SELECTION OF MAXIMUM THEORETICAL SPECIFIC GRAVITY FOR ASPHALT MIXTURE DESIGN

The volume of air has been cited in technical literature as one of the most important performance indicators of asphalt paving mixtures. Air-void content is not measured directly; instead it is calculated mathematically by comparing the bulk specific gravity of a mixture with the maximum theoretical specific gravity of the mixture at the same asphalt content. The test method developed by Rice (ASTM D-2041) is the most accepted means of determining maximum theoretical specific gravity. Nevertheless, agencies have used and continue to use other methods and calculations to determine this value. The purpose of this study was to compare mixture properties determined by the Rice method with those determined by the method established by the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation (SDHPT). The SDHPT procedure is often referred to as the Martin method. Data from 42 mix designs were analyzed. The analysis determined that on average, use of the Rice method to determine maximum theoretical specific gravity resulted in asphalt content about 0.35% higher than did use of the Martin method. The difference in selected asphalt content derived from the two methods increased as aggregate absorption increased. The difference between the two methods proved insignificant for aggregate with low absorption capacities. The results revealed that the Martin method developed a reasonable approximation for maximum theoretical specific gravity during the mix-design phase.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1991/1300/1300-002.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=SELECTION+OF+MAXIMUM+THEORETICAL+SPECIFIC+GRAVITY+FOR+ASPHALT+MIXTURE+DESIGN&author=D.+Martinez&author=F.+Bayomy&publication_year=1991
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309051088
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1300, Asphalt Pavement and Surface Treatments: Construction and Performance 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Martinez, D Fred
  • Bayomy, Fouad
• Publication Date: 1991

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 13-21
• Monograph Title: Asphalt pavement and surface treatments: construction and performance 1991
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1300
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air voids; Asphalt content; Asphalt mixtures; Mix design; Specific gravity
• Old TRIS Terms: Air voids content; Specific gravity, theoretical
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00615708
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309051088
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 30 1991 12:00AM