DPWH STANDARD

SPECIFICATIONS ON
PRIME COAT, TACK
COAT, AND SEAL
COAT
BITUMINOUS PRIME COAT
 A prime coat is an application of a low viscosity asphalt to a granular base in preparation
for an initial layer (or surface course layer) of asphalt. The purpose of the prime coat is;
to coat and bond loose material particles on the surface of the base, to harden or toughen
the base surface to provide a work platform for construction equipment, to plug capillary
voids in the base course surface to prevent migration of moisture, and to provide adhesion
between the base course and succeeding asphalt course. After applying the prime coat, it
must cure for a minimum of 48-72 hours before asphalt is placed, with no rain in the
forecast.

BITUMINOUS TACK COAT

 A tack coat is sprayed on the surface of an existing asphalt or concrete pavement by a
distributor truck immediately prior to placing an overlay. The goal is to achieve
uniform coverage over the entire surface to be paved. Once the tack coat is in place
it should be given time to cure and become tacky. Normally this would only require a
few minutes.

BITUMINOUS SEAL COAT

 Seal coating is actually a common type of road resurfacing done on highways. It
involves the application of a special mixture to the road that protects the road base
from additional wear and tear. So it’s kind of like a little jacket, but for roads. When
it’s applied over existing pavement, seal coating is a really cost-effective way of
resurfacing that extends the life of the road by sealing out moisture. It also provides
a skid-resistant, anti-glare surface during wet weather and, because it hardens the
surface of gravel roads, it provides a dust-free driving surface.
BITUMINOUS PRIME COAT
Material Requirements
 Bituminous material shall be either Rapid Curing (RC) or Medium
Curing(MC) Cut-back Asphalt, whichever is called for in the Bill of
Quantities. It shall conform to the requirements of Item 702, Bituminous
Materials. The type and grade shall be specified in the Special Provisions.
 Construction Requirements
 Surface Condition
 Prime coat shall be applied only to surfaces which are dry or slightly
moist. No prime coat shall be applied when the weather is foggy or rainy.
Equipment
 The liquid bituminous material shall be sprayed by means of a pressure
distributor, not exceeding 1000 liters capacity.
Road surface not exceeding 1000 kg per cm width of tire.
 Tank > heating device to 180°C
Flames must not directly touch the casing of the tank containing the
bituminous liquid
A thermometer shall be fixed to the tank
Tank shall be furnished with a calibrated dipstick to indicate
the contents.
The pipes for filling the tank shall be furnished with an easily changeable
filter.
 Distributor shall be able to vary the spray width > 100mm – 4m
 The distributor shall have a pump either driven by a separate motor, or
with a device to synchronize its speed with the speed of the distributor
Indicator showing the rate of flow
 Fixed thermometer and tachometer
 prescribed rate of application does not exceed 10%
Application of Bituminous Material

 Immediately before applying the prime coat, the full width of surface to be treated
shall be swept with a power broom and if necessary, scraped to remove all
dirt and other objectionable materials.
 When required by the Engineer, immediately prior to the application of the prime
coat, the surface shall be slightly sprayed with water but not saturated.
 Bituminous material shall be applied by means of a pressure distributor at the
temperature. The rate of application of the bituminous material shall be within the
range of 1 to 2 liters/m², the exact rate to be ordered by the Engineer.
 The prime coat shall be left undisturbed for a period of at least 24 hours and shall
not be opened to traffic until it has penetrated and cured sufficiently so that it will
not be picked up by the wheels of passing vehicles.
 The Contractor shall maintain the prime coat until the next course is applied. Care
shall be taken that the application of bituminous material is not in excess of the
specified amount, any excess shall be blotted with sand or removed as directed by
the Engineer.
 All areas inaccessible to the distributor shall be sprayed manually using the device
for hand spraying. The surface of structures and trees adjacent to the areas being
treated shall be protected in such a manner as to prevent their being spattered or
marred.
BITUMINOUS TACK COAT

 The standard specification for Tack Coat is the same as that of the Prime
coat. The difference will be enumerated as follows:

 The rate of application of either the Rapid Curing Cut-back or the

Emulsified Asphalt shall be within the range of 0.2 to 0.7 liter/m²
 The tack coat shall be sprayed only so far in advance on the surface
course as will permit it to dry to a "tacky” condition.
The Contractor shall maintain the tack coat until the next
course has been applied. Any area that has become fouled by traffic or
otherwise, shall be cleaned and re-sprayed at the Contractor’s expense
before the next course is applied.
BITUMINOUS SEAL COAT
Description
This Item shall consist of an application of bituminous material with or without an application of aggregate
on an existing bituminous surface course in accordance with the Plans and Specifications.
Material Requirements
Quantities of Materials
 The approximate amounts of materials per square meter for seal coats of the several types shall be
as provided in Table
Material Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
Bituminous Material L/m2 .20 -.50 .50 – 1 .85 – 1/50
Cover Aggregate Kg/m2 None 5 – 10 8 - 14

 Bituminous material shall be Asphalt Cement, Penetration Grade 120-150,Rapid Curing (RC) or Medium
Curing (MC) Cut-back Asphalt. It shall conform to the requirements of Item 702, Bituminous Materials,
whichever is called for in the Bill of Quantities. The type and grade of asphalt cement or cut-back
asphalt will be specified in the Special Provisions.
 Cover Aggregate for Type 2 seal coat shall consist of sand and fine screenings, reasonably free from dirt or
other organic matter.
GEOPLASTIC
FABRICS
GEOPLASTIC FABRICS

 The Geoplastic Fabrics were introduced and experimented in Europe

in the year 1970.

 They were used to reinforce soil of pavement and to provide drainage

and erosion control for highways and railroads.
The Functions of Geoplastic Fabrics:

FILTER
DRAINAGE
SEPARATOR
REINFORCEMENT
ARMOR
Materials

Polypropylene
Polyester
Nylon
Polyethylene
Polyvinyl chloride
Difference in Properties includes:

 Specific gravity
 strength
 Future stain
 Modulus of elasticity
 Creep resistance
 Resistance to ultra-violet light and biological
effects
Construction Methods

 Woven Fabrics

 Knitted Geoplastic Fabrics

 Non-woven or Non-knitted Fabrics

WOVEN FABRICS
The filaments are directed in two perpendicular
directions and overlapped.

 The Monofilament Fabrics are woven form

single strand.
 The Multifilament Fabrics are made from yarns
with many fine strands.
 The Ribbon Filament Fabrics are made from
strands with widths several times their
thickness.
KNITTED GEOPLASTIC FABRICS

 Is made of loops of fibers connected by straight

segments. They could be stretched in either
direction without significant stresses to the
fabrics.
 Knitted Geoplastic Fabrics in tubes serve well as
filters around drain tile particularly for
agricultural needs.
NON-WOVEN OR NON-KNITTED FABRICS
The fibers or strand arrangement are held together under the
following manner:
1. Needle punching through the fabrics
2. Heat bonding or melt bonding
3. Resin bonding wherein the fabric is impregnated with a
resin which cements the fibers together.
4. Combination bonding is the combination of two or more of
the processes described to produce a particular
characteristics.