ASTM D8541-23

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.
Designation: D8541 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Relative Rotation to Evaluate the
Workability of Asphalt Mixture Using Wireless Particle-Size
Sensors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8541; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative
rotation to evaluate the workability of asphalt mixture during
2. Referenced Documents
compaction using a wireless particle-size sensor. It is appli-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cable to asphalt mixture being compacted using the Superpave
D979/D979M Practice for Sampling Asphalt Mixtures
Gyratory Compactor (SGC).
D3549/D3549M Test Method for Thickness or Height of
1.2 This test method is appropriate for use to determine the
Compacted Asphalt Mixture Specimens
relative rotation of laboratory-produced and plant-produced
D3665 Practice for Random Sampling of Construction Ma-
asphalt mixtures, regardless of the type or gradation of the
terials
aggregates, and whether reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP),
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
warm mix asphalt (WMA) additives, or any type of modifiers
cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
are used in the asphalt mixture.
D6925 Test Method for Preparation and Determination of
the Relative Density of Asphalt Mix Specimens by Means
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor
2.2 AASHTO Standards:
this standard.
R 30 Standard Practice for Mixture Conditioning of Hot Mix
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
Asphalt (HMA)
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
R 83 Standard Practice for Preparation of Cylindrical Per-
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
formance Test Specimens Using the Superpave Gyratory
requirements of the standard.
Compactor (SGC)
1.5 Since a complete precision and bias statement for this
3. Terminology
standard has not been developed, the test method is to be used
for research and informational purposes only. Therefore, this
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard should not be used for acceptance or rejection of a
3.1.1 average residual rotation, ARR, n—the average value
material for purchasing purposes.
of the residual rotation between two asphalt mixtures from the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the initial number of gyrations (N ) to the design number of
inital
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the gyrations (N ).
design
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 global coordinate, n—the Cartesian coordinate system
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
that is fixed in space and unaffected by the position and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
orientation of the object.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.3 local coordinate, n—the coordinate system that is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
attached to the sensor and changes with the movement and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
rotation of the wireless sensor.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
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
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.26 on the ASTM website.
Fundamental/Mechanistic Tests. Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. DOI: 10.1520/ Officials (AASHTO), 555 12th St., NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004,
D8541-23. http://www.transportation.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8541 − 23
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard is
3.1.4 quaternion, n—an expression to describe the orienta-
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure
tion or rotation of an object in 3D space using an ordered set
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used.
of four numbers.
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally
3.1.4.1 Discussion—If an object’s orientation is expressed
considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling,
as a + bi + cj + dk, where a, b, c, d are real numbers and i, j,
inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results.
k are symbols of three spatial axes with unit vectors, the set of
Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of
the four ordered numbers, a, b, c, and d is a quaternion.
Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
3.1.5 relative rotation, RR, n—the difference between the
means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.
maximum and minimum value of the Euler angle in a single
compaction cycle, recorded by a wireless particle-size sensor. 6. Apparatus
3.1.6 relative rotation capacity, RRC, n—the area under the
6.1 Superpave Gyratory Compactor and Specimen
relative rotation curve from the N to the N .
Mold—An electromechanical, electro-hydraulic, or electro-
inital design
pneumatic compactor comprised of the required system com-
3.1.7 residual rotation, n—the difference in the relative
ponents as determined by Test Method D6925 shall be utilized.
rotation between the test mix and the control mix at the same
The relevant parameter of the gyratory compactor and speci-
gyration compaction.
men mold should refer to Test Method D6925.
3.1.8 rotation matrix, n—the matrix derived from the
quaternion that can be used to transform the data between the 6.2 Oven—A forced-draft oven, thermostatically controlled,
local and the global coordinate systems.
capable of maintaining any desired temperature setting. The
oven shall be available for heating aggregates, asphalt, and
3.1.9 workability, n—a term used to describe the relative
equipment.
ease of compaction of an asphalt mixture using the Superpave
Gyratory Compactor (SGC).
6.3 Wireless Particle-Size Sensor—The wireless particle-
3.1.9.1 Discussion—The workability describes the specific
size sensor shall survive in a high-temperature environment for
free rotation capability of the asphalt mixture particle under
at least 10 min. The sensor shall collect the Euler angle or
compaction loading in the SGC.
quaternion of the particulate material during the entire com-
paction process. The wireless particle-size sensor shall be able
4. Summary of Test Method
to connect to digital devices, such as computers, for data
4.1 This test procedure is used to determine the relative
transmission. The size of the sensor should not be larger than
rotation to evaluate the workability of asphalt mixture during
one fifth of the diameter of the specimen mold. The sampling
Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) using a wireless
frequency of the quaternion shall be greater than 5 Hz (10 Hz
particle-size sensor.
and higher is recommended).
5. Significance and Use
7. Test Specimens
5.1 Workability is one of the main factors that influence the
7.1 Preparation of Lab Mix Lab Compacted (LMLC) Test
compaction quality and ultimately the performance of asphalt
Specimens—Samples of lab-mixed asphalt mix shall be ob-
pavement. This method uses the relative rotation measured by
tained according to Test Method D6925 or other specified
the wireless particle-size sensor to evaluate the workability of
sampling method.
the asphalt mixture.
7.2 Preparation of Plant Mix Lab Compacted (PMLC) Test
5.2 This test method is used to generate information con-
Specimens—Samples of plant-mixed asphalt mix shall be
cerning the workability of an asphalt mixture. Workability
obtained according to Practices D3665 and D979/D979M or
characteristics, in turn, can give users insight as to how the
other specified sampling method.
mixture will handle and compact in the field.
7.3 Conditioning of the Mixture—Weigh the mixture to the
5.3 This method is used to evaluate workability of the mix
required mass. Place the mixture in a pan and spread it to an
in a situation where it is being used for research or mix design.
even thickness ranging between 25 mm and 50 mm. Place the
It is not intended to be a quality control (QC) evaluation.
mixture and pan in the oven at the required temperature for 2 h
5.4 This test method can be used to evaluate conventional
6 5 min short-term aging before compaction in accordance
and modified asphalt mixtures to achieve the best workability
with AASHTO R 30.
at an appropriate compaction temperature. The test method can
7.3.1 Specimen Size—The specimens shall be compacted to
be used to determine the compaction temperature and optimal
150 mm in diameter in accordance with Test Method D6925.
dosage rate of additives or modifiers to achieve the best
NOTE 2—Sample heights of 80 mm up to 180 mm can be used;
workability for the modified asphalt mixtures, such as polymer
however, this will impact the resulting kinematic parameters for relative
modified, crumb rubber modified, waste plastic modified, etc.
rotation analysis.
NOTE 3—The specimen mass should follow the mix design after
5.5 This test method is appropriate for laboratory-produced
subtracting the mass of the sensor when the height of 115 mm is used.
mixtures and plant-produced mixtures, regardless of the type or
grade of the binder, the type or gradation of the aggregates, and 7.4 Preparation of Wireless Particle-Size Sensor—The
whether RAP, WMA additives, or other modifiers are used in wireless particle-size sensor shall be able to operationally
the asphalt mixture. connect to digital devices before compaction.
D8541 − 23
7.4.1 Collection of Initial Quaternion—Initial data burst during compaction. The calculation between the quaternion
shall be collected with the sensor stationary and on a horizontal and the Euler angle can be referred to in the literature.
platform before compaction. A 30 s duration is recommended 9.1.1 The conversion between the quaternion q = (q , q , q ,
0 1 2
for coordinate transformation. q ) to the Z-Y-X Euler angle (α, β, γ) is:
2 2
@α β γ# 5 @atan2 2 q q 1q q ,1 2 2 q 1q arcsin 2 q q
~ ~ ! ~ !! ~ ~
0 1 2 3 1 2 0 2
8. Procedure
2 2
2 q q !! atan2 ~2~q q 1q q !,1 2 2~q 1 q !!#
1 3 0 3 1 2 2 3
8.1 Subject the loose mix to the appropriate conditioning in
accordance with AASHTO R 30 or other asphalt mix condi-
NOTE 8—Euler angle (α, β, γ) means rotate α, β, γ degrees around fixed
tioning practices. Stir the mix every 60 6 5 min to maintain
axes x, y, z in order.
uniform conditioning.
NOTE 9—The software for data analysis may be commercially avail-
8.2 Place a compaction mold assembly in an oven at the able.
required compaction temperature for a minimum of 45 min
9.1.2 The detrend (removing the trend) of the quaternion or
prior to the compaction of the first mixture specimen.
Euler angle should be performed if an unexpected trend has
8.3 At the end of the conditioning period, remove the loose been observed.
mix sample and the compaction mold assembly from the oven.
9.2 Transformation of the Coordinate Systems—Two coor-
Place a paper disk inside the gyratory mold to aid the
dinate systems exist during the mixture compaction: the local
separation of the specimen from the base plate after compac-
coordinate system and the global coordinate system. All
tion.
compaction data shall be analyzed in the global coordinate
8.4 Quickly place approximately half of the mixture into the system.
9.2.1 The transformation between the local and global
mold using a transfer bowl or other suitable device. Place the
wireless sensor on the flattened surface of the loose mix and coordinate systems can be achieved using the rotation matrix,
which is determined by the initial quaternion data. The
then place all the remaining loose mix in the mold. After the
mixture has been completely loaded into the mold, place a configuration of the rotation matrix can be referred to in the
4,5
literature.
paper disk on the mixture to avoid material adhering to the ram
head or top mold plate.
9.3 Determination of Relative Rotation—The relative rota-
tion can be calculated based on the Euler angle of the particle
8.5 Load the compaction mold into the SGC and initiate the
compaction process. Collect the compaction data using the sensor in the global coordinate system during compaction. The
relative rotation at a specific gyration cycle is the difference
wireless sensor during the entire compaction process. The
collected data from the wireless sensor shall include but not be between the peak and valley value of the Euler angle at the
corresponding gyration (shown in Fig. 1).
limited to the quaternion or Euler angle data of the sensor
during compaction. 9.3.1 The average relative rotation at horizontal directions
(x- and y-directions) should be used for workability analysis.
NOTE 4—Specimens with the sensor should be compacted to the
number of gyrations equal to or larger than N ; the maximum number
9.4 Determination of Relative Rotation Capacity—The rela-
design
of gyrations (N ) is recommended.
max tive rotation capacity (RRC) is the area under the relative
rotation curve from N to N (see Fig. 2).
8.6 At the e
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