ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY (Gmb) OF COMPACTED HOT MIX ASPHALT (HMA)

USING SATURATED SURFACE-DRY SPECIMENS
FOP FOR AASHTO T 166

Scope

This procedure covers the determination of bulk specific gravity (Gmb) of compacted hot mix
asphalt (HMA) using three methods – A, B, and C – in accordance with AASHTO T 166-13.
This FOP is for use on specimens not having open or interconnecting voids or absorbing
more than 2.00 percent water by volume, or both. When specimens have open or
interconnecting voids or absorbing more than 2.00 percent water by volume, or both,
AASHTO T 275 or AASHTO T 331 should be performed.

Overview

• Method A: Suspension

• Method B: Volumeter

• Method C: Rapid test for A or B

Test Specimens

Test specimens may be either laboratory-molded or from HMA pavement. For specimens it
is recommended that the diameter be equal to four times the maximum size of the aggregate
and the thickness be at least one and one half times the maximum size.

Test specimens from HMA pavement will be sampled according to AASHTO R 67.

Terminology

Constant Mass: The mass at which further drying at 52 ±3°C (125 ±5°F) does not alter the
mass by more than 0.05 percent. Samples shall initially be dried overnight and that mass
determinations shall be made at 2-hour drying intervals. Recently molded laboratory
samples that have not been exposed to moisture do not need drying.

Apparatus - Method A (Suspension)

Balance or scale: 5 kg capacity, readable to 0.1 g, and fitted with a suitable suspension
apparatus and holder to permit weighing the specimen while suspended in water, conforming
to AASHTO M 231.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

• Suspension apparatus: Wire of the smallest practical size and constructed to permit the
container to be fully immersed.

• Water bath: For immersing the specimen in water while suspended under the balance or
scale, and equipped with an overflow outlet for maintaining a constant water level.

• Towel: Damp cloth towel used for surface drying specimens.

• Oven: Capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 ±5°C (230 ±9°F) for drying the
specimens to a constant mass.

• Pan: Pan or other suitable container of known mass, large enough to hold a sample for
drying in oven.

• Thermometer: Having a range of 19 to 27°C (66 to 80°F), graduated in 0.1°C (0.2°F)

subdivisions.

Procedure - Method A (Suspension)

1. Dry the specimen to constant mass, if required.

Note 1: To expedite the procedure, steps 1 and 2 may be performed last. To further expedite the process,
see Method C.
2. Cool the specimen in air to 25 ±5°C (77 ±9°F), and determine and record the dry mass to
the nearest 0.1 g. Designate this mass as “A.”

3. Fill the water bath to overflow level with water at 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F) and allow the
water to stabilize.

4. Zero or tare the balance with the immersion apparatus attached, ensuring that the device
is not touching the sides or the bottom of the water bath.

5. Immerse the specimen shaking to remove the air bubbles. Place the specimen on its side
in the suspension apparatus. Leave it immersed for 4 ±1 minutes.

6. Determine and record the submerged weight to the nearest 0.1 g. Designate this
submerged weight as “C.”

7. Remove the sample from the water and quickly surface dry with a damp cloth towel
within 5 seconds.

8. Zero or tare the balance.

9. Immediately determine and record the mass of the SSD specimen to nearest 0.1 g.
Designate this mass as “B.” Any water that seeps from the specimen during the mass
determination is considered part of the saturated specimen. Do not to exceed 15 seconds
performing Steps 7 through 9.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

Calculations - Method A (Suspension)

𝐴𝐴
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝐵𝐵 − 𝐶𝐶

where:

A = Mass of dry specimen in air, g

B = Mass of SSD specimen in air, g

C = Weight of specimen in water at 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F), g

𝐵𝐵 − 𝐴𝐴
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣) = × 100
𝐵𝐵 − 𝐶𝐶
Example:

4833.6 𝑔𝑔
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = 2.465
4842.4 𝑔𝑔 − 2881.3 𝑔𝑔

𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒. 𝟒𝟒 𝒈𝒈 − 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒. 𝟔𝟔 𝒈𝒈
% 𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾 𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 (𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗) = × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒%
𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒. 𝟒𝟒 𝒈𝒈 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟑𝟑 𝒈𝒈

Apparatus - Method B (Volumeter)

• Balance or scale: 5 kg capacity, readable to 0.1 g and conforming to AASHTO M 231.

• Water bath: Thermostatically controlled to 25 ±0.5°C (77 ±0.9°F).

• Thermometer: Range of 19 to 27°C (66 to 80°F), and graduated in 0.1°C (0.2°F)

subdivisions.

• Volumeter: Calibrated to 1200 mL or appropriate capacity for test sample and having a
tapered lid with a capillary bore.

• Oven: Capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 ±5°C (230 ±9°F) for drying the
specimens to a constant mass.

• Pan: Pan or other suitable container of known mass, large enough to hold a sample for
drying in oven.

• Towel: Damp cloth towel used for surface drying specimens.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

Procedure - Method B (Volumeter)

1. Dry the specimen to constant mass, if required.

Note 1: To expedite the procedure, steps 1 and 2 may be performed last. To further expedite the process,
see Method C.
2. Cool the specimen in air to 25 ±5°C (77 ±9°F), and determine and record the dry mass to
the nearest 0.1 g. Designate this mass as “A.”

3. Immerse the specimen in the temperature-controlled water bath for at least 10 minutes.

4. Fill the volumeter with distilled water at 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F) making sure some water
escapes through the capillary bore of the tapered lid. Wipe the volumeter dry. Determine
the mass of the volumeter to the nearest 0.1 g. Designate this mass as “D.”

5. At the end of the ten minute period, remove the specimen from the water bath and
quickly surface dry with a damp cloth towel within 5 seconds.

6. Immediately determine and record the mass of the SSD specimen to the nearest 0.1 g.

7. Designate this mass as “B.” Any water that seeps from the specimen during the mass
determination is considered part of the saturated specimen.

8. Place the specimen in the volumeter and let stand 60 seconds.

9. Bring the temperature of the water to 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F) and cover the volumeter,
making sure some water escapes through the capillary bore of the tapered lid.

10. Wipe the volumeter dry.

11. Determine and record the mass of the volumeter and specimen to the nearest 0.1 g.
Designate this mass as “E.”
Note 2: Method B is not acceptable for use with specimens that have more than 6 percent air voids.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

Calculations - Method B (Volumeter)

𝐴𝐴
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝐵𝐵 + 𝐷𝐷 − 𝐸𝐸

where:

A = Mass of dry specimen in air, g

B = Mass of SSD specimen in air, g

D = Mass of volumeter filled with water at 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F), g

E = Mass of volumeter filled with specimen and water, g

𝐵𝐵 − 𝐴𝐴
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣) = × 100
𝐵𝐵 + 𝐷𝐷 − 𝐸𝐸

Example:

4833.6 𝑔𝑔
𝐺𝐺𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = 2.465
4842.4 𝑔𝑔 + 2924.4 𝑔𝑔 − 5806.0 𝑔𝑔

4842.4 𝑔𝑔 − 4833.6 𝑔𝑔
% 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 (𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣) = × 100 = 0.45%
4842.4 𝑔𝑔 + 2924.4 𝑔𝑔 − 5806.0 𝑔𝑔

Apparatus - Method C (Rapid Test for Method A or B)

See Methods A or B.
Note 3: This procedure can be used for specimens that are not required to be saved and contain substantial
amounts of moisture. Cores can be tested the same day as obtained by this method.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO AASHTO T 166 (13)

Procedure - Method C (Rapid Test for Method A or B)

1. Determine which method to perform, A or B. Proceed with Method A or B, except that

the dry mass, “A,” is determined last. In method A and B, start on Step 3 and complete
that procedure, then continue as follows to determine mass “A”.

2. Place the specimen on a large, flat-bottom pan of known mass.

3. Heat at a minimum of 105°C (221°F), until the specimen can be easily separated to the
point where the fine aggregate particles are not larger than 6.3 mm (¼ in.). In no case
should the Job Mix Formula mixing temperature be exceeded.

4. Dry to constant mass. Constant mass is defined as the mass at which further drying at the
temperature in Step 3 does not change by more than 0.05 percent after an additional
2 hour drying time.

5. Cool in air to 25 ±5°C (77 ±9°F).

6. Determine and record the mass of the pan and specimen to the nearest 0.1 g.

7. Determine and record the mass of the dry specimen to the nearest 0.1 g by subtracting the
mass of the pan from the mass determined in Step 6. Designate this mass as “A.”

Calculations - Method C (Rapid Test for Method A or B)

Complete the calculations as outlined in Methods A or B, as appropriate.

Report

• Results on forms approved by the agency

• Sample ID

• Gmb to 0.001

• Absorption to 0.01 percent

• Method performed.

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO FOP AASHTO T 166 (13)

PERFORMANCE EXAM CHECKLIST

BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COMPACTED HOT MIX ASPHALT (HMA) USING

SATURATED SURFACE-DRY SPECIMENS
FOP FOR AASHTO T 166
Participant Name ______________________________ Exam Date ______________

Record the symbols “P” for passing or “F” for failing on each step of the checklist.

Procedure Element Trial 1 Trial 2

Method A:
1. Mass of dry sample in air determined.
a. Dried overnight at 52 ±3°C (125 ±5°F) and at successive 2-hour intervals
to constant mass? _____ _____
b. Cooled in air to 25 ±5°C (77 ±9°F)? _____ _____
c. Dry mass determined to 0.1g? _____ _____
2. Water at the overflow? _____ _____
3. Balance zeroed? _____ _____
4. Immersed weight determined.
a. Water at 25 ±1°C (77 ±1.8°F)? _____ _____
b. Immersed, shaken, on side, for 4 ±1 minutes? _____ _____
c. Immersed weight determined to 0.1g? _____ _____
5. Sample rapidly surface dried with damp towel and saturated surface dry (SSD)
mass determined to 0.1 g (entire operation performed within 15 seconds)? _____ _____
6. Gmb calculated to 0.001? _____ _____
7. Absorption calculated to 0.01 percent _____ _____

Comments: First attempt: Pass Fail Second attempt: Pass Fail

Examiner Signature _______________________________WAQTC #:_______________

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ASPHALT WAQTC_IDAHO FOP AASHTO T 166 (13)

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Quality Assurance ITD Quality Assurance Standard Procedures FOP AASHTO T 166 (13)

FOP for AASHTO T 166 and AASHTO T 166

Bulk Specific Gravity of compacted Hot Mix Asphalt using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens

Report.

Add the following:

• When specimens are produced using the FOP for AASHTO T 312 the result will be an
average of two specimens.

• FOP for AASHTO T 312 developed specimens will have a surface temperature between 68° F
and 80° F and must be documented on test forms. The use of a fan will aid in the process.

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Quality Assurance ITD Quality Assurance Standard Procedures FOP AASHTO T 166 (13)

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