Designation: D 8 – 02

Standard Terminology Relating to

Materials for Roads and Pavements1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 8; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2.2 AASHTO Standards:

1.1 This standard is a compilation of terminology related to MP2 Standard Specification for Superpave Volumetric Mix
materials used in the highway industry, generally for the Design4
construction of bituminous pavements, and that are within the
3. Terminology
jurisdiction of Committee D04. Terms that are generally
understood or that are adequately defined in other readily 3.1 Definitions:
available sources are not included. 3.1.1 Bituminous Materials:
1.2 Other terminology under the jurisdiction of Committee anionic emulsion, n—a type of emulsion such that a particular
D04 is included in two other standards. Terms relating to emulsifying agent establishes a predominance of negative
bridge deck and substructure protection are defined in Termi- charges on the discontinuous phase.
nology D 3743. Terms relating to sealants for joints and cracks asphalt, n—a dark brown to black cementitious material in
are defined in Terminology D 5535. which the predominating constituents are bitumens which
1.3 When a term is used in an ASTM document for which occur in nature or are obtained in petroleum processing.
Committee D04 is responsible, it is included herein only when asphalt cement, n—a fluxed or unfluxed asphalt specially
judged, after review by Subcommittee D04.95, to be a term prepared as to quality and consistency for direct use in the
generally usable in a number of Committee D04 standards. manufacture of bituminous pavements, and having a pen-
1.4 Definitions that are identical to those published by other etration at 25°C (77°F) of between 5 and 300, under a load
ASTM committees or other standards organizations are iden- of 100 g applied for 5 s.
tified with the ASTM designation (for example, Terminology asphaltenes, n—the high molecular weight hydrocarbon frac-
C 125) or with the abbreviation of the name of the organiza- tion precipitated from asphalt by a designated paraffinic
tion. naphtha solvent at a specified solvent-asphalt ratio.
1.5 A definition in this standard is a statement of the
meaning of a word or word group expressed in a single DISCUSSION—The asphaltene fraction should be identified by the
solvent and solvent-asphalt ratio used.
sentence with additional information included in notes or
discussion. asphalt rock (rock asphalt), n—a naturally occurring rock
formation, usually limestone or sandstone, impregnated
NOTE 1—The subcommittee responsible for this standard will review
definitions on a five-year basis to determine if the definition is still throughout its mass with a minor amount of bitumen.
appropriate as stated. Revisions will be made when determined necessary. asphalt-rubber, n—a blend of asphalt cement, reclaimed tire
rubber, and certain additives in which the rubber component
2. Referenced Documents is at least 15 % by weight of the total blend and has reacted
2.1 ASTM Standards: in the hot asphalt cement sufficiently to cause swelling of the
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete rubber particles.
Aggregates2 bitumen, n—a class of black or dark-colored (solid, semisolid,
D 3743 Terminology Relating to Bridge Deck and Sub- or viscous) cementitious substances, natural or manufac-
structure Protection3 tured, composed principally of high molecular weight hy-
D 5535 Terminology Relating to Formed-in-Place Sealants drocarbons, of which asphalts, tars, pitches, and asphaltites
for Joints and Cracks in Pavements3 are typical.
bituminous, adj—containing or treated with bitumen (also
bituminized); for example: bituminous concrete, bituminized
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road felts and fabrics, bituminous pavement.
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.95 on bituminous emulsion, n—(1) a suspension of minute globules
Quality Control, Inspection and Testing Agencies.
Current edition approved July 10, 2002. Published September 2002. Originally
published as D 8 – 12. Last previous edition D 8 – 97.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02 Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 8 – 02
of bituminous material in water or in an aqueous solution, or DISCUSSION—The saturates fraction should be identified by the
(2) a suspension of minute globules of water or of an solvent, the solvent-asphalt ratio and the absorbing medium.
aqueous solution in a liquid bituminous material. straight-run pitch, n—a pitch run to the consistency desired
cationic emulsion, n—a type of emulsion such that a particular in the initial process of distillation and without subsequent
emulsifying agent establishes a predominance of positive fluxing.
charges on the discontinuous phase. tar, n—brown or black bituminous material, liquid or semi-
coal tar, n—a dark brown to black cementitious material solid in consistency, in which the predominating constituents
produced by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal. are bitumens obtained as condensates in the destructive
coke-oven tar, n—coal tar produced in by-product coke ovens distillation of coal, petroleum, oil-shale, wood, or other
in the manufacture of coke from bituminous coal. organic materials, and which yields substantial quantities of
cut-back asphalt, n—petroleum residuum (asphalt) which has pitch when distilled.
been blended with petroleum distillates. 3.1.2 Bitumen-Aggregate Mixtures and Applications:
DISCUSSION—Slow-curing materials may be made directly by distil- crack filler, n—bituminous material used to fill and seal cracks
lation and are often referred to as road oils. in existing pavements.
cut-back products, n—petroleum or tar residuums which have dust binder, n—a light application of bituminous material for
been blended with distillates. the express purpose of laying and bonding loose dust.
flux, n—a bituminous material, generally liquid, used for fog seal, n—a light application of bituminous material to an
softening other bituminous materials. existing pavement as a seal to inhibit raveling, or to seal the
“free-carbon” in tar, n—the hydrocarbon fraction that is surface, or both; medium and slow-setting bituminous emul-
precipitated from a tar by dilution with carbon disulfide or sions are usually used and may be diluted with water.
benzene. maintenance mix, n—a mixture of bituminous material and
gas-house coal tar, n—coal tar produced in gas-house retorts mineral aggregate applied at ambient temperature for use in
in the manufacture of illuminating gas from bituminous coal. patching holes, depressions, and distress areas in existing
naphthene-aromatics, n—a mixture of naphthenic and aro- pavements.
matic hydrocarbons which are adsorbed from a paraffinic DISCUSSION—Appropriate hand or mechanical methods are used in
solvent on an adsorbent during percolation and then des- placing and compacting the mix. These mixes may be designed for
orbed with an aromatic solvent such as toluene. immediate use or for use out of a stockpile at a later time without
further processing.
DISCUSSION—The naphthene-aromatics fraction should be identified
by the solvent, the solvent-asphalt ratio and the absorbing medium. mixed-in-place (road mix), n—a bituminous surface or base
course produced by mixing mineral aggregate and cut-back
native asphalt, n—asphalt occurring as such in nature.
asphalt, bituminous emulsion, or tar at the job-site by means
oil-gas tar, n—tar produced by cracking oil vapors at high
of travel plants, motor graders, drags, or special road-mixing
temperatures in the manufacture of oil gas.
equipment; open or dense-graded aggregates, sand, and
pitch, n—black or dark-brown solid cementitious material
sandy soil may be used.
which gradually liquefies when heated and which is obtained
as residua in the partial evaporation or fractional distillation mulch treatment, n—a spray application of bituminous ma-
of tar. terial used to temporarily stabilize a recently seeded area; the
polar-aromatics, n—a polar aromatic hydrocarbon fraction bituminous material can be applied to the soil or to straw or
that is adsorbed on an adsorbing medium from a paraffinic hay mulch as a tie-down, also.
solvent during percolation and then desorbed with a chlori- penetration macadam, n—a pavement layer containing es-
nated hydrocarbon solvent such as trichloroethylene. sentially one-size coarse aggregate, penetrated in place by a
heavy application of bituminous material, followed by an
DISCUSSION—The polar-aromatics fraction should be identified by the application of a smaller size coarse aggregate, and com-
solvent, the solvent-asphalt ratio and the absorbing medium. pacted; multiple layers containing still smaller coarse aggre-
recycling agent (RA), n—a blend of hydrocarbons with or gate may be used.
without minor amounts of other materials that is used to alter plant mix, cold-laid, n—a mixture of cut-back asphalt, bitu-
or improve the properties of the aged asphalt in a recycled minous emulsion, or tar and mineral aggregate prepared in a
asphalt paving mixture. central bituminous mixing plant and spread and compacted
refined tar, n—tar freed from water by evaporation or distil- at the job-site when the mixture is at or near ambient
lation which is continued until the residue is of desired temperature.
consistency; or a product produced by fluxing tar residuum plant mix, hot-laid bituminous emulsion mixtures, n—a
with tar distillate. mixture of emulsion and heated mineral aggregate usually
rock asphalt—see asphalt rock. prepared in a conventional asphalt plant or drum mixer and
saturates, n—a mixture of paraffinic and naphthenic hydro- spread and compacted at the job site at a temperature above
carbons that on percolation in a paraffinic solvent are not ambient.
adsorbed on the adsorbing medium; other compounds such prime coat, n—an application of a low-viscosity bituminous
as naphthenic and polar aromatics are adsorbed thus permit- material to an absorptive surface, designed to penetrate,
ting the separation of the saturate fraction. bond, and stabilize this existing surface and to promote

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 D 8 – 02
adhesion between it and the construction course that follows. fine aggregate, n—(1) aggregate passing the 3⁄8-in. (9.5-mm)
reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), n—asphalt pavement or sieve and almost entirely passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve
paving mixture removed from its original location for use in and predominantly retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve: or
recycled asphalt paving mixture. (2) that portion of an aggregate passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
recycled asphalt paving mixture, n—a mixture of reclaimed sieve and retained on the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve.
asphalt pavement with the inclusion, if required, of asphalt DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under
cement, emulsified asphalt, cut-back asphalt, recycling differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate
agent, mineral aggregate, and mineral filler. either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied
slurry seal, n—an application of a fluid mixture of bituminous to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading
emulsion, fine aggregate, mineral filler, and water to an should be stated in the specifications.
existing pavement.
fractured face, n—an angular, rough, or broken surface of an
surface treatment, n—an application of bituminous material
aggregate particle created by crushing, by other artificial
followed by a layer of mineral aggregate; multiple applica-
means, or by nature.
tions of bituminous material and mineral aggregate may be
macadam, dry-bound and water bound, n—a pavement
used.
layer containing essentially one-size coarse aggregate
tack coat (bond coat), n—an application of bituminous
choked in place with an application of screenings or sand;
material to an existing relatively nonabsorptive surface to
water is applied to the choke material for water-bound
provide a thorough bond between old and new surfacing.
macadam; multiple layers must be used.
tar concrete, cold-laid, n—a plant mix containing a medium-
maximum size (of aggregate), n—in specifications for, or
viscosity grade of tar and a graded mineral aggregate,
descriptions of aggregate, the smallest sieve opening
designed to be laid either shortly after mixing or when the
through which the entire amount of aggregate is required to
mixture is at or near ambient temperature.
pass. (Terminology C 125)
tar concrete, hot laid, n—a plant mix containing a high-
viscosity grade of tar and a densely graded mineral aggregate DISCUSSION—Another definition, which applies only to aggregates
designed to be laid at or near the elevated temperature of used in the Superpave mix design procedure, is included in AASHTO
mixing. Specification MP 2.
3.1.3 Aggregate Materials: nominal maximum size (of aggregate), n—in specifications
aggregate, n—a granular material of mineral composition such for, or descriptions of aggregate, the smallest sieve opening
as sand, gravel, shell, slag, or crushed stone, used with a through which the entire amount of the aggregate is permit-
cementing medium to form mortars or concrete, or alone as ted to pass. (Terminology C 125)
in base courses, railroad ballasts, etc.
DISCUSSION—Specifications on aggregates usually stipulate a sieve
bank gravel, n—gravel found in natural deposits, usually more
opening through which all of the aggregate may, but need not, pass so
or less intermixed with fine material, such as sand or clay, or that a stated maximum proportion of the aggregate may be retained on
combinations thereof; gravelly clay, gravelly sand, clayey that sieve. A sieve opening so designated is the nominal maximum size.
gravel, and sandy gravel indicate the varying proportions of DISCUSSION—Another definition, which applies only to aggregates
the materials in the mixture. used in the Superpave mix design procedure, is included in AASHTO
blast-furnace slag, n—the nonmetallic product, consisting Specification MP 2.
essentially of silicates and alumino-silicates of lime and of
open-graded aggregate, n—an aggregate that has a particle
other bases, that is developed simultaneously with iron in a
size distribution such that when it is compacted, the voids
blast furnace.
between the aggregate particles, expressed as a percentage of
clinker, n—generally a fused or partly fused by-product of the
the total space occupied by the material, remain relatively
combustion of coal, but also including lava and portland-
large.
cement clinker, and partly vitrified slag and brick.
rubble, n—rough stones of irregular shapes and sizes, broken
coarse aggregate, n—(1) aggregate predominantly retained on
from larger masses either naturally or artificially, as by
the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve: or (2) that portion of an
geological action, in quarrying, or in stone cutting or
aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.
blasting.
DISCUSSION—The definitions are alternatives to be applied under screenings, n—a residual product resulting from the artificial
differing circumstances. Definition (1) is applied to an entire aggregate crushing of rock, boulders, cobble, gravel, blast-furnace slag
either in a natural condition or after processing. Definition (2) is applied or hydraulic cement concrete, all of which pass the smallest
to a portion of an aggregate. Requirements for properties and grading
should be stated in the specification.
screen used with the crushing operation and most of which
pass the 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve.
crusher-run, n—the total unscreened product of a stone soil aggregate, n—natural or prepared mixtures consisting
crusher. predominantly of stone, gravel, or sand which contain a
dense-graded aggregate, n—an aggregate that has a particle significant amount of minus 75-µm (No. 200) silt-clay
size distribution such that when it is compacted, the resulting material.
voids between the aggregate particles, expressed as a per- steel slag, n—the nonmetallic product consisting essentially of
centage of the total space occupied by the material, are calcium silicates and ferrites combined with fused oxides of
relatively small. iron, aluminum, manganese, calcium and magnesium, that is

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 D 8 – 02
developed simultaneously with steel in basic oxygen, elec- material under specified conditions of loading, time, and
tric, or open hearth furnaces. temperature.
stone chips, n—small angular fragments of stone containing screen, n—in laboratory work an apparatus, in which the
no dust. apertures are circular, for separating sizes of material.
3.1.4 Relating to Tests: sieve, n—in laboratory work an apparatus, in which the
mesh, n—the square opening of a sieve. apertures are square, for separating sizes of material.
3.2 Abbreviations:
normal temperature, n—as applied to laboratory observa-
RA—recycling agent
tions of the physical characteristics of bituminous materials,
RAP—reclaimed asphalt pavement
25°C (77°F).
penetration, n—the consistency of a bituminous material 4. Keywords
expressed as the distance in tenths of a millimetre (0.1 mm) 4.1 aggregates; asphalts; bituminous materials; bituminous
that a standard needle penetrates vertically a sample of the paving mixtures; terminology.

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