ASPHALT LAB

ABSTRACT

The basic objective of this lab is to test the compressive strength of asphalt. Asphalt
is merged combination of aggregates, filler and binder material. It is used for the
construction and repairing of all categories of roads. It acts as a binder in order to
bind aggregates in cohesive mixture. It form hard solid surface when it is settled.
Apparatus is used to measure deflection and force (measured in pounds) needed
to break the asphalt.

OBJECTIVES/INTRODUCTION

This lab gives idea about the application of asphalt and how it is applied on the road
surfaces. Tensile of asphalt is measured because in pavement design, the tensile
strength of asphalt concrete is a fundamental engineering property. Durable and
sustainable asphalt pavements require high-quality asphalt materials.

MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

1. Testing machine producing uniform vertical movement of 50.8 mm per

minute (2in/min).
2. Breaking heads having an inside radius of curvature of 2in.
3. Load cell or ring dynamometer and strip chart recorder of flow meter.
PROCEDURE

1. Asphalt is placed in testing machine in such a way it produced uniform

vertical movement of 50.8 mm per minute. (2 in/min).
2. Asphalt is smashed 75 time on each side.
3. Asphalt is removed from the machine and placed in to the dynamometer.
4. In order to record deflection and pound force of asphalt the dynamometer
is activated.
EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Deflection Pound force

1026 inch 9650 lb

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

2. Where does asphalt come from?

The most of asphalt used is obtained from petroleum. It also occur in nature in
concentrated form where it formed from remains of ancient microscopic algae.

3. Did asphalt cylinder fails? Why do you think it failed?

The initial sample failed. The cylinder was compressed 25 times which was not
enough to form a strong bond.

4. Did asphalt cylinder fails? If not, then why do you think it was successfully
compacted and formed?
Because the cylinder was compacted 75 times on each sides which make it strong.

1. What is the stability of first batch of asphalt?

First batch was not stable.
2. What is the stability of second batch of asphalt?
The deflection was 1026 inch and 9650 lb-force.
3. What do you think made difference between two batches of asphalt?
The number of times compacted made all the difference.
4. What recommendations do you have for compacting ready-made cold
asphalt?
The more times compacted the stronger the asphalt will be.
CONCLUSION

Compaction method has major effect on the strength of asphalt. A good

quality asphalt may not have good strength if is not well compacted. In our
experiment our first asphalt sample was compacted 25 times and it could
gain strong bond. As we increased the number of compaction up to 75 time
it becomes stronger.