on the spray bar
is directly coupled to the vehicle’s engine speed.
The former type is generally to the preferred as changes in the bitumen spray rate
may be made simply by adjusting the speed of the vehicle, the higher the speed the
lower the rate of spray. With the second type the distributor, it is only possible to
change the rate of spray by engaging a different gear, the spray rate can, therefore,
only be adjusted in steps, increasing the speed of the vehicle purely increases the
pressure on the bar and the spray rate remains virtually constant.
It should be noted that the rate of spray will be seriously affected by the grade of
bitumen used and the temperature of the bitumen. The specified temperature for the
particular grade of bitumen in use must be strictly maintained. The jets on the spray
bar of a distributor are designed to operate at a given viscosity and, hence, harder
grades of bitumen (lower penetrations) must be heated to higher temperatures than
softer grades, or cut-back bitumens. Some bitumen emulsions may be sprayed
without heating.
The tray test is a simply field test which measures the rate of spray and allows
adjustments in the speed of the vehicle (or the gears) to be made for subsequent
runs. The apparatus consists simply of a number of aluminium trays, 200 mm. square
and about 5 mm. deep. A balance is required for weighing the trays.
Although the tray test will measure the rate of spray from a particular part of the
spray bar, it cannot account for variations along the bar. It is essential that all the jets
are fully cleaned and operating freely and that the bar is level and at the correct
height.
10.12.2 Test Procedure
The clean dry trays are numbered on the underside and weighted. Usually 5 trays
are used for each test and to allow time for cleaning at least 10, and preferably 15
trays, are required for quality control work.
The trays are then placed on the prepared road surface in a random pattern in front
of the distributor lorry. The trays should be spaced out along the whole length to be
sprayed and should cover the full width of the spray bar, excepting the very edges
where there is no overlap on the jets. Obviously the trays must not be placed in the
path of the distributor wheels, as the distributor is normally only moving at walking
pace the position of the trays may be adjusted as the lorry approaches.
Immediately after spraying the trays should be carefully lifted from the surface with a
pair of tongs or pliers and re-weighed.
To enable the trays to be removed, it is usually necessary to spread a few chippings
on to the surface of the bitumen to allow the operative to reach the tray without
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Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures
Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials
damaging the surface. Immediately after removing the tray, the area of road under
the tray should be covered in not bitumen from a bitumen pouring can.
After use, the trays should be thoroughly cleaned, using a solvent such as diesel,
kerosine or petrol, this operation should be carried out in an open space away from
fires or other sources of heat. Any damaged trays should be repaired and checked
for dimensional accuracy. The trays should be re-weighed each time, before use.
If it is required to measure the rate of spread of chippings laid on the bitumen, the
same procedure may be used but larger sized trays will give more accurate results. A
few chippings should be spread in the bitumen under the trays to prevent the
bitumen contaminating the underside of the trays.
10.12.3 Calculation
Weight of bitumen in tray, W = (Weight of tray + Bitumen) – (Weight of tray) grams
Lenght breadth
Area of tray ,A x sq. meter
1000 1000
Where length and breadth are in millimetres
W grams / sq . metre
Spray rate =
A
W W litres /
Kg / sq . metre =
1000 A 1000 A b sq . metre
Where b is density of bitumen at road temperature
(Normally taken as 1.0)
Typical results are shown as Form 10.12.1.
10.12.4 Reporting of Results
The individual results should be reported to the nearest 0.1 kg/sq.metre.
The speed of the distributor, the grade of bitumen, the temperature of spraying and
the detailed position of the test should be given.
MAY 2001 Page 10.88
Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures
Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials
Form 10.12.1
MAY 2001 Page 10.89
