Bituminous Concrete

Bituminous concrete is a type of construction material used for paving roads, driveways, and parking lots. It's made from a blend of stone and other forms of aggregate materials joined together by a binding agent. This binding agent is called "bitumen" and is a by-product of petroleum refining. It has a thick, sticky texture like tar when heated, then forms a dense solid surface once it dries. Bituminous concrete is also widely known as asphalt in many parts of the world.

Despite its name, this material is quite different than standard concrete and contains no cement. While most cement-based surfaces are white or gray, bituminous concrete is known for its distinctive black appearance. It is often laid right over a gravel base layer to form new roads and parking lots, but may also be poured over existing concrete to repair or smooth out bumps and voids. Once the bituminous concrete has been poured onto the roadway, installers use large paving machines to smooth and compact the surface.

While asphalt paving doesn't offer the same strength as traditional concrete, it's still the most popular material for most paving applications. Bituminous concrete is strong enough to handle years of vehicle traffic, and is relatively easy to repair or refinish. It also provides a smoother and quieter ride than cement surfaces, which helps to reduce noise pollution around highways and other busy roads. Asphalt paving is also fully recyclable, though recycled products may not be as strong as raw materials. Some manufacturers add recycled tires or glass aggregate to recycled asphalt to increase its strength and resilience.