ASTM_D_6995_-_21.pdf

Designation:D699521Standard Test Method forDetermining Field VMA Based on the Maximum SpecificGravity of an Asphalt Mixture(Gmm)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6995;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method is intended to be used for a rapid fielddetermination of voids in mineral aggregate(VMA)of asphaltmixture.It provides equations for calculating the VMA basedon the asphalt content of the mix and its maximum specificgravity(Gmm).It is intended that this should be used for therapid“field”determination of VMA during quality control(QC)operations at HMAplants,particularly where the specificgravity of the aggregate is highly variable.NOTE1VMA determined using the rapid field method is VMA thathas been corrected for aggregate absorption.1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C127 Test Method for Relative Density(Specific Gravity)and Absorption of Coarse AggregateC128 Test Method for Relative Density(Specific Gravity)and Absorption of Fine AggregateD70/D70M Test Method for Specific Gravity and Density ofSemi-Solid Asphalt Binder(Pycnometer Method)D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD2041/D2041M Test Method for Theoretical MaximumSpecific Gravity and Density of Asphalt MixturesD2172/D2172M Test Methods for Quantitative Extraction ofAsphalt Binder from Asphalt MixturesD2726/D2726M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity andDensity of Non-Absorptive Compacted Asphalt MixturesD6307 Test Method for Asphalt Content of Asphalt Mixtureby Ignition MethodD6857/D6857M Test Method for Maximum Specific Grav-ity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures Using AutomaticVacuum Sealing Method3.Summary of Test Method3.1 The percent of(field)VMAin the mix can be calculatedby means of equations in which measured values for thetheoretical maximum specific gravity,the asphalt content,thespecific gravity of the asphalt,and the average bulk specificgravity of the total aggregate and the compacted mix areknown.4.Significance and Use4.1 Various users desire indication of compliance withVMA specifications for hot mix asphalt(HMA)during pro-duction.4.2 The standard practice for determining VMA requiresthat the bulk specific gravity of the aggregate components bedetermined.This is a very time-consuming test,which is notsuitable for routine QC procedures.4.3 When an aggregate source used in the mix has a highlyvariable bulk specific gravity and a reference average bulkspecific gravity(Gsb)(for example,as established in the mixdesign)is used to calculate VMA during HMA production,erroneous values may occur.4.4 The test for maximum specific gravity of the mix(Gmm)is a routine QC test at HMA plants.The effective specificgravity of the aggregate components(Gse)can be easilycalculated from this test.However the Gsedoes not take intoaccount the amount of asphalt absorbed,which is required foraccurate VMAdetermination.This method provides a means tocorrect the Gseto account for the average absorbed asphalt.This procedure should not be used if the percent water1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Roadand Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.21 onSpecific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures.Current edition approved May 1,2021.Published May 2021.Originallyapproved in 2005.Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6995 05(2013).DOI:10.1520/D6995-21.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1absorption of the total(combined)aggregates varies betweenfour te