The largest use of asphalt/bitumen is for making asphalt concrete for road surfaces and accounts for approximately 85% of the asphalt consumed in the United States. Asphalt concrete pavement mixes are typically composed of 5% asphalt/bitumen cement and 95% aggregates (stone, sand, and gravel). Due to its highly viscous nature, asphalt/bitumen cement must be heated so it can be mixed with the aggregates at the asphalt mixing facility. The temperature required varies depending upon characteristics of the asphalt/bitumen and the aggregates, but warm-mix asphalt technologies allow producers to reduce the temperature required. There are about 4,000 asphalt concrete mixing plants in the U.S., and a similar number in Europe. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the biggest use of asphalt? ANS1 road surfaces QSN2 How much is the percentage of use of bitumen for roads is there in the US? ANS2 85% QSN3 How much bitumen is in usual concrete mixtures? ANS3 5% QSN4 What percentage of concrete mixes is aggregates? ANS4 95% QSN5 How many concrete plants are in the US? ANS5 4,000