BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND DENSITY OF ASPHALT MIXTURES

COMPACTED IN ABSORBENTS USING SAMPLES

Saturated and dry surface

I.N.V. E – 733 – 07

OBJECT

1.1 This method refers to the determination of the bulk specific gravity and
density of specimens of compacted asphalt mixtures.

1.2 Thismethodshouldbeusedonlywithcompactedasphaltmixtures.
of dense grain size or that are practically non-absorbent. It cannot be
use in specimens of open mixtures or with intercommunicating voids and/or
that absorb more than 2% of water in relation to the volume, determined in the
Section 9.4.

1.3 The bulk specific gravity of the compacted hot asphalt mixture is
You can use it for the calculation of unit mass or density of the mixture.

1.4 Values must be expressed in SI units.

1.5 This standard does not consider the safety issues associated with its use. It is
Responsibility of those who employ it to establish appropriate practices of
safety and health and determine the applicability of limitations
regulatory before its employment.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Specific gravity bulk– It is the relationship between the mass (weight in air) of a
given volume of material at a certain temperature, usually at 25°C
for asphalt mixtures, and the mass of an equal volume of distilled water, free
of gas, at the same temperature.

2.2 Bulk density - It is the mass of the material per cubic meter (or cubic foot) of
material at 25°C (77°F) for asphalt mixtures.

3. SUMMARY OF THE METHOD

3.1 The specimen is submerged in a water bath at 25°C and its mass is noted under the
water. It dries quickly with a damp cloth and is weighed in the air. The difference
between the two masses is used to measure the mass of an equal volume of water
at 25°C. Correction factors are provided to convert the mass of the
water at the reference temperature of 25°C, if the mass determination is
performed at a different temperature than this one, the factors are given in Table 1
corresponding corrections.
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3.2 The test method provides a guide for determining the mass
of the dry specimen. The specific gravity is calculated from these masses.
The density is obtained by multiplying the bulk specific gravity of the specimen.
due to the density of water.

4. USE AND MEANING

4.1 This method is useful for calculating the percentage of air voids as indicated.
in the standard sINV E - 736 or INV E - 799 and the unit mass of mixtures
dense compacted asphalt. These values can be used to determine the
relative degree of compaction.

4.2 Since specific gravity is dimensionless, it is necessary to convert it into

density for calculations that require units. This conversion is carried out
multiplying the specific gravity at a given temperature by the density
of water at the same temperature.

5. SAMPLES

5.1 The specimens for testing can be mixtures molded in the laboratory.
or mixtures of asphalt pavements.

5.2 Samples can be obtained in the field according to standard INV E -

731.

5.3 The specimens will be taken from the pavement with a core drill, saw of
diamond or carborundum (silicon carbide), or by other means
convenient.

6. SAMPLESFORTESTING

6.1 Size of the specimens - It is recommended: (1) that the diameter of the
molded or cored cylindrical specimens, or the length of the
sides of specimens cut with a saw, should be at least four times equal
the maximum size of the aggregate, and (2) that the thickness of the specimens is to
less than one and a half times the maximum size of the aggregate.

6.2 Care must be taken to avoid distortions, buckling, or cracking of the

specimenduringandafteritsremovalfromthepavementsorfromthemold.
The specimens should be stored in a cool and secure place.

6.3 The specimens must be free of foreign materials such as those from
the seal layer, or league, foundation materials, papers or sheets. When
these materials being evident can be removed with a saw according to the
Section 6.4.

6.4 If desired, the specimens can be separated from the remaining layers of
flooring by sawing them or through other suitable methods.

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METHODA

7. TEAM

7.1 Scale - With adequate capacity and sufficient sensitivity for the
bulk specific gravities can be calculated to at least four figures
significant, that is, rounded to the third decimal place. It should be
provided with a suitable suspension device that allows weighing the
specimen, when suspended from the center of the balance pan. For
to avoid erroneous readings due to excessive displacement, a should be used
wire or fishing line of the smallest practical size to suspend
specimen and the supporting device. Chains or should not be used.
cords. Balances with a sensitivity of 0.1 g or greater may be suitable.

Note 1.- Specific gravities are a quotient, their value does not have more figures.
significantfiguresthanthedividendandthedivisor.Tohaveinitsresultatleastfour
significant figures, the determination of the masses that are involved in your calculation must be
make with four significant figures. For example, a sensitivity of 0.1g will provide
four significant figures in the mass range between 100.1 and 999.9g.

7.2 Water bath - For immersion of the specimen while it is suspended

from the scale, equipped with an overflow to keep the water at a level
constant. The use of the overflow is mandatory.

8. PROCEDURE

8.1 For cores or specimens that contain moisture or solvents and do not
they require for other tests - Only those who have just been prepared in the
It is assumed that the laboratory is dry, and actions are taken according to the instructions.
in Section 8.2. For the others, it is assumed that they have moisture or solvents and
Proceed according to this numeral. The sequence in this test is: in water,
saturated and with dry and dry surface.

8.1.1 Weight of the specimen in water - Submerge the specimen in a water bath
at 25° C (77° F) for 4 ± 1 minutes and then the mass in the water is determined.
record this mass as C. If the specimen's temperature differs from that of
bath at more than 2° C (3.6° F) the specimen must be immersed in the bath between
10 and 15 minutes in exchange for 4 ± 1 minutes. Each specimen must be
immerse and weigh individually.

The water temperature is measured and if it is different from 25° ±1° C (77º ± 1.8°F)
a correction to the bulk specific gravity must be made to adjust it to
25° C according to Section 9.2.

8.1.2 Mass of the specimen saturated and with a dry surface in the air - It is dried
quickly the surface of the specimen with a wet towel and then
determine the mass by weighing in the air.This mass is recorded as B.

8.1.3 Oven-dry specimen mass - After determining the masses in the

water and in saturated condition and with dry surface, the specimen is dried until
constant mass in an oven approximately at 110º ± 5° C (230º ± 9° F). It

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It will define constant mass as the mass after drying at 110º ± 5°C (230º ±
9°F). until the mass does not vary by more than 0.05% when weighed in
2-hour intervals. The specimen is allowed to cool and its mass is determined in
the air. This mass is recorded as A.

Nota2.–Thedryingofthespecimenattherequiredtemperatureof110°Cmaychangethe
characteristics and the shape of the specimen. This will make the specimen unsuitable for
tests beyond the determination of its dry mass. Drying at reduced temperature of
52°C,inordertoremainintact,willnotmeetthemethodrequirements.

Microwave drying or other approved methods can be used for drying.

from the sample if the specimen is not overheated and there is documentation that
demonstrate that the results are equivalent to those of oven drying
time interval for mass measurements until constant mass must
be sufficient to ensure that all solvents and moisture have been
lost. The interval depends on the size of the specimen and can be
determined by experimentation and confirmed through comparisons of
oven dried. There must be documentation to validate these intervals.

8.1.4 Oven-dry specimen mass, rapid method – This procedure is

can be used for test specimens that are not required after the trial
(do not require to be saved for their use) and that have an important
water content. The samples obtained by core sampling or sawing are
they can test the same day by this method. The dry massAof the sample is
determined at the end as indicated below. The specimen is placed
a long container with a flat bottom and known mass.The container is placed
with the sample in the oven at 110º ± 5°C (230º ± 9°F). The specimen is left in
the oven until it can be easily disintegrated to the point that the
fine aggregate and asphalt portions shall not exceed 6.4mm (¼”).
place the disaggregated specimen in the oven at 110°C (230°F), it is dried until
it has constant mass. Constant mass will be defined as the mass after
dried at 110 ±5°C (230 ± 9°F) until the mass is not altered for more than
0.05% when weighed at intervals of 2 hours. The container is allowed to cool.
with the dry disaggregated sample until it reaches room temperature at 25º ± 5°C (77º ±
9°F). The mass of the container with the sample is determined, and the mass of the
Container to find the dry mass, and it is recorded as A.

8.2 For completely dry specimens prepared in the laboratory:

8.2.1 Weight in the air of the dry specimen - The weight is determined by weighing the
specimen after it has remained for at least 1 hour in the
air, at room temperature. This mass is recorded as A.

8.2.2 Weight of the specimen in water - The procedure described in the Section is used.
8.1.1.

8.2.3 Weight in the air of the saturated specimen and dry surface - It is dried
quickly wipe the surface of the specimen with a damp towel and then weigh it
in the air. That mass is recorded as B.

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8.3 For cores or for specimens that contain moisture or solvents and
they require for other tests - The test sequence: dry, in the water and
saturated and dry surface.

The specimen is dried to a constant mass (Note 3). It is allowed to cool until
ambient temperature at 25º ±5°C, the mass is weighed and recorded as A. It is
Immerse each specimen in water at 25º ± 1°C for 4 ± 1 minutes and
determine the mass in the water and it is recorded as C. The specimen is taken out of the
bathroom and quickly dry its surface with a damp towel, it is determined
its mass and is recorded as B. Any water that drains from the specimen
during the drying operation it is considered part of the saturated specimen.
Each specimen must be saturated and weighed individually.

Note3.–Constantmasswillbedefinedasthemassafterdryingat52º±3°C(125º±5°F)
until the mass does not change by more than 0.05%, when weighed at intervals of 2 hours.
Samples saturated with water should be dried initially overnight at 52º ± 3°C (125º ±
5°F)andthenthemassisdeterminedattwo-hourdryingintervals.

Note4.–Ifdesired,theorderofthetestcanbechangedtospeeduptheprocess.
obtaining results. For example, first, C is determined, mass of the submerged specimen,
Afterwards,thesaturatedmassanddrysurfaceBcanbedetermined,andfinallythedrymass.
A.

9. CALCULATIONS

9.1 The bulk specific gravity of the specimen is calculated with the following
expression:

A
Bulk Specific Gravity
B-C

where:

A = dry specimen mass in the air, g,

B - C = mass of the volume of water corresponding to the volume of the specimen

at 25°C.

B mass in the air of the saturated specimen and dry surface, g, and

C specimen mass in water, g.

9.2 The bulk specific gravity at 25° C can be calculated from the gravity.
specific bulk of the specimen measured at any other temperature in the
next form:

Specific Gravity Bulk, at 25ºC = K' Specific Gravity Bulk, at another temperature

where:

K is determined according to Table 1.

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The calculation is valid for the precision of the testing method, if the temperature
the water differs from 25°C by less than 3°C (5.4°F). For a difference of
temperature greater than 3°C (5.4°F), a correction of the mass should be made
of the discharged water, according to the following equation:

Correction=DT´Ks´(B-C)

where:

DT = 25°C minus the temperature of the water bath.

Ks = 6 x -5 10 ml/ml/°C average coefficient of cubic thermal expansion

of asphalt concrete.

9.3 The density or unit mass of the specimen is calculated with the following
equation:

Density = Specific Gravity Bulk '997.0 (0.9970)

where:

997.0 = density of water in kg/m³ at 25°C (0.9970 g/cm³).

9.4 The percentage of water absorbed by the specimen is calculated, with respect to the
volume, as follows

B-A
% of water absorbed by volume = 100
B-C

9.5 If the absorption percentage of the specimen is greater than 2%, it should be
determine the specific gravity using the INV E - 734 standard method.

METHOD B

10. TEAM

10.1 Scale – The weighing equipment must have sufficient capacity, and a
sensitivity of 0.1% of the sample mass or better.

10.2 Water bath - Controlled by a thermostat that allows maintaining the

bath temperature at 25 ± 5°C (77 ± 0.9°F).

10.3 Thermometer - ASTM 17C (17F), with a range of 19 to 27°C (66 to 80°F),
and this graduated in subdivisions of 0.1°C (0.2°F).

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Table 1.Absolute density of waterand conversion factors K fordifferent temperatures

Temperature,
Absolutedensityofwater Correction FactorK
°C
10 0.999728 1.002661
11 0.999634 1.002567
12 0.999526 1.002458
13 0.999406 1.002338
14 0.999273 1.002204
15 0.999129 1.002060
16 0.998972 1.001903
17 0.998804 1.001734
18 0.998625 1.001555
19 0.998435 1.001364
20 0.998234 1.001162
21 0.998022 1.000950
22 0.997801 1.000728
23 0.997569 1.000495
24 0.997327 1.000253
25 0.997075 1.000000
26 0.996814 0.999738
27 0.996544 0.999467
28 0.996264 0.999187
29 0.995976 0.998898
30 0.995678 0.998599

10.4 Volumeter - Calibrated to 1200 ml, or with an appropriate capacity that

It depends on the size of the test sample. The volumeter must have a lid.
harmed with a capillary perforation.

11. PROCEDURE

11.1 The specimen is dried to constant weight (see Note 3). It is allowed to cool.
specimen up to room temperature of 25º ± 5°C (77º ± 0.9°F). It is weighed and
report this mass as A. The sample is immersed in the water bath and
let it saturate for at least 10 minutes. At the end of the 10-minute period
minutes, the calibrated volumeter is filled with distilled water at 25º ± 5°C (77º ±
0.9°F). The specimen is removed from the water bath, and is quickly dried.
The surface with a damp towel is weighed and the mass is recorded as B.
Any water that drips from the specimen during the drying operation is
considered part of saturated specimen.

11.2 The specimen is placed in the volumeter, and it is allowed to remain for
less than 60 seconds, the water temperature is brought to 25º ±5°C (77º ± 0.9°F),
and the volumeter is covered, as a little water escapes through the
capillary drilling of the tapered lid. The volumeter is dried with a cloth.
absorbent dry, the volumetric flask and its content are weighed (see Note 5). It is recorded.
that mass like E.

Nota5.–Ifdesired,thesequenceofoperationstotestthespecimencanbe
changetoexpeditethetestresults.Forexample,firstdeterminethemassofthe
saturatedspecimenanddrysurface,whichisrecordedasB.Thenitcanbedeterminedthe

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mass of the volumeter that contains the saturated specimen and water, which is recorded as E. The
thedrymassofspecimenAisdeterminedlast.

Note 6 – Method B is not acceptable for specimens that have more than 6% of the volume.
ofair.

12. CALCULATIONS

12.1 The bulk specific gravity of the specimen is calculated as follows (the value is
round to the nearest third decimal place:

A
Bulk Specific Gravity
B+D-E

where

A = mass of the dry specimen, g,

B = mass of the saturated specimen and dry surface, g,
D = mass of the voluometer filled with water at 25º ±5°C (77º ± 0.9°F), g, and
E = mass of the volumeter filled with the specimen and water at 25 ± 1°C.

12.2 The percentage of water absorbed by the specimen is calculated in relation to the
volume as follows:

B-A
% of water absorbed by volume = 100
B+D-E

12.3 If the absorption percentage of the specimen is greater than 2%, it must be
Determine the specific gravity using the INV E-734 standard method.

13. REPORT

The following must be included in the report:

13.1 Method used (A or B)

13.2 Bulk specific gravity of the mixture, with three decimals as: gravity
specific at 25°C,

13.3 Density of the mixture with four significant figures in kg/m³ as:
density at 25°C,

13.4 Type of Mixture

13.5 Specimen size, and

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13.6% of water absorbed, %.

14. PRECISION

Duplicate results of specific gravity obtained by the same operator,

they will be considered suspicious if they differ by more than 0.02.

15. REFERENCE STANDARDS

AASHTO T 166 – 05

ASTM D 2726 - 00

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