EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN TEST

Aim:
The method described is a procedure used to determine the asphalt content of
asphalt aggregate mixtures. The asphalt content of asphalt-aggregate mixtures is
used for product acceptance, quality assurance, process quality control and
research activities.

Apparatus:
1- Centrifuge extractor with a bowl approximating of ASTM D 2172 - Standard Test
Methods for Quantitative Extraction of Bitumen Paving Mixtures. The extractor
will be capable of accepting between 500 g and 2000 g of asphalt mix. The
extractor must be capable of rotating the bowl at controlled variable speeds up to
3600 rpm.
2- The apparatus should be equipped with explosion proof features and installed an
effective surface exhaust system to provide ventilation.
3- Tachometer to check rpm of extractor bowl.
4- Paper or felt filter rings to be placed on the rim of the bowl and beneath the bowl
lid.
5- Scale capable of weighing to 2500 g at a 0.1 g accuracy.
6- Heating equipment such as electric stove.
7- Thermometer capable of measuring temperature between 50o C and 150o C.
8- 250 ml cup or beaker.
9- Hand Tools - spatula, small brush, scoop, large pan for collection of a
representative asphalt mix sample, pan for test sample.

Procedure:
1- Ensure extractor bowl, hand tools and sample containers are cleaned of all
residual asphalt and aggregate materials and dry before commencing the test.
2- Check extractor rpm to ensure that a maximum of 3600 rpm is being achieved.
3- Collect representative samples. Sample size will depend on the extractor bowl
size. Larger samples will give more accurate results. Weigh the asphalt mix and
record as "weight of asphalt mix".
4- Spread the asphalt mix sample evenly in the bowl. Cover the sample with the
specified solvent. Rotate the bowl back and forth gently by hand to distribute
solvent and asphalt mix evenly in the bowl.
5- Place two filter rings on the bowl rim and secure the bowl cover plate on top of
the filter papers. Tighten the cover using a torque wrench up to a maximum
 torque. Ensure that for all subsequent extractions the bowl cover plate is
tightened with the same torque.
6- Allow the material to soak for 5 minutes before the first centrifuge is begun.
7- Begin centrifuging slowly, increasing bowl speed slowly to a maximum of 3600
rpm. When the asphalt-solvent effluent stops flowing from the extractor, turn off
the motor.
8- Add approximately 250 ml of solvent to the bowl and repeat the above described
procedure. The procedure should be repeated until the extracted effluent has a
light yellow straw color. This is usually accomplished in 4 to 6 washings.
9- After the final wash, remove the filler screw and cover plate. Remove the filters
carefully, clean the extracted aggregate from the filter papers and bowl and place
in a clean pan.
10- The recommended drying procedure is to place the extracted aggregate in an
oven at a controlled temperature of 120o C and dry to a constant weight.
Establish the required drying time by weighing after repeated heating and cooling
until the weight is constant. To prevent burning of the mineral particles, do not
heat the aggregate above 120o C.
11- After cooling, weigh the dried aggregate to the nearest 0.1 g. Dry aggregate may
absorb moisture from the air. Determine the mass of the extracted aggregate
immediately upon cooling to ambient temperature. Record the weight of the dry
extracted aggregate to the nearest 0.1 g.
 THEORETICAL MAXIMUM SPECIFIC
GRAVITY and DENSITY of
HOT MIX ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES
(AASHTO T 209)

Aim:
The volumetric properties of HMA are required to be controlled during design and
production to produce durable pavements. A test to measure the volume of a
mixture with all the air voids removed is needed to measure this durability. The
maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of HMA is the ratio of the weight of the loose
sample to the weight of an equal volume of water at the standard temperature of
77°F (25°C).
Gmm is used along with the bulk specific gravity (Gmb) of the compacted mixture to
determine air voids (Pa). The Gmm is often used also for determining the percent
of compaction in laboratory specimens or during roadway compaction.

Apparatus:
1- Vacuum Container, capacity of at least 2000 mL, capable of withstanding the full
vacuum applied and having a No. 200 (75 μm) wire mesh covering the hose
opening.
2- Vacuum System, capable of subjecting contents to a partial vacuum of 27.5 ± 2.5
mm Hg (3.7 ± 0.3 kPa). Residual Pressure Manometer, capable of measuring the
residual pressure down to 30 mm Hg (4.0 kPa).
3- Thermometer, conforming to the requirements of ASTM E 1 with subdivisions
and a maximum scale error of 1°F (0.5°C).

Procedure:
Calibration of Vacuum Container:
1. Fill the container with water at 77 ± 0.9°F (25°C ± 0.5°C)
2. Place the cover or a glass cover plate on the container, being sure that no air
bubbles are trapped.
3. Dry the outside of the container and weigh the container to the nearest 0.1 gram
(D)
Note: If the temperatures other than 77 ± 0.9°F (25 ± 0.5°C) are encountered during
testing, the vacuum container should be calibrated at higher and lower temperatures
and a calibration curve developed.
4. Separate particles of the sample without fracturing any aggregate until the fine
aggregate particles are not larger than 1/4 in. (6.3 mm) (Figure 2). The sample
may be placed in a large pan and warmed in an oven until the sample is
workable.
5. Dry the sample to constant weight in an oven at 221 ± 9°F (105 ± 5°C).
6. Cool the sample to room temperature, place the sample in a tare vacuum
container, and weigh to the nearest 0.1 gram (A)
7. Add sufficient water at a temperature of approximately 77°F (25°C) to cover the
sample completely.
8. Remove air trapped in the sample by applying gradually increasing vacuum until
the residual pressure manometer reads 27.5 ± 2.5 mm Hg (3.7 ± 0.3 kPa)
9. Agitate the container and contents during the vacuum period either continuously
by a mechanical device or manually by vigorous shaking at intervals of about 2
minutes.
10. After 15 ± 2 minutes, release the vacuum by increasing pressure slowly.

Weight in water:
1- Suspend the container and contents in the water bath and determine the weight
(C) after 10 ± 1 min. immersion.
2- Empty the container immediately following the weighing of the container and
sample.
3- Suspend the container in water without delay and determine the weight (B).
4- Calculate the theoretical maximum specific gravity to three decimal places
(0.000) as follows

Max. Sp. Gr. = A / A - (C – B)

Where:
A = weight of dry sample in air, g
B = weight of container in water, g
C = weight of container and sample in water, g

Weight in air:
1- Fill the vacuum container with water and adjust the contents to a temperature of
77 ± 2°F (25 ± 1°C) or apply a correction.
2- Determining the weight (E) of container and sample within 10 ± 1 min.
3- Calculate the theoretical maximum specific gravity to three decimal places
(0.000) as follows:
Gmm = A / A+D-E

Where:
A = weight of dry sample in air, g
D = weight of container filled with water, g
E = weight of container filled with water and sample, g
 MARSHALL TEST
(ASTM D-6927)

Aim:
The test is applicable to hot mix designs using bitumen and aggregates up to a
maximum size of 25mm. In this method, the resistance to plastic deformation of
cylindrical specimen of bituminous mixture is measured when the same is loaded
at periphery at 5 cm per min. This test procedure is used in designing and
evaluating bituminous paving mixes. The test procedure is extensively used in
routine test programmes for paving jobs. There are two major features of the
Marshall method of designing mixes namely, a) Density – voids analysis b)
Stability – flow tests. The Marshall stability of mix is defined as a maximum load
carried by a compacted specimen at a standard test temperature of 60ºC. The
flow value is deformation the Marshall test specimen under goes during the
loading up to the maximum load. In this test and attempt is made to determine
optimum binder content for the type of aggregate mix and traffic intensity.

Apparatus:
1- Cylindrical mold of 10cm diameter & 7.5cm height.
2- Sample extractor
3- Compaction pedestal and hammer.
4- Loading machine produces a movement at rate of 5cm per minute, with 50KN
capacity transducer.
5- Breaking head, consists of upper and lower cylindrical segments or test heads
having inside radius of curvature of 5cm.
6- Flow transducer

Procedure:

Bulk density determination:

1- The quantity of all size fractions of aggregates are taken so as to produce a
batch. Bitumen binder of specified grade is also heated (not more than one hour)
to the required mixing temperature.
2- The different sizes of aggregate are put together in the desired proportion and
predetermined quantity of bitumen is poured in.
3- After a homogeneous mix is obtained, 1200g of the mix is weighed and is placed
in a preheated compaction mold.
4- At the start of the compaction, the mix should attain the desired compaction
temperature.
 5- The compaction mold along with batch mix is placed on the compaction pedestal.
6- The mix is compacted by giving 75blows of the hammer on the top.
7- Then the same mold is reversed and 75blows are again imparted.
8- Asphalt institute recommends 75blows on either side for a tyre pressure of
14kg/cm2 and 50blows on either side for a tyre pressure of 7kg/cm2.
9- The specimen is extruded out by the help of extrusion device at a room
temperature.
10- The bulk density test is determined by weighing the specimen first in air and then
in water.

Stability and Flow Value tests:

1- The specimens are immersed in hot water bath at a testing temperature of
60°C±1°C for 30minutees.
2- The guide rods and the inside of the test heads are cleaned and lubricated.
3- The specimen is removed from the water bath and is placed with its axis
horizontal into the test heads. The complete assembly is quickly placed on the
base plate of the compression machine.
4- The flow dial gauge (transducer) is placed over the guide rod and the dial gauge
of the proving ring (Load transducer) and flow value are adjusted to read zero.
5- The machine is set to operation for applying load until the maximum value is
reached.
6- The value of maximum load and the flow are recorded.
7- The stability values obtained above are corrected when the height of specimen
tested is other than 63.5mm using correction factors.

The following values are either measured:

i) Bulk density
ii) Stability
iii) Flow
iv) Percent air voids
v) Percent voids filled with bitumen or tar
vi) Percent voids in mineral aggregate