Asphalt testing

Asphalt binder testing

• Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR): Two research grade DSRs with CTD to measure dynamic shear modulus and phase angle of asphalt binders at various temperatures and frequencies.
• Asphalt binder aging ovens: Includes rolling thin film oven (RTFO), thin film oven (TFO), pressurized aging vessel (PAV), and high precision binder aging ovens.
• Rotational viscometers: The Brookfield DV3T Extra system measures the viscosities of asphalt, including foamed asphalt, at elevated temperatures and plot real-time data.
• Bending beam rheometers (BBR): Two BBRs measure the flexural creep stiffness and m-value of asphalt binders and mastics (mortar experiment) at cold temperatures.
• FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy: Produces IR spectrum to analyze the constituents, aging levels, and polymer contents of asphalt binders.
• Cleveland open cup: Measures the flash point and fire point of asphalt binders.

Applicable test methods

* Denotes WRSC is AASHTO resource accredited for the test method

Asphalt emulsion testing

• Penetrometer: the automated system precisely measures the penetration of asphalt and emulsion residue.
• Ductility and percent recovery testing machine: Measures the ductility and elastic recovery of asphalt and emulsion residue.
• Torsional recovery apparatus: Determines the amount of elasticity that a polymer has imparted to emulsion residue.
• Saybolt viscometer: Contains Furol and universal orifices to measure the viscosity of emulsions and oils.
• Particle charge testing apparatus: the system identifies the cationic emulsified asphalt.
• Emulsion residue by distillation: Determines the amount of residue and oil distillate in emulsified asphalt.

Applicable test methods

* Denotes WRSC is AASHTO resource accredited for the test method

Asphalt mixture testing

• Asphalt mix design equipment: Includes Superpave gyratory, Hveem and Marshall Compactors. Stabilometers and Marshall Press.
  
• Asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT): Measures mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures and used for the performance tests such as FN, SCB, IDT, I-FIT, IDEAL-CT, and Overlay test.
  
• Flexural beam fatigue test: Hydraulic and pneumatic flexural beam fatigue testing machines measure the fatigue life and fatigue energy of the asphalt mixtures.
• Universal testing machine (UTM) with temperature chamber: For the performance tests of any asphalt pavement materials.
  
• Texas overlay tester: The stand-alone system measures the reflective cracking and/or fatigue cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures (HMA, WMA, CIR, Overlays, etc.).
  
• Uniaxial Thermal Stress and Strain Test (UTSST) apparatus: Determines the thermal viscoelastic and thermal volumetric properties of asphalt mixtures.

Applicable test methods

* Denotes WRSC is AASHTO resource accredited for the test method

Asphalt emulsion mixture testing

• Mix designs of emulsion mixtures: Conducts CIR, FDR, Slurry Seal, and Microsurfacing mix designs.
• Wet abrasion testing apparatus: Measures the abrasion resistance of emulsion mixes under wet condition.
• Cohesion tester: Measures the cure time of emulsion mixes and estimate the time required for opening to traffic.
• Consistency testing system: Measures the consistency of the emulsion mixes.
• Loaded wheel tester: Measures the permanent deformation and amount of excess asphalt in emulsion mixtures.
• In-place mat density measurements: Water balloon test and sand cone test measures the in-place density of CIR layer.

Applicable test methods