ASTM D2726-00

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Designation: D 2726 – 00
Standard Test Method for
Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive
Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2726; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock,
1.1 This test method covers the determination of bulk
and Related Construction Materials
specific gravity and density of specimens of compacted bitu-
minous mixtures.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method should not be used with samples that
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
contain open or interconnecting voids or absorb more than 2 %
3.1.1 bulk density—as determined by this test method, the
of water by volume, or both, as determined in 10.4.
mass of a metre cubed (or foot cubed) of the material at 25°C
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
(77°F).
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.2 bulk specific gravity—as determined by this test
only.
method, the ratio of the mass of a given volume of material at
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
25°C to the mass of an equal volume of water at the same
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
temperature.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The specimen is immersed in a water bath at 25°C
2. Referenced Documents (77°F). The mass under water is recorded, and the specimen is
taken out of the water, blotted quickly with a damp cloth towel,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and weighed in air. The difference between the two masses is
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
2 used to measure the mass of an equal volume of water at 25°C.
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
3 Correction factors are provided for converting the mass of
D 979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures
water to that of the reference 25°C if from a practical point of
D 1188 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density
view the weighing was done at different temperatures.
of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Paraffin-Coated
3 4.2 This test method provides guidance for determination of
Specimens
the oven dry or thoroughly dry mass of the specimen. The bulk
D 1461 Test Method for Moisture or Volatile Distillates in
3 specific gravity is calculated from these masses. Then the
Bituminous Paving Mixtures
density is obtained by multiplying the specific gravity of the
D 3203 Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Compacted
3 specimen by the density of the water.
Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures
D 3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
5. Significance and Use
cies Testing and Inspecting Bituminous Paving Materials
5.1 The results obtained from this test method can be used
to determine the unit weight of compacted dense bituminous
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road mixtures and in conjunction with Test Method D 3203, to
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.21 on
obtain percent air voids. These values in turn may be used in
Specific Gravity and Density of Bituminous Mixtures.
determining the relative degree of compaction.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally
e1
published as D 2726 – 68T. Last previous edition D 2726 – 96a .
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
3 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
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D 2726
5.2 Since specific gravity has no units, it must be converted thoroughly dry (that is, laboratory-prepared dried specimens),
to density in order to do calculations that require units. This are to be tested in accordance with 9.2. All others are assumed
conversion is made by multiplying the specific gravity at a to contain moisture or solvent and are to be tested in accor-
given temperature by the density of water at the same tempera- dance with 9.1. The sequence of testing for 9.1 is: in water,
ture. saturated-surface dry, dry.
9.1.1 Mass of Specimen in Water—Completely submerge
NOTE 1—The personnel and equipment used in performing this test can
the specimen in the water bath at 25°C (77°F) for 3 to 5 min
be evaluated in accordance with Practice D 3666.
then determine the mass by weighing in water. Designate this
6. Apparatus
mass as C. If the temperature of the specimen differs from the
6.1 Balance, with ample capacity, and with sufficient sensi-
temperature of the water bath by more than 2°C (3.6°F), the
tivity to enable bulk specific gravities of the specimens to be
specimen shall be immersed in the water bath for 10 to 15 min,
calculated to at least four significant figures, that is, to at least
instead of 3 to 5 min.
three decimal places. It shall be equipped with a suitable
9.1.1.1 Measure the temperature of the water and if different
apparatus to permit weighing the specimen while suspended in
from 25 6 1°C (77 6 1.8°F) a correction to the bulk specific
water. To avoid erroneous readings by undue displacement of
gravity to 25°C must be made in accordance with 10.2.
water, use wire or fish line of the smallest practical size to
9.1.2 Mass of Saturated Surface-Dry Specimen in Air—
suspend the specimen and holder. Do not use chains, strings, or
Surface dry the specimen by blotting quickly with a damp cloth
sash cords. The balance shall conform to Specification D 4753
towel and then determine the mass by weighing in air.
as a Class GP2 balance.
Designate this mass as B.
NOTE 2—Since there are no more significant figures in the quotient 9.1.3 After determining the mass in water and in a saturated-
(bulk specific gravity) than appear in either the dividend (the mass of the
surface dry condition, thoroughly dry the specimen to a
specimen in air) or in the divisor (the mass of the volume of water equal
constant mass at 110 6 5°C (230 6 9°F). Allow the specimen
to the volume of the specimen, obtained from the difference in weight of
to cool and weigh in air. Designate this mass as A. Other
the saturated surface-dry specimen in air and in water), this means that the
methods may be used to dry the specimen as long as a constant
balance must have a sensitivity capable of providing both mass values to
mass is achieved (mass repeats within 0.1 %).
at least four figures. For example, a sensitivity of 0.1 g would provide four
significant figures for mass in the range from 100.1 g to 999.9 g.
NOTE 3—Drying the specimen at the required temperature of 110°C
6.2 Water Bath, for immersing the specimen in water while
(230°F) will change the characteristics and shape of the specimen. This
suspended, equipped with an overflow outlet for maintaining a will make the specimen unsuitable for further testing. Drying the
specimen at a reduced temperature such as 52°C (125°F), in order to keep
constant water level. The use of an overflow outlet is manda-
it intact, will not meet the requirements of this test method.
tory.
9.1.3.1 Microwave drying or other approved methods may
7. Sampling
be used to dry the specimen if the specimen is not over-heated
7.1 Specimens may be either laboratory-molded bituminous
and documentation exists showing that the results are equiva-
mixtures or from bituminous pavements.
lent to oven drying. The interval of time between readings to
7.2 Obtain field samples in accordance with Practice D 979.
determine co
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