ASTM D8079-23

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Designation: D8079 − 16 D8079 − 23
Standard Practice for
Preparation of Compacted Slab Asphalt Mix Samples Using
a Segmented Rolling Compactor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8079; 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 practice covers the fabrication of slabs of asphalt mix using an automated laboratory rolling compactor (RC). Compacted
specimens are suitable for volumetric and physical property testing. This practice should not be used for acceptance or rejection
of a material or for purchasing purposes.
1.2 Units—Units—TheThe values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included
in this standard.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.4 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D979/D979MD8 Practice for Sampling Asphalt MixturesTerminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pavements
D1188D1188/D1188M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Coated
Samples
D2041D2041/D2041M Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures
D2726D2726/D2726M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive Compacted Asphalt Mixtures
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
D6752D6752/D6752M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic
Vacuum Sealing Method
D6857D6857/D6857M Test Method for Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic Vacuum
Sealing Method
This practice 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 Asphalt Mixtures.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2016November 2023. Originally approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as
D8079 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D8079–16.10.1520/D8079-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8079 − 23
D7460 Test Method for Determining Fatigue Failure of Compacted Asphalt Concrete Subjected to Repeated Flexural Bending
(Withdrawn 2019)
D8237 Test Method for Determining Fatigue Failure of Asphalt-Aggregate Mixtures with the Four-Point Beam Fatigue Device
E644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
2.2 AASHTO Standards:
AASHTO T 321 Method of Test for Determining the Fatigue Life of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Subjected to Repeated
Flexural Bending
AASHTO T 324 Method of Test for Hamburg Wheel-Track Testing of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
AASHTO M 323 Specification for Superpave Volumetric Mix Design
2.3 Additional Resources:
Asphalt Institute MS-2 Asphalt Mix Design Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 rolling compactor—a device that uses a segment or arc of a circle composed of metal to compact asphalt mixture into a slab.
3.1.2 rolling compactor foot—the portion of the device that consists of the segment or arc of a circle composed of metal attached
to the loading frame that rotates across the surface of the asphalt mixture.
3.1.3 rolling compactor tray—the portion of the device that the mold rests on during compaction. The tray can be stationary or
can move horizontally to facilitate compaction.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D8.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 lab mix lab compacted (LMLC) asphalt mix—asphalt mix samples that are prepared in the laboratory by weighing and
blending each constituent and then compacting the blended mix using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
LMLC typically occurs during the asphalt mix design phase.
3.2.2 plant mix laboratory compacted (PMLC) asphalt mix—asphalt mix samples that are manufactured in a production plant,
sampled prior to compaction, then immediately compacted using a laboratory compaction apparatus.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
PMLC specimens are often used for quality control testing. Asphalt mix is not permitted to cool substantially and it may be
necessary to place the mix in a laboratory oven to equilibrate the mix to the compaction temperature before molding.
3.2.3 reheated plant mix lab compacted (RPMLC) asphalt mix—asphalt mix samples that are manufactured in a production plant,
sampled prior to compaction, allowed to cool to room temperature, then reheated in a laboratory oven and compacted using a
laboratory compaction apparatus.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—
RPMLCs are often used for quality acceptance and verification testing. The reheating time should be as short as possible to obtain
uniform temperature to avoid artificially aging the specimens. Asphalt mix conditioning, reheat temperature, and time should be
defined in the applicable specification.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 A sample of loose asphalt mix is compacted in an automatic apparatus by the combination of vertical displacements of a
segmented rolling compactor foot and horizontal movements of a rolling compactor foot relative to the compactor tray to produce
a slab of compacted asphalt with a target theoretical density (that is, based on the geometric volume of the specimen).
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
http://www.transportation.org.
D8079 − 23
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Asphalt slabs compacted with the rolling compactor can be used to obtain specimens for further testing, including bulk specific
gravity following Test Methods D1188D1188/D1188M, D2726D2726/D2726M, and D6752D6752/D6752M, fatigue performance
characteristics following Test MethodMethods D7460 and D8237 or AASHTO T 321, and Hamburg wheel-track testing following
AASHTO T 324.
5.2 Specimens to perform other standard tests could also be obtained, as long as their volume is contained within the volume of
a slab.
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure and the
capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally considered capable
of competent and objective testing, sampling, inspection, etc. Users of this practice are cautioned that compliance with Specification D3666 alone does
not completely ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factorsfactors; following the suggestions of Specification D3666 or some similar
acceptable guideline that provides a means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Segmented Rolling Compactor—A compactor capable of fabricating asphalt slabs comprised of the following system
components: (1) reaction frame, (2) fully integrated loading system, including loading rams, controller, and data acquisition to
record loads applied, height measurements, and number of cycles, and (3) segmented rolling compactor foot and mold. The
compactor must comply with the following specifications:
6.1.1 Vertical load divided by the width of the mold perpendicular to the rolling direction is adjustable by the user up to at least
75 kg ⁄cm.
NOTE 2—The vertical load should be measured and controlled to an accuracy of 65 % of the applied load. The loading system used to achieve the required
load can be electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
6.1.2 The capability to perform at least four load cycles every minute.
6.1.3 The compactor must be capable of producing compacted slabs with minimum dimensions of 300 6 5 mm long, 260 6 5 mm
wide, and with a minimum height measured at the center of the slab of 38 mm.
6.1.4 The controller must also be capable of automatically terminating the compaction run after meeting one of three termination
criteria: sample height, number of loading cycles, or target density. The controller shall state that the compaction is finished and
the termination criterion (height, cycles, or theoretical density) shall be recorded.
NOTE 3—Since the dimensions of the mold and the mass of the mixture are known, the theoretical density can be calculated.
6.1.5 The reaction frame shall be rigid and capable of sustaining the maximum forces generated during the compaction process.
It shall also be able to sustain the reaction forces being applied to the mold.
6.1.6 The loading system (see Fig. 1) shall consist of a controlled vertical axis loading system capable
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