CONTROL OF BINDER CONTENT IN BITUMINOUS MIXES BY MEANS OF AN AUTOMATIC APPARATUS

Summary The present work illustrates the results of an experimental laboratory research on the repeatability of the faster and more common bitumen extraction technique from mixtures (Reflux Extractor ASTM D-2172/B). The investigation has been performed by comparing the above extraction method with an automatic closed-loop apparatus which by using the same extraction principle reduces the effects of possible error sources which might influence the numerical results. Through a statistical model, the experimental investigation has shown that the use of an automatic procedure for the different extraction stages of bitumen from mixture reduces substantially the manipulation of materials.