Oe On eT ee OE DO er er Dee
Mixtures for Laboratory Testing, does not include Rice testing in its
Significance and Use section.
Note paragraph 3.1 from the standard reads: 3.1 Samples obtained
in accordance with the procedure given in this practice may be used
to measure pavement thickness, density, resilient or dynamic
modulus, tensile strength, Marshall or Hveem stability, or for
extraction testing, to determine asphalt content, asphalt properties
and mix gradation. There are a couple of reasons for this. First,
coring is naturally a destructive process which alters the gradation.
The level to which the gradation shifts varies with the nature of the
parent gradation and material. i.e., a half-inch SMA is likely to see a
greater gradation shift then say a fine, dense-graded three-eighths
mix. Secondly, and more importantly, by coring you are creating
aggregate that is not coated with asphalt. This lack of coating can
then allow for water absorption into these non-protected surfaces.
Naturally, the more absorptive the aggregate the greater the
potential issue with this situation. The AASHTO standard for Rice is
7-209. It addresses absorption in part 15 of the standard entitled,
“Supplemental Procedure for Mixtures Containing Porous
Aggregate.” This is also known as the “dry-back procedure.” It is used
on mixes produced with aggregate who's water absorption is greater
than 1.5%.However, while collection of Rice material via cores is not
the preferred method, it is an acceptable method when more
preferred alternatives (plant or lab produced samples) are not
available. | am unaware of any state that does not allow for cores to
be used for Gmm when no good alternative is an option. With the
previous discussion in mind, one should do what they can to
minimize any potential problems that may arise from field-cut
specimens. What this leads to is a bigger is better mindset. A 6-inch
core will have a smaller percentage of its aggregate affected by the
coring than would a 4-inch core from the same road. Therefore, it is