LECTURE ON BITUMINOUS PAVING MIX

OUTLINE

I. Composition of Asphalt Mix/Properties

A. Properties of Asphalt Cement
B. Properties of Aggregates
C. Properties of Asphalt Mix
II. Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements
III. Different Tests on Asphalt Mix/Significance
IV. Jobmix Formula
V. Evaluation of Test Results Using the Submitted
Jobmix Formula
VI. Asphalt Core
 LECTURE ON BITUMINOUS PAVING MIX
KINDS OF PAVEMENT

1. Rigid - Type Pavement

- Concrete Pavement
- Concrete Mix
- Cement + Aggregates + Water
- Design Mix

2. Flexible Type - Asphalt Pavement

- Asphalt Pavement
- Bituminous Mix
- Asphalt + Mineral Aggregates
- Job Mix

Asphalt Pavements – pavements consisting of a surface course of mineral

aggregate coated and cemented together with asphalt cement on supporting
course such as asphalt bases, crushed stone, slag or gravel or on Portland
Cement concrete brick or block pavement.
 Asphalt Pavement Structures
(Flexible Pavement Structure)

Courses of asphalt aggregate mixtures plus any

non-rigid courses between the asphalt
construction and the foundation or subgrade.

“Flexible” – The term sometimes used in

connection with asphalt pavements denotes the
ability of such a pavement structure to conform
to settlement of foundation.
 Types of Asphalt Pavement
1. Dense – Graded Hot Mix Asphalt
- Hot mix asphalt pavement, the highest quality among the different types
- Consists of well graded aggregate and asphalt cement which are heated and
blended together in exact proportions at a hot mix plant.
Well – Graded Aggregates – aggregate that is graded from the max. size down to
filler with object of obtaining an asphalt mix with controlled void content and high
stability.

2. Open – Graded Surface and Base Courses

- One containing little or no mineral filler or in which the void spaces in the
compacted aggregates are relatively large.

3. Stone – Filled Mixes

- A sheet of asphalt containing up to 25 percent coarse aggregate
 Types of Asphalt Pavement
4. Sand Hot Mix Asphalt

- A mixture of sand and asphalt cement or liquid asphalt prepared with or without
special control of aggregate grading, with or without mineral filler.

- Either mixed-in-place or plant-mix construction may be employed.

- Use in construction of both base and surface courses.

5. Sheet Hot Mix Asphalt

- A hot mix of asphalt cement with clean, angular, graded sand and mineral filler.
- Its use is ordinary confined to surface course usually laid on an intermediate or
leveling course
6. Asphalt Emulsion Mixes (Cold Mixes)

- Cold mix pavements use asphalt emulsion or cut-back asphalt.

- Require little or no heating of materials and can often be produced at the

construction site without a central plant.
 Courses of Asphalt – Aggregate Mixture
(Dense – Graded HMA Mixture)
1. Asphalt Base Course – a foundation course consisting of mineral
aggregate, bound together with asphaltic material.
2. Asphalt Intermediate Course (Binder Course) – a course between a
base course and an asphalt surface course.
3. Asphalt Surface Course (Wearing Course) – the top course of an
asphalt pavement.
3. Asphalt Leveling Course – a course (asphalt-aggregate mixture) of
variable thickness used to eliminate irregularities in the contour of
an existing surface prior to superimposed treatment or
construction.
Full-Depth Asphalt Pavement – is one in which asphalt mixtures are
used for all courses (layers) above the subgrade.

Asphalt Overlay – one or more courses of asphalt construction on an

existing pavement. HMA overlay as designed to rehabilitate and
strengthen an old pavement, extending its life and correcting surface
irregularities.

- generally, includes a leveling course to correct the contour of the old

pavement followed by uniform course or courses to provide needed
thickness.

- when overlaying rigid type pavement the overlay should be not less
than four inches thick to minimize reflection of cracks and joints
through the overlay.

- greater thickness of overlay may be required depending upon

conditions of old pavement and traffic to be served.
 Two Types of Bituminous Mix

1. Plant – Mix: a mixture produced in an asphalt mixing plant which consist of

mineral aggregates uniformly coated with asphalt cement or liquid asphalt.

Types of Plant Mixes

a. Hot – Mix – plant mixes which must be spread and compacted at an elevated
temperature.

- Hot-laid
- Both the aggregate and asphalt cement are heated prior to mixing for giving
origin to the term “hot-mix”.
- Higher durability and stability than cold mix

b. Cold – Mix – plant mixes which may be spread or compacted at atmospheric

temperature.

- Cold-laid
- Use only for patching

2. Road – Mix (Mixed-in-Place): an asphalt course produced by mixing mineral

aggregate and liquid asphalt at the road site by means of travel plants, motor
graders, drags or special road-mixing equipment.
 COMPOSITION OF BITUMINOUS MIX

1. ASPHALT

- binder of the aggregate

- normally ranges from 5 – 8% mass percent on the basis of total dry aggregates
- the service performance of an asphalt pavement is greatly influenced by the
grade and quantity of asphalt it contains.

Grade:
- grade of asphalt cement normally ranges from AC 60-70 to AC 200-300.
- the grade selected for each project is influenced by climatic conditions, traffic
and strength of the road foundation.

Hot Climate - use lower penetration grades or hard asphalts

Cold Climate - use higher penetration grades or softer asphalts

Quantity - thick asphalt film :

- do not age and harden rapidly as thin ones do
- retains its original characteristics longer
- effectively seals off a greater percentage of inter connected air voids in the
pavement, difficult for air and water to penetrate.
2. AGGREGATES

- most important ingredient, it supplies most of the load bearing capacities of the
pavement, its chemical and physical properties are critical in the performance of
asphalt pavement.
- normally ranges from 92 to 95 percent of the weight of mixture.

AGGREGATE FRACTIONS:

A. COARSE AGGREGATE (CA)

- retained 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve
- may be obtained from gravel deposits or stone quarries (rocks)

B. FINE AGGREGATE (FA)

- passing 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve
- sources of fine aggregate are natural deposits of bank, beach or river sand or
screenings from aggregate crushing plants

236 mm (No. 8) Sieve – the dividing size between coarse and fine aggregates
IMPORTANT PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES

1. Strength
2. Particle Shape
3. Surface Texture
4. Absorption
5. Gradation
6. Cleanliness
7. Specific Gravity
8. Affinity for Water
9. Soundness

3. MINERAL FILLER (MF)

- predominantly dust, passing 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve
- may consist of finely ground limestone, rock powder, naturally occurring silt,
Portland cement, fly ash, hydrated lime, or similar clean non-plastic finely
divided mineral matter
- it may occur naturally in the fine and coarse aggregates as mineral dust or it may
be added as a separate ingredient
- normally range 0.5 to 1.0 mass percent dry aggregate basis, if hydrated lime is
used, lower percentage limit is applicable to aggregate which are predominantly
calcareous.
 Significant Properties of Bituminous Paving Mixture

1. Stability – it is defined as resistance to displacement under sustained or repeated loadings.

- It implies resistance to shoving and rutting by the action of vehicular traffic and involves
resistance to shearing stress.

Factors Affecting Stability

1. Gradation of the Mineral Aggregate
2. Shape and Surface Texture of Aggregate Particles
3. Hardness of Aggregate Particles
4. Maximum Size of Coarse Aggregate
5. Quantity and Consistency of the Bituminous Binder
6. Degree of Compaction

Test for Stability

1. Hubbard – Field
2. Marshall
3. Hveem Stabilometer
4. Unconfined Immersion – Compression
5. Triaxial Compression
 Significant Properties of Bituminous Paving Mixture

2. Durability – it is defined as resistance to disintegration or deterioration due to the detrimental

effects of traffic, water, air and temperature changes.

Factors Affecting Durability

1. Density of the compacted mixture

2. Properties of mineral aggregates
3. Properties of the Bituminous Binder
4. Quantity of the Bituminous Binder

3. Flexibility – it is defined as the ability of the pavement to bend repeatedly without cracking
and to conform to variations of the underlying base.

Factors Affecting Flexibility

1. Quantity of Bituminous Binder

2. Quantity of Mineral Filler
3. Viscosity and Temperature susceptibility of the binder
 Significant Properties of Bituminous Paving Mixture

4. Skid Resistance – it is the resistance offered by the pavement to slipping or skidding of the
vehicle tires.

Factors Affecting Skid Resistance

1. Excess asphalt at pavement surface

2. Surface roughness of aggregate particles

5. Permeability – it means porosity or perviousness of the mixture, principally dependent on

pore size, a dense graded mix prevents water from entering the base through the surface.

Factors Affecting Permeability

1. Density of the compacted mixture

2. Temperature of the mix
 Significant Properties of Bituminous Paving Mixture

6. Workability – the ease by which the material can be placed to its desired uniformity and
compacted to the required density

Factors Affecting Workability

1. Gradation of Aggregate
2. Consistency of the bituminous binder
3. Temperature of the mix

7. Fatigue Resistance – ability to withstand repeated flexing caused by the passage of the wheel
loads.

Factors Affecting Fatigue Resistance

1. Quantity and Viscosity of the Bituminous Binder

2. Inadequate Compaction
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements

Sampling is equally as important as the testing and the sampler shall use every precaution to obtain
samples that are representative to the bituminous mixture

Care shall be taken in sampling:

- To avoid segregation of coarse aggregate and bituminous mortar
- To prevent contamination by dust or other foreign matter

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
field sample –a quantity of the material to be tested of sufficient size to provide an acceptable estimate
of the average quality of a unit. Field sample is composed of three or more increments chosen at
random from the material as it is loaded or unloaded from the truck. Extract test portions from the field
sample by quartering or splitting.

increment – part of a sample.

lot – a sizable isolated quantity of bulk material from a single source, assumed to have been produced
by the same process(for example, a day’s production or a specific mass of volume).

test portion- a quantity of the material of sufficient size extracted from the larger field sample,
by a procedure designed to ensure accurate representation of the field sample, and thus of the unit
sampled.

unit- a batch or finite subdivision of a lot of bulk material (for example, a truck load or a specific area
covered ).
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements

Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures (AASHTO T 168)

(Sampling of bituminous paving mixtures at points of manufacture, storage,
delivery, or in place.)

PROCEDURE

1. INSPECTION - The material shall be inspected to determine discernible variations. The seller shall
provide equipment needed for safe appropriate inspection and sampling.

2. SAMPLING - The procedures for selecting locations or times for sampling are described in
Practice D 3665-Standard Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Materials.

2.1 Sampling from a Conveyor Belt - Stop the conveyor belt randomly select at least three
areas of approximately equal size on the belt for sampling. In each of the locations to be
sampled, insert templates, the shape of which conform to the shape of the belt. From the
selected areas obtain approximately equal increments of material which will form a sample
whose quantity equals or exceeds the minimum recommended (See Table). Carefully scoop
all material between templates into a suitable container.

2.2 Sampling from Truck Transports - By a random method, select the units to be sampled
from the production of materials delivered. Obtain at least three approximately equal
increments. Avoid sampling the extreme top surface. Select at random from the unit being
sampled and combine to form a field sample whose quantity equals or exceeds the minimum
recommended in Table 1. The sample may be obtained by collecting the increments with a
scoop or shovel.
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements
PROCEDURE (cont’d)

2.3 Sampling from the Roadway Prior to Compaction - When only one sample is to be taken,
obtain at least three approximately equal increments, selected at random from the unit being
sampled, and combine to form a field sample whose quantity equals or exceeds the minimum
recommended in Table 1.

2.3.1 When three or more samples are to be taken in order to evaluate a lot of material,
utilize a random method to determine the locations to be sampled. Select a sample
consisting of approximately three equal increments, from each location, assuring the
quantity of each sample exceeds the minimum recommended in Table 1.

2.3.2 Take all increments or samples from the roadway fort the full depth of the material,
taking care to exclude any underlying material. When necessary, place templates on
the existing roadway to exclude any underlying material. Clearly mark the specified
area from which each increment or sample is to be removed. Templates which are
placed before the mixture is spread will be a definite aid securing increments of
approximately equal mass.

2.4 Sampling from a Skip Conveyor Delivering Mixture to Bin Storage - Select the unit to be
sampled from the skip conveyor by a random method based on the bin’s storage capacity.
Stop the skip conveyor immediately following pugmill discharge. Dig a furrow 150 mm (6 in.)
in depth extending from the top to the bottom of the pile. Obtain three approximately equal
increments from the top, middle, and bottom of the furrow depositing each increment in a
container. The combined increments should form a field sample whose quantity equals or
exceeds the minimum recommended in Table 1.
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements
PROCEDURE (cont’d)

2.5 Sampling from a Funnel Device Feeding a Conveyor for Mixture Delivery to Storage -
Select the units to be sampled from the funnel device by a random method based on the
bin’s maximum storage capacity. Obtain at least three approximately equal increments of
material for each sample by passing a bucket or a pan or other suitable container across the
full flow of materials as it drops from the funnel device onto the conveyor. The combined
portions should form a field sample whose quantity equal or exceeds the minimum
recommended in Table 1.

2.6 Sampling from Roadway after Compaction – Select the units to be sampled by a random
method from the material in place. Obtain at least three approximately equal samples
selected at random from the unit being sampled. Test each sample and average the test
results to determine the acceptability. Take all samples from the roadway for the full depth of
the material. Taking care to exclude any underlying material. Each increment shall be
obtained by coring, sawing, or other methods in such a manner as to ensure a
minimum disturbance of the material.
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements
PROCEDURE (cont’d)

3. Number and Quantities of Field Samples:

3.1 The number of field samples (obtained by one of the methods described) required depends
on the criticality of, and variation in, the properties to be measured. Designate each unit from
which a field sampler is to be obtained prior to sampling. The number of field samples from
the production should be sufficient to give the desired confidence in test results.

3.2 A guide to the quantity of material in field samples is given in Table 1. The quantities depend
on the type and number of tests to which the material is to be subjected, and sufficient
material must be obtained to provide for the proper execution of these tests. Generally, the
amounts specified in Table 1 will provide adequate material for routine testing. Extract test
portions from the field sample by quartering or splitting in a similar manner to Practice
C 702 Practice for Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size or as required
by other applicable test methods.
 Sampling/Minimum Testing Requirements
PROCEDURE (cont’d)

4. Shipping Samples

4.1 Transport samples in containers so constructed as to preclude loss or contamination of any

part of the sample, or damage to the contents from mishandling during shipment.

4.2 Samples shall have individual identification attached giving the information required by the
sample user. Typical information that may be useful could include, but not necessarily be
limited to, the following:
4.2.1 Job for which the material is to be used, giving project number, highway route
number. County, and other pertinent geographical information.
4.2.2 Source of sample, including for plant-mixed samples the name of owner or operator of
plant, location of plant, type of plant, size of batch, and identification of bitumen and
mineral aggregates used in the mixture,
4.2.3 Point at which sampled, for samples taken from roadway, both by station number and
location transversely in pavement; also whether sampled from completed pavement,
windrow, etc.,
4.2.4 Quantity represented,
4.2.5 By whom sampled and title,
4.2.6 Date of most recent mixing, if road-mixed,
4.2.7 Date sampled,
4.2.8 By whom submitted and address,
4.2.9 Purpose for which sample was taken, and
4.2.10 To whom report is to be made.
NUMBER AND QUANTITIES OF FIELD SAMPLES: The number of field samples from the
production should be sufficient to give the desired confidence in test results.

GUIDE FOR ESTIMATING QUANTITY OF SAMPLE

Nominal Maximum Size of Approximate Mass of

Aggregates Uncompacted Mixture, min.
kg(lb)
Minimum Testing Requirements
2.36-mm(No. 8) 2 (4)
4.75-mm (No. 4) 2 (4)
9.5-mm (3/8-in.) 4 (8)
12.5-mm (1/2-in) 5 (12)
19.0-mm (3/4-in.) 7 (16)
25.0-mm (1-in.) 9 (20)
37.5-mm (11/2-in.) 11 (25)
50.0-mm (2-in.) 16 (35)
 Minimum Testing Requirements

1 – Q.T. – For every 130 M.T. or fraction thereof

Size of sample : 20 kg

Tests on Bituminous Mix

1. Extraction – quantitative determination of asphalt content in bituminous paving

mixtures. Asphalt content may be express either as a percentage by weight of total
weight of mix or a percentage by weight of dry aggregates.

Calculation:
wt. of original - wt. of sample
sample after extraction
% Asphalt Content = ----------------------------------------------- x 100
(by wt. of mix) wt. of original sample

wt. of original - wt. of sample

sample after extraction
% Asphalt Content = ----------------------------------------------- x 100
(by wt. of agg.) wt. of sample after extraction
 Tests on Bituminous Mix

2. Bulk Specific Gravity – Bulk specific gravity of the compacted bituminous mixtures
are used in calculating unit weight of the mixture. The specific gravity or density is
an important data in the determination of the degree of compaction of a newly
constructed asphalt pavement.

Calculation:
A
Bulk Specific Gravity, Gmb = -------------------
B - C

where:
A = mass of specimen in air, g
B = mass of surface – dry specimen, g.
C = mass of specimen in water, g.

3. Grading – determining the relative proportions of various particles sizes of mineral

aggregates in a mix, if it conforms with the Job-Mix Formula/Specifications.
 Tests on Bituminous Mix

4. Immersion – Compression Method – this method covers measurement of the loss

of cohesion resulting from the action of water on compacted bituminous mixtures.

1. Compressive Strength (Dry) – compressive strength of freshly molded and

cured specimens.
2. Compressive Strength (Wet) - compressive strength of duplicate specimens
that have been immersed in water under prescribed conditions.

Calculation:

Index of Retained Strength (IRS) – calculate numerical index of resistance of

bituminous mixtures to the detrimental effect of water as the percentage of the
original strength that is retain after the immersion period.

Load Load
Compressive Strength = -------------- = ----------
Area  D2/4

CS Wet
Index of Retained Strength, (IRS), % = --------- x 100
CS Dry
 Job-Mix Formula
Job-Mix Formula – primary quality control mechanism for the production of asphalt
mixtures with a high degree of uniformity that will satisfy job
requirements. The Job-Mix Formula, with the allowable tolerances
becomes the job control grading band. The job control grading
band, however, must be within the boundaries of the specification
grading band. (See Figure)

Each Job-Mix Formula submitted shall proposed definite single values for:

1. The percentage of aggregate passing each specified sieve size.

2. The percentage of bituminous material to be added.
3. The temperature of the mixture delivered on the road.
4. The kind and percentage of additive to be used.
5. The kind and percentage of mineral filler to be used.
 Job-Mix Formula
After the job-mix is established, all mixture furnished for the project shall conform thereto
within the following ranges of tolerances:

Passing No. 4 and larger sieve ± 7%

Passing No. 8 to No. 100 sieve (inclusive) ± 4%
Passing No. 200 sieve ± 2%
Bituminous Material ± 0.4%
Temperature of Mix ± 100C

The mixture shall have a minimum compressive strength (dry stability) of 1.4 MPa (200 psi) or
1400 kN/m2 or KPa.
The mixture shall also have a mass percent air voids with the range of 3 to 5.
The mixture shall also have an index of retained strength of not less than 70%.
All least three weeks prior to production, the contractor shall submit in writing a job-mix
formula for each mixture supported by laboratory test data along with samples and sources of
the components and viscosity temperature relationships information to the Engineer for
testing and approval.
Should a change in source of material be proposed or should a job-mix formula prove
unsatisfactory, a new job-mix formula shall be submitted by the contractor in writing and be
approved by the Engineer prior to production.

Approval of a new job-mix formula may require laboratory testing and verification.
 Table 703.2
Gradation Ranges – Hot Plant Mix Bituminous Pavements
(Mass percent passing square sieves, AASHTO T 11 and T 27)

Sieve Designation, G R A D I N G
mm A B C D E F G
37.5 (1-1/2 inch) 100 - - - - - -
25 (1 inch) 95-100 100 100 - - - -
19 (3/4 inch) 75-95 95-100 95-100 100 - 100 -
12.5 (1/2 inch) - 68-86 68-86 95-100 100 - 100
9.5 (3/8 inch) 54-75 56-78 56-78 74-92 95-100 - 95-100
4.75 (No. 4) 36-58 38-60 38-60 48-70 75-90 45-65 30-50
2.36 (No. 8) 25-45 27-47 27-47 33-53 62-82 33-53 5-15
1.18 (No. 16) - 18-37 18-37 22-40 38-58 - -
0.600 (No. 30) 11-28 11-28 13-28 15-30 22-42 - -
0.300 (No. 50) - 6-20 9-20 10-20 11-28 10-20 -
0.075 (No. 200) 0-8 0-8 4-8 4-9 2-10 3-8 2-5
 Table 703.3
Gradation Requirements – Cold Plant Mix Bituminous Pavement
(Mass percent passing square sieves, AASHTO T 27)

Sieve Designation Bottom (Binder) Wearing (Surface)

Standard, mm Alternate US Std Course Course
37.5 1-1/2” 100 -
25 1” 85 – 100 -
19 ¾” 40 – 70 100
12.5 ½” 10 – 35 95 – 100
4.75 No. 4 4 – 16 15 – 40
2.36 No. 8 0–5 10 – 25
0.600 No. 30 - 4 – 13
0.300 No. 50 - 0–5
 SOCOR CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
13 – J Midtown Executive Homes
1238 United Nations Ave., Paco, Manila

JOB-MIX FORMULA
FOR ITEM 310 E
BITUMINOUS CONCRETE SURFACE COURSE
(Max. 3/8” Size Aggregates)
PROJECT :

I. GRADATION
Sieve Sizes
Job Mix Gradation Tolerance Limit Specification
US Standard mm
½” 12.500 100 100 100
3/8” 9.500 99 95 – 100 95 – 100
No. 4 4.750 85 78 – 90 75 – 90
No. 8 2.360 64 62 – 68 62 – 82
No. 16 1.180 39 38 – 43 38 – 58
No. 30 0.600 24 22 – 28 22 – 42
No. 50 0.300 14 11 – 18 11 – 28
No. 200 0.075 4 2-6 2 – 10

II. ASPHALT CONTENT:

a) Asphalt Cement -------------------------------- Penetration 60 – 70

b) % By Weight of Aggregates -------------------------------- 6.06

c) % By Weight of Total Mix -------------------------------- 5.71

II. FILLER:
Hydrated Lime
IV. ADDITIVES
None
 SOCOR CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
JOB-MIX FORMULA
ITEM 310 E

Specification
Sieve Sizes %, Passing Job-Mix
Item 310 E
½” (12.5 mm) 100 ± 7 100 100
3/8” (9.5) 99 ± 7 95 – 100 95 – 100
No. 4 (4.75) 85 ± 7 78 – 90 75 – 90
No. 8 (2.36) 64 ± 4 62 – 68 62 – 82
No. 16 (1.18) 39 ± 4 38 – 43 38 – 58
No. 30 (0.600) 24 ± 4 22 – 28 22 – 42
No. 50 (0.300) 14 ± 4 11 – 18 11 – 28
No. 200 (0.075) 4±2 2–6 2 – 10

Asphalt Content, % by weight of mix = 5.71

Asphalt Content, % by weight of aggregate = 6.06 ± 0.4%
5.66 - 6.46
say = 5.7 – 6.5
 Testing of Drilled Cores from an Asphalt Pavement

Significance and Use

• Core tests determine the thickness and density of compacted asphalt pavement

Sampling:

1. Specimens shall be taken from the pavement with a core drill, diamond or
carborundum saw, or by other suitable means.

2. Care shall be taken to avoid distortion, bending or cracking of specimen during and
after removal from the pavement.

3. Specimens shall be free from foreign materials such as seal coat, tack coat,
foundation material, soil, paper or foil.

4. Specimens for thickness and density determination.

Sawed specimen : at least 150 mm x 150 mm

Cored specimen : 100 mm dia. full depth

Recommended that:
1. The diameter of cylindrically molded or cored specimens, or the length of the sides
of sawed specimens, be at least equal to four times the maximum size of the
aggregates.

2. That the thickness of the specimens be at least one and one-half times of the
maximum size of the aggregates.

Obtaining of Core Specimens

Case I : At least one but no more than three (3) samples shall be taken for each full
day’s operation.

To ascertain the degree of compaction of the asphalt pavement, more than one (1)
core sample but not greater than three (3) maybe taken for each day’s operation.
When 2 or 3 cores are taken, each core should represent a specific pavement area
completed within a day. Averaging of the thickness and density of the 2 or 3 cores
should not be done.

Case 2 : If no core was taken at the end of each day’s operation and the project ha
already been completed, a core shall be taken for every 100 linear meters per lane or
fraction thereof of the completed pavement. Each core shall represent 100 LM of the
asphalt pavement. Averaging of the thickness and density of the core should not be
done.
 TESTS ON ASPHALT CORE
1. Density
Calculation:

Density (d) = Gmb x Density of water

where:

Density of water = 1.0 gm/cm3

Gmb = Bulk Specific Gravity

CALCULATION OF BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (Gmb)

A
Gmb = ---------------------
B - C
where:
A = mass of specimen in air, g
B = mass of surface dry specimen, g
C = mass of specimen in water, g
Calculation:

Field Density
% Compaction = -----------------------------------------------x 100
Laboratory Compacted Density

2. Thickness
1. Make four (4) measurements at approximately quarter points on the periphery of
cores or at the approximate midpoint of each of the four (4) sides of rectangular
sawed specimens. (See figure)

2. The average of these measurements is the thickness (t) of the specimen.

1 1

4 2 4 2

3 3

POSITIONS OF MEASUREMENTS
 Acceptance, Sampling and Testing of Finished Asphalt Pavement

The contractor shall cut full depth samples as directed from the finished pavement for testing.
Samples shall be neatly cut by saw or core drill. Each sample shall be at least 150 mm x 150 mm
or 100 mm diameter full depth. At least one, but not more than three samples shall be taken fro
each full day’s operation. If no core samples were taken during the day’s operation, core samples
shall be taken from the completed pavement for every 100 L.M. per lane. The contractor shall
supply and furnish new material to back fill bore holes left by the samples taken.

No acceptance and final payment shall be made on completed asphalt pavement unless core
test for thickness determination is conducted, except for Barangay Roads where the
implementing office is allowed to waive such test.

The samples obtained will be used to measure the thickness of the pavement. The same
samples will be used to test the density of the compacted pavement.

The compacted pavement shall have a density equal to, or greater than 97 mass percent of the
density of a laboratory specimens. The asphalt pavement represented by the cores shall not be
accepted if the deficiency in density is more than 2%.
 Acceptance, Sampling and Testing of Finished Asphalt Pavement

The compacted pavement shall have a thickness tolerances of – 5 mm. Thickness in

excess of the specified thickness shall not be considered in the payment of asphalt
pavement. The asphalt pavement represented by the individual core shall not be
accepted if the deficiency in the core thickness is more than 5 mm.

If the deficiency in the core thickness is more than 5 mm, additional layer maybe
permitted in order to meet the designed thickness, however, the minimum additional
asphalt overlay thickness should be depended on the minimum thickness capacity of
asphalt paver but it should not be less than 50 mm (2 inches) and that proper
construction procedures are followed.

Method of Measurement:

The area to be paid shall be the number of square meters (m2) of asphalt pavement
placed, compacted and accepted based on the thickness and densities of the cores
taken.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Public Works and Highways
BUREAU OF RESEARCH AND STANDARDS
EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City

WORKSHEET ON TESTING OF BITUMINOUS CONCRETE CORE

Project :
Source/Suppli :
er
Tested By :
Lab. No. : Date Tested
:

Thickness Bulk Specific Gravity

Lab. cm. Bulk
I.D. Station Wt. In Wt. in Wt.
No. Sp.
1 2 3 4 Ave. Air Water SSD
Gravity