ONLINE ASPHALT MIX DESIGN PROGRAM:

USER’S MANUAL

Dr. Nam H. Tran, P.E.

Zhaoxing Xie, Ph.D. Candidate

March 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 3
OBJECTIVE ....................................................................................................................................... 3
REGISTRATION ................................................................................................................................ 3
STEPS FOR CONDUCTING A MIX DESIGN ........................................................................................ 6

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INTRODUCTION
The Superpave mix design procedure has been adopted by state transportation agencies across
the United States for designing dense-graded asphalt mixtures. The procedure has been
implemented in several mix design tools developed in Microsoft Excel. Some of these tools
have been used by state agencies and contractors to design and accept asphalt mix designs.
With advancements in computer programing languages, it is possible to develop this tool as
a web-based application, making it freely accessible on the Internet and easy to store data in
online databases. It can be updated online with changes in specifications, providing users
immediate access to the latest version without downloading and installing as required in prior
tools.

OBJECTIVE
This document describes a web-based asphalt mix design program recently developed by the
National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT). The program was first developed and tested in
Microsoft Excel and then transferred to an online platform. It can be accessed freely at the
following link: https://cwstest.auburn.edu/ncat.

REGISTRATION
To use the program, a user will need to register for a free account, as shown in Figure 1. After
logging in (Figure 2), the user is able to create a new mix design by clicking on the “Create New
Mix Design” button, or remove or copy an existing mix design(s) by clicking on the
corresponding “Remove” or “Copy” buttons. In addition, the user can “Share” an existing mix
design(s) with others using their usernames, as shown in Figure 3.

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 Log In

Figure 1. Registration Page

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Figure 2. Your Mix Designs Homepage

Figure 3. Sharing a Mix Design

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STEPS FOR CONDUCTING A MIX DESIGN
A mix design (Figure 4) in the program is divided into 10 steps as follows. Each step is
subsequently described in this manual.
1. Setup
2. Aggregate Gradations and Consensus Properties
3. Gmm & Gmb Results for Trial Blend(s)
4. Volumetric Results for Trial Blend(s)
5. Selected Design Aggregate Structure
6. Gmm & Gmb Results for Three Asphalt Contents
7. Volumetric Results for Three Asphalt Contents
8. Gmm & Gmb Results at Optimum Asphalt Content Compacted to Nmax (Optional)
9. Moisture Susceptibility (TSR) Inputs
10. Job Mix Formula Report

Figure 4. Ten Steps of a Mix Design

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Step 1 – Setup: The user inputs basic information about mix design, asphalt, test methods,
number of aggregates and trial blends considered, and other information (e.g., mixing and
compaction temperatures. The user will also need to provide a unique name for the mix design.

Select numbers of aggregates

and blends to be evaluated

Figure 5. Step 1 – Setup

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Step 2 – Aggregate Gradations and Consensus Properties: The user enters the percentage,
gradation, and consensus properties of each aggregate in the trial blends.

Figure 6. Step 2 – Aggregate Gradations and Consensus Properties

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Step 3 – Gmm and Gmb Results for Trial Blend(s): The user keys in Gmm and Gmb test results and
sample heights at Nini and Ndes for each trial blend.

Figure 7. Step 3 – Gmb and Gmm Results for Trial Blends

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Step 4 – Volumetric Results for Trial Blend(s): The volumetric properties for trial blends are
first calculated based on the information provided in Step 3. The optimum asphalt content and
volumetric properties are then estimated. Based on the estimated volumetric properties, the
user can select the most promising trial blend and binder content that can best meet the
volumetric requirements.

Select aggregate blend and AC

Figure 7. Step 4 – Volumetric Results for Trial Blends

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Step 5 – Selected Design Aggregate Structure: The design aggregate gradation selected by the
user in Step 4 and its combined aggregate properties are summarized.

Figure 8. Step 5 – Selected Design Aggregate Structure

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Step 6 – Gmm and Gmb Results for Three Asphalt Contents: The user keys in Gmm and Gmb test
results and sample heights at Nini and Ndes for the three trial asphalt contents.

Figure 9. Step 6 – Gmm and Gmb Results for Three Asphalt Contents

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Step 7 – Volumetric Results for Three Asphalt Contents: Based on the test results in Step 6, the
volumetric properties are calculated automatically and plotted for the three asphalt contents
(Figure 10). In addition, the detailed volumetric properties are also included on this page
(Figure 11). Finally, based on the volumetric results, the user can select the optimum asphalt
content for the design aggregate structure and determine other volumetric properties, as
shown in Figure 11.

Figure 10. Step 7 – Graphs of Volumetric Results for Three Asphalt Contents

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Figure 11. Step 7 – Detailed Volumetric Results for Three Asphalt Contents and Selection of
Optimum Asphalt Content

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Step 8 – Gmb & Gmm Results at Optimum Asphalt Content Compacted to N max (Optional): If
testing is also conducted on samples mixed at the optimum asphalt content and compacted to
the Nmax, the Gmm and Gmb test results as well as sample heights at Nini, Ndes, and Nmax can be
entered on this page. This step is not required in some state agencies’ specifications.

Figure 12. Step 8 – Gmb & Gmm Results at Optimum Asphalt Content Compacted to N max
(Optional)

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Step 9 – Moisture Susceptibility (TSR) Inputs: Most state agencies require that the mix design
be evaluated for moisture susceptibility in accordance with AASHTO T 283. The results of this
test are entered on this page. The TSR test data are first entered (Figure 13) and are then used
to calculate the indirect tensile strengths and tensile strength ratio for reporting (Figure 14).

Figure 13. Step 9 – Moisture Susceptibility (TSR) Test Data

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Figure 14. Step 9 – Moisture Susceptibility (TSR) Test Results

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Step 10 – Job-Mix Formula: Finally, all the mix design information and test results are
summarized on this page. This includes general information, design gradation, optimum binder
content and other volumetric properties for the final mix design.

Plant: EAP Nominal Size: 12.5

Designed By: Adam Million ESAL: 3 to < 10
Date: 7/20/2016 Mix Design ID:
RAP: 25% Asphalt Grade: 76-22

Mix Type: Dense-Graded Mix Virgin Binder Grade: PG 76-22

Nom. Max Agg. (NMAS): 12.5
Max Agg. Size (MAS): 19
Mixing Temp (F): 300
Compaction Temp (F): 275
Virgin Binder Specific Gravity: 1.025
Anti-Strip: LOF
Anti-Strip Dosage (TOTAL Binder): 0.05%
A.S. Dose Rate for Virgin Binder:
Other Binder Additives:

AASHTO Superpave Volumetric Mix Design

Cold Feed % Aggregate Description ALDOT ID Source Gsb Gsa % Absorption
44 1 1 GRN 78'S 2.623 2.678 0.8
0 1 1 GRN 89'S 2.674 2.74 0.9
30 2 1 Short Sand 2.625 2.654 0.4
1 2 1 BHF 2.735 2.735 0
25 2 1 RAP 2.681 2.738 0.8

Job Mix Formula and Design

Sieve Size % Passing
.075mm #200 4.9
.150mm #100 7
.300mm #50 13
.600mm #30 24
1.18mm #16 39
2.36mm #8 49
4.75mm #4 60
9.5mm 3/8" 86
12.5mm 1/2" 97
19mm 3/4" 100
25mm 1" 100
37.5mm 1-1/2" 100
50mm 2" 100

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 Mix Design Information Criteria
Asphalt Content, % 5.5
Max Theo SpGr 2.475
Gmb @ Ndes 2.407
% Gmm (Density) @ Ndes 97.3 96%
% Air Voids @ Ndes: 2.7 4%
VMA @ Ndes, % 14 14
VFA @ Ndes, % 80.5 65-75
% Gmm (Density) @ Nini 90.2 < 89
Air Voids @ Nini, % 9.8 > 11
Effective Asphalt (Pbe), % 4.8
Dust to Asphalt Ratio 1 0.6 - 1.2
AC Contribution form RAP, % 25
Virgin Binder, % 0
Recycled AC Replacement, % 0

Aggregate Information Value Other Information Value

Bulk SpGr (Gsb) 2.646 Ndes Gyrations 100
Eff. SpGr (Gse) 2.695 Ignition Oven CF
App. SpGr (Gsa) 2.695 Design Sample Mass, g 0
Water Absorption (Abs), % 0.69 RAP AC, % 5
Corrected RAS AC, %
AC Absorption (Pba), % 0.71
Assumed RAS AC Contribution, %
Sand Equivalency, % 92.9
Uncorrected RAS AC, %
Flat & Elongated, % 0
RAP Binder Grade
Uncompacted Voids, % 45.3
RAS Binder Grade
CA Angularity (1) 100 TSR 0.978
CA Angularity (2) 0 Uncond. Tensile Strength, psi 176.9
Cond. Tensile Strength, psi 173.1
Cantabro Loss, %

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