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Report
This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-RD-07-052
Date: September 2007

Long Term Pavement Performance Project Laboratory Materials Testing and Handling Guide

Protocol P04
Test Method for Asphalt Contentof Asphaltic Concrete (AC04)

This LTPP protocol covers the determination of the asphalt content of asphaltic (bituminous) materials retrieved from the LTPP test sections and this test shall be carried out in accordance with AASHTO T164-05 (Method A) as modified by the following. Only sections of the referenced standard which have been modified are included below. In all other sections the standard (AASHTO T164-05, Method A) shall be followed as written. The test shall be performed on the samples taken from: (a) 12-in. (305-mm) diameter AC cores, (b) block AC samples taken from the test pit(s), (c) bulk samples of AC retrieved from the test section, or (d) as otherwise directed by LTPP.

1. SCOPE

1.1 This method covers the quantitative extraction of asphalt (bitumen) from AC paving mixtures and pavement samples.

6. REAGENT

Reagent-grade Trichloroethylene, as specified in Section 6.5 of AASHTO T164-05, is required by LTPP as the solvent. (Proper care shall be exercised in the laboratory to ensure all safety procedures associated with this solvent are followed.)

8. SAMPLING

8.1 The samples for the test shall be taken from (a) 12-in. (305-mm) diameter AC core(s) (and separated from any other layer, if necessary), (b) block sample(s) (from the test pit locations), (c) bulk samples of AC or (d) as otherwise directed by LTPP. These locations are shown in the LTPP field material sampling plans. The steps shown in 8.2 shall be followed to prepare the test specimen.

8.2 Preparation of Test Specimens

8.2.2 The test sample shall be taken from the middle of the warmed-up core or block or a representative portion of the AC mix bulk sample. Caution shall be taken to avoid the sliced aggregate from the outer sides of the core or block sample in the test sample. The size of the test sample shall be governed by the nominal maximum aggregate size in the AC mixture and by the requirements shown in Table 1 of AASHTO T164-05. Generally the size of the test sample shall conform to the following guidelines.

Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size Recommended Test Sample Size
½ inch (12.5 mm) 3.0 - 3.5 lbs. (1.4 - 1.6 kg)
¾ inch (19.0 mm) 4.0 - 4.5 lbs. (1.8 - 2.0 kg)
1 inch (25.0 mm) 6.5 - 7.0 lbs (2.9 - 3.2 kg)
1 ½ inch (37.5 mm) 8.5 - 9.0 lbs (3.9 - 4.1 kg)

In any event, if the available material does not provide an adequate size test specimen and is 25 percent less than the recommended minimum size, then this size deficiency can be made up by taking more material from one of the other cores from the same sampling area (and same testable layer) after it has been tested using the specified nondestructive test (such as LTPP test AC02).

8.2.3 In addition, a test specimen is required for the determination of moisture (Section 9) in the mixtures. Take this test specimen from the remaining portion of the layer immediately after obtaining the extraction test specimen.

Note 3 - Delete.

11. PROCEDURE (METHOD A)

12. CALCULATION

12.2 Calculate the percent asphalt content (BC) using the following:

Percent asphalt bitumen content equals 100 times the ratio of the result of W sub 1 minus W sub 2 minus the result of W sub 3 plus W sub 4 over W sub 1 minus W sub 2

Where W1, W2, W3, and W4 are the same as defined in 12.1 of the AASHTO Standard.

13. APPARATUS (METHOD B)

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14. PREPARATION OF TEST PORTIONS (METHOD B)

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15. PROCEDURE (METHOD B)

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16. CALCULATION OF BITUMEN CONTENT (METHOD B)

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17. APPARATUS (METHOD C)

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18. PREPARATION OF TEST PORTIONS (METHOD C)

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19. PROCEDURE (METHOD C)

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20. CALCULATION OF BITUMEN CONTENT (METHOD C)

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21. APPARATUS (METHOD D)

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22. PREPARATION OF TEST PORTIONS (METHOD D)

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23. PROCEDURE (METHOD D)

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24. CALCULATION OF BITUMEN CONTENT (METHOD D)

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25. APPARATUS (METHOD E)

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26. REAGENTS AND MATERIALS (METHOD E)

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27. PREPARATION OF TEST PORTIONS (METHOD E)

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28. PROCEDURE (METHOD E)

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29. CALCULATION OF BITUMEN CONTENT (METHOD E)

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31. REPORT

31.1 Sample Identification shall include: Laboratory Identification Code, Region, State, State Code, SHRP ID, Layer Number, Field Set Number, Sample Area Number, Sample Location Number, LTPP Sample Number.

31.2 Test Identification shall include: Laboratory Test Number, Test Date, LTPP Test Designation, LTPP Protocol Number.

31.3 Test Results
Asphalt content, in percentage form, to one decimal place (BC).

31.4 Comments shall include LTPP standard comment code(s) as shown in Section 4.3 and any other note as needed.

31.5 Use Form T04 (Test Sheet T04) to report the above information (Items 31.1 to 31.4).

LTPP LABORATORY MATERIAL HANDLING AND TESTING
LABORATORY MATERIAL TEST DATA
ASPHALT CONTENT (QUANTITATIVE EXTRACTION)
LAB DATA SHEET T04

ASPHALTIC CONCRETE LAYER (ASPHALTIC CONCRETE PROPERTIES)
LTPP TEST DESIGNATION AC04/LTPP PROTOCOL P04

LABORATORY PERFORMING TEST:______________________________________________________________

LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION CODE:__ __ __ __

REGION _________________ STATE ___________________ STATE CODE __ __

EXPERIMENT NO _____

SAMPLED BY: ______________________________________________ FIELD SET NO. __

DATE SAMPLED: __ __-__ __-__ __ __ __

1. LAYER NUMBER (FROM LAB SHEET L04 AND FORM T01B) __

2. SHRP ID __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
3. SAMPLING AREA NO. (SA-) __ __ __ __ __ __
4. LABORATORY TEST NUMBER __ __ __
5. LOCATION NUMBER __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
6. LTPP SAMPLE NUMBER __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
7. ASPHALT CONTENT (BC) __ __ . __ % __ __ . __ % __ __ . __ %
8. COMMENTS
      (a) CODE __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __
      (b) NOTE __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

9. TEST DATE

__ __ - __ __ - __ __ __ __

__ __ - __ __ - __ __ __ __

__ __ - __ __ - __ __ __ __

GENERAL REMARKS:___________________________________________________________________________
SUBMITTED BY, DATECHECKED AND APPROVED, DATE
____________________________________________________________
LABORATORY CHIEF
Affiliation______________________
Affiliation______________________

 

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