VOLUMETRIC

ANALYSIS OF HMA
MIXTURES
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Volumetrics

All matter has mass and occupies

space

Volumetrics are the relationships

between mass and volume

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Specific Gravity, G
Mass
Volume * w

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Basic Terms

Specific Gravity (G): Gxy

x:
b = binder
s = stone (i.e., aggregate)
m = mixture
y:
b = bulk
e = effective
a = apparent
m = maximum
Example:
Gmm = gravity, mixture, maximum
(i.e., maximum gravity of the mixture)

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Basic Terms (cont.)

Mass (P) or Volume (V) Concentration: Pxy or Vxy

x:
b = binder
s = stone (i.e., aggregate)
a = air
y:
e = effective
a = absorbed
Example:
Pb = percent binder

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Volumetric Relationships
Va

VMA

Vb V
ba

Vmb

Vse Vmm

Vsb

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

HMA Volumetric Terms

Bulk specific gravity (Gmb) of compacted

HMA
Maximum specific gravity (Gmm)
Air voids or voids total mix (Va)
Effective specific gravity of aggregate (Gse)
Voids in mineral aggregate, VMA
Voids filled with asphalt, VFA

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Gmb of Compacted HMA

AC mixed with agg. and compacted into

sample
Mass agg. and AC
Gmb =
Vol. agg., AC, air voids

Vmb
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Testing

Mixing of asphalt and aggregate

Compaction of sample
Mass of dry sample
Mass under water
Mass saturated surface dry (SSD)

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Testing
Obtain mass
of dry
compacted
sample

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Soak in water for 3 5 minutes

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Testing
Obtain mass of
specimen at SSD

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Calculations

Gmb = A / ( B - C )
Where:
A = mass of dry sample
B = mass of SSD sample
C = mass of sample under water

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Maximum Specific Gravity

Loose (uncompacted) mixture
Mass agg. and AC
Gmm =
Vol. agg. and AC

Vmm
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Testing
Mixing of asphalt and aggregate
Mass in air
Mass under water

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Testing
Loose Mix at
Room
Temperature

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Residual
Manometer

Testing

Metal Bowl with Lid

Vacuum Pump

Shaker Table
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Calculations

Gmm = A / ( A - C )
Where:
A = mass of dry sample
C = mass of sample under water

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Air Voids
Calculated using bulk and maximum
specific gravities
Gmm Gmb
Air voids (Va) = 100 *
Gmm
Va
Vmb

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Why Are Air Voids

Important?
Related to Rut Resistance
Related to Durability (aging and fatigue)

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Effective Specific Gravity

Surface Voids

Gse =
Solid Agg.
Particle

Mass, dry
Effective Volume

Vol. of water-perm. voids

not filled with asphalt
Absorbed asphalt

Effective volume = volume of solid aggregate particle +

volume of surface voids not filled with asphalt
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Effective Specific Gravity

Gse =

100 - Pb
100 - Pb
Gmm
Gb

Gse is an aggregate property

Determined from a mix test

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Voids in Mineral
Aggregate
VMA = 100 -

Gmb Ps
Gsb
VMA

VMA is an indication of
film thickness on the
surface of the aggregate
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

Vmb

23

Voids Filled with Asphalt

VMA
V
a
VFA = 100 x
VMA
VFA is the percent of VMA that
is filled with asphalt cement

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Percent Binder Absorbed

Gse - Gsb
Pba = 100 (
Gse Gsb

) Gb

Pba is the percent of absorbed

asphalt by wt. of aggregate

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

25

Effective Asphalt Content

Pba
Pbe =

Pb -

Ps
100

The effective asphalt content is the

total asphalt content minus the
percent lost to absorption?

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

26

Dust /Asphalt Ratio

F
% passing No. 200
=
A
% Pbe

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Factors That Influence

Volumetric of HMA
Asphalt viscosity
Mix temperature
Time held at elevated temperature

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Important
Considerations
Consistent laboratory procedures
Equiviscous mixing temperatures
Mixing times
Curing time to simulate field conditions

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Example
Problem
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

30

- Example Problem

Lets assume we have a compacted HMA

mixture with the following properties.

Bulk Specific Gravity of the Mixture - Gmb = 2.425

Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity - Gmm = 2.521
Asphalt Binder Specific Gravity - Gb = 1.015
Asphalt Content - Pb = 5.0 % (by mass of total mix)
Percent passing No. 200 = 5.3%

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

31

- Example Problem

Lets also assume that three stockpiled

aggregates were used to manufacture this
HMA mixture. The percent of each aggregate
and the Bulk Specific Gravity (Gsb) for each is
as follows:
Aggregate % of Total Aggregate
A
B
C

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

50 %
25 %
25 %

G sb
2.695
2.711
2.721

32

-Example Problem

Based on the information given for this problem, the

following steps should be followed:
Calculate the bulk specific gravity of the combined
aggregate
Calculate the effective specific gravity of the aggregate
Calculate the percent absorbed asphalt for the mixture
Calculate the percent effective asphalt for the mixture
Calculate the percent voids in total mix for the mixture
Calculate the percent voids in mineral aggregate for the
mixture
Calculate the percent voids filled with asphalt for the
mixture
Calculate the dust to asphalt ratio

-Example Problem

Bulk Specific Gravity of the Combined

Aggregate - Gsb

Gsb =

( PA + PB + PC )
PA
GA

PB
GB

Where: PA, PB & PC = Percent by Mass of

Each Aggregate
in Blend GA,
GB & GC = Bulk Specific Gravity of
Each Aggregate

PC
GC

Based on the information given:

PA = 50%
PB = 25%
PC = 25%

GA = 2.695
GB = 2.711
GC = 2.721
( 50+ 25 + 25 )
Gsb =

50

25

25

2.695 2.711 2.721

= 2.705

-Example Problem

Effective Specific Gravity of Aggregate - Gse

Gse =

100 - Pb
100
Gmm

Where: Pb

Pb
Gb

Based on the information given:

= Percent Asphalt Binder by Total

Mass of Mixture
Gmm = Theoretical Maximum Specific
Gravity of Mixture
Gb = Specific Gravity of Asphalt
Binder

Pb = 5.0 %
Gmm = 2.521
Gb = 1.015
100- 5.0
Gse =

100

5.0

= 2.735

2.521 1.015

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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-Example Problem

Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder - Pba

Pba =

(100 * Gb) (Gse - Gsb)

Gse * Gsb

Where: Gb = Specific Gravity of Asphalt Binder

Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of
Aggregate
Gsb = Bulk Specific Gravity of Aggregate

Based on the information given:

Gb = 1.015
Gse = 2.735
Gsb = 2.705
( 100 * 1.015 ) (2.735 - 2.705 )
Pba =

( 2.735 * 2.705 )

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

= 0.4 %

36

-Example Problem

Percent Effective Asphalt Binder - Pbe

Pbe = Pb -

( Pba * Ps )
100

Where: Pb = Percent Asphalt Binder in Total Mix

Pba = Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder
in Total Mix
Ps = Percent Aggregate in Total Mix

Based on the information given:

Pb = 5.0 %
Pba = 0.4 %
Ps = 95.0 %
Pbe = 5.0 -

( 0.4 * 95.0 )

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

100

= 4.6 %

37

-Example Problem

Percent Voids in Total Mix - Va

( Gmm - Gmb )

Va, % = 100 *

Gmm

Where: Gmm = Theoretical Maximum

Specific Gravity of Mix
Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of Mix

Based on the information given:

Gmm = 2.521
Gmb = 2.329
(2.521 - 2.425 )
Va = 100 *

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

2.521

= 3. 8 %

38

-Example Problem

Percent Voids in Mineral Aggregate - VMA

VMA, % = 100 -

( Gmb * Ps )

Where: Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of Mix

Ps = Percent Aggregate in Total
Mix
Gsb = Bulk Specific Gravity of
Aggregate

Gsb

Based on the information given:

Gmb = 2.329
Ps = 95.0 %
Gsb = 2.705
( 2.425 * 95.0 )
VMA = 100 -

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

2.705

= 14.8

39

-Example Problem

Percent Voids Filled with Asphalt - VFA

( VMA - Va)

VFA, % = 100 *

VMA

Where: VMA = percent Voids in Mineral

Aggregate
Va = percent Voids in Total Mix

Based on the information given:

VMA = 14.8 %
Va = 3.8 %

( 14.8 - 3.8 )
VFA = 100 *

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

14.8

= 74 %

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Dust /Asphalt Ratio

F
% passing No. 200
=
A
Pbe
Given: P-200 = 5.3%
F
5.3
=
= 1.15
A
4.60
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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Example Problem Volumetric Equations

Summary
Gsb
Gse
Pbe , %
Pba , %
Va, %
VMA , %
VFA, %
F/A
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

= 2.705
= 2.732
= 4.6 %
= 0.4 %
= 3.8 %
= 14.8 %
= 74 %
= 1.15
42

Classroom Exercise

Volumetric Analysis of HMA

Mixtures

43

- Classroom Exercise 1

Lets assume we have a compacted HMA mixture

with the following properties at 25o C.

Bulk Specific Gravity of the Mixture - Gmb = 2.413

Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity - Gmm = 2.501
Asphalt Binder Specific Gravity - Gb = 1.025
Asphalt Content - Pb = 4.3 % (by mass of total mix)
Percent Passing No. 200 = 4.8%

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Lets also assume that four stockpiled aggregates

were used to manufacture this HMA mixture. The
percent of each aggregate and the Bulk Specific
Gravity (Gsb) for each is as follows:
Aggregate

% of Total Aggregate

A
B
C
D
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

45 %
15 %
25 %
15 %

Gsb
2.650
2.661
2.675
2.697
45

- Classroom Exercise 1

Based on the information given for this problem, the

following steps should be followed:

Calculate the Bulk Specific Gravity of the combined aggregate

Calculate the Effective Specific Gravity of the aggregate
Calculate the Percent Absorbed Asphalt for the Mixture
Calculate the Percent Effective Asphalt For the Mixture
Calculate the Percent Voids in Total Mix for the Mixture
Calculate the Percent Voids in Mineral Aggregate for the Mixture
Calculate the Percent Voids Filled with Asphalt for the Mixture
Calculate the Dust/AC Ratio

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

46

- Classroom Exercise 1

Bulk Specific Gravity of the Combined Aggregate - Gsb

Gsb =

( PA + PB + PC + PD )
PA
GA

PB
GB

PC

GC

Where:

PD
GD

PA , PB , PC & PD = percent by mass of each

aggregate in blend
GA , GB , GC & GD= Bulk Specific Gravity
of each aggregate

Based on the information given:

PA =
PB =
PC =
PD =

%
%
%
%

GA =
GB =
GC =
GD =

Gsb =
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Effective Specific Gravity of Aggregate - Gse

100-Pb

Gse =

100
Gmm

Where:

Pb
Gb

Pb

= percent asphalt binder by total mass

of mixture
Gmm = Theoretical Maximum Specific
Gravity of mixture
Gb = Specific Gravity of asphalt binder

Based on the information given:

Pb

Gmm =
Gb

Gse =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder - Pba

Pba =

(100 * Gb) (Gse - Gsb)

Gse * Gsb

Where:
Gb = Specific Gravity of asphalt binder
Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of aggregate
Gsb = Bulk Specific Gravity of aggregate

Based on the information known:

Gb =
Gse =

Pba =

Gsb =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Percent Effective Asphalt Binder - Pbe

Pbe = Pb -

( Pba * Ps )
100

Where: Pb = percent asphalt binder in total mix

Pba = percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder
into aggregate
Ps = percent aggregate in total mix

Based on the information known:

Pb =

Pba =

Ps =

Pbe =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Percent Voids in Total Mix - VTM

Va, % = 100 *

( Gmm - Gmb )

Where:

Gmm

Gmm = Theoretical Maximum Specific

Gravity of mix
Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of mix

Based on the information known:

Gmm =
Gmb =

Va =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Percent Voids in Mineral Aggregate - VMA

VMA, % = 100 -

( Gmb * Ps )

Where:

Gse

Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of mix

Ps = percent aggregate in total mix
Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of
aggregate

Based on the information known:

Gmb =
Ps

VMA =

Gse =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Exercise 1

Percent Voids Filled with Asphalt - VFA

( VMA - Va)

VFA, % = 100 *

Where:

VMA

VMA = percent Voids in Mineral

Aggregate
Va = percent Voids in Total Mix

Based on the information known:

VMA =
Va =

%
%

VFA =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

53

Dust /Asphalt Ratio

F
=
A

% passing No. 200

Pbe

Based on the information known:

P-200 =
Pbe =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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- Classroom Problem 1 Summary

Gsb
Gse
Pba , %
Pbe , %
Va, %
VMA, %
VFA, %
F/A
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
55

Classroom Exercise 2
Volumetric Analysis of HMA
Mixtures

56

Classroom Exercise 3

Given
Gmm = 2.474
Asphalt Content = 4.5 %
Bulk Sp. Gravity of Aggregate = 2.603
Bulk Sp. Gravity of Asphalt = 1.020

Determine Gmm at 5.0, 5.5 & 6.0 %

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

57

Asphalt Content

4.5%

5.0%

5.5%

6.0%

Gmm

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

58

Questions
does it all
make
sense?

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures

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