RAP

Accurate, independent testing of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement / Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP) to Irish and European standards.

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement / Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP)

BHP Laboratories is the largest independent materials testing laboratory in Ireland providing a wide range of engineering & scientific measuring, testing and analysing services to numerous industries throughout Ireland and the UK. We provide a comprehensive range of sampling and testing solutions for the construction industry. This includes a combination of site and laboratory sampling, testing, and advising services.

Our testing focuses on the classification of these materials and assessment of the relevant standards.

Asphalt is inherently recyclable, and RAP is key innovation that allows us to reclaim and reuse our existing roads to preserve the high‑value aggregates and the aged asphalt binder already within them. BHP has invested in state of the art asphalt analyser that runs the standard binder content analysis by solvent while also extracting the bitumen from the material to allow us perform penetration and softening point testing.

Some of the services provided by our Recycled Materials Classification service include:

Sampling of stockpiles of RAP at site location.
Determination of Binder Content and Grading by Solvent Method
Extraction of Bitumen from Mixture (Standard Materials or RAP)
Softening Point
Penetration
Assessment of raw RAP – Bitumen Content, PSD, Penetration, Softening Point, Coal Tar
Testing of RAP containing materials after placement on site via cores for:
- Determination of Bulk Density
- Determination of Maximum Density
- Determination of Air Voids
- Determination of Refusal Air Voids
- Determination of Stiffness
- Determination of Resistance to Permanent Deformation (Wheel Track)
- Determination of Water Sensitivity
Testing of raw RAP from stockpiles for contamination assessment, including:
- PAH & Phenols
- Coal Tar
- WAC Analysis for Waste Classification

All testing is carried out by experienced technicians in INAB, UKAS, & MCERTS ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, with results delivered to agreed turnaround times. We also provide on-site sampling and testing, with a fleet of fully equipped vehicles and field operatives covering all of Ireland.