Evaluation of Methods Used to Determine Bulk Specific Gravity of Hot Mix Asphalt

Historically in the United States, the bulk specific gravity has been determined either in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ASTM D 2726 or American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) AASHTO T 166 guidelines. Both standards work well for fine-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA). However, with the increase of truck traffic on roads many pavement managers have opted for coarse-graded HMAs over fine-graded HMAs. Measurements of bulk specific gravities of many coarse- graded HMAs have not been accurate nor precise due primarily to the open and interconnected air voids within specimens. Several methods have been employed in the past to overcome difficulties in measuring coarse-graded HMAs. The most recent method utilizes vacuum sealing equipment. This paper evaluates the results of the bulk specific gravity determined via vacuum sealing with traditional methods; methods outlined by ASTM D2726 and AASHTO T 166. Establishment of criteria was investigated to designate when vacuum sealing should be considered in lieu of traditional methods for determining the bulk specific gravity. The results from this paper indicate that vacuum sealing specimens is an adequate method to determine bulk specific gravities.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Society for Asphalt Pavements

  4711 Clark Avenue, Suite G
  White Bear Lake, MN  United States  55110
• Authors:
  • Kvasnak, A
  • WILLIAMS, RC
  • WILLIAMS, B
  • STANTON, B
• Conference:
  • 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ASPHALT PAVEMENTS - AUGUST 12 TO 17, 2006, QUEBEC CITY, CANADA
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: p. vol3,211-22
• Monograph Title: 10th International Conference on Asphalt Pavements - August 12 to 17, 2006, Quebec City, Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bituminous mixtures; Conferences; Density; Hot coated materials; Test procedures; Vacuum
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials; I36: Aggregates; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01084308
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: TAC
• Created Date: Jan 14 2008 1:51PM