Testing Services

Table of contents

• Aggregate Test Procedures
• Asphalt Cement (Binder) Test Procedures
• Hot-Mix Asphalt Test Procedures

Aggregate Test Procedures

The Highway Sustainability Research Center Materials Lab conducts numerous aggregate testing procedures. 

NOTE: All methods according to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing

Test Descriptions

AASHTO T 11-97
Materials Finer than # 200 Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
This test method is used to determine the amount of material finer than a 75-mm (No. 200) sieve in aggregate by washing. Clay particles and other aggregate particles that are dispersed by the wash water, as well as water-soluble materials, will be removed from the aggregate during this test.

AASHTO T 27-99
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate
This method covers the determination of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregates by sieving.

AASHTO T 37-01
Sieve Analysis of Mineral Filler for Bituminous Paving Materials
This method of test covers the sieve analysis of mineral fillers used in bituminous paving materials.

AASHTO T 84-00
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
This method covers the determination of bulk and apparent specific gravity, 23/23°C (73.4/73.4°F), and absorption of fine aggregate.

AASHTO T 85-91(2000)
Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
This method covers the determination of specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate. The specific gravity may be expressed as bulk specific gravity, bulk specific gravity (saturated-surface dry (SSD)), or apparent specific gravity. The bulk specific gravity (SSD) and absorption are based on aggregate after 15 hours soaking in water. This method is not intended to be used with lightweight aggregates.

AASHTO T 176-02
Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test
This test is intended to serve as a rapid field test to show the relative proportions of find dust or claylike material in soils or graded aggregates.

AASHTO T 248-02
Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
These methods cover the reduction of large samples of aggregate to the appropriate size for testing employing techniques that are intended to minimize variations in measured characteristics between the test samples so selected and the large sample.

AASHTO T 304-96
Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate
This method describes the determination of the loose uncompacted void content of a sample of fine aggregate. When measured on any aggregate of a known grading, void content provides an indication of that aggregate‘s angularity, sphericity, and surface texture compared with other fine aggregates tested in the same grading. When void content is measured on an as-received fine aggregate grading, it can be an indicator of the effect of the fine aggregate on the workability of a mixture in which it may be used.

ASTM D4791
Standard Test Method for Flat Particles, Elongated Particles, or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate
This test method covers the determination of the percentage of flat particles, elongated particles, or flat and elongated particles in coarse aggregate.*

*According to the 2003 Annual Book of ASTM Standards

Asphalt Cement (Binder) Test Procedures

The Highway Sustainability Research Center Materials Lab conducts numerous asphalt cement (binder) testing procedures.  

NOTE: All methods according to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing 

Binder Test Descriptions

AASHTO R 28-02
Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using a Pressurized Ageing Vessel (PAV)
This specification outlines the procedure to age (oxidize) an asphalt binder by means of pressurized air and elevated temperature. The residue from AASHTO T 240 is used for this procedure. This residue is aged for 20 hours in the pressure vessel with an air pressure of 2.10 MPa.

AASHTO T 240-03
Effect of Heat and Air on Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
This test is used to measure the effect of heat and air on a moving film of asphalt binder. The binder is heated in the RTFO for 85 minutes at 163°C and the physical changes in the binder are measured and compared to the original values.

AASHTO T 314-02
Determining the Fracture Properties of Asphalt Binder in Direct Tension (DT)
This test method covers the determination of the failure strain and failure stress of asphalt binders by means of a direct tension test. It can be used with unaged or aged material using T-240 (RTFO), R 28 (PAV). The test apparatus is designed for testing within the temperature range from +6 to -36°C.

AASHTO T 315-04
Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
This test method covers the determination of the dynamic shear modulus and phase angle of asphalt binder when tested in dynamic shear.

AASHTO T 316-02
Viscosity Determination of Asphalt Binder Using Rotational Viscometer
This test method outlines the procedure for measuring the viscosity of asphalt binders at elevated temperature from 60 to over 200°C using a Rotational Viscometer apparatus as specified by M 320 and R 29.

Hot-Mix Asphalt Test Procedures

The Highway Sustainability Research Center Materials Lab conducts numerous hot-mix asphalt testing procedures.  

NOTE: All methods according to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing

In addition to these test procedures, the Highway Sustainability Research Center Material Lab is qualified to perform full mixtures designs from scratch for most HMA types. Please contact us to see what we can design for your agency or company. 

Hot-Mix Asphalt Test Descriptions

AASHTO T 30-93
Mechanical Analysis of Extracted Aggregate
This method of test covers a procedure for the determination of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregate extracted from bituminous paving mixtures, using sieves with square openings.

AASHTO T 166-00
Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using SSD Specimens
This method of test covers the determination of bulk specific gravity of specimens of compacted asphalt mixtures as defined in M 132.

AASHTO T 209-99
Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures
This test method covers the determination of the theoretical maximum specific gravity and density of uncompacted bituminous paving mixtures at 25°C.

AASHTO T 269-97
Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures
This method covers the determination of the percent air voids in compacted dense and open bituminous paving mixtures.

AASHTO T 283-02
Resistance of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures to Moisture-Induced Damage
This method covers the preparation of specimens and the measurement of the change of diametral tensile strength resulting from the effects of water saturation and accelerated water conditioning, with a freeze-thaw cycle, of compacted asphalt mixtures. The results may be used to predict long-term stripping susceptibility of the asphalt mixtures and evaluate liquid anti-stripping additives that are added to the asphalt binder or pulverulent solids, such as hydrated lime or Portland cement, which are added to the mineral aggregate.

AASHTO T 308-01
Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) by the Ignition Method
This method covers the determination of asphalt binder content of HMA mixtures by ignition at temperatures that reach the flashpoint of the binder in a furnace. The means of sample heating may be the convection method or the direct irradiation method. The aggregate remaining after burning can be used for sieve analysis using T-30.

AASHTO T 312-01
Preparing and Determining the Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens by Means of the SuperPave Gyratory Compactor
This standard covers the compaction of cylindrical specimens of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) using the Superpave gyratory compactor.