ASTM_D_6995_-_05_2013.pdf

Designation:D699505(Reapproved 2013)Standard Test Method forDetermining Field VMA based on the Maximum SpecificGravity of the Mix(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 hot mixasphalt(HMA).It provides equations for calculating the VMAbased on the asphalt content of the mix and its maximumspecific gravity(Gmm).It is intended that this should be usedfor the rapid“field”determination of VMA during QualityControl(QC)operations at HMAplants,particularly where thespecific gravity of the aggregate is highly variable.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 and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C127 Test Method for Density,Relative Density(SpecificGravity),and Absorption of Coarse AggregateC128 Test Method for Density,Relative Density(SpecificGravity),and Absorption of Fine AggregateD70 Test Method for Density of Semi-Solid BituminousMaterials(Pycnometer Method)D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD2041 Test Method for Theoretical Maximum SpecificGravity and Density of Bituminous Paving MixturesD2172 Test Methods for Quantitative Extraction of BitumenFrom Bituminous Paving MixturesD2726 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Densityof Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous MixturesD6307 Test Method forAsphalt Content of Hot-MixAsphaltby Ignition 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 waterabsorption of the total(combined)aggregates varies betweenfour tests,randomly obtained over a 30 day period,by morethan 0.4%.5.Procedure5.1 Determine the percent of field VMAin a compacted mixsample by first obtaining the following information and thencalculating the value.5.2 Tests Run During the HMA Mix Design Procedure5.2.1 Test Method C127,C128,and D854Determine theaverage bulk specific gravity(Gsb)of the fine and coarseaggregates,and mineral filler if applicable.Once this value is1This 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 Bituminous Mixtures.Current edition approved June 1,2013.Published September 2013.Originallyapproved in 2005.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6995 05.DOI:10.1520/D6995-05R13.2For 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 States1 determined it should be used in the calculations in section 6.1.1until a change in the plant produced mix occurs.NOTE1It is recommended that a minimum of three sets of tests(onefor each aggregate)should be averaged to establish this bulk specificgravity.5.2.2 Use the percent by weight of each aggregate estab-lished in the mix design in the calculation in section 6.1.1.Ifthe percent of individual aggregates in the mix is changedduring produ