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Asphalt Mix Design Methods Compared: Hveem, Marshall, Superpave, and BMD

October 05, 2023

<div><a href="/blog/types-of-asphalt-mix-design"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2023/october/asphalt-mix-design-article.jpg" alt="Asphalt Mix Design Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>The list of essential ingredients for hot mix asphalt is exceedingly short for a composite material with such complex characteristics: asphaltic cement and mineral aggregates. Modern, flexible pavements with different mix designs are simply variations in the properties and ratios of the essential ingredients and adjustments to temperatures, handling, and placement methods. This article is an overview of past and present asphalt mix design methods and equipment, including Hveem, Marshall, Superpave, and Balanced Mix Design (BMD).</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Equipment Selection Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Mix Design , Pavement Design

Balanced Mix Design: A New Way Forward

March 08, 2023

<div><a href="/blog/balanced-mix-design-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2023/march/balance-mix-design-blog.jpg" alt="BMD for Asphalt Pavement" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Balanced Mix Design is a practical and common-sense approach to constructing long-lasting asphalt pavements. The design of asphalt mixes traditionally follows a prescriptive, volumetric path. Materials are selected and combined to meet the requirements of the specification with little evidence of what their real performance will be in a localized application or a certain environment. Researchers and practitioners alike have concluded that just mixing the specified ingredients in the stated volumes is a poor predictor of long-term asphalt pavement performance. As one prominent paving engineer put it, “Let’s stop using the recipe to determine if the cake is good.”</p>

Tags: Resource Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Binder Testing , Pavement Design

Soil Direct Shear Test: Understanding the Process

January 03, 2021

<div><a href="/blog/soil-direct-shear-test"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2021/January/direct-shear-test.jpg" alt="Soil Direct Shear Test, Understanding the Process Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>This blog provides an informative guide on why direct shear testing is essential, and we guide you on what equipment you need to perform the test based on ASTM D3080 and AASHTO T 236.</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Resource Guide , Strength Testing , Shear Strength , Pavement Design , ASTM D3080 , AASHTO T 236 , Soil Mechanics , Direct Shear Strength Test

Archive

Asphalt Tack Coat: Testing Shear Strength

August 15, 2019

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="/blog/asphalt-tack-coat-testing"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2019blogpictures/August2019/asphalt-tack-coat-hero.jpg" alt="Asphalt Tack Coat: Testing Shear Strength" width="100%" max-width:="" 715px="" /> </a></div><p>A multilayer asphalt design must perform as a single unit to withstand heavy traffic loads. In our latest blog, we’re taking a look at how asphalt tack coat is used to strengthen pavements, and how shear strength is tested to ensure optimal performance.</p>

Tags: Tack Coat , Asphalt Testing , Interlayer Shear Strength , ISS Method , Pavement Design , Testing Insights

Soil Classification: Foundation and Pavement Design Starts Here

February 15, 2017

<a href="/blog/soil-classification-foundation-and-pavement-design-starts-here"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2017/february/soil-classification.jpg" alt="Soil Classification: Foundation and Pavement Design Starts Here" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 700px;" /></a><p>In this blog, we explore the two primary forms of soil classification for geotechnical purposes. Visual and laboratory classifications of soils are two distinct procedures that are part of a complete soils investigation.</p>

Tags: Classification , Soil Foundation , Particle Sizing , Pavement Design , Geotechnical , Geotechnical Classification Chart , Shear Vane , Pocket Penetrometer , Field Testing , Laboratory , Resource Guide

Gilson Asphalt Content Furnace: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide

October 12, 2016

<div><a href="/blog/gilson-asphalt-content-furnace-a-step-by-step-maintenance-guide"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/asphalt/gilson-asphalt-content-furnace-a-step-by-step-maintenance-guide.jpg" alt="Gilson Asphalt Content Furnace: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /></a></div><p>In order to ensure that your Gilson Asphalt Content Furnace operates smoothly for many years, we’ve outlined some maintenance procedures and tips to follow.</p>

Tags: Asphalt Testing , Asphalt Content , DIY , Maintenance , How-To , Hot Mix Asphalt , HMA , Asphalt Mix Design , Ignition Furnace , Ignition Oven , Pavement Design

NCAT Asphalt Content Furnace: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide

August 30, 2016

<div><a href="/blog/ncat-asphalt-content-furnace-a-step-by-step-guide"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2016/august/ncat-furnace-maintenance-tips715x515.jpg" alt="NCAT Asphalt Content Furnace : A Step-by-Step Guide" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>When using your NCAT furnace, it’s important to follow some basic weekly maintenance procedures. In this blog post, we’ll provide an easy step-by-step guide, complete with a list of do’s, don’ts, and maintenance help for the NCAT.</p>

Tags: Asphalt Content , Asphalt Testing , How-To , DIY , Maintenance , Asphalt Mix Design , Hot Mix Asphalt , HMA , Ignition Furnace , Ignition Oven , Pavement Design

Asphalt Oxidation and Aging: Sample Prep with the Pressure Aging Vessel

February 29, 2016

<a href="/blog/asphalt-oxidation-with-pressure-aging-vessel-test"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2016/February/asphalt-oxidation-hero715x396.jpg" alt="Why a Pressure Aging Vessel is Valuable" width="100%" /></a><p>A method to simulate long-term, oxidative aged asphalt binder is important for predicting distress in asphalt as it ages. A Pressure Aging Vessel is a great solution and this blog post will highlight the background and benefits of these powerful machines.</p>

Tags: Pressure Aging Vessel , Asphalt Binder Testing , Asphalt Oxidation , PAV , Testing Insights , How-To , Asphalt Testing , Pavement Design

Rolling Thin Film Oven Test Method for Evaluating Asphalt Binder Performance

January 28, 2016

<div><a href="/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-asphalt-rolling-thin-film-ovens"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2016/january/rtfo-blog.jpg" alt="All You Need to Know About RTFO" width="100%" /></a></div><p>If you need to accurately measure the effect of heat and air on asphalt binder, a good option to consider is a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO). This blog post outlines everything you need to know from the procedure to benefits and equipment recommendations.</p>

Tags: RTFO , Rolling Thin Film Oven , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt Binder Testing , Pavement Design , How-To , Testing Insights