Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
FHWA-SA-95-004
February 1995
U.S.Department
of Transportation
Federaf Highway
Adrnlnistratbn
SUPERPAVE ASPHALT
MIXTURE DESIGN ILLUSTRATED
LEVEL 1 LAB METHODS
Notice
Standard T166 and Provisional Standards TP4-93, PP19-93, PP2-94, and TP39-94 are
reprinted here with the permission of the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which owns the rights to this information. (AASHTO's
mailing address is 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001.)
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in
the interest of information exchange. This publication does not constitute a standard,
specification, or regulation.
The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or
manufacturers' names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of
this document.
I. Report No.
FHWA-SA-94-004
5. Report Date
November 1994
SUPERPAVE Asphalt Mixture Design Illustrated Level 1 Lab
Method S
7, Author(~)
Asphalt Institute
P.O. Box 14052
Lexington, KY 40512-4052
DTFH61-92-C-00098
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report
December 1992-November 1994
HTA-21
This manual provides sequential, illustrated steps for performing the SUPERPAVE test procedures on asphalt
mixtures, level 1 design. It also serves as a self-contained laboratory reference document on those procedures.
These tests and procedures represent the results of the SHRP 5 -year research effort to investigate and improve
asphalt mix design technology. This manual was developed under the FHWA's National Asphalt Training Center
1 18. DistributionStatement
Unclassified
Form DOT F 1700.7
Unclassified
(8-72)
Foreword
FOREWORD
From October 1987 through March 1993, the Strategic Highway Research
Program (SHRP) conducted a $50 million research effort to develop new ways to specify,
test, and design asphalt materials. Near the end of SHRP, the Federal Highway
Administration assumed a leadership role in the implementation of SHRP research. An
integral part of FHWA's implementation strategy was a project to develop a nationally
accessible training center aimed at educating both agency and industry personnel in the
proper use and application of the final SHRP asphalt products collectively referred to as
SuperpaveTM.This project was administered by the FHWA's Office of Technology
Applications and designated Demonstration Project 101, the National Asphalt Training
Center (NATC).
The NATC resides at the Asphalt Institute's Research Center in Lexington,
Kentucky. While the day-to-day affairs of the NATC are directed by Institute personnel,
course development and technical direction were duties shared by a team of engineers and
technologists from the Asphalt Institute, the Pennsylvania State University, the University
of Texas at Austin, the National Center for Asphalt Technology, Marathon Oil Company,
and FHWA.
The objective of the educational program is to train students in the practical
applications of SHRP asphalt products. It is composed of two parts: Superpave asphalt
binder technology and Superpave asphalt mixture design and analysis. The purpose of
this manual is to provide a laboratory instructional reference that will be used by students
at the Center as they are instructed in Superpave Level 1 mixture design. This instruction
occurs principally in the NATC laboratories. The manual is written for technicians and
engineers with no previous training in Superpave, but with some knowledge in asphalt
materials and mix design. Other instructional aids at the Center include student texts that
are used in the classroom portion of training.
Included in Appendix A of this manual is a set of AASHTO Provisional
Standards. While this manual provides an illustrated overview of these test methods but
it is not intended to replace them. The AASHTO Standards provide detailed information
pertaining to all aspects of the tests and form the most important tool in properly
performing testing.
The illustrated procedures contained in this manual should be used with great
caution. It was developed during the last stages of SHRP and in the first few months
following SHRP's completion. While the test procedures were largely complete by this
time, specific details of the procedures were (and still are) changing. The steps outlined
in this manual follow, as closely as possible, the procedures outlined in the standards
contained in Appendix A. Users of the manual are strongly encouraged obtain the latest
versions of the AASHTO test procedures as the most up-to-date reference.
Foreword
Because this manual was prepared for use at the National Asphalt Training
Center, it is written around the testing equipment and related items used for training at the
Center. Users should be aware that future developments in test equipment, etc. may
conflict with information in this manual. In such cases, users should implicitly follow
operational guides and instructions from the equipment manufacturers along with the
most current AASHTO standards.
This manual was co-authored by:
Mr. R. M. Anderson
Asphalt Systems Engineer
Asphalt Institute
Mr. Robert B. McGennis
Director of Research & Engineering Services
Asphalt Institute
November 1994
Lexington, KY
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword ..........................................................................................................................
i...
.........................................................................................................
Table of Contents..
..IU
Test Method for Preparing Loose Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens for
Volumetric Analysis and Compaction Using the SHRP Gyratory Compactor ................ 1
Test Method for Measuring Viscosity of Asphalt Binders Using a Rotational
Coaxial Cylinder Viscometer........................................................................................... 13
Appendix A - AASHTO Provisional Standards for SHRP Gyratory Compaction
and Volumetric Analysis ................................................................................................ A1
Appendix B - AASHTO Standard TI66
........................................................ B l
Appendix C - Forms for Recording Test Results ............................................................ Cl
iii
National
Asphalt
Training
Center
+cHNoLO+
~PPLICP
Test Method for Preparing and Determining the Density of Hot Mix Asphalt
(HMA) Specimens by Means of the SUPERPAVETM
Gyratory Compactor
This document outlines the basic steps in preparing loose HMA test specimens according
to AASHTO Provisional Method TP4, Edition 1B (September 1993). It provides an illustrated
overview but is not intended to replace the standard test method which contain detailed
information pertaining to all aspects of the test.
1.
Temperature, O C
Figure 2. Ten~perature-ViscosityChart
6.
7.
Su~eroaveGyratory Comuactor
After Nmaimum
the compactor will cease
compacting. Release the angle of
gyration and raise the loading ram.
INational
Asphalt
*Training
Center
~PPLICA*O+
Rotational Viscometer
Rotational Viscometer
Bv using.
" the kevvad on the front of the
d .&
Rotational Viscometer
6.
Rotational Viscometer
9.
Rotational Viscometer
Rotational Viscometer
Rotational Viscometer
APPENDIX A
( National
Asphalt
Training
Center]
4ppLI~~~0
4. Apparatus
2, Referenced Documents
2.1 AASHTO Standards:
M231 Specification for Standard Masses and
Balances Used in the Testing of Highway
Materials
PP20 Short and Long Term Aging of Modified
and Unmodified Bituminous Mixtures
TI66 Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted
Bituminous Mixtures
'I209 Maximum Specific Gravity of Bituminous
Paving Mixtures
2.2 ASTM Standards:
D4402 Method of Viscosity Determinations of
Unfilled Asphalt Using the Brookfield
ThermoseI Apparatus
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This standard is used to prepare specimens for
determining the mechanical properties of HMA, The
specimens simulate the density, aggregate orientation,
--
7. Preparation of Apparatus
4.3 Ram Heads and Mold Bottoms - Ram heads and
mold bottoms shall be fabricated from steel with a
minimum Rockwell hardness of C 48. The ram
heads shall have a means for staying fixed to the ram
and perpendicular to its axis. The platen side of each
mold bottom shall be flat and parallel to its face. All
ram and base plate faces (the sides presented to the
specimen) shall be ground flat and shall have a
diameter of 149.70 to 149.75 mm.
4.4 Thermometers - Armored, glass, or dial-type
thermometers with metal stems for determining
temperature of aggregates, asphalt and asphalt
mixtures between 10C to 232C.
4.5 Balance - A balance meeting the requirements of
M231, Class G5 for determining the mass of
aggregates and asphalt.
4.6 Oven - An oven, thermostatically controlled to
& 3"C, for heating aggregates, asphalt, and
equipment as required. The oven shall be capable of
maintaining the temperature required for short term
aging in accordance with PP20.
4.7 Miscellaneous - flat bottom metal pans for
heating aggregates - scoop for batching aggregates containers, gill-type tins, beakers, containers for
heating asphalt - large mixing spoon or small trowel large spatula - welders gloves for handling hot
equipment - paper disks, 150 mm diameter - light
lubricating oil - mechanical mixer (optional)
8. Compaction Procedure
8.1 Weigh cumulatively into a separate pan for each
test specimen the quantity of each size fraction of
aggregate required to produce a batch that will result
in a compacted specimen 150 mm in diameter and
100 f 1 mm in height. This will normally require
approximately 4000 g of aggregate. It is generally
desirable to prepare a trial specimen prior to
preparing all the aggregate batches. If the trial
specimen height falls outside of the desired range,
adjust the amount of material used for the specimens
accordingly.
8.2 Place the pans and the asphalt binder container
in the oven and heat to the required mixing
temperature.
8.2.1 The mixing temperature range is defined as the
range of temperatures where the unaged asphalt
binder has a kinematic viscosity of 170 f 20 mrn2/s
(approximately 0.17 $- 0.02 Pa-s for an asphalt
binder density of 1.000 g/cm3) measured in
accordance with ASTM D4402.
Note 5 -- The SI unit of kinematic viscosity
is m2/s; for practical use, the submultiple
d / s is recommended. The more familiar
centistoke is a cgs unit of kinematic viscosity;
it is equal to 1 d s . The kinematic
viscosity is the ratio of the viscosity of the
asphalt binder to its density. For an asphalt
binder with a density equal to 1.000 g/cm3, a
kinematic viscosity of 170 d / s is
equivalent to a viscosity of 0.17 Pas
measured in accordance with ASTM D4402.
8.3 Charge the mixing bowl with the heated
aggregate in one pan and dry mix thoroughly. Form
a crater in the dry blended aggregate and weigh the
required amount of asphalt binder into the mix.
Immediately initiate mixing.
8.4 Discard any asphalt binder held at mixing
temperature for more than 1 hour.
8.5 Mix the aggregate and asphalt binder as quickly
and thoroughly as possible to yield a paving mix
having a uniform distribution of asphalt binder. As
an option, mechanical mixing may be used.
8.6 After completing the mixture preparation, place
the loose mix in a shallow, flat pan and short-term
age it in accordance with PP20.
Note 6
This can be accomplished
immediately for most HMA paving mixes.
For lean, rich, or tender mixtures, a cooling
period of 5 to 10 minutes in front of a fan
may be necessary before extruding the
specimen.
where:
c,
11. Report
10. Density Calculations
where:
C,
(Wd,nearest gram
Figure 1
Gyratory Compactor
5
9/93
1. Scope
1.1 This standard provides procedures to accomplish the volumetric analysis of compacted modified and unmodified
HMA specimens.
1.2 This standard presents methods for determining (1) the volume percent of air voids (Pa, also termed the air
voids content), (2) the volume percent of voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA), (3) the effective volume of asphalt
binder (V,, also termed the voids filled with asphalt, Note I), and (4) the effective asphait content (P,) of
compacted HMA specimens. Values of these properties are calculated from the measured specific gravities of the
asphalt binder, the coarse and fine aggregate, and the compacted HMA.
Note 1 -- This quantity is usually expressed as the percent voids filled with asphalt binder, Pfa; this is the
portion of the percent voids in the mineral aggregate that are filled with asphalt binder (Section 6.7).
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purporl
to address all of the safety problem associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this procedure
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicabiliiy of regulatory limitationsprior
to use.
2. Referenced Documents
3. Terminology
3.1 Description of Terms Specific to this Standard
3.1.1 Air Voids, V,, n - the total volume of the small pockets of air between the coated aggregate particles
throughout a compacted paving mixture, expressed as percent of the bulk volume of the compacted paving mixture.
(Note 2)
'This standard is based on SHRP Product PO04 and Asphalt Institute Manual MS-2, Mix Design Methods
For Asphalt Concrete, 5th Edition, Chapter VI, Analysis of Compacted Paving Mixtures, The Asphalt Institute,
Lexington, Kentucky, 1988 Printing.
V,=W-v,
3.1.5 Bulk Specific Gravity, G,,, n - the ratio of the mass in air of a unit volume of a permeable material
(including both permeable and impermeable voids normal to the material) at a stated temperature to the mass in air
(of equal density) of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature. (Note 2)
3.1.6 Effective Specific Gravity, G,,, n - the ratio of the mass in air of a unit volume of a permeable material
(excluding voids permeable to asphalt) at a stated temperature to the mass in air (of equal density) of an equal
volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature. (Note 2)
3.1.7 Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity, G,,, n - the ratio of the mass of a given volume of voidless (Va
= 0) HMA at a stated temperature (usually 25C) to a mass of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at the
same temperature.
3.1.8 Volume of Absorbed Asphalt, V,,, n - the volume of asphalt binder in the HMA that has been absorbed into
the pore structure of the aggregate. It may be calculated by the equation:
where V, is the volume of the total mass of asphalt binder in the HMA. V,, is the volume of asphalt binder in the
HMA that is not accounted for by the effective asphalt content.
4.1 The proper design and field control of HMA volumetric parameters are critical to achieving satisfactory longterm pavement performance.
5. Procedure
5.1 Determine the percent of asphalt binder and aggregate by the total mass of the mixture using T164, and report
the values determined as P, and P,, respectively. Recover the asphalt binder in the extract using T170.
5.2 Separate the aggregate into three fractions: the coarse aggregate fraction (material retained on the 4.75-mm
sieve), the fine aggregate fraction, and the mineral filler fraction (material passing the 0.075-nm sieve). Determine
the percent of each fraction by the total mass of the aggregate and report as P,,P, and P,, respectively.
5.3 Measure the specific gravity of: the asphalt binder using T228, the coarse aggregate using TX5, the fine
aggregate using T84, and the mineral filler using T100. Report the specific gravity values determined as G,, G,,
G, and G,, respectively.
Note 3 - The accuracy of determinations of specific gravity for mix design is extremely important. When
specific gravities are determined to less than three decimal places (four significant figures), an absolute error
in the calculation of the air voids content of as much as 0.8 percent can occur (e.g. an actual value of 4.2
percent may be measured anywhere in the range of 3.4 to 5.0 percent). Therefore, balances of appropriate
sensitivity to yield four significant figures should be used to measure the masses employed in the specific
gravity determinations.
5.4 Measure the theoretical maximum specific gravity of the uncompacted HMA using T209 and report as G,,.
(Note 3)
Note 4 -- Caution should be used when measuring the theoreticd maximum specific gravity of HMA
containing highly absorptive aggregates. Work conducted in SHRP Contract A-003B demonstrated that
absorption may continue over a period of hours, and the value of G,,, may change significantly until
absorption is completed.
5.5 Measure the bulk specific gravity of the compacted HMA using TI66 and report as G,,. (Note 3)
6. Calcuiations
6.1 Calculate the bulk specific gravity, G,,, of the combined aggregate recovered from the HMA by the following
equation:
6.2 Calculate the effective specific gravity of the aggregate, G,,, by the following equation:
6.3 Calculate the absorbed asphalt, P,,, as a percent by mass of the aggregate by the following equation:
6.4 Calculate the effective asphalt content, P, of the HMA by the following equation:
6.5 Calculate the percent voids in the mineral aggregate, VMA, by the following equation:
6.7 Calculate the percent of voids filled with asphalt binder, P,, as a portion of the voids in the rninerai aggregate
by the following equation:
7. Report
7.1 Report specific gravity results to the nearest 0.001 and percent voids (VMA, Pa and P,) to the nearest 0.1
percent.
8. Precision and Bias - Precision and bias statements are contained in the referenced test standards.
9. Keywords - Volumetric analysis, specific gravityts), air voids, voids in mineral aggregate, voids filled with
asphalt, effective asphalt content.
m.?%ted
b6
TP38 Method
5. Apparatus
5.1 Oven - A forced draft oven thermostatically
controlled capable of maintaining any desired
temperature setting from room temperature to 260C
to within f 1O C .
Miscellaneous
for heating
7.1
specimens.
8.2 Preparing Specimens from Loose HMA
8.5 After 120 h, turn the oven off, open the doors and
allow the test specimen to cool to room temperature.
Do not touch or remove the specimen until it has
cooled to room temperature.
Note 4 - Cooling to room
temperature will take approximately
16 h.
8.6 After cooling to room temperature, remove the
test specimen from the oven. The aged specimen is
now ready for testing as required.
9. Report
9.1 Report the asphalt binder grade, asphalt binder
content (nearest 0.1 percent) and the aggregate type
and gradation, if applicable.
9.2 Report the following short term aging conditions
if applicable:
9.2.1 plant mixing temperature (nearest 1C),
10. Keywords.
hot mix asphalt, bituminous
concrete, bituminous paving mixtures, aging, short
term aging, long term aging
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 AASHTO Standards:
TI68 Test Methods for Sampling Bituminous Paving
Mixtures
2.2 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 Density, as determined by this test method the mass of a cubic meter (cubic foot) of the material
at 25C (77F).
3.2.2 Residual pressure, as employed by this test
method - the pressure in a vacuum vessel when
vacuum is applied.
3.2.3 Specific gravity, as determined by this test
method - the ratio of a given mass of material at
25 OC (77OF) to the mass of an equal volume of water
at the same temperature.
3. Terminology
5. Significance and Use
V,(0.9970
- dw)
where:
V,
= volume
9. Procedure
9.1 Separate the particles of the sample of paving
mixture by hand, taking care to avoid fracturing the
aggregate, so that the particles of the fine aggregate
portion are not larger than 6.3 mm (1/4 in.). If a
sample of paving mixture is not sufficiently soft to be
separated manually, place it in a flat pan, and warm
it in an oven until it can be separated as described.
9.2 Unless the paving mixture has been prepared in
a laboratory using oven-dry aggregates, oven-dry the
sample to constant mass at a temperature of 105 f
5C (221 f 9F). This drying and any required
warming for particle separation as described in 9.1
should be combined as a single operation to minimize
reheating effects.
9.3 Cool the sample to room temperature, place it in
a tared container and weigh. Designate the net mass
of the sample as A. Add sufficient water at a
temperature of approximately 25C (77F) to cover
the sampie completely.
Table 1
Influence of Temperature Conections to a Measured Volume at 20C of a Given Mass of
Loose Paving Mixture, to Provide the Required Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity at 25C
Temperature
"C
Volume
Loose
Mix at
20C
%nge
Volume
Correction
for Temp
Change
Corrected
Volume at
20C, Loose
Mix
Mass of
Loose
Mix
Specific
Gravity,
Loose Mix
Note 1 - Strictly speaking, the above table shows that the specific gravity for this
particular mix,as measured at 20C just fails to meet the corrected theoretical maximum
specific gravity at 25"C, 2.5388 versus 2.5393, that is by 0.0005, and that a temperature
correction would be required.
Note 2 - If the measurement for volume had been made at 21"C, the table indicates that
no temperature correction would have been necessary, because the measurement at 21 "C
would have satisfied the theoretical maximum specific gravity at 25C 2.5388 versus
2.5392, a difference of less than 0.0005.
VACUUM GAUGE
--
X1.1 Scope
X1.l.l The objectives of thii Appendix are to
indicate a method for correcting the theoretical
maximum specific gravity to 25C when
measurements are made at temperatures other than
25C and to indicate the range of temperature in "C
above or below 25C withim which no temperature
correctioin is required, because the measured
theoretical maximum specific values are shown to be
0.004 or less than the value for 25C.
where:
AT = 1C
KT = volume change for one gram of loose paving
mixture for one "C change in temperature
above or below 20C = 3.7830 x 10" mL.
VT = volume of water for corresponding 1251.3 g
mass of loose paving mixture at test
temperature of 20C = 492.77 mL.
Substituting in equation gives:
APPENDIX B
National
Asphalt
Training
center
cHNoL-
a~prrcd'
Copyright 1995 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
Washington, DC. Used by Permission.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This method of test covers the
determination of bulk specific gravity of
specimens of compacted bituminous mixtures as defined in AASHTO M 132,
Terms Relating to Density and Specific
Gravity of Solids, Liquids and Gases.
1.2 This method should not be used
with samples that contain open or interconnecting voids and/or absorb more than
2 percent of water by volume, as determined by AASHTO T 166.
1.3 The bulk specific gravity of the
compacted bituminous mixtures may be
used in calculating the unit weight of the
mixture.
2.
TEST SPECIMENS
METHOD A
3.
APPARATUS
5.
NOTE 1-The holder should be immersed to
a depth sufficient to cover it and the test sample
during weighing. Wire suspending the holder
should be the smallest practical size to minimize
any possible effects of a variable immersed
length.
CALCULATION
imen in air,
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 Dry the specimen to a constant
mass (Note 2). Cool the specimen to room
temperature at 25 r 5C (77 t YF), and
record the dry mass, A. Immerse each
specimen in water at 25
1C (77 r
2F) for 3 to 5 minutes and record the
immersed mass, C. Remove the specimen
from the water, surface dry by blotting
with a damp towel, and determine the surface-dry mass, B (Note 3).
METHOD B
6. APPARATUS
6.1 Balance conforming to the
requirements of M 23 1, for the class of
balance required for the principle sample
weight of the sample being tested.
6.2 Water Bath, Thermostatically controlled so as to maintain the bath at 25 &
O S C ( 7 7 2 0.9F).
6.3 Thermometer, ASTM 17 C (17 F),
having a range of 19 to 27 C (66 to 80 F),
graduated in 0.1 C (0.2 F) subdivisions.
6.4 Volumeter', cacibrated to 1,200
ml or appropriate capacity depending
upon the size of test sample. The volumeter shall have a tapered lid with a capillary
bore.
7.2 Place the weighed saturated specimen into the volumeter and let stand for at
least one rninuta Bring the temperature of
the water to 25 C (77 F), and cover the
volumeter making certain that some water
escapes through the capillary bore of the
tapered lid. Wipe the volumeter dry with a
dry absorbent cloth and weigh the volumeter and contents (Note 4).
NOTE 5-If desired, the sequence of testing
operations can be changed to expedite the test
results. For example, first the mass of saturated
damp dry specimen can be taken. Then the volumeter containing the saturated specimen and
water can be weighed. The dry mass of the specimen can be determined last.
8.
CALCULATIONS
7. PROCEDURE
7.1 Dry the specimen to constant
mass (see Note 2). Cool the specimen to
room temperature at 25 r 1 C (77 & 2 F)
and record the dry mass. Immerse in
water bath and let saturate for at least 10
minutes. At the end of the 10-minute
period, fill a calibrated volumeter with
distilled water at 25 C (77 F). Remove the
immersed and saturated specimen from
the water bath, quickly damp dry the saturated specimen with a damp towel and as
quickly as possible weigh the specimen.
Any water which seeps from the specimen
during the weighing operation is considered as a part of the saturated specimen.
where:
A
B
specimen,
B-A
B4-D-E
10. CALCULATIONS
10.1 Calculate the bulk specific gravity in Sections 5.1 and 8.1.
x lo0
11. PRECISION
11.1 Duplicate specific gravity results
by the same operator should not be considered suspect unless they differ more than
0.02.
APPENDIX C
National
Asphalt
[@Training
Center,
4~pL,~~*0
National
Asphalt
Tech:
Mix ID:
% Asphalt:
Sample ID
Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb):
Mass in Air, g
Mass in Water, g
SSD Mass in Air, g
Volume, cm3
Gmb
Air Void Content (P,):
Sample ID
Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb):
Mass in Air, g
Mass in Water, g
SSD Mass in Air, g
Volume, cm3
Gmb
Air Void Content (P,):
Gmm
%Gmm
pa, %
National
Asphalt
Tech:
% Asphalt:
Sp Grav Asphalt:
Sample ID
Sample and Bowl Mass in Air, g
Bowl Mass in Air, g
Sample Mass in Air, g
Sample and Bowl in Water, g
Bowl in Water, g
Sample in Water, g
Sample Volume, cm3
Gm
Average G,,
Average Gse
(HI
(K)
Printed By
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Technology Applications
US. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20590