California Test 360

STATE OF CALIFORNIA—BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY July 1998

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ENGINEERING SERVICE CENTER
Transportation Laboratory
5900 Folsom Boulevard
Sacramento, California 95819-4612

METHOD OF TEST FOR SURFACE ABRASION OF

COMPACTED BITUMINOUS MIXTURES

CAUTION: Prior to handling test materials, performing equipment setups, and/or conducting this
method, testers are required to read “S A F E T Y A N D H E A L T H ” in Section G of this
method. It is the responsibility of the user of this method to consult and use
departmental safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations before any testing is performed.

A. S C O P E 6. A base assembly fixture which will hold

the mold during base installation and
The surface abrasion test measures the removal. See Figure 5.
ability of a compacted bituminous mixture to
resist surface abrasion or raveling in the 7. A graduated cylinder having a capacity
presence of water. of 250 mL.

B. APPARATUS 8. Circular aluminum pans having a

nominal diameter of 190 mm and a depth
1. An oven capable of maintaining tempera- of 63.5 mm.
tures up to 110 ± 3°C.
9. A polyethlylene wash bottle having a
2. A mechanical shaker, with attachments minimum capacity of 500 mL.
to contain the mold and sample, having a
25 ± 3 mm vertical stroke, and able to 10. A balance having a capacity of 4500 g
operate at 20 ± 0.2 Hz. See Figure 1. and a sensitivity of 0.1 g.

3. Eight steel balls. Each ball shall have a 11. A compactor assembly including the
mass of 4.5 ± 0.3 g and an approximate following: a compactor, steel molds, a
diameter of 10.3 mm. mold holder, cardboard discs, a testing
machine, a follower ram, a mechanical
4. Rubber gaskets having an outside spader or feeding trough, a flat metal
diameter of 101 ± 0.6 mm, an inside scoop, a 12.5-mm sieve and a height
diameter of 82.6 ± 0.6 mm and approxi- measuring device as described in
mately 1.6 mm thick. California Test 304.

5. A steel surface abrasion test mold C. MIXING AND FABRICATION

assembly having a diameter of 101.6
± 0.13 mm, a height of 127 ± 0.3 mm, and Batch four 1-kg samples as follows:
a built-in shoulder that provides a
constant “bounce” space of 76.2 ± 3.2 mm. 1. Mix and cure the asphalt and aggregate
See Figures 2 through 6. in accordance with California Test 304,
Part 1.

-1-
California Test 360
July 1998

2. Bring the mixture to a temperature of 12. Apply a leveling-off load of 56 kN at a

110 ± 3°C for compaction. rate of 6.4 ± 0.05 mm/min. When this is
achieved, release the load immediately.
NOTE: If a liquid asphalt is used, bring
the mixture to a temperature of 60 ± 3°C NOTE: If the testing machine has a
prior to compaction. spherically seated upper head, use proper
shims to lock the device in place. Make sure
3. Place a mold, preheated to the the contact face is firmly positioned in a
compaction temperature, in the mold horizontal plane.
holder. Position the mold assembly
in the mechanical spader. Place a 13. Measure and record the height of the test
6-mm thick shim under the mold adjacent specimen to the nearest 0.1 mm, and
to the base portion of the mold holder calculate the mass necessary to achieve a
that extends up into the mold. Place a 50.8 ± 3-mm high specimen.
100-mm diameter cardboard disc on top of
the mold holder base. 14. Eject the test specimen from the mold,
allow it to cool to room temperature,
NOTE: In lieu of using a mechanical spader and determine the specific gravity
in Section C-3, hand spading may be used as as described in California Test 308,
described in California Test 304, Part 2. Method B.

4. Weigh 1000 g of mixture as a pilot 15. Prepare the remaining three specimens
sample to determine the quantity of for testing as follows:
material needed to achieve the required
specimen height. a. Using the mass established in
Section C-13, prepare and compact
5. Separate the mixture by screening the the mix according to Sections C-5
fine material through a 12.5-mm sieve through C-12.
onto a flat metal scoop.
b. Let the compacted specimen remain
6. Arrange the separated material into two at 25 ± 2°C for a minimum of 1 h prior
parallel rows across the width of the to the soaking period.
scoop.
c. Place the mold in an aluminum pan
7. Place the mix on the feeder belt of the and pour 500 mL of water on the
mechanical spader, exercising care to not specimen. Allow the items to stand
disrupt the size arrangement from the undisturbed at room temperature
previous step. 25 ± 2°C for 16 ± 1 h.

8. Start the mechanical spader and continue D. T E S T P R O C E D U R E S

until all the material has been
distributed into the compaction mold. 1. After the soaking period, pour off and
save the water and remove the specimen
9. Place the mold holder, containing the from the mold.
mix and the mold, into position in the
mechanical compactor. 2. Invert the abrasion test mold and place
the rubber gasket against the build-in
10. Apply 100 tamps at 2.41 MPa using shoulder.
the procedure described in California
Test 304, Part 2. 3. Insert the bottom of the specimen against
the rubber ring so that it will be abraded.
11. Remove the mold and specimen from the
holder and place them on the press.

-2-
 California Test 360
July 1998

4. Screw the base on the bottom of the mold L

Reported Loss =
to firmly hold the specimen, then place 5270 mm 2
the mold in an upright position.
Where:
5. Pour 250 mL of the retained water on the
specimen. L = Average abrasion loss of three tests
reported to the nearest 1 g. See
6. Place eight clean steel balls in the mold Section D-13.
assembly.
G. SAFETY AND HEALTH
7. Fasten the mold in place on the
mechanical shaker. Personnel should use heat resistant gloves
when working with hot materials. Use
8. Shake the sample at 20 ± 0.2 Hz for proper lifting techniques when handling bags
15 min ± 5 s at 25 ± 2°C, then remove it of aggregate. Reasonable care should be
from the mechanical shaker. exercised to avoid being burned by hot
asphalt, aggregate or equipment.
9. Remove the steel balls and pour the
contents from the testing mold into a Caution must be exercised in the operation of
tared aluminum pan. Using the wash the compactor to prevent any object, other
bottle, wash all loosened fines into the than the sample itself, from interceding
dry, clean pan. between the compactor foot and the mold
at any time while the ram is in motion. The
10. After 1 h, decant as much of the clear clearance between the edge of the mold and
water as possible. the compactor foot is approximately 2 mm.
The applied shearing force on the test
11. Place the pan in an oven at 110 ± 3°C and specimen could cause severe injury to body
dry the contents to a constant mass. extremities or damage to equipment.

12. Weigh the pan with the abraded Caution should be exercised in the operation
material, subtract the pan tare and record of the press to keep any objects other than the
the difference as grams of abrasion loss. sample and testing apparatus clear of the
loading head during the testing operation.
13. Repeat Sections D-1 through D-12 for the
remaining test specimens. Average the Prior to handling, testing or disposing of any
results of the three tests. waste materials, testers are required to read:
Part A (Section 5.0), Part B (Sections: 5.0, 6.0
E . PRECAUTIONS and 10.0) and Part C (Section 1.0) of Caltrans
Laboratory Safety Manual. Requirements for
The mass of the steel balls will change with proper safety equipment and disposal of
usage. Periodically weigh each ball and solvents are discussed in the above-noted
discard those not within the specified references. Users of this method do so
tolerance. at their own risk.

Routinely check the mechanical shaker for REFERENCES:

compliance to the stroke and frequency California Tests 304 and 308
requirements.
End of Text (California Test 360 contains 9 pages)
F . REPORTING OF RESULTS

Report the abrasion loss to the nearest

1 g/mm2.

-3-
California Test 360
July 1998

FIGURE 1

-4-
 California Test 360
July 1998

2
3

8
1 1

4
Not to Scale
ASSEMBLY SECTION

LIST OF MATERIALS
No. Part
Required No. Description Material

1 1 Body Nickel Plated Steel

1 2 Cover Aluminum
1 3 Wear Plate Neoprene, Type A Shore Durometer 60 ± 5, 114 mm Dia., 3.2 mm
Thick
1 4 Base Nickel Plated Steel
1 5 “O” Ring Neoprene 104 mm ID by 110.4 mm OD by 3.2 mm Dia.
(Fabricated)
1 6 “O” Ring Neoprene 104.8 mm ID by 114.3 mm OD by 4.8 mm Dia.
1 7 Gasket Neoprene, Type A Shore Durometer 60 ± 5 mm
8 8 Ball Bearing Steel 10.3 mm, 4.5 ± 0.3 g

FIGURE 2

-5-
California Test 360
July 1998

82

LUGS, SILVER
SOLDER IN PLACE,
2 AT 180°

10

10

107 P.D. “O” RING

112.9 DIA.
GROOVE 3.3 ± 0.5 WIDE
5 101.6 ± 0.13 DIA. X 2.3 ± 0.5 DEEP

28.5
20
CHAMFER AT 45°
108.0 DIA.
RETAINING RING
HARDENED AND SILVER
126. SOLDER TO MOLD

71.3 CHAMFER AT 45°

THREAD, MODIFIED
47.5 45 40° ACME, 0.47 THDS./mm
25.4 AT 119 mm P.D.

8.5 102.9 DIA.

5.5 105.7 DIA.
114.0 DIA.
120.0 DIA.
NOTE: All dimensions within
± 2 mm, unless otherwise stated.

BODY

FIGURE 3

-6-
 California Test 360
July 1998

THREAD, MODIFIED
ACME, 0.47 THDS/mm 118 DIA.
AT 119 P.D.

25.4 CHAMFER 1.5 mm

44 AT 45°
51
FINISH “O” RING
CONTACT
SURFACE TO
115 DIA. 32 RMS

130 DIA.

NOTE: All dimensions within

± 2 mm, unless otherwise stated.

BASE

FIGURE 4

-7-
California Test 360
July 1998

165

145

72.5

16

16
MILL SLOT
13 mm WIDE 115 DIA.

13 150

75
8 mm - DRILL THROUGH
AND COUNTER SINK

82.5

40
34
20

NOTE: All dimensions within

± 2 mm, unless otherwise stated.

BASE ASSEMBLY FIXTURE

FIGURE 5

-8-
 California Test 360
July 1998

70 mm
WEAR PLATE CEMENTED
IN PLACE 3.18 ± 0.02 mm
THICK

13 mm

10.4 ± 0.02 mm DRILL

THROUGH 2 PLACES
AT 180° 7.50 B.C.

11 mm

108 mm 3.2 mm
216 mm

COVER

98.4-mm O.D.
89-mm I.D.

1.60 ± 0.02 mm

NOTE: All dimensions within

± 2 mm, unless otherwise stated.
GASKET

FIGURE 6

-9-