Professional Tool
Bitumen Calculator
Determine the exact weight or volume of bitumen required for your hot mix asphalt based on the total mix weight and binder content percentage.
Bitumen Needed
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tons
Weight (lbs)
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pounds
Volume
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gallons
Drums Needed
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55-gal drums
About Bitumen Calculations
Bitumen (also known as asphalt cement or binder) is the thick, sticky, black liquid that holds the aggregate (stone, sand, and gravel) together in hot mix asphalt. Calculating the exact amount of bitumen needed is crucial for asphalt plants and contractors mixing their own materials.
Bitumen Content by Mix Type
Different types of asphalt require different amounts of binder:
- Dense Graded Asphalt: Typically requires 4.5% to 6.0% bitumen. This is the standard mix for driveways and roads.
- Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA): Requires more binder, usually 6.0% to 7.5%, to coat the larger stone matrix.
- Open Graded Friction Course: Usually falls between 5.5% and 6.5%.
If you have too little bitumen, the pavement will be brittle and prone to cracking or raveling. If you have too much, the pavement can become soft, leading to rutting or "bleeding" (where excess bitumen pushes to the surface) in hot weather.