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The durability of asphaltic materials has been studied by the Organic Materials Section of the Division of Building Research and others for several years. Asphalt is one of the oldest engineering materials and since it is extensively used throughout the world it is also the subject of research by different organizations. This technical translation is a report of the work undertaken on this study in Japan. This report contains the results of the work of several research organizations after a six-year cooperative research programme under the direction of Prof. Hamada of Tokyo University. The results are divided into five sections, a general summary, and results of natural exposure, accelerated exposure, chemical resistance and freeze-thaw tests. Included in these are some interesting correlating studies between natural and accelerated weathering and between durability and the chemical and physical properties of the asphalts.

This report of work undertaken in Japan contains results from three investigations, a field survey of leakage describing the types of failures encountered, a laboratory study to measure the engineering properties of the roofing membranes and an investigation to prevent breakage by using asphalts modified with rubber. This increases the breaking strain of the asphaltic membrane making it more able to withstand the strains of structural movements.