---
title: "Define asphalt, bitumen and tar"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:define-asphalt-bitumen-tar"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-asphalt-bitumen-tar
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define asphalt, bitumen and tar

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 10: Asphalt, Bitumen, Tar and Miscellaneous Materials

- Asked in: 2078 Kartik, 2 marks; 2072 Chaitra, 2+2+2 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [What is Bitumen and Asphalt | Differences Advantages of Bitumen Asphalt | Learning Civil Technology](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oepuldP8TK0) — L&T - Learning Technology
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/define-asphalt-bitumen-tar
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-10

## Question

Define asphalt, bitumen and tar (with their best applications in civil engineering field).

## Short answer

Asphalt is a bitumen-mineral mixture used in road wearing courses and mastic roofing. Bitumen is a petroleum-based black binder, soluble in carbon disulphide, used for road construction, damp-proofing and waterproofing. Tar, from coal/wood distillation, is used for surface dressing, priming and timber coating.

## Answer

#### Asphalt

A mixture of bitumen with mineral matter (sand, stone dust, aggregate), natural (rock asphalt, lake asphalt) or artificial.
**Best applications:** wearing courses of roads and airport runways (hot-mix asphalt), mastic asphalt for flat roof waterproofing, basement tanking and floors.

#### Bitumen

A black, sticky, waterproof hydrocarbon substance, obtained as residue in petroleum refining or from natural deposits, soluble in carbon disulphide.
**Best applications:** binder in road construction (penetration grades 60/70, 80/100), tack and prime coats, damp-proof courses, waterproofing membranes, bituminous felts and paints.

#### Tar

A dark brown to black viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of coal, wood or peat.
**Best applications:** surface dressing and priming on roads, coating of timber and pipes as a preservative, roofing felt, and road patching.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Best use of hot-mix asphalt?
   A. Timber preservative
   B. Wearing courses of roads and airport runways
   C. Tack coat only
   D. Pipe coating
   Answer: B. Hot-mix asphalt forms wearing courses of roads and runways. (Key point: Asphalt use)

2. Which are paving penetration grades of bitumen?
   A. 10/20
   B. 60/70 and 80/100
   C. 500/600
   D. 1/2
   Answer: B. Grades such as 60/70 and 80/100 are used as binder. (Key point: Bitumen grades)

3. Tar is best used for what?
   A. Mastic roofing
   B. Wearing course
   C. Surface dressing, priming and timber/pipe preservative
   D. Runways
   Answer: C. Tar suits surface dressing, priming and preservative coatings. (Key point: Tar use)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Compare asphalt, bitumen and tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-bitumen-tar-comparison) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×
- [Uses of asphalt, bitumen, tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Auses-asphalt-bitumen-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10
- [Asphalt versus tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-vs-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 3×
- [Bitumen versus tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Abitumen-vs-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×
- [Define bitumen and tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adefine-bitumen-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10
- [Asphalt versus bitumen](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-vs-bitumen) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 4×

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