Long Term Pavement Performance Project Laboratory Materials Testing and Handling Guide

Protocol H01L
Preparation of Asphalt Cores for Aging Tests (AC08)

This procedure will be used to prepare asphalt cores for testing to determine how the asphalt material ages. It will be conducted after core examination in accordance with LTPP Method AC01. It will be completed prior to extracting asphalt for the aging tests.

After the treatments have been placed, the HMAC overlay, chip seal, or slurry seal will be removed from the remainder of the core using a diamond blade saw as necessary. Then the top 1 in. (25 mm) of the core will be removed using an air-cooled diamond blade saw. The aging tests will be conducted on the asphalt cement extracted from the top 1 in (25 mm) of the core. Abson recovery, penetration and viscosity will be tested in accordance with LTPP H02L, H03L, and H04L protocols. The next 1-in (25-mm) layer will also be removed using an air-cooled diamond blade saw for moisture content analysis.