T 166 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING

Standard Method of Test for

Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Saturated Surface-Dry

Specimens

AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 166-93

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T 166
1. SCOPE
1.1 This method of test covers the
determination of bulk specific gravity of
specimens of compacted bituminous
mixtures as defined in M 132, Terms
Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
of Solids, Liquids and Gases.
1.2 This method should not be used with
samples that contain open or
interconnecting voids and/or absorb more
than 2 percent of water by volume, as
determined in Sections 5.2 or 8.2 herein.
1.3 The bulk specific gravity of the
compacted bituminous mixtures may be
used in calculating the unit mass of the
mixture.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be
regarded as the standard.
2. TEST SPECIMENS
2.1 Test specimens may be either
laboratory-molded bituminous mixtures
or from bituminous pavements. The
mixtures may be surface or wearing
course, binder or leveling course, or hot-
mix base.
2.2 Size of Specimens-It is recommended,
(1) that the diameter of cylindrically
molded or cored specimens, or the length
of the sides of sawed specimens, be at
least equal to four times the maximum
size of the aggregate; and (2) that the
thickness of specimens be at least one-
and-one-half times the maximum size of
the aggregate.
2.3 Pavement specimens shall be taken
from pavements with core drill, diamond
or carborundum saw, or by other suitable
means.
2.4 Care shall be taken to avoid
distortion, bending, or cracking of
specimens during and after the removal
from pavement or mold. Specimens shall
be stored in a safe, cool place.
2.5 Specimens shall be free from foreign
materials such as seal coat, tack coat,
foundation material, soil, paper, or foil.
2.6 If desired, specimens may be
separated from other pavement layers by
sawing or other suitable means.
METHOD A
3. APPARATUS
3.1 Balance-Conforming to the
requirements of M 231, for the class of
balance required for the principle sample
weight of the sample being tested. The
METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING
balance shall be equipped with suitable
suspension apparatus and holder to
permit weighing the specimen while
suspended from the center of scale pan of
balance.
3.2 Suspension Apparatus-wire
suspending the container shall be the
smallest practical size to minimize any
possible effects of a variable immersed
length. The suspension apparatus shall be
constructed to enable the container to be
immersed to a depth sufficient to cover it
and the test sample during weighing.
3.3 Water Bath-for immersing the speci-
men in water while suspended under the
balance, equipped with an overflow out-
let for maintaining a constant water level.
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 Dry the specimen to a constant mass
(NOTE 1). Cool the specimen to room
temperature at 25 ± 5°C (77 ± 9°F), and
record the dry mass A. Immerse each
specimen in water at 25 ± 1°C (77 ±
1.8°F) for 4 ± 1 minutes and record the
immersed mass, C. Remove the specimen
from the water, quickly damp dry the
specimen by blotting with a damp towel
as quickly as possible, and determine the
surface-dry mass, B. Any water that seeps
from the specimen during the weighing
operation is considered part of the
saturated specimen (NOTE 1).
NOTE 1-Constant mass shall be defined as 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 saturated with water shall
initially be dried overnight at 52 ± 3°C (125 ±
5°F) and then weighed at two-hour drying
intervals. Recently molded laboratory samples
which have not been exposed to moisture do
not require drying.
NOTE 2-If desired, the sequence of testing
operations may be changed to expedite the test
results. For example, first the immersed mass
(C) can be taken, then the surface-dry mass
(B) and finally the dry mass (A).
5. CALCULATION
5.1 Calculate the bulk specific gravity of
the specimens as follows (round and
report the value to the nearest three
decimal places):
Bulk Sp. Gr.  A specimen.
B- C
where:
A= mass in grams of sample in air,
B = mass in grams of surface-dry
specimen in air,
C = mass in grams of sample in water.
5.2 Calculate the percent water absorbed
by the specimen (on volume basis) as
follows:
Percent Water Absorbed by Volume
BA
 x100
B C
5.3 If the percent water absorbed by the
specimen in Section 5.2 exceeds 2
percent, use T 275 (Bulk Specific Gravity
of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
Using Paraffin-Coated Specimens).
METHOD B
6. APPARATUS
6.1 Balance conforming to the
requirements of M 231, for the class of
balance required for the principle sample
mass of the sample being tested.
6.2 Water Bath. Thermostatically
controlled so as to maintain the bath at 25
± 0.5°C (77 ±- 0.9'F).
6.3 Thermometer. ASTM 17 C (17 F),
having a range of 19 to 27°C (66 to
80°F), graduated in 0.1°C (0.2°F)
subdivisions.
6.4 Volumeter,1 calibrated to 1200 mL or
appropriate capacity depending upon the
size of test sample. The volumeter shall
have a tapered lid with a capillary bore.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1 Dry the specimen to constant mass
(see NOTE 1). Cool the specimen to
room temperature at 25 ± 5°C (77 ± 9°F)
and record the dry mass. Immerse in
water bath and let saturate for at least 10
minutes. At the end of the 10-minute
period, fill a calibrated volumeter with
distilled water at 25 ± 17C (77 ± 1.8°F).
Remove the immersed and saturated
specimen from the water bath, quickly
damp dry the saturated specimen by
blotting with a damp towel and as quickly
as possible weigh the specimen. Any
water which seeps from the specimen
during the weighing operation is
considered as a part of the saturated
7.2 Place the weighed saturated specimen
into the volumeter and let stand for at
least 60 seconds. Bring the temperature
of the water to 25 ± 1ºC (77 ± 1.8°F), and
cover the volumeter making certain that
1
Aluminum Volumeters of different sizes available
from Pine Instrument Co., 101 Industrial Drive,
Grove City. PA 16127 and Rainhart Co.. 604
Williams St., Austin, TX 78765 have been found
suitable.
24
T 166 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING

some water escapes through the capillary 8.2 Calculate the percent water absorbed ± 9°F) oven. Leave the specimen in the
bore of the tapered lid. Wipe the by the specimen (on volume basis) as oven until it can be easily separated to the
volumeter dry with a dry absorbent cloth follows: point where the particles of the fine
and weigh the volumeter and contents Percent Water Absorbed by Volume aggregate-asphalt portion are not larger
(NOTE 2). than 6.4 mm (¼ in.). Place the separated
B A specimen in the 110°C (230°F) oven and
NOTE 2-If desired, the sequence of testing  x100
BDE dry to a constant mass. Constant mass
operations can be changed to expedite the test shall be defined as the weight at which
results. For example, first the mass of 8.3 If the percent water absorbed by the further drying at 110 ± 5ºC (230 ± 9°F)
saturated damp dry specimen can be taken. specimen in Section 8.2 exceeds 2
Then the volumeter containing the saturated does not alter the mass by more than 0.05
percent, use T 275 (Bulk Specific Gravity percent when weighed at 2-hour
specimen and water can be weighed. The dry of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
mass of the specimen can be determined last. intervals.
Using Paraffin-Coated Specimens).
9.4 Cool the pan and specimen to room
8. CALCULATIONS temperature at 25 ± 1°C (77 ± 2°F).
METHOD C (RAPID TEST) Determi::e the mass of the pan and
specimen, subtract the mass of the pan
8.1 Calculate the bulk specific gravity of and record the dry mass. A.
the sample as follows (round and report 9. PROCEDURE
the value to the nearest three decimal
places): 10. CALCULATIONS
9.1 This procedure can be used for
A -testing specimens which are not required
Bulk Specific Gravity  to be saved and which contain substantial 10.1 Calculate the bulk specific
B  D - E amount of moisture. Specimens obtained gravity in Sections 5.1 and 8.1.
where: by coring or sawing can be tested the
A = mass in grams of dry specimen, same day by this method.
11. PRECISION
B = mass in grams of surface-dry 9.2 The testing procedure shall be the
specimen, same as given in Sections 4 and 7 except
the sequence of operations. The dry mass 11.1 Duplicate specific gravity results
C = mass in grams of volumeter filled (A) of the specimen is determined last as by the same operator should not be
with water at 25 ± 1°C (77 ± follows. considered suspect unless they differ
1.8°F), and more than 0.02.
9.3 Place the specimen in a large flat
E = mass in grams of volumeter filled bottom drying pan of known mass. Place
with specimen and water at 25 ± the pan and specimen in a 110 ± 5°C (230
1°C (77 ± 1.8°F).

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