Testing and Data Collection Illinois Department of Transportation

PTA-T5 (Eff. 02/2005) Bureau of Materials and Physical Research

PAVEMENT TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY

- MATERIAL SAMPLING AND TESTING OF
EXISTING HOT-MIX ASPHALT PAVEMENTS-
PTA-T5

INTRODUCTION prolonged exposure to water “strips” the

binder film from the aggregate. This
In order to select the most suitable
weakens the pavement and makes it
rehabilitation strategy for any pavement, it
prone to displacement. Stripped pave-
is necessary to know the specific mode(s)
ment will often become rutted under
of failure occurring within that pavement.
normal loading, which may be attributed
Many failure modes exist, but most hot-
mistakenly to instability in the surface mix.
mix asphalt (HMA) failure modes can be
Milling in conjunction with a thin HMA
categorized as “durability-related,” or
overlay is often prescribed in such a
“stability-related.” Durability-related failure
scenario; however, in this case, milling
modes are associated with age and
may further weaken the fragile pavement
weather, while stability-related failure
causing premature failure of the overlay.
modes are associated with mixture design
problems and displacement in the HMA
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
mix under normal loading.
Samples of the existing HMA-surfaced
Pavement distresses arise from the failure
pavement are obtained by core removal.
modes, so regular pavement distress
For HMA overlaid concrete pavements,
surveys can provide clues to which
only the HMA layers are cored. At least
mode(s) may be occurring within a
six 4-inch diameter cores per lane are
pavement. Unfortunately, similar pave-
taken for every five miles of project length.
ment distresses may arise from different
The cores are taken at 8-inch center to
failure modes, making it difficult to
center spacing, in one row of six, or two
diagnose which mode(s) are at work. The
rows of three, along the outside wheelpath
most accurate method of diagnosis is
of the lane. Extreme care is taken when
material sampling and testing of the
extracting the cores, avoiding such tools
existing pavement.
as pry-bars and screwdrivers that may
cause damage. Replacements for
THIN HMA OVERLAYS
damaged cores should be obtained.
Testing samples of the existing pavement
Immediately after removal, each core is
is especially important when a thin HMA
blotted dry with a cloth rag, labeled, and
overlay is being considered. Thin HMA
placed in a sealed plastic bag to preserve
overlays provide little structural support,
the moisture and condition of the core.
so if the existing HMA-surfaced pavement
Each core is set upright, out of direct
is weakened by unapparent failure
sunlight, in a vented or air-conditioned
mode(s), the overlay may perform poorly.
vehicle. When coring has finished, the
These conditions can arise in HMA- samples are transported to the district
surfaced pavements with stripping in materials laboratory, taking care in
underlying layers. Stripping is a durability- transport not to damage the cores.
related failure mode that occurs when
PTA-T5 (Eff. 02/2005) Page 2

ADDITIONAL FIELD DATA Split Tensile Strength is determined for

two scenarios. “As-received” split tensile
Photographs are taken showing: strength represents field conditions at the
• Close-up of the pavement surface. time of sampling, while “conditioned” split
• Wide perspective of the location. tensile strength mimics wet, summer
conditions. Split tensile strength ratings
• Coring equipment and processes.
are assigned, as shown in Table 2:
• Signs of severe distress in the core.
Table 2: Split Tensile Strength Ratings
• Evidence of layer debonding.
Split Tensile
• Inclusion of mud or foreign materials. Strength (psi) Rating
• Other unusual circumstances. > 100 Excellent
A record of each photograph is logged in 80 to 100 Good
a journal along with some brief notes. 50 to 80 Fair
30 to 50 Poor *
When significant rutting is present, < 30 Unstable
manual rut measurements are made with
* Likely stability problems.
an approved straight edge and rut gauge.
An option for multiple-overlaid pavements Extent of Stripping is determined by
with severe early age rutting is to remove visually inspecting the specimens
a pavement slab and observe the rutting immediately after split tensile testing.
contribution of each layer. Contact the Composite strip ratings are assigned, as
Bureau of Materials and Physical shown in Table 3:
Research (BMPR) if this option is being
considered. Table 3: Composite Strip Ratings
Composite Description
LABORATORY TESTING Strip Rating
Lab testing is performed within three days 1.0 to 1.3 No Stripping to Slight
of the field sampling. The cores are Stripping
separated into component layers by >1.3 to 1.7 Slight to Moderate
sawing, or by freezing and splitting. The Stripping
percent density, split tensile strength, and >1.7 to 2.3 Moderate Stripping
the extent of stripping in the specimens >2.3 to 2.7 Moderate to Severe
are determined. A flow chart indicating Stripping
the specific order and methods of testing >2.7 to 3.0 Severe Stripping
is included at the end of this document.
Percent Density is determined from the COORDINATION OF EFFORTS
bulk specific gravity (Gmb) and maximum Due to the short turnaround from coring to
specific gravity (Gmm) of each specimen. testing, communication is imperative.
Percent density ratings are assigned, as Since the test results help planners to
shown in Table 1: select rehabilitation activities, and
Table 1: Percent Density Ratings designers to make provisions that set the
stage for good performance, coordination
Percent Rating
of sampling and testing with planning and
Density
design efforts is crucial.
100 to 98.0 Poor *
97.9 to 96.0 Good If you have any questions, please contact:
95.9 to 94.0 Excellent Engineer of Technical Services
93.9 to 92.0 Good Bureau of Materials and
< 91.9 Poor ** Physical Research
* Likely stability problems. 126 East Ash Street
** Likely durability problems. Springfield, Illinois 62704-4766
(217) 782-7200
 PTA-T5 (Eff. 02/2005) Page 3

Material Testing Flow Chart

(Procedures for cores taken from existing pavements only)

Extract six (6) cores minimum

If damaged Obtain
Check core for visible damage
replacement cores

No damage

Blot dry, label, and place in

water-tight plastic bag

Gmm Test 2 Cores Deliver samples to materials

(AASHTO T-209) testing lab

4 Cores

Gmb Test
(Dry weight after all
s
o re testing is complete) 2C
2C or
es

77 ± 1°F water bath 3 minute saturation. Vacuum of

for 2 hours ± 10 minutes 20 to 25 inches of Mercury

Immediately

140 ± 1.8°F water bath

for 24 ± 1hours

Immediately Immediately

77 ± 1°F water bath

for 2 hours ± 10 minutes

Immediately

Split Tensile Test Split Tensile Test

(As-Received) (Conditioned)

Immediately Immediately

Visual Strip Rating

Immediately

Obtain sample dry weight

(Slow dry back by
AASHTO T-166)

Re-bag sample for

possible future testing