Understanding Materials Testing

for Inspectors
Module 3: Asphalt

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Module 3: Asphalt
Module Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Describe how hot mix asphalt (HMA) is mixed, produced, and delivered
Explain important properties related to asphalt materials
Describe the purpose of materials tests for asphalt

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Module 3: Asphalt
What is HMA?
Term used to describe a controlled proportion of aggregate and asphalt
binder that is produced and placed at elevated temperatures
Success of pavement is measured by its:
Ability to withstand traffic loads
Durability or longevity
Other qualities include:
Smoothness
Skid resistance
Flexibility

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Module 3: Asphalt
Influencing Factors in HMA Pavement
The condition of the subbase and subgrade
The provisions for surface and subsurface drainage of water around the road
structure
The overall design of the roadway
The conditions that the road will be exposed to
The nature and quality of the production and construction practices used
Traffic loading

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Module 3: Asphalt
Mix Design Process
Develop a JMF that best satisfies the requirements for that job, using the
materials available
Establishes the percentages for making HMA

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Module 3: Asphalt
HMA Production
Three-step process:
Cold blending aggregates
Heating aggregates up to mixing temperature
Mixing the heated aggregates with asphalt binder
Two types of plants:
Batch plant
Drum mix plants

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Module 3: Asphalt
HMA Delivery
Various types of trucks are used to deliver HMA to the job site
Goal is for HMA to be delivered in a timely fashion without affecting its
desirable properties

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Module 3: Asphalt
Components of Conventional HMA
Asphalt binder
Aggregate
Air

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tion
elects
more.
for pop-

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties
Aging oxidation
Factors that affect the rate of aging:
The amount of oxygen available to combine with the asphalt binder
Silo storage
Overheating
Chemical makeup
Exposure to sunshine

Select each factor to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties

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The amount of oxygen available to combine with the asphalt binder

During construction, reducing air voids in pavement to the specification
requirements limits the amount of oxygen present in the pavement
Significantly impact the durability of pavement

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties

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Silo storage
HMA stored in silos for excessive periods is susceptible to a high rate of
oxidation
The effect will be that the pavement placed has already effectively aged
several years

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties

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Overheating
During construction, overheating the HMA mixture
Has the effect of burning the asphalt binder, which is really rapid
oxidation of the binder

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties

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Chemical makeup
Some binders naturally oxidize at a slower rate due to their chemical makeup

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Properties

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Exposure to sunshine
Exposure to lots of sunshine will cause oxidation (direct sun vs. shady spot)

Module 3: Asphalt
Effect of Aging on Asphalt Binder Viscosity

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Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Thickness
A typical dense graded mixture is
approximately 8 microns
Extremely thin application
Important to not keep this material
in the hot mix plant pugmill or drum
any longer than necessary
Important to compact this binder in
the field below 8% air voids
(maximum) or 92% compaction to
minimize oxidative hardening

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Module 3: Asphalt
Performance Graded (PG) Asphalt Binders
Performance graded using two numbers
First number is a higher positive number represents hot design criteria
Second number is a smaller and negative number that represents cold
design criteria
Both in degrees Celsius

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Module 3: Asphalt
Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR)
MSCR indicates traffic levels:
S (standard)
H (heavy)
V (very heavy)
E (extreme)

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Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Binder Modification
Mixing of an unmodified binder with a modified binder, even of the same PG
grade, is prohibited
Mixing PG asphalt binders of the same grade with different modifiers should
be avoided
Mixing PG asphalt binders of different grades should be avoided entirely
Mixing of PG asphalt binders of different grades will necessitate the need to
recertify the PG grade of the material

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Module 3: Asphalt
Aggregates
Occupy 8590% of the overall volume of compacted HMA
Significant impact on the properties of the mix, including:
Overall strength of the mixture
Surface texture (skid resistance)
Aggregates are categorized into three basic groups:
Natural
Manufactured
Synthetic

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Module 3: Asphalt
Aggregate Sizing
Standardized sizing called the nominal maximum size
Used to estimate the required lift thickness for the pavement
Lift thickness should be at least 3 times the nominal maximum size of the
aggregate in the mixture

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Module 3: Asphalt
Aggregate Particle Distribution
Has significant impact on the properties of the mix
Gradation affects:
The workability of the mixture
Volumetric properties (density, voids) of the mixture
The necessary asphalt binder content of the mixture
The overall strength of the mixture (resistance to deformation)
The frictional properties (skid resistance) of the surface of the mixture

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Module 3: Asphalt
HMA Mixtures and Dust
Conventional HMA mixtures employ a combination of coarse and fine
aggregate that form a densely packed mass
HMA aggregates are graded in accordance with AASHTO T 27
Dust in the mixture is determined by AASHTO T 11
An important component as it can act as an asphalt binder extender
(low levels ) or cause the binder to stiffen (higher levels)

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Module 3: Asphalt
Specific Gravity
The number of times a substance is more dense than water
Influences all of the volumetric properties in the mixture
Used to make predictions regarding the compacted volume of the mixture

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Module 3: Asphalt
Specific Gravity (cont.)
In the specific gravity test, buoyancy can be used to indirectly determine the
volume of the body, which in this case is the aggregate
In this test, you:
Determine the mass of the sample in air
Determine the mass of the sample in water
Then calculate the specific gravity

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168
Sampling from trucks
Sampling from a skip conveyor
Sampling from a paver hopper
Sampling from a roadway prior to compaction
Sampling from roadway after compaction

Select each sampling location to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168

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Sampling from trucks

Obtain at least three approximately equal increments of material from the
truck bed
Obtain sample by digging with a shovel
or large scoop
Avoid sampling the outermost layer

Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168
Sampling from a skip conveyor
Stop after pugmill discharge
Dig a 6 in. furrow from the top to the bottom of the pile
Obtain three equal increments from top, middle, and bottom
Forms one random unit

This is a skip conveyor, not

the picture to the right

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168
Sampling from a paver hopper
Not currently listed in AASHTO T 168
Generally, this procedure requires:
Stopping the paver
Leveling the mix
Obtaining the sample from the center of the hopper

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168
Sampling from a roadway prior to compaction
Locations should use random procedures
Samples should be:
Obtained from at least three increments of the material
Obtained through the full depth of the paving material
1 ft. thick
This is sampling from a roadway
This is not sampling from a roadway.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO T 168

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Sampling from a roadway after compaction

Cored samples should be taken with a minimum disturbance to the material
Underlying material will be excluded and wet sawed

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO R 47
Reducing Samples of Hot Mix Asphalt to Testing Size
Describes three different procedures that can be used to reduce the quantity
of material in HMA field or lab samples
Mechanical method
Quartering method
Incremental method

Select each method to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO R 47
Mechanical method
Four-chute (type A) or multi-chute (type B)
Recommended when field samples of HMA are
large
Quicker
Less potential for loss of temperature

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO R 47
Quartering method
Place sample on clean, level surface and mix thoroughly
Use flat-bottom scoop to turn the sample three times
Flatten pile
Quarter evenly
Use a quartering template

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Module 3: Asphalt
Sampling AASHTO R 47

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Incremental method
Place sample on hard, non-stick, clean surface covered in heavy paper
Mix thoroughly
Turn the sample at least four times
Roll the material into a loaf
Slice increments (each should be of the sample mass)

Module 3: Asphalt
Asphalt Content AASHTO T 308
Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) by the
Ignition Method
Place sample HMA into a container, weigh it,
then burn it in the ignition oven
Method A
Uses an ignition furnace with built-in scale
Automatically determines constant mass and
binder content
Method B
Uses an ignition furnace without a built-in scale
Requires repeated weighing
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Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 209
Maximum Specific Gravity of Bituminous Paving Mixtures Pycnometer
Flask Method
Agitate flasks for 152 minutes
Immerse in water for 101 minute
Test determines specific
gravity at 77 F

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Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 166
Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Specimens
Test used in the lab to derive the density of
the compacted specimen
Essential test elements:

on
ect each
e. See
op-up

Lab specimens
Cored specimens (options A and B)
Mass in water
Mass at SSD

Select each element to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 166
Lab specimens
Allow specimens to cool at room temperature (77 9 F)
Remove loose particles
Record mass air to nearest 0.1 g

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Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 166

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Cored specimens (options A and B)

Option A:
Record immersed mass (C) first, SSD mass (B) second, then place core
in oven regulated at 1265 F overnight
Next morning, weigh drying cores at 2-hour intervals
Option B:
Rapid test
Record immersed mass (C) first, SSD mass (B) second, then place core
in large, flat drying pan of known mass
Place pan and specimen in oven at 2309 F
Continue drying until constant mass is achieved

Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 166
Mass in water
Water must be regulated at 771.8 F
Soak sample for 41 minutes
Make sure overflow is operating properly

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Module 3: Asphalt
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Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 166

Mass at SSD
Remove specimen from water
Damp-dry with towel
Determine the surface dry mass as quickly as possible
No longer than 15 seconds

Here is a video of placing the

specimen in the water if you want
to use it.

Water_Weight.avi

Module 3: Asphalt
Volumetric Properties AASHTO T 312
Preparing and Determining the Density of Asphalt Mixture Specimens by
Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
Used to prepare specimens for determining the mechanical and volumetric
properties of HMA
Specimens produced by the gyratory compactor are a
much more accurate simulation of the density, aggregate
orientation, and structural characteristics present in the
roadway

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Module 3: Asphalt
Density AASHTO T 355
In Place Density of Asphalt Mixtures by Nuclear Methods (Field Test)
Nuclear gauges determine density by counting the number
of photons detected over a period of time
Place the gauge on a standard block, preferably over the
material youll be testing
Press the appropriate keys to start the standard count
Should take no longer than 4 minutes

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Module 3: Asphalt
Bituminous Materials AASHTO T 40
Sampling Bituminous Materials
Covers the sampling of performance graded asphalt binders (PGAB) in a
liquid, solid, or semi-solid form at the point of manufacture, delivery, or
storage
Sample should be 1 qt. minimum
Taken at the sampling valve
After sample is taken:
Seal container
Label sample

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Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery
Signs of non-compliant mixture:
Blue smoke
Stiff appearance

on
ect each
ee
op-up

Mix slumped in truck

Lean, dull appearance
Rising steam
Segregation
Contamination
Uncoated particles

Select each item to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Blue smoke
When mixtures are heated or stored in too hot a condition, the binder may
begin to oxidize
Characterized by blue smoke
Prone to many different performance failures and should not be used under
any circumstances

Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Stiff appearance
An HMA mixture should break as the bed of the dump truck is inclined
Mixtures that have lost temperature may not break normally (the peak will be
much higher than usual)

Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Mix slumped in truck

Flat or slumped loads are indicative of either too much asphalt binder or too
much moisture
Notify the production facility immediately

Module 3: Asphalt
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Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

Lean, dull appearance

Under asphalted and/or mixtures with high #200 material appear dull and
often brownish, as opposed to black and shiny
In extreme cases, aggregate particles may be partially uncoated
Alert the production facility

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Rising steam
Too much moisture in the mixture will result in an excess of steam rising from
the load
Popping and crackling sounds might also be heard
Alert the production facility

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

Module 3: Asphalt
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Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

Segregation

Occurs when aggregates separate from the mass of mixture into distinct
areas
If allowed to remain, results in segregated areas in the mat

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Contamination
Foreign substances in the mixture, which can come from truck beds that
werent properly cleaned, including:
Soil
Aggregates
Wood chips

I think this might

be a better
picture

Module 3: Asphalt
Visual Inspection of Mixture During Delivery

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Uncoated particles
HMA that visually appears to have uncoated aggregate particles in the load
should more than likely not be used in the project
Some States allow between 2% and 5% of uncoated coarse aggregate
particles
Generally speaking, if you can see uncoated material in the mixture from 10
ft. away, its most likely off specification.

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

Module 3: Asphalt
Placement Operations
Primary objective of HMA placement is to provide a finished product that is
uniform, smooth, and dense
Placement can be viewed as a three-stage process:
Delivery
Spreading
Compaction

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Module 3: Asphalt
Placement Operations Role of the Inspector
Monitor the construction process
Ensure standard practice is followed
Ensure the contractor is compliant with project requirements, including:
Mat texture
Thickness uniformity
Density
Expected to alert responsible persons in the event of non-compliance
May offer suggestions as to the nature and causes of the deficiencies
Not expected to direct the operation of the paving crew or the equipment

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Module 3: Asphalt
Troubleshooting
Many deficiencies can be attributed partially or wholly to poor mix production
and/or construction practices
Early identification and correction can impact overall quality of the job

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s for

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Bleeding/fat spots

Screed marks

Blisters or upheavals

Mat tear/drag blemish

Brown dull appearance

Wavy surface

Checking under roller

Surface texture fluctuations

Slippage cracks (deep transverse

cracks)
Indentations and depressions
Poor longitudinal joints
Mat shoving ahead of roller
Roller marks

Select each deficiency to learn more.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Bleeding/fat spots
Characterized by the migration of asphalt binder to the surface of the
pavement layer
Most commonly found in the wheel paths
Generally first noticed after the application of traffic during hot weather
Typically the result of a poor mix
design with inadequate VMA and/or
low air voids

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Blisters or upheavals
Characterized by small to medium sized mole-hill type projections from the
pavement surface
Generally associated with the delamination of the upper layers from
underlying materials
Most common source of the problem
is excessive moisture that has
become trapped between the layers

Module 3: Asphalt
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Pavement Deficiencies
Brown dull appearance

Indication that the mixture has not been designed and/or produced properly
Can be because of:
Insufficient asphalt

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

A mix with too many fines

A mixture that has been heated to a high degree and burned
A mixture that contains aggregate that has not been dried thoroughly

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Checking under roller

Characterized by small transverse cracks that run parallel to the drum that
are between in. and in. deep
Several causes:
Mix related problems
Excess amount of filler or fines
Excess mix moisture
Construction related problems

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Slippage cracks (deep transverse cracks)

Characterized by excessive longitudinal movement of the layer over the
underlying material
Generally caused by a lack of bond between the paved layer and the
underlying material

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Indentations and depressions

Jeopardize pavement smoothness and promotes the collection of water
Leads to durability issues
Possible causes:
Reversing or turning the roller too abruptly
Too much rolling
Too little rolling
Parking the roller on the fresh mat
Milling up the pavement too fast

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Poor longitudinal joints
Challenging for a number of reasons:
The paver has to travel in a straight line to follow
an existing edge, which may not be readily seen
Also provide the appropriate amount of overlap
at a proper roll down depth
Good construction practice can limit the variables
that lead to bad joints
This is a better picture.

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Module 3: Asphalt
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Pavement Deficiencies
Mat shoving ahead of roller

Wave of material being shoved in front of the roller is generally indicative that
the mixture is not capable of supporting the weight of the compaction
equipment
Several possible causes:
Mix too hot to roll

SME Question: Can you

provide an image here?

Compaction equipment that is too heavy

Excessive tack coat (or no tack coat) on the underlying surface
Placement of too thick a lift
A mixture design issue

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Roller marks
Caused by improper roller maintenance and/or
operation
Rollers should never park on fresh mat
Includes during watering

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Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies

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Screed marks
Any marks left in the pavement that are attributable to the paver screed
Can be either:
Transverse
Longitudinal

Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Mat tear/drag blemish
Can occur anywhere; location indicates cause
Entire width
Center of the mat only
Edges of the mat only
Random locations

This is better
picture

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Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Wavy surface
Long waves
Peaks several meters apart
Short waves
Peaks not more than a meter apart
Several possible causes
This may be a better
picture.

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Module 3: Asphalt
Pavement Deficiencies
Surface texture fluctuations
Indicative of mixture or placement problems
Variable textures can result from:
HMA with aggregate or temperature
segregation
Paver operating at variable speeds
Paver with worn screed plate
Excessive raking
Casting stone across the mat

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Module 3: Asphalt
Troubleshooting Summary
Key steps:
Stop, step back, look at the big picture
Break the problem down
Eliminate the obvious
Analyze each element
Re-combine the pieces
Recommendations based on facts
Make changes one at a time
Make some notes

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Module 3: Asphalt
Which of the following are steps in HMA production? Select 3.
a) Heating aggregates up to mixing temperature
b) Mixing the cold aggregates with asphalt binder
c) Cold blending aggregates
d) Mixing the heated aggregates with asphalt binder

SME Question: Can you help us

develop some more robust knowledge
checks? Perhaps a brief scenario and
then ask a few questions about it?

Knowledge Check

Module 3: Asphalt
Which of the following are steps in HMA production? Select 3.
a) Heating aggregates up to mixing temperature
b) Mixing the cold aggregates with asphalt binder
c) Cold blending aggregates
d) Mixing the heated aggregates with asphalt binder

Knowledge Check Debrief

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Module 3: Asphalt
Select the best answer. Which of the following is NOT one of the three
main components that make up a conventional HMA mixture?
a) Air
b) Aggregate
c) Dust
d) Asphalt binder

Knowledge Check

Module 3: Asphalt
Select the best answer. Which of the following is NOT one of the three
main components that make up a conventional HMA mixture?
a) Air
b) Aggregate
c) Dust
d) Asphalt binder

Knowledge Check Debrief

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Module 3: Asphalt
True or false? Asphalt sample reduction procedures aim to fully represent
the field sample within the split portion.
a) True
b) False

Knowledge Check

Module 3: Asphalt
True or false? Asphalt sample reduction procedures aim to fully represent
the field sample within the split portion.
a) True
b) False

Knowledge Check Debrief

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Module 3: Asphalt
Module Summary
You have completed Module 3. You should now be able to:
Describe how HMA is mixed, produced, and delivered
Explain important properties related to asphalt materials
Describe the purpose of materials tests for asphalt

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