Asphalt Mixture Tests
Tests on asphalt mixtures, from the volumetric tests (specific gravity and binder content) to performance tests for rutting and moisture damage, plus viscosity and flash point tests on the binder.
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HMA Performance Tests
Performance tests are used to relate laboratory mix design to actual field performance. The Hveem (stabilometer) and Marshall (stability and flow) mix design methods use only one or two basic performance tests.
Mixture Characterization Tests
Mixture characterization tests are used to describe fundamental mixture parameters such as density and asphalt binder content. The three primary mixture characterization tests discussed here are:
Asphalt Mixture Performance Test
The asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT) is the companion performance test for use with the Superpave mix design procedure.
Bulk Specific Gravity
The bulk specific gravity test is used to determine the specific gravity of a compacted HMA sample by determining the ratio of its weight to the weight of an equal volume of water.
Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity
The theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of a HMA mixture is the specific gravity excluding air voids.
Binder Content
Asphalt binder content affects HMA mixture performance in the areas of stiffness, strength, durability, fatigue life, raveling, rutting and moisture damage.
Moisture Susceptibility
Moisture susceptibility is a primary cause of distress in HMA pavements. HMA should not degrade substantially from moisture penetration into the mix.
Laboratory Wheel Tracking Devices
Laboratory wheel-tracking devices (Figure 1) are used to run simulative tests that measure HMA qualities by rolling a small loaded wheel device repeatedly across a prepared HMA specimen.
Superpave Shear Tester
The Superpave Shear Tester (SST) (Figure 1) is used to characterize a HMA mixture's resistance to permanent deformation (rut resistance).
Flexural Fatigue
The flexural fatigue test is used to characterize the fatigue life of HMA at intermediate pavement operating temperatures.
Intermediate-Temperature Cracking Tests
IDEAL-CT and I-FIT: quick room-temperature cracking tests on asphalt mixture, used in balanced mix design and production, and what their indexes mean.