MARSHALL STABILITY TEST

(ASTM D-1663-73, ASTM D-1559-75)

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 SIGNIFICANCE

• Optimum %age of bitumen is obtained for

given type of aggregate and traffic
intensity.
• Used in designing and evaluating the
asphalt concrete mixes
• Density, voids and stability parameters are
determined during the Marshall test

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 RELATED TERMS

Stability
The stability of mix is the maximum load
carried by a compacted specimen at a standard
temperature of 60 C.
Flow
The flow is measured as a deformation in units
of 0.01” between no load and maximum load
carried by the specimen during stability test.
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 APPARATUS

• Specimen mould • Loading machine

assembly • Ring dynameters
• Specimen extractor assembly
• Compaction hammer • Flow meter
• Compaction pedestrial • Ovens
• Specimen mould holder • Hot plates
• Breaking head • Mixing apparatus
• Water bath

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 COMPREHENSIVE PROCEDURE
The Marshall mix design method consists of 6 basic
steps:
• Aggregate selection
• Asphalt binder selection
• Sample preparation (including compaction)
• Stability determination using the Marshall stability and
flow test
• Density and voids calculations
• Optimum asphalt binder content selection

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 DETAILED PROCEDURE
1. Place all the aggregates in fixed proportion on hot plates
at a temp of 250F
2. Bitumen of specific grade is heated to approximately
350F
3. The different size of aggregates are put together in
desired proportion and predetermined amount of asphalt
is added
4. The mixing operation is carried manually
5. After mixing , the mix is placed in a preheated(200-
300F) compaction mould
6. Place the compaction mould on compaction pedestal
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 DETAILED PROCEDURE
7. With the help of hammer , for 100psi tire pressure 50 blows
are given on the top and mould is reversed , 50 blows are
given on the 2nd face. (for 200psi, 75 blows are given on
each side)
8. Extract the specimen from the mould with the help of
extractor
9. The specimen is cooled in the air and sample is identified
with suitable mark
10. Bulk density of specimen is determined by weighing the
specimen first in air and then in water.
11. The specimen is immersed in water at a temperature of 60C
for 30 to 40 min
12. The specimen is removed form the water bath and is placed
with its horizontal axle into the test heads 7
 DETAILED PROCEDURE
13. The complete assembly is quickly placed on the base plate of
Marshall loading machine
14. Place the flow dial gauge and proving gauge at required place
and adjust to zero reading
15. Start the machine in such a way that base plate moves at rate
of 2” per min
16. Record the values of maximum flow dial gauge and load dial
gauge and machine is reversed
17. The elapsed rime for the test after the removal of specimen
from water bath to maximum load determination should not
more than 30 min
18. The stability values of sample are corrected when the height of
sample is greater than or less than 2.5” by using correction
factor
when height > 2.5” then C.F. < 1
when height < 2.5” then C.F. > 1
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 COMPACTION WITH HAMMER
Each sample is heated to the anticipated temperature and compacted with a
Marshall hammer. Key parameters of the compactor are:
• Sample size = 102 mm (4-inch) diameter cylinder 64 mm (2.5 inch) in
height.
• Tamper foot = flat and circular with a diameter of 98.4 mm (3.875 inches)
corresponding to an area of 76 cm2 (11.8 in2).
• Compaction pressure = specified as a 457.2mm free fall drop distance of a
hammer assembly with 4536 gm (10 lb) sliding weight.
• Number of blows = typically 35, 50, 75 on each side depending upon
anticipated traffic loading.
• Simulation method = the tamper foot strikes the sample on the top and
covers almost entire area. After a specified number of blows, the sample is
turned over and the procedure is repeated.
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TEST APPARATUS

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 PURPOSE OF TEST

1. Determination of bulk specific gravity

2. Void analysis
3. Stability flow analysis

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 VOID ANALYSIS
Vv = [(Gt – Gb)/ Gt]*100

Where Gb = Bulk specific gravity

Gt = Theoretical specific gravity of specimen

Gt = 100/[(W1/G1) + (W2/G2) + (W3/G3) + (W4/G4)]

W1 = %age of coarse aggregate in mix

W2 = %age of fine aggregate in mix
W3 = %age of filler aggregate in mix
W4 = %age of asphalt in mix 12
VOID ANALYSIS

VMA = Vv + Vb

Vb = volume of bitumen or asphalt

Vb = (W4/G4)*Gb

VFB = (Vb/VMA)*100

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 GRAPHS
1. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ %age of air
voids

%age of air voids

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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2. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ Density or unit
weight (psf)

Unit weight(psf)

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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3. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ Flow (0.01”)

Flow (0.01”)

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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4. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ Marshall
stability (lbs)

Marshall stability

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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5. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ %age of VFA

%age of VFA

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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6. %age of asphalt binder by Weight ~ %age of
VMA

%age of VMA

%age of asphalt by Wt.

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 OPTIMUM ASPHALT CONTENT

1. Determine the asphalt binder content that corresponds

to the specifications median air void content (typically
this is 4 %)
2. Determine properties at this optimum asphalt binder
content by referring to the plots.
3. Compare each of these values against specification
values and if all are within specification, then the
preceding optimum asphalt binder content is
satisfactory.
4. Otherwise, if any of these properties is outside the
specification range the mixture should be redesigned.
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 OPTIMUM ASPHALT CONTENT
%age of Flow
Unit
(0.01”)
air voids 4 weight

%age of %age of %age of

asphalt by Wt. asphalt by Wt. asphalt by Wt.

Marshall
%age of %age of
stability VMA
VFA

%age of asphalt %age of asphalt %age of asphalt

by Wt. by Wt. by Wt.

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•Precautions
and
•Comments
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Any Questions ?

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Thanks

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