VOLUMETRIC

ANALYSIS OF HMA
MIXTURES

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 1

 Volumetrics

• All matter has mass and occupies

space
• Volumetrics are the relationships
between mass and volume

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 2

 Specific Gravity, G

Mass
Volume * w

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 3

 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 4

 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 5

 Volumetric Relationships
Va VMA

Vb V
ba

Vse Vmm
Vmb Vsb

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 6

 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 7

 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 8

 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 9

 Testing
Obtain mass
of dry
compacted
sample

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 10

 Soak in water for 3 – 5 minutes
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 11
 Testing

Obtain mass of
specimen at SSD

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 12

 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 13

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

Vmm

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 14

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

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 15

 Testing
Loose Mix at
Room
Temperature

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 16

 Residual Testing
Manometer

Metal Bowl with Lid

Vacuum Pump

Shaker Table
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 17
 Calculations
• Gmm = A / ( A - C )

Where:
A = mass of dry sample
C = mass of sample under water

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 18

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

Vmb

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 19

 Why Are Air Voids
Important?
• Related to Rut Resistance
• Related to Durability (aging and fatigue)

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 20

 Effective Specific Gravity
Surface Voids
Mass, dry
Gse =
Effective Volume

Solid Agg.
Vol. of water-perm. voids
Particle
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 21

 Effective Specific Gravity
100 - Pb
Gse =
100 - Pb
Gmm Gb

Gse is an aggregate property

Determined from a mix test

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 22

 Voids in Mineral
Aggregate
VMA = 100 - Gmb Ps
Gsb
VMA
VMA is an indication of
film thickness on the Vmb
surface of the aggregate

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 23

 Voids Filled with Asphalt

VFA = 100 x VMA - V a

VMA

VFA is the percent of VMA that

is filled with asphalt cement

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 24

 Percent Binder Absorbed
Gse - Gsb
Pba = 100 ( ) Gb
Gse Gsb

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 27

 Factors That Influence
Volumetric of HMA
• Asphalt viscosity
• Mix temperature
• Time held at elevated temperature

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 28

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

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 29

 Example
Problem
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 30
 - Example Problem -
• Let’s 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 -
• Let’s 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 G sb

A 50 % 2.695
B 25 % 2.711
C 25 % 2.721

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 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
( PA + PB + PC ) Where: PA, PB & PC = Percent by Mass of
Gsb =
PA PB PC Each Aggregate
+ + in Blend GA,
GA GB GC
GB & GC = Bulk Specific Gravity of
Each Aggregate
Based on the information given:
PA = 50% GA = 2.695
PB = 25% GB = 2.711
PC = 25% GC = 2.721

( 50+ 25 + 25 )
Gsb = = 2.705
50 25 25
+ +
2.695 2.711 2.721
 -Example Problem –
• Effective Specific Gravity of Aggregate - Gse
100 - Pb Where: Pb = Percent Asphalt Binder by Total
Gse =
100 Pb Mass of Mixture
Gmm
- Gb Gmm = Theoretical Maximum Specific
Gravity of Mixture
Gb = Specific Gravity of Asphalt
Based on the information given: Binder
Pb = 5.0 %
Gmm = 2.521
Gb = 1.015

100- 5.0
Gse = = 2.735
100 5.0
-
2.521 1.015
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 35
 -Example Problem –
• Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder - Pba
(100 * Gb) (Gse - Gsb) Where: Gb = Specific Gravity of Asphalt Binder
Pba = Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of
Gse * Gsb
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 = = 0.4 %
( 2.735 * 2.705 )

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 36

 -Example Problem –
• Percent Effective Asphalt Binder - Pbe
( Pba * Ps ) Where: Pb = Percent Asphalt Binder in Total Mix
Pbe = Pb - Pba = Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder
100
in Total Mix
Ps = Percent Aggregate in Total Mix

Based on the information given:

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

( 0.4 * 95.0 )
Pbe = 5.0 - = 4.6 %
100

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 37

 -Example Problem –
• Percent Voids in Total Mix - Va
( Gmm - Gmb ) Where: Gmm = Theoretical Maximum
Va, % = 100 * Specific Gravity of Mix
Gmm
Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of Mix

Based on the information given:

Gmm = 2.521
Gmb = 2.329

(2.521 - 2.425 )
Va = 100 * = 3. 8 %
2.521

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 38

 -Example Problem –
• Percent Voids in Mineral Aggregate - VMA
( Gmb * Ps ) Where: Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of Mix
VMA, % = 100 - Ps = Percent Aggregate in Total
Gsb
Mix
Gsb = Bulk Specific Gravity of
Aggregate
Based on the information given:
Gmb = 2.329
Ps = 95.0 %
Gsb = 2.705

( 2.425 * 95.0 )
VMA = 100 - = 14.8
2.705

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 39

 -Example Problem –
• Percent Voids Filled with Asphalt - VFA
( VMA - Va) Where: VMA = percent Voids in Mineral
VFA, % = 100 * Aggregate
VMA
Va = percent Voids in Total Mix

Based on the information given:

VMA = 14.8 %
Va = 3.8 %

( 14.8 - 3.8 )
VFA = 100 * = 74 %
14.8

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 40

 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 41
 Example Problem -
Volumetric Equations
• Summary
Gsb = 2.705
Gse = 2.732
Pbe , % = 4.6 %
Pba , % = 0.4 %
Va, % = 3.8 %
VMA , % = 14.8 %
VFA, % = 74 %
F/A = 1.15
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 42
Classroom Exercise

Volumetric Analysis of HMA

Mixtures 43
 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Let’s 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 44

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Let’s 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 Gsb

A 45 % 2.650
B 15 % 2.661
C 25 % 2.675
D 15 % 2.697

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 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

( PA + PB + PC + PD ) Where: PA , PB , PC & PD = percent by mass of each

Gsb = aggregate in blend
PA PB PC PD GA , GB , GC & GD= Bulk Specific Gravity
+ + + of each aggregate
GA GB GC GD

Based on the information given:

PA = % GA =
PB = % GB =
PC = % GC =
PD = % GD =

Gsb =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 47

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Effective Specific Gravity of Aggregate - Gse
100-Pb Where: Pb = percent asphalt binder by total mass
Gse = of mixture
100 Pb
Gmm
- Gb
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 48

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder - Pba
(100 * Gb) (Gse - Gsb) Where:
Pba = Gb = Specific Gravity of asphalt binder
Gse * Gsb
Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of aggregate
Gsb = Bulk Specific Gravity of aggregate

Based on the information known:

Gb =
Pba =
Gse =

Gsb =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 49

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Percent Effective Asphalt Binder - Pbe
( Pba * Ps )
Pbe = Pb - Where: Pb = percent asphalt binder in total mix
100 Pba = percent Absorbed Asphalt Binder
into aggregate
Ps = percent aggregate in total mix

Based on the information known:

Pb = %
Pbe =
Pba = %

Ps = %

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 50

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Percent Voids in Total Mix - VTM
( Gmm - Gmb ) Where: Gmm = Theoretical Maximum Specific
Va, % = 100 * Gravity of mix
Gmm
Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of mix

Based on the information known:

Gmm =

Gmb = Va =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 51

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Percent Voids in Mineral Aggregate - VMA
( Gmb * Ps ) Where: Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity of mix
VMA, % = 100 - Ps = percent aggregate in total mix
Gse
Gse = Effective Specific Gravity of
aggregate

Based on the information known:

Gmb =
VMA =
Ps = %

Gse =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 52

 - Classroom Exercise 1 -
• Percent Voids Filled with Asphalt - VFA
( VMA - Va) Where: VMA = percent Voids in Mineral
VFA, % = 100 * Aggregate
VMA
Va = percent Voids in Total Mix

Based on the information known:

VMA = %

Va = % VFA =

Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 53

 Dust /Asphalt Ratio
F % passing No. 200
=
A Pbe

Based on the information known:

P-200 =
Pbe =

F
=
Α
Volumetric Analysis of HMA Mixtures 54
 - 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 59