What is BS EN 12697-18 - Binder drainage of bituminous mixtures about?
BS EN 12697-18 discusses determining binder drainage of bituminous mixtures. BS EN 12697-18 describes two test methods:
- Basket method
- Beaker method
BS EN 12697-18 describes the basket method for determining binder drainage of bituminous mixtures. The basket method can be used either for determining the binder drainage for different binder content, or with a single binder content, eliminating the successive repetitions. BS EN 12697-18 also enables the effects of varying fine aggregate types or including any anti-draining additive to be quantified.
BS EN 12697-18 describes the beaker method for determining binder drainage of bituminous mixtures. The basket method can be used either for determining the binder drainage for different binder content, or with a single binder content, eliminating the successive repetitions. BS EN 12697-18 also enables the effects of varying fine aggregate types or including any anti-draining additive to be quantified.
Note: BS EN 12697-18 applicable to asphalt materials that are not porous asphalt or for porous asphalt incorporating fibres.
Who is BS EN 12697-18 - Binder drainage of bituminous mixtures for?
BS EN 12697-18 on binder drainage of bituminous mixtures is useful for:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous mixtures and asphalt
- Asphalt refining plants
- Suppliers of construction materials
- Construction and civil engineers
- Contractors
- Road maintenance authorities
Why should you use BS EN 12697-18 - Binder drainage of bituminous mixtures?
Bituminous materials are employed in a variety of applications, including road construction, roofing, waterproofing, and more. Binder drainage method directly measures binder drainage, but when carried out on bituminous mixtures with fibres or mixtures whose mortar content is higher than in porous asphalt some clogging of the holes in the drainage baskets can occur, limiting the drainage of the binder.
Overall, BS EN 12697-18 aim to improve the durability and strength of bituminous mixtures by determining binder drainage.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12697-18:2017 supersedes BS EN 12697‑18:2004, which is withdrawn. BS EN 12697-18:2017 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 12697‑18:2004. These include:
- The standard title no longer makes the method exclusively for hot mix asphalt
- The Schellenberg method renamed to the beaker method
- In the basket method number of trays reduced to two
- In the basket test allowance for fibres made in the calculation
- Symbols has been amended in accordance with CEN-Regulations

