ASTM D6857-03

Standard Test Method for Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum Sealing Method

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of maximum specific gravity of and density of uncompacted bituminous paving mixtures at 25C (77F).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The other units given may be approximate and are given to help the user interpret units on available standard equipment used with this test method.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 A multi-laboratory precision for this standard has not been developed at this time. This standard should not be used for acceptance or rejection of a material for purchasing purposes.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2003
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.21 - Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6857-09 - Standard Test Method for Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum Sealing Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D4469-17 - Standard Practice for Calculating Percent Asphalt Absorption by the Aggregate in Asphalt Mixtures
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D8079-16 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Compacted Slab Asphalt Mix Samples Using a Segmented Rolling Compactor
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D6857 – 03
Standard Test Method for
Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous
Paving Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum Sealing Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6857; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of maximum
E1547 Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty
specific gravity of and density of uncompacted bituminous
Chemicals
paving mixtures at 25°C (77°F).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3. Terminology
standard. The other units given may be approximate and are
3.1 The terms specific gravity and density used in this test
given to help the user interpret units on available standard
method are in accordance with the Terminology E1547.
equipment used with this test method.
3.2 Definitions:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 density, as determined by this test method—the mass
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of a cubic meter of the material at 25°C in SI units, or the mass
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of a cubic foot of the material at 25°C in inch-pound units.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.2 residual pressure, as employed by this test method—
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the pressure in a vacuum chamber when vacuum is applied.
1.4 A multi-laboratory precision for this standard has not
3.2.3 specific gravity, as determined by this test method—
been developed at this time. This standard should not be used
the ratio of a given mass of material at 25°C to the mass of an
for acceptance or rejection of a material for purchasing
equal volume of water at the same temperature.
purposes.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents
2 4.1 A weighed sample of oven-dry paving mixture in the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
looseconditionatroomtemperatureisplacedinsideaspecially
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
designed channel bag.The bag containing the sample is placed
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
inside another bag and placed inside a vacuum chamber.Air is
D979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures
evacuated from the sample to an absolute pressure of 5.6 mm
D2041 Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific
Hgandisautomaticallysealed.Thebagscontainingthesample
Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures
are removed from the vacuum chamber and placed inside a
D4311 PracticeforDeterminingAsphaltVolumeCorrection
large water tank equipped with scales for weighing the sample
to a Base Temperature
under water. While completely submerged, the bag is cut open
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying
byscissorstoallowthewatertoenterthebag.Sincethesample
Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
is under complete vacuum, water will be forced around all the
Construction Materials Testing
accessible areas of the sample. The difference in weight in air
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
and suspended weight in water will provide the sample volume
after correcting for the bag influence. The dry weight and the
volume can be used to calculate the maximum specific gravity
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.21 on
of the sample. This method is a rapid technique for determi-
Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Mixtures.
nation of maximum specific gravity that minimizes the expo-
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2003. Published March 2003. Originally
sure of bituminous samples to water during testing and reduces
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D6857-03. DOI:
10.1520/D6857-03. the chance of water absorption.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 1—For porous aggregates, if water absorption correction is not
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
performed on the maximum specific gravities obtained using this test
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. method, the results may be higher than the results obtained by Test
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6857 – 03
Method D2041. Without aggregate water absorption correction, air voids
atmospheric pressure in 80 to 150 s, after the completion of the
calculated based on these results may be higher.
vacuum operation. The vacuum system should be provided
with a latch to control the chamber door opening.
5. Significance and Use
6.4 Absolute Vacuum Measurement Gage, independent of
5.1 The maximum specific gravities and densities of bitu-
the vacuum sealing device which may be placed directly inside
minous paving mixtures are intrinsic properties whose values
the chamber to verify vacuum performance and the chamber
are influenced by the composition of the mixture in terms of
door sealing condition of the unit.The gage shall be capable of
types and amounts of aggregates and bituminous materials.
reading pressure to 3 mm Hg.
5.1.1 They are used to calculate values for percent air voids
6.5 Plastic Bags, (Internal Bags), shall have random chan-
in compacted bituminous paving mixtures.
nels built into at least one side of the bag to aid in evacuating
5.1.2 They provide target values for the compaction of
all the air from the sample. The internal bag shall have a
paving mixtures.
minimum opening of 305 mm (12 in.) and maximum opening
5.1.3 They are essential when calculating the amount of
of 340 mm (13.5 in.) and the outside plastic bag (external bag)
bitumen absorbed by the internal porosity of the individual
shall have a minimum opening of 375 mm (14.75 in.) and a
aggregate particles in a bituminous paving mixture.
maximum opening of 394 mm (15.5 in.). The bags shall be of
plastic material that will not adhere to asphalt film, is puncture
6. Apparatus
resistant, and is impermeable to air. The bags shall have a
6.1 Balance, with ample capacity, and with sufficient sensi-
minimum thickness of 0.100 mm (0.004 in.) and maximum
tivity to enable maximum specific gravity of specimens to be
thickness of 0.152 mm (0.006 in.). The combined apparent
calculated to at least four significant figures, that is to at least
specific gravity of the two bags shall be provided by the
three decimal places. It shall be equipped with a suitable
manufacturer.
apparatus to permit weighing the specimen while it is sus-
NOTE 4—Protect the plastic bags during storage. Rough handling,
pended in water. The suspension wire attached to the scales
storing in close proximity to sharp objects, near aggregates, or inside
should break the surface of the water at a single point and
drawers will damage the plastic bags. Refer to manufacturers procedures
should have a maximum diameter of 3 mm (0.125 in.). The
for safe handling and storage of bags.
balance shall conform to Specification D4753 as a class GP2
6.6 Holder, for water displacement of the sample having no
balance.
sharp edges.
NOTE 2—Since there are no more significant figures in the quotient
6.7 Filler Plates, to position the sample and the bags in the
(maximum specific gravity) than appear in either the dividend (the mass
same plane as the sealing bar.
of the specimen in air) or in the divisor (the volume of the specimen,
6.8 Bag Cutting Knife, or scissors.
obtained from the difference in mass of the specimen in air and in water),
6.9 Thermometers, calibrated liquid-in-glass thermometers
this means that the balance must have a sensitivity capable of providing
ofsuitablerangewithsubdivisionsandmaximumscaleerrorof
both mass and volume values to at least four figures. For example, a
sensitivity of 0.1 g would provide four significant figures for the 0.5°C (0.9°F), or any other thermostatic device of equal
determination of a mass in the range from 130.0 to 999.9 g when the
accuracy, precision and sensitivity shall be used. Thermom-
specific gravity is 2.300.
eters shall conform to the requirements of Specification E1.
6.2 Water Bath, with minimum dimensions (Length 3
Width 3 Depth) of 610 3 460 3 460 mm (24 3 18 3 18 in.) 7. Sampling
or a cylindrical container with a minimum diameter of 460 mm
7.1 Obtain the sample in accordance with Practice D979.
(18in.)andminimumdepthof460mm(18in.),forcompletely
7.2 The size of the sample shall conform to the following
submerging the specimen in water while suspended.
requirements. Samples larger than 2000 g may be tested in
1500-2000 g portions at a time.
NOTE 3—Setting the water tank at waist level will enable the user to
conduct this test while standing and will significantly simplify the Size of Largest Particle of Minimum Sample Size,
Aggregate in Mixture, mm (in.) g
weighing operations.
50.0 (2) 6000
6.3 Vacuum Chamber , with a 0.93 kW (1.25 hp) pump
37.5 (1.5) 4000
25.0 (1) 2500
capable of evacuating a sealed and enclosed chamber to 5.6
19.0 (0.75) 2000
mm Hg. The chamber shall be large enough to seal samples as
12.5 (0.5) 1500
large as 2000 g. The device shall automatically seal the plastic 9.5 (0.375) 1500
4.75 (No. 4) 1500
bag and exhaust air back into the chamber in a controlled
manner to ensure proper conformance of the plastic to the
8. Procedure
asphalt mixture. The air exhaust and vacuum operation time
8.1 Separate the particles of the sample of paving mixture
should be calibrated at the factory prior to initial use. The air
by hand, taking care to avoid fracturing the aggregate, so that
exhaust system should be calibrated to bring the chamber to
theparticlesofthefineaggregateportionarenotlargerthan6.3
mm ( ⁄4 in.). If a sample of paving mixture is not sufficiently
The sole source of supply of the apparatus and the method known to the
soft to be separated manually, place it in a flat pan, and warm
committeeatthistimeisInstroTek,Inc.,Raleigh,NC.Ifyouareawareofalternative
it in an oven until it can be separated as described.
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments
8.2 Unless the paving mixture has been prepared in a
will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
committee, which you may attend. laboratory using oven dry aggregates, oven-dry the sample to a
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