10/28/2014

CE 442
Material and Pavement Design

Madhar Taamneh, Ph.D .

Assistant Professor
Email: mtaamneh@yu.edu.jo

Yarmouk University Hijjawi for

Engineering Technology

Fall 2014

Chapter VI: Asphalt Binder Testing

in Pavement Engineering

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Outline
Introduction
Asphalt Types
Asphalt Cement Physical Tests
Consistency Tests
Durability Tests
Purity Tests
Safety Tests
Other Tests

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Introduction
Asphalt cement is a dark brown to
black hydrocarbons cementations
(strong adhesive properties) material
that consists primary of bitumens.
It is either found in natural asphalt
deposits or it is produced by the
distillation of petroleum.
Natural asphalt could be soft to hard
black materials. It occurs as either
native or rock asphalt (asphalt in the
veins of the rock).
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Introduction

Trinidad asphalt lake,

Siparia

La Brea Tar Pits,

Los Angeles, California

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Introduction
Petroleum asphalts are produced by refining crude
petroleum byy usingg distillation.
p
The crude is heated in a large furnace to about
650oF (345oC) and is distilled.
Light products (gasoline and naphtha) boil off at
the lowest temperature.
The heavy residual after process is completed is
called residuum, which is further refined into
various grades of asphalt cement (highest boiling
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7 Petroleum Asphalt Flow Chart Yarmouk University

Refinery Operation

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Types of Asphalt
Three types of asphalt used in asphalt
pavementt construction:
t ti
1. Asphalt Cement
2. Emulsified Asphalt

3. Cu
Cutback
bac Asphalt
sp a

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Why Asphalt is ideal for pavements?

Relatively inexpensive
Easily
E il liquefied
li fi d
Adheres to aggregates
Normally stiff at service temperatures
Durable
Waterproofing
p g
Highly resistant to most acids, alkalins, and salts
Recyclable (RAP)

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Types of Asphalt
Asphalt Cement
They are semisolid hydrocarbons with certain
physiochemical characteristics that make them good
cementing agents.
At room temperature, they are very viscous.

At higher
hi h temperatures
t t asphalt
h lt cements
t are li
liquid.
id
Asphalt cement used in hot mix asphalt construction
(HMA).
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Types of Asphalt
Asphalt Cement
Several grading for asphalt cement are used:

1. Penetration Grading System

2. Viscosity Grading System

3. Superpave
p p System
y
Modified asphalt binder is used widely

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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Asphalt
A h l emulsion
l i = asphalt
h l cement + water + emulsifying
l if i
agent (similar to soap or detergent).
The Emulsion contains 40-75% of bitumen,.1 - 2.5%
emulsifier, 25-60%water and other ingredients
Asphalt will not dissolve in water, so hot asphalt cement
andd water containing
i i emulsifying
l if i agent are passedd under
d
high pressure through a colloid mill to produce extremely
small droplets of asphalt cement (less than 5-10 microns),
which are suspended in water.

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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Emulsions
E li are made
d to reduce
d asphalt
h l viscosity
i i for
f low-
l
temperature applications.
Emulsifying agent provide an electrical charge on the
droplets, which cause the droplets to repel one another, this
prevents the globules from combine.
Emulsified
E l ifi d asphalts
h l are called
ll d liquid
li id asphalts
h l because
b they
h
are liquid at ambient temperature.

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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Emulsion
l i types (by
(b choice
h i off emulsifying
l if i agent):
)
Anionic: -ve charged asphalt

Cationic: +ve charged asphalt

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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Choice
Ch i off asphalt
h l depends
d d on aggregate
For negatively charged aggregates like quartz,
sandstone, siliceous gravel use cationic
emulsified asphalt.
For positively charged aggregates like limestone
use anionic emulsified asphalt.

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Types of Asphalt

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Types of Asphalt

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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
When
Wh emulsified
l ifi d asphalt
h l mixed
i d with
i h aggregate it
i sets
(breaks) because the asphalt droplets react with the surface
of the aggregate and combine, squeezing out between them,
this will form a continuous film of asphalt on the aggregate
or pavement.
They
y are further categorized
g accordingg to their settingg rate:
rapid setting (RS), medium setting (MS), and slow setting
(SS) grades as specified in ASTM D977.
The setting rate is controlled by the type and amount of
emulsifying agent.
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Types of Asphalt
Emulsified Asphalt
Selection
S l i andd uses off emulsified
l ifi d asphalts
h l are given
i in
i
ASTM D3628.
Rapid-Setting Grades: Surface treatments and penetration
macadams.
Medium- Setting Grade: Open-graded cold asphalt-aggregate
mixtures
Slow-Setting Grade: Tack coat, fog seal, dense-graded cold
asphalt-aggregate mixtures, and slurry seals.

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Types of Asphalt
Cutback Asphalt
Cutback Asphalt = asphalt cement + petroleum solvent

Cutback asphalts are made to reduce asphalt viscosity for

low-temperature applications.
Application to aggregate or pavement causes the petroleum
solvent to evaporate,
p , thus leavingg the asphalt
p cement
residue on the surface.

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Types of Asphalt
Cutback Asphalt
Cutback types (by curing rate or the relative rate
evaporation):
Rapid-curing (RC):
produced using light petroleum solvents like gasoline
used for tack coats and surface treatments
Medium-curing (MC):
produced using medium petroleum solvents like kerosene
used for prime coats and road-mixing operations
Slow-curing (SC):
produced using oil like diesel
used for prime coats and as dust palliatives
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Types of Asphalt
Emulsion versus Cutback Asphalt
Emulsions
Em lsions are increasingl
increasingly being used
sed in lieu
lie of
cutbacks for the following reasons:
Environmental regulations
Loss of high energy products ($$$)
Safety
Lower application temperature

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Asphalt Cement Physical Testing

1. Consistency Tests
2. Durability Tests
3. Purity Tests
4. Safety Tests
5. Other Tests

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Asphalt Cement Physical Testing

1. Consistency Tests: describes the degree of fluidity of

asphalt
h lt cementt att any particular
ti l temperature.
t t They
Th
include:
Penetration Viscosity at 25oC (77oF)
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity at 60oC (140oC)
Kinematic Viscosityy at 135oC ((275oF))
Softening Point Test
Ductility Tests

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Consistency Tests
Penetration Test (ASTM D5)
Sewing machine needle
Specified load, time, temperature

100 g
Penetration in 0.1 mm

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Consistency Tests
Penetration Test (ASTM D5)
A container of asphalt cement is brought
to the d d test temperature 77oF
h standard
(25oC) in a water bath.
The sample is placed under a needle.

The needle is loaded with a 100 g and is

allowed to penetrate the sample for 5
seconds.
d
The depth of penetration is measured in
units of 0.1 mm.

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Consistency Tests
Penetration Test (ASTM D5)

Five Grades
40 - 50
60 - 70
85 - 100
120 - 150
200 - 300

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Consistency Tests
Viscosity Test
Viscosity: the ratio between the applied shear stress
() and the rate of shear ().

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Consistency Tests
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity @ 140oF (60oC)
ASTM D2171

Cannon-Manning Vacuum Viscometer The AI Vacuum Viscometer

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Consistency Tests
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity @ 140oF (60oC)
ASTM D2171
1. Viscometer
i is
i mountedd in i a thermostatically
h i ll controlled
ll d water
bath.
2. Viscometer tube is charged with asphalt cement through the
large side to the filling line.
3. After 140 oF (60 oC) is obtained, a partial vacuum is applied
to the small side to cause the asphalt cement to flow (too
viscous to flow at this temperature).
4. The time (seconds) required for it to flow between two
timing marks is measured & recorded.
5. Absolute (dynamic) viscosity in poises = time * calibration
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Consistency Tests
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity @ 140oF (60oC)
ASTM D2171
Viscosity Grading
Based on original Based on Aged
asphalt cement: Residue:
AC-2.5 AR-1000
AC-5 AR-2000
AR 2000
AC-10 AR-4000
AC-20 AR-8000
AC-30 AR-16000
AC-40 Yarmouk University
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Consistency Tests
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity @ 140oF (60oC)
ASTM D2171

Poise is the standard unit of measurement for viscosity, the

lower the number of poises, the less viscous the asphalt
cement.
AC-2.5 (asphalt cement with viscosity of 250 poises at 140oF
(60oC)) is softer than AC-40 (asphalt cement with viscosity of
4000 poises at 140oF (60oC))
AC-20 is commonly used in most US.

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Consistency Tests
Absolute (Dynamic) Viscosity @ 140oF (60oC)
ASTM D2171

AR (aged residue) grading system is based on viscosity of the

AR form rolling thin film oven (RTFO) test, it is used by
some states (CA, WS):

AR-1000 represents a viscosity of 1000 poises at temperature

140oF (60oC) of the aged residue.
residue

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Consistency Tests
Kinematic Viscosity @ 275oF (135oC) ASTM D2170

35 Zeitfuchs Cross-Arm Viscometer Yarmouk University

Consistency Tests
Kinematic Viscosity @ 275oF (135oC) ASTM D2170
1. Viscometer is mounted in a thermostatically controlled water
b th
bath.
2. Viscometer tube is charged with asphalt cement through the
large side to the filling line.
3. A slight vacuum is applied to the small side or slight
pressure to the large side to induce the flow of the asphalt
cement.
4. The time (seconds) required for the asphalt cement to flow
between two timing marks is measured & recorded.
5. Kinematic viscosity in centistokes = time * calibration
factor of the tube.
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Consistency Tests
Kinematic Viscosity @ 275oF (135oC) ASTM D2170

The
Th temperature
t t off 135o (275oF) iis chosen
h b
because it
represents approximately the mixing and laydown
temperature used in the construction of HMA pavements.

Absolute Viscosity
Kinematic Viscosity
Density
Where:
Kinematic viscosity is in Stoke
Absolute viscosity is in Poise, and

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Consistency Tests
Softening Point (Ring & Ball) ASTM D36

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Consistency Tests
Softening Point (R & B) ASTM D36

Two horizontal disks of asphalt cement, cast in brass rings are

heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath while each supports
a steel ball (3.5 g). The softening point is reported as the mean
of the two temperatures at which the two disks soften enough
to allow each ball to fall a distance of 25 mm (1.0 inch). If the
difference between the two temperatures exceeds 2oF, the test
must be repeated.
repeated

Its purpose is to determine the temperature at which a phase

change occurs in the asphalt cement.
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Consistency Tests
Ductility @ 77oF (25oC) ASTM D113

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Consistency Tests
Ductility @ 77oF (25oC) ASTM D113

The ductility test measures the tensile properties of

asphalt cement. It measures the distance in
centimeters that a standard briquette of asphalt
cement will stretch (elongated) before failure
(breaking). The distance the sample can be pulled is
measured directly from the centimeter scale mounted
to the top of the tank.

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Consistency Tests
Ductility @ 77oF (25oC) ASTM D113

1. Test sample is brought to 77oF (25oC) in a water

bath.
2. The two ends are separated at a rate of 5 cm/minute
until rupture.
3. SGw = SGAC to prevent floating or sinking of the
stretched sample.
4. Salt is added to increase SGw and alcohol is added
to decrease SGw.

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Durability
Durability is the asphalt binder resistance to aging.
Its a result of number of factors:
1 Oxidation:
1. O id i The reaction of oxygen with the asphalt
binder.

2. Volatilization: The evaporation of the lighter

constituents of asphalt binder.

3. Polymerization:
y The combining of like molecules to
form larger molecules.

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Durability
Durability is the asphalt binder resistance to aging.
Its a result of number of factors:
4. Thixotropy: Is a time-dependent shear thinning
property.

5. Syneresis: The separation of less viscous liquids from

the more viscous asphalt binder molecular (a form of
bleeding)
bleeding).
6. Separation: The removal of the oily constituents,
resins or asphaltenes from the asphalt binder by selective
absorption of some porous aggregates.
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Durability Tests

A. Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D1754

( h term aging)
(short i )
B. Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (short
term aging)

Short term aging occur in normal HMA

mixing facilities.

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Durability Tests
A. Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D1754

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Durability Tests
A. Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D1754
1. 50 g sample of asphalt cement is placed in a flat-bottom pan.
2
2. Th sample
The l andd pan is
i transferred
t f d to
t a shelf
h lf in
i an oven
maintained at 325oF (163oC).
3. The shelf rotate at 5-6 rpm.
4. Keep in oven for 5 hours.
5. Conduct penetration or viscosity test on the aged asphalt
cement (min. pen. Or max vis.).
6. Measure and report loss or gain in weight (% of original
weight).

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Durability Tests
B. Rolling Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D2872

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Durability Tests
B. Rolling Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D2872

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Durability Tests
B. Rolling Thin Film Oven Test ASTM D2872
1. Heat a sample of asphalt binder until it is fluid to pour. Stir
sample to ensure homogeneity and remove air bubbles.
2. Pour 35 g of asphalt binder into each bottle. Place bottles on a
cooling rack and allow to cool for 60 to 180 minutes.
3. Place the bottles in the RTFO oven carousel and rotate carousel at
15 RPM for 75-85 minutes. Maintain the oven temperature at
325F (163C) and the airflow into the bottles at 244 in3/min
(4000 ml/min).
4. Conduct penetration or viscosity test on the aged asphalt cement
within 72 hours of aging (min. pen. Or max vis.).
5. Measure and report loss or gain in weight (% of original weight).

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Durability Tests
TFO versus RTFO
1. Fresh asphalt binder is continuously exposed to heat
and
d airflow
i fl ddue tto th
the rolling
lli action
ti off the
th carousel.
l

2. No surface skin, which inhibits aging, forms on the

asphalt binder because of the rolling action of the
carousel.

3. The
Th test
t t is
i reasonably
bl short
h t att 75-85
75 85 minutes.
i t

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Purity Tests
Solubility Test ASTM D2042

1. Asphalt cement sample of known weight is

dissolved in trichloroethylene, then filtered through
a glass fiber pad (filter mat).
2. The insoluble material (impurity) retained on the
pad is washed, dried and weighed.

Specification: Minimum 99% solubility in trichloroethylene

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Safety Tests
Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup Method)
ASTM D92

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Safety Tests
Cleveland Open Cup (Flash Point) ASTM D92

1 Brass
1. B cup is
i partially
ti ll filled
fill d with
ith asphalt
h lt cement.
t
2. The cup with specimen is heated at a prescribed rate.
3. Periodic small flame is introduced.
4. When the released vapor is sufficient to produce an
instantaneous flash the temperature is reported as the
flash point.
5. Fire point when the material catch a fire.

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Other Tests
These tests includes:
1. S ifi Gravity
Specific G i Test
T
2. Spot Test

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Other Tests
Specific Gravity (Pycnometer Method)
ASTM D70

Specific gravity is the ratio of a mass of specified

volume of the materials to the mass of the same
volume of water at a given temperature.
the Pycnometer method is used to determine the
specific gravity of asphalt cements.

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Other Tests
Specific Gravity (Pycnometer Method)
ASTM D70
Specific Gravity Test:

C-A
Sp.Gr .
B - A D C
Where:
A = weight of pycnometer
B = weight of pycnometer filled with water
C = weight of pycnometer partially filled with asphalt cement, and
D = weight of pycnometer plus asphalt cement and water

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Typical values: 1.02 ~ 1.03 Yarmouk University

Other Tests
Spot Test (Visual Test)
Spot test: to determine if the asphalt has been
damaged by overheating, which might cause cracking.
Cracked asphalt cement ~ poor ductility & high aging
rate.
Place a small amount of asphalt cement/solvent
(naphtha) on special filter paper
If the spot is uniformly brown, asphalt is acceptable

If darker area within the spot is present, asphalt is

unacceptable.
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