Bitumen is described as which of the following?

Bitumen is described as which of the following?

• A. A sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum
• B. A light, volatile liquid used as a solvent
• C. A crystalline solid used as an aggregate
• D. A binder made from lime and sand

Answer: (A)

Bitumen is a petroleum-based material that is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid. It is used as a binder in asphalt mixes, coating and binding aggregates together while remaining relatively impermeable. It is not a light, volatile solvent; it is not a crystalline solid used as aggregate; and it is not a lime-and-sand binder. Its high viscosity at ambient conditions and its ability to soften when heated to mix with aggregates are the features that make it the correct description for bitumen in pavement construction.

Bitumen is a petroleum-based material that is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid. It is used as a binder in asphalt mixes, coating and binding aggregates together while remaining relatively impermeable. It is not a light, volatile solvent; it is not a crystalline solid used as aggregate; and it is not a lime-and-sand binder. Its high viscosity at ambient conditions and its ability to soften when heated to mix with aggregates are the features that make it the correct description for bitumen in pavement construction.