The development of tests for bitumens and asphalt mixtures

Equipement - Tests

BRRC has several tests for bitumens and asphalt mixtures, which are used both for research purposes and in testing products for third parties.

1. Performance tests on bitumens

DSR: mainly to evaluate the stiffness of a binder.
BBR: to evaluate the low-temperature properties of bitumens, mainly failure behaviour.
DDT: to evaluate the low-temperature properties of bitumens. Specimens are strained to failure. The critical temperature is given for a failure strain of 1%.
RCAT: to simulate the ageing of bitumens in asphalt mixtures.
ZSV: to evaluate the resistance to rutting of bitumens.

2. Performance tests on asphalt mixtures

Wheel tracking test: to determine the resistance to rutting of asphalt mixtures.
Triaxial test: to determine the resistance to rutting and permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures.
Indirect tensile test before and after conditioning in water: to determine the water sensitivity of asphalt mixtures.
TSRST, or thermal stress-restrained specimen test: to determine resistance to low-temperature cracking under restrained shrinkage conditions.
Indirect tensile test (IT-CY): to determine the stiffness of asphalt mixtures on cylindrical specimens drilled from the road or prepared in the laboratory.
Two-point bending test: to determine the stiffness of asphalt mixtures on trapezoidal specimens.
Two-point bending test: to determine resistance to fatigue on trapezoidal specimens.
Gyratory shear test: to determine the compactibility of mixtures.
Ageing test: to simulate the ageing of asphalt mixtures in the laboratory (under development).

3. Field tests on asphalt

Gamma ray density meter: to determine the density of asphalt layers on site.

4. Tests on mastic asphalt

Indentation: to determine resistance to permanent deformation by static point loading.
Uniaxial cyclic compression test: to determine resistance to permanent deformation by dynamic loading.
Paris test: to determine resistance to impression under long-term static loading.
Wheel tracking test: to determine resistance to rutting.
TSRST: to determine resistance to low-temperature cracking under restrained shrinkage conditions.
Restrained shrinkage: to determine resistance to low-temperature cracking of frame-shaped specimens under restrained shrinkage conditions (French “retrait contrarié” method).
Two-point bending test: see 2. Performance tests on asphalt mixtures (modulus).
Two-point bending test: see 2. Performance tests on asphalt mixtures (fatigue).