MARSHAL STABILITY AND FLOW (ASTM D

1559)
Ref : A STMD – 1559

Purpose :
1. To determine the density – voids analysis for the
given bituminous Mixture.
2. To determine strength (Marshal’s Stability Value)
and flexibility (flow value) for the given bituminous
mixture.
3. To determine the suitability of the bituminous
mixture to meet the specified criteria for the surface
course.

Significance :
1. The test procedure is used in designing and
evaluating bituminous paving mixes.
2. To determine the strength and flexibility of mixture.

Definition: Marshall Stability of mixture as defined as the

maximum load carried by a compacted specimen at
standard test temperature of 60ºC. The
temperature represents the weakest condition for a
bituminous pavement in use.

Apparatus :
1. Specimen mould assembly comprising mould cylinders 10cm
diameter by 7.5 cm height, base plate and extension collars.
Specimen extractor for extracting the compact specimen from
the mould.
2. A suitable bar is required to transfer load from the extension
collar to the upper proving ring attachment while extracting
specimen.
3. Compaction hammer having a flat circular tamping face 4.5kg
sliding weight constructed provide free fall 45.0 cm.
4. Compaction pedestal consisting of a 20 x 20 x 45 cm wooden
block capped with a 30 x 30 x 2.5 cm M.S. Plate to hold the
moved assembly in position during compaction. Mould holder is
provided consisting of spring tension device designed to hold
compaction mould in place on the compaction pedestal.
5. Breaking head : The breaking head consists of upper and lower
cylindrical segments or test heads having an inside radius
curvature of 5 cm. The lower segment is mounted on a base
 having two perpendicular guide rods which facilitate insertion in
the holes of upper test segment.
6. Loading machine
7. Oven
8. Mixing apparatus
9. Water bath
10. Thermometers of range upto 200ºC with sensitivity of 2.5ºC
11. Containers, mixing and handling tools.

Procedure :
A. Preparation of Test Specimen
i. Take 1200g of aggregates blended in the desired
proportions.
ii. Heat the aggregates in the oven to the mixing
temperature
iii. Add bitumen at the mixing temperature to
produce viscosity of 170 centistokes at various
percentage both above and below the expected
optimum content.
iv. Mixture materials in a heated pan with heated mixing
roots.
v. Return the mixture to the oven and reheat it to the
compacting temperature (To produce viscosity of 280 ±
30 centistrokes)
vi. Place the mixture in a heated marshal mould with a
collar and base.
vii. Spade the mixture around the sides of the mould.
viii. Place fitter portion under the sample and on top of the
sample.
ix. Place the mould in the Marshal Compaction Pedestal.
x. Compact the material with 50 blows of the hammer,
insert the sample, and compact the other face with the
same number of blows.
xi. After compaction, insert the mould with the collar on the
bottom, remove the base and extract the sample by
pushing it out the extractor.
xii. Allow the sample to stand for a few hours to cool.
xiii. Find the mass of the sample.

Test :
i. Specimens are heated to 60° ± 1° (37.8° + 1° C for specimens
for which tar has been used in place of bitumen), either in a
water bath For 30-40 minutes or in an oven for minimum of two
hours.
ii. Remove the specimen from the water bath (or oven) and place
in the lower segment of the breaking head.
iii. Place the upper segment of the breaking head on the
specimen and place the complete assembly in position on the
testing machine.
iv. Place the flow meter over one of the post and adjust it to read
zero.
v. Apply a load at rate of 50mm per minute until the maximum
load reading is obtained.
vi. Record the maximum load in Newtons. At the same time
obtain the flow as recorded on the flow meter in units of mm.