Is your asphalt plant testing for stress?

Asphalt takes a lot of trauma - constant travel by cars and heavy trucks, precipitation, humidity, and sunlight. How can you know if your batch order will stand up to your needs? 

Asphalt testing involves a set of tests being run on a sample of asphalt, or asphalt mix. The Asphalt Institute recommends a random sampling basis with a minimum of five tests per full day’s production.

Why should your asphalt plant provider do this?

Quality control.

Without testing each batch every single run, it can’t be confirmed that the asphalt produced by the entire plant is uniform, or that each batch contains the precise blend of materials that it’s supposed to.

Equally as important is knowing that each run is properly mixed to be stable, reliable, and durable.

What traits should be tested? 

Mix Temperature

The optimum mix temperature can change per run depending on the viscosity of asphalt, and which binders are used in the mix.

Air Void Content

Some air void is necessary - not enough, and the mix becomes unstable, not holding on to enough flexibility to adapt to changes into temperature, or slight variations in ground level. A too large air void will shorten the lifespan of the asphalt, allowing too great of amounts of air and moisture to enter. Testing the air voids when the asphalt material is compacted on the job is essential. 

Penetration

Is this mix of asphalt sturdy enough to withstand weight and small punctures? Durability is an important feature of asphalt paving, and you want to ensure that yours stands up.

Precise Breakdown of Materials

Are you receiving the type of asphalt mix that you’re purchasing? Know for certain.

How much binder is in your mix? Is it enough to keep everything together? Is it too much, taking out space for air voids? 

What can you find out from asphalt testing?

• Predicted strength over time
• Moisture susceptibility
• Flexibility
• Likelihood to crack
• Effects of different temperatures
• Viscosity
• Density

Asphalt testing is crucial to your project - it gives you the reassurance that you’re getting the best product for your needs, which can live up to expectations.

Now that you know why testing at the asphalt plant, as well as on the job, is so important to which asphalt blend you use, let’s talk about your future project! To arrange a consultation, contact Basic Construction today at (757) 249-3789.

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