ASTM D6927-15

Standard Test Method for Marshall Stability and Flow of Asphalt Mixtures

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Marshall stability and flow values along with density; air voids in the total mix, voids in the mineral aggregate, or voids filled with asphalt, or both, filled with asphalt are used for laboratory mix design and evaluation of asphalt mixtures. In addition, Marshall stability and flow can be used to monitor the plant process of producing asphalt mixture. Marshall stability and flow may also be used to relatively evaluate different mixes and the effects of conditioning such as with water.  
4.1.1 Marshall stability and flow are asphalt mixture characteristics determined from tests of compacted specimens of a specified geometry. The Marshall Test can be conducted with two different types of equipment: (1) Method A—using a loading frame with a load ring and a dial gauge for deformation or flow meter (Traditional Method) or (2) Method B—using a load-deformation recorder in conjunction with a load cell and linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) or other automatic recording device (Automated Method).  
4.1.2 Typically, Marshall stability is the peak resistance load obtained during a constant rate of deformation loading sequence. However, depending on the composition and behavior of the mixture, a less defined type of failure has been observed, as illustrated in Fig. 1. As an alternative method, Marshall stability can also be defined as the load obtained, when the rate of loading increase begins to decrease, such that the curve starts to become horizontal, as shown in the bottom graph of Fig. 1. The magnitude of Marshall Stability varies with aggregate type and grading and bitumen type, grade and amount. Various agencies have criteria for Marshall stability.  
4.1.3 Marshall flow is a measure of deformation (elastic plus plastic) of the asphalt mix determined during the stability test. In both types of failure, the Marshall flow is the total sample deformation from the point where the projected tangent of the linear part of the curve intersects the x-axis (...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers measurement of resistance to plastic flow of 4 in. (102 mm) cylindrical specimens of asphalt paving mixture loaded in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis by means of the Marshall apparatus. This test method is for use with dense graded asphalt mixtures prepared with asphalt cement (modified and unmodified), cutback asphalt, tar, and tar-rubber with maximum size aggregate up to 1 in. (25 mm) in size (passing 1 in. (25 mm) sieve).  
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2015
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.20 - Mechanical Tests of Asphalt Mixtures

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: D6927 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Marshall Stability and Flow of Asphalt Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6927; 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 Vacuum Sealing Method
D6926 Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Specimens
1.1 This test method covers measurement of resistance to
Using Marshall Apparatus
plastic flow of 4 in. (102 mm) cylindrical specimens of asphalt
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
paving mixture loaded in a direction perpendicular to the
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
cylindrical axis by means of the Marshall apparatus. This test
method is for use with dense graded asphalt mixtures prepared
3. Terminology
with asphalt cement (modified and unmodified), cutback
asphalt, tar, and tar-rubber with maximum size aggregate up to
3.1 Definitions:
1 in. (25 mm) in size (passing 1 in. (25 mm) sieve).
3.1.1 lab mix lab compacted (LMLC) asphalt mixture,
1.2 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
n—asphalt mix samples that are prepared in the laboratory by
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
weighing and blending each constituent then compacting the
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
blended mixture using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
information only and are not considered standard.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—LMLC typically occurs during the as-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
phalt mixture design phase. Laboratory compaction devices
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
suchastheSuperpaveGyratoryCompactor,MarshallHammer,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or other laboratory compaction devices may be used.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.2 plant mix laboratory compacted (PMLC) asphalt
mixture, n—asphalt mixture samples that are manufactured in a
2. Referenced Documents
production plant, sampled prior to compaction, then immedi-
2
ately compacted using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
3.1.2.1 Discussion—PMLC specimens are often used for
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
quality control testing. The asphalt mixture is not permitted to
D1188 TestMethodforBulkSpecificGravityandDensityof
cool substantially and it may be necessary to place the mixture
Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Coated Samples
in a laboratory oven to equilibrate the mixture to the compac-
D2726 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density
tion temperature before molding. Laboratory compaction de-
of Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
vices such as the Superpave Gyratory Compactor, Marshall
D3549 Test Method for Thickness or Height of Compacted
Hammer, or other laboratory compaction devices may be used.
Bituminous Paving Mixture Specimens
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen- 3.1.3 reheated plant mix lab compacted (RPMLC) asphalt
cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
mixture, n—asphalt mixture samples that are manufactured in a
D6752 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density production plant, sampled prior to compaction, allowed to cool
of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Automatic
to room temperature, then reheated in a laboratory oven and
compacted using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
1 3.1.3.1 Discussion—RPMLC are often used for quality
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.20 on
acceptance and verification testing. The reheating time should
Mechanical Tests of Asphalt Mixtures.
be as short as possible to obtain uniform temperature to avoid
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published April 2015. Originally
artificially aging the specimens. Asphalt mixture conditioning,
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6927 – 06. DOI:
10.1520/D6927-15.
reheat temperature, and reheat time should be defined in the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
applicable specification. Laboratory compaction devices such
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
as the Superpave Gyratory Compactor, Marshall Hammer, or
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. other laboratory compaction devices may be used.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Ba
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6927 − 06 D6927 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Marshall Stability and Flow of BituminousAsphalt Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6927; 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
1.1 This test method covers measurement of resistance to plastic flow of 102 mm (4 in.)4 in. (102 mm) cylindrical specimens
of bituminousasphalt paving mixture loaded in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis by means of the Marshall apparatus.
This test method is for use with dense graded bituminousasphalt mixtures prepared with asphalt cement (modified and unmodified),
cutback asphalt, tar, and tar-rubber with maximum size aggregate up to 25 mm (1 in.)1 in. (25 mm) in size (passing 25 mm (1 in.)1
in. (25 mm) sieve).
1.2 Units—The values stated in SIinch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only. mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
D1188 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Coated Samples
D2726 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
D3549 Test Method for Thickness or Height of Compacted Bituminous Paving Mixture Specimens
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
D6752 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum
Sealing Method
D6926 Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lab mix lab compacted (LMLC) asphalt mixture, n—asphalt mix samples that are prepared in the laboratory by weighing
and blending each constituent then compacting the blended mixture using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.20 on Mechanical
Tests of BituminousAsphalt Mixtures.
Current edition approved July 1, 2006Feb. 1, 2015. Published November 2006April 2015. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20052006 as
ε1
D6927 – 05D6927 – 06. . DOI: 10.1520/D6927-06.10.1520/D6927-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
LMLC typically occurs during the asphalt mixture design phase. Laboratory compaction devices such as the Superpave Gyratory
Compactor, Marshall Hammer, or other laboratory compaction devices may be used.
3.1.2 plant mix laboratory compacted (PMLC) asphalt mixture, n—asphalt mixture samples that are manufactured in a
production plant, sampled prior to compaction, then immediately compacted using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6927 − 15
PMLC specimens are often used for quality control testing. The asphalt mixture is not permitted to cool substantially and it may
be necessary to place the mixture in a laboratory oven to equilibrate the mixture to the compaction temperature before molding.
Laboratory compaction devices such as the Superpave Gyratory Compactor, Marshall Hammer, or other laboratory compaction
devices may be used.
3.1.3 reheated plant mix lab compacted (RPMLC) asphalt mixture, n—asphalt mixture samples that are manufactured in a
production plant, sampled prior
...