Relationship between Bituminous Mastic and Mix Asphalt Properties

Abstract

The bituminous mastic consists of fine elements (whose diameter is less than 80µm) resulting from the mineral mixture of the mix asphalt and the asphalt itself, whose amount is fixed by the mixture formulation. Due to its composition that results from the asphalt mix, the bituminous mastic constitutes the structure and the effective joining that connects the different mix constituents and also ensures the filling of the voids existing in the mix; its characteristics influence the properties of the asphalt mix to more resist to the heavy loads traffics during useful life of road. Thus, there are determining relations between the bituminous mastic and the performances of the mix asphalt, such as the mechanical resistance to heavy loads, rutting and water holding.