Strnda rJ Method of Test
Resistance to Plastic Flow of Bituminous Mixtures
Using Marshall Apparatus
AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 245-97’
(ASTM DESIGNATION: D 1559-76)
J. SCOPE
1.1 This method covers the measure-
ment of the resistance to plastic how
of cylindrical specimens of bituminous
paving mixture loaded on the lateral sur-
face by means of the Marshall apparatus.
This method is for use with mixtures
containing asphalt cement, asphalt cit-
6ack or ter, and aggregate up to 25.4-
min (1 in.) maximum size.
2. APPARATUS
2.1 S yccimeii Mold As.s rmbl y—
Mold cylinders 1()1.6 mm (4 in.) in diam-
eter by 76.2 mm (3 in,) in height, base
plates, and extension collars shall con-
form to the details shown in Figure 1.
4’ñree ino]d cylinders are recommended.
2.2 Specimen Extractor, steel, in the
form of a di.sk with a diameter not less
than 100 mm (3.95 in.) and 12.7 inrn
('*z in.) thick for extracting the com
pacted specimen mom the specimen mold
with the use of the mold cellar. A suitable
bar is required to transfer the loact from
the ring dynamoineter ad‹ipter to the ex-
tension collar while extracting the spec
imen.
2.3 C’ovipar /‹on //nnivier—The
compaction hammer (Figure 2) shall
h‹tve a that, circular tamping lace and a
4536 >' 9 g (10 ñ (I.t42 lb) s liding
weight (including safety tinger guard if
so equipped) with a free fall of 457.2
* 1.524 mm (18 0.06 in.).
NOTE 1—- The compaction hammer may
be equipped with a finger safety guard as
shr›wn in Figure 2.
NOTE 3—-Insteatl Of a hand-operated
iJi Sections 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, a
mechanically operated hammer may be
used provided it has been calibrated to give
results comparat ie with the hand-operated
hammer.
2.4 Compaction Pedestal—The
compaction pedestal shal*. consist of a
203.2 by 203.2 by 457.2 mm (8 by 8 by
18-in.) wooden post capped with a 304.8
by 304.8 by 25.4 mm (12 by 12 by 1-in.)
steel plate, The wooden post shall be oak,
pine, or other wood having an average dry
weight of ().67 to 0.77 g/cm’ (42 to 48
lb/ft’). The wooden post shall be secured
by four angle brackets to a solid concrete
slab. The steel cap shall be firmly fastened
to the post. The pedcstal assembly shall be
installed so that the post is plumb and the
p¿p j ]pppj
2.5 Specimen Mold Holder,
mounted on the compaction pedestal so
as to center
FIGURE 1 Compaction Mold
the compaction mold over the center of
the post. It shall hold the compaction
mold, collar, and base plate securely in
position during compaction of the spec-
imen.
2.6 Preakin y feed—The breaking
head (Figure 3) shaII consist of upper and
lower cylindrical segments or test heads
having an inside radius ef curvature of
50.5 mm (2 in.) accurately machined.
The lower segment shall f'e mounted on
a base having two perpendicular guide
rods or posts extending upward. Guide
sleeves in the upper segment shall tie in
such a posi- tion as to direct the two
segments together without appreciable
binding or loose mo- tion on the guide
rods.
2.7 Loadin g back—The loading jack
(Figure 4) shall consist of a screw jack
mounted in a testing frame and shall
pro- duce a uniform vertical movement
of.50. B mm (2 in.)/min, An electric
motor may be attached to the jacking
mechanism.
NOTE 3—Instead of the loading jack, a
057
 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING T 245

baths shall be used on the surfaces of the

TAELE of ü ‹JuivaI*nts for Figures 1 and 3 h‹›t plates to rninimizc localized over-
heating.
Metric Mctric Metl ic Metric
2.11 //eaiin¿ device—--A small hot
Equip a- U.S. Equi vii- ü .S. Equi va- U.S . Fpuiva- U .S.
plate with continuously variable heating
lents, Cu s tomary lents, Ctist‹amary lents, Customary lents, Custoinary
rate, a sand bath, infrared lamp or other
suitable device shal I be available for
0.00 1.5 ' '/ 58.7 2"/; 104. 4‘/t sup- plying sufficient heat under the
03 5 19. ’/ t, 8 mixing
1.6
0 3
GV.8 2’/4 ï09.1 4’"/„
bowl to maintain the aggregate and bitu-
73.0 2’ït 1ï4.3 4'ï minous material at the desired tern pera-
48 ture during mixing. If a hot plate is used,
7G.2 3 117.5 4"/t
82.6 3'/ 12tj.6 4"/¢ a wire mesh or similar material shall be
’/,2 31.8 1 '/ 8?.3 3’/,t 128.5 5'/„ placed on the hot plate to prevent direct
95 / 34.9 1’/ 98.4 S 7/t 130.2 5'7t contact between the hot plate and mixing
I2.ó 0,4ÜÒ 38.1 ''z 101.2 3’"/ 146.0 5'/ bowl.

2.12 Miying Aypa revel—Mechani-

12.67 0.409 41.3 I "/3
’/ 4•.4 1 ‘/#
14.3 ’/¡ 50.8 2 I U I .6
1.5. 9 ’/t 57.2 2'/‹
mechanical or hydraulic testin g machine may
be used provided the rate of movement can be
niaintainetl at 50.5 min (2 in.)/min while the
]o;id is applied.
2.5 Ring Dyricitnuineter Assembly—
Or e-ring dynamometer (Figure 4) of 22.2
KN (500(J lbi) capacity and sensitivity ct
44.5 N (10 lbfi up to 4.45 KN (1000 lbf)
and 11 I.2N (25 lbf) between 4.45 and
22.2 Kh (1000 and 5000 lbf) shall be
equipped with a micrometer dial. The ini-
crometer dial shall be graduated in
0.0025 mm (0.(J001 in.). Upper and lower
ring dy namometer attachments are re-
quired for fastening the ring dynamome-
ter te the testing frame and transmitting
the load to the breaking head.
10 I.35 3.990 L52.4 6
cal mixing is recommended. Any type of
101.47 3.99S 1 58.8 f'’/
4 193.7 7"/t mechanical mixer may be used provided
101.73 4.005 685.8 27 it can be maintained at the required
mix- ing temperature and will produce a
we11- coated, homogeneous mixture of
the re- quired amount in the allowable
NOTk 5—Instead of the flowmeter, a mi-
time, and further provided that
crometer dial or stress-strain recorder gradu-
ated in 0.25 mm (0.0 I in.) may be used to essentially all of the batch can be
measure flow. recovered. A metal pan or bowl of
sufficient capacity and hand mix ing
2.10 Ovens c›r Hot Plates—Ovens or may also be used.
2.13 Jfarer B‹i/h—The water bath
hot plates sisall be provided tor heating
aggregates, bituminous material, speci- shall be at least 152.4 mm (6 in,) deep and
men molds, compaction hammers, and shall be thermostatically controlled so as to
other equipment to the required mixing maintain the bath at 60 * 1°C (140 * 2°F) or
and molding temperatures. It is recom- 37, fi * 1°C (100 * 2°F). The tank shall leave a
mended that the heating units be thermo- perforated false bot- tom or be equipped with a
statically controlled so as to maintain shelf for sups porting specimens 50,8 mm (2
the required temperature within 2.8°C in.) above the bottom of the bath.
(5°F). Suitable shields, baffle plates or 2.14 Air Bath—The air bath for as
sand

NOTE 4- — I instead of the ring

dynamomc- ter assembly , any sui table loacl-
measuring de- vice Ir ay be useb provided the
capacity and serie itivity meet the at›ove
requirements.

2.9 F/r›wmercr—The flowmeter

shall consist of a guide sleeve and a gage.
The activating pin of the gage shall slide
inside the guide sleeve with a slight
EX TENS tON R OD
amt›unt of frictional resistance. The guide
sleeve shall slide freely over the guide
rod ot the breaking head. The flowmeter
gage shall be adjusted to zero when
placed in position on the breaking head
when each individual tesi specimen is in-
serted between the breaking head seg
ments. Graduations of the fJr,w metcr
gage shall be in 0.25-mm (0,01 in.) divi-
sions.

TCST HEA0 UPPER
phalt cut-back mixtures shall be thermo-
statically controlled and shall maintain
the air temperature at 25 I °C (77‘2
2°F).
2.15 fti.scellaneo us Equiyment.
2.15.1 Containe re for heating aggrc
gates, fjai-bottom metal pans or other
suitable containers.
2.15.2 C r›nrainers for heating bitu-
minous material, either gill-type tins,
beaker,5, pouring pots, ua- saucepans may
be used.
2.15,3 Minin g Tool, either a steel
trowel (garden type) or spatula, for spad-
ing and hand mixing.
mining temperatures of' aggregates, bitu-
men, and bituminous mixtures. Armored-
glass, dial type or digit‹il thermometers
with rrietal stems are recommended. A
range frorri 9.9 to 204°C (50 to 400‘P),
with sensitivity of 2.8°C (5°F) is required.
2.15,5 Tlaermorrieters for water and air
baths sensitive to 0.2°C (0.'t°F) with
r1GURE 3 Breaking Head
a range sufficient to determine the speci-
tied balh tempczatute.
2.15.6 Bcilcstce, 2 kg capacity, sensi-
tive to 0.1 g, for weighing molded speci-
mens.
2.15.7 balance, 5-kg capacity, sensi-
tive to 1.0 g, for batching mix tures.
2.15.8 G/c'ves for handling hot
equipment,
2.15.9 F ubber Gloves for removing
specimens from water bath.
2.15.10 Ma rkin¿ Crayons for identi-
fying specimens.
2.15.11 5‹ooy, l3at bottom, for
batching aggregates.
2.15.12 Spines, large, for placing the
mixture in thc specimen molds.
3. TEST SPECIMENS
3.l j«rrider o/ Speciiyiens—Prepare
at least threc specimens for each combi-
St ECVE 6
nation of aggregates and bitumen con-
tent.
3.2 Preparation ofA g(relutes —Dty
aggregates to constant mass at 105 to
110°C (221 to 230°F) and separate the
aggregates by dry-sic ring into the de-
sired size fractions.' The following size
fractions are recommended:
25.0 to 19.0 mm ( 1 to ’/, in.)
IP.O tc 9.5 mm ("/ to ’/t in.J
9.5 mm to 4.75 mm (’/t in. lo No. 4)
8.75 mm to 2.36 mm (Nt . 4 Io No. S)
3.3 Deie rmiriution of Mixing and
Compcl‹-tin¿ Temye r‹ifure.t:
3.3.1 The temperatures to which the
asphalt cement and asphalt cut-back must
be heated to produce a viscosity of 170
' Dew i led ret{uire ments for- these sieves are gi ven in
 METHODS OP SAMPLING AND 2“ESTING
FIGURE 4 Compression Testing
IYlachine
* 20 est sh‹il1 be the mixing tempera-
ture.
3.3.2 The temperature to which as
phalt cement must be heated to produce
a viscosity ‹af 200 * 30 est shall be the
compacting temperature.
3.3.3 From a composition chart for
the asphalt cut-back used, determine
tto rn its vi.scosity at 60°C (l40°P-) the
percentage of soI vent by mass. Also de
terinine from the chart the viscosity at
60°C (140“F) of the asphalt cut-back
after it has lost 50 percent of its solvent.
The temperature determined from the
viscos- ity temperature chart to which
the asphalt cut-back inu st be heated tr›
produce a viscosity of 280 * 3fi est
after a loss of 50 percent o1 the original
solvent content shall be the compacting
teipera- turc.
3.3.4 4’he temperature to which tar
must tie heated to produce Engler spe-
cific videos ities of 25 * 3 and 40
5 shall be respectively the mixing and
compacting temperature.
3.4 PreJ›arution r›{ D/. lures.
3.4.1 An initial batch shall be mixed
for the •n› se ot “buttering” the mixture
bowl and stirrers. This batch shall be
emptied after mi xing and the sides of
the bowl and stirrem shall be cleaned of
mixture residue by scraping with a
smaI1 limber spatula but shall not be
wiped with c1r›th or washed clean with
solvent,
SAGT1ON ’A A’
except when a change is to be made in
the binder or at the end of a run.
3.4.2 Weigh into sepai-ate pans for
each test specimen the amount of cach
size fraction required to produce a batch
that will result in a compacted specimen
63.5 * 1.27 mm (2.5 tJ.t)5 in.) in
height (about 1200 g). Mix the
aggregate in each pan and place the
pans on a hot plate or in the oven and
heat to a temperature not exceeding the
mixing temperature established in
Scction 3.3 by more than approximately
2S°C (50‘l-) for asphalt cement and tar
mixes at 14°C (25°F) for cut-back
asphalt mixes. Heat, to the established
mixing temperature, just sufficient
bituminous material for the batch in a
separate container. Char ge the mixing
bowl with the heated aggre- gate. Form
u crater in the dry blended aggregate and
weigh the preheated re- quired amount ‹
I bituminous material into the mixture.
For mixes prepared with cutback
asphalt, introduce the mixing blade in
the mixing bowl and determine the total
mass of the mix compc›ncnts plus bowl
and blade before proceeding with
mixing. Care must be exercised to
prevent loss ‹›t the mix during mixing
and subsequent handling. At this point,
the temperature of the aggregate and bi
luminous material shall f›e within the
limits of the mixing temperature estab-
lished in Section 3.3. Mix the aggj egatc
T 245
and bituminous material rapidly until
thoroughly coated. To maintain proper
mixing temperature, one of the methods
described in Section 2.11 may be used.
3.4.3 Following mixing, cure asphalt
cutback mixtures in a ventilated oven
maintained at approximately 11.1°C
(20°F) at›ove the compactir›n tempera-
ture. Curing is to be continued in the
mixing bowl until the precalculated
weighr of 50-percent s‹,1vent loss or
more has been obtained. ’I’he mix may
be stirred in a mixing f›ewl during
curing to accelerate the solvent loss.
However, care should be exercised to
prevent loss of the mix. Weigh the mix
during curing in successive intervals of
15 minutes initially and less than 10-
minute intervals as the weight of the
mix at 50-percent solvent loss is
approached,
3.5 Compaq. tion of Specimens.
.3.5.1 Thoroughly clean the speci
men meId assembly and the race of the
compaction hammer and heat them
either
in boiling water, en the het plate. or in
an oven, try a temperature between 93.3
and 148.9°C (200 and 30()°F). Place a
piece ef filter paper ‹ir paper toweling
cut to size in the bottom of the mold
before the mixture is intr‹›duced. Place
the entire batch in the mold, spade the
mixture vigorously with a heated spatula
or trowel 1 5 times around the perimeter
and 10 times over the interior. Remove
the collar and smooth the surface of the
mix with a trowel to a slightly rr,unded
shape. Temperatures ot the mixtures im-
mediately prior to compaction shall be
within the limits of the compacting tem-
perature established in Section 3,3.
3.5.2 Replace the collar, then place
a piece of iilter paper or paper toweling
cut to size on top of the mixture and
place the mold assembly ‹in the
compacti‹in pedestal in the mold holder,
and unless otherwise specified, apply 50
or 75 blows with the compaction
hammer with a free fall in 457.2 mm
(1S in.). Hold the axis of the
compaction hammer perpendicular to
the base of the mold assembly during
compaction. Remove the base plate and
cellar, and reverse and reassemble the
moId, Apply the same number of com-
paction blows to the face of the reversed
specimen. After compacti‹,n, remove
the base plate and place the sample
extractor on the end of the specimen.
Place the assembly with the extension
collar up in the testing machine, apply
pressure to
T 245 METHODS OI- SAMPLING AND Ti-
S’LING

“”
the collar by means of the load transfer TABLE 1 Stability Correlation Ratios“ 4.2 Apply the load to the specimen
bar, and force the specimen into the ex
by means of the constant rate of move-
tension collar. Lift the collar from the
Thickness ment of the loadjack or testing-machine
specimen. Carefully transfer the speci-
Tomme of t Corre- head of 50,8 mm (2 in.) per minute until
men to a smooth, flat surface and allow
the maximum load is reached and the
it to stand overnight at room
temperature. Weigh, measure, and test
erm in mm Ratio load decreases as indicated f›y the dial.
the specimen. 200 to 213 1 25.4 5.56 Record the maximum load noted on the
214 to 225 1'/„, 27.0 5.00 testing machine or converted from ttie
226 to 237 1'/t 25.6 4.55 maximum micrometer dial reading. Re
NOTE 6—In general, specimens shall be 238 to 250 1'/¡ 00.2 ^.17 lease the flowmeter sleeve or note the
cooled as specified in Section 5.5.2. When 231 to 264 1'/ 31.8 3.85 micrometer dial reading, where used, the
more rapid cooling is de,sired, tuble fans 265 +o?7ñ l'J,t 33 ? 357
may be used. mixtures that iack sufficient instant the maxiinurri load begins to de-
277 to 289 1’/, 34.9 333
c‹›hesion to result in the required crease. Note and record the indicated
290 to 301 1’/„ 36.5 3.03
cylindrical shape on reniov il from the mold how value or equivalent units in twenty
302 to 31a' 1'/ 3h.I 2.78
iinnled iately after compaction may be five hundredths of a millimetre (hun-
317 to 328 1’/‹, 3"9.7 2.50
cooled in the mc'1d in air until sul ficient 329 to 340 1 "/ 41.3 2.27 dredths of an inch) if a micrometer dial
cohesion has develr›pcd to result in the 341 to 353 1"/¡b 42.9 2.08 is used te measure thc how. The elapsed
proper cylintlrical shape. 354 to 367 1’/, 44.4 L92 time for the test from removal ol the
35h to 079 1'"/„ 46.0 1.79 test specimen from the water bath to the
360to 392 1'/, ^7.6 1.67 maximum load determination shall not
393 to 405 1"/ 49.2 1.56 exceed 30 seconds.
^0fi to 420 2 50.8 1.47
4. PROCEDURE 821 to 431 2'/tt 52.4 1.39
432 to 443 2'/t 54.0 1.32 NOTE 7—for core specimens, correct the
444 to 456 2"/ 55.6 1.25 load when thickness is other than 63.5 mm
437 to 470 2’/ 57.2 1.19 (?'/ in ) by using° the proper muhipJyJng
4.1 Bring the specimens prepai-ed factor from 3’able 1.
471 to 482 2‘/' ?8.7 1.14
with asphalt cement or tar to the specified
483 to 495 2’/ 60.3 1.09
temperature by immersing in the water 89G to 508 2’/ t 61 .9 1.04
bath 30 to 40 minutes or placing in the 509 to 522 2'/; 03.5 1.00
oven for 2 hours. Maintain the bath or 523 to 535 2"/ GS.1 0.Sfi
oven temperature at 60 * 1°C (140 536to ñ4G 2’/, 66.7 0.93 5. REPORT
1.8’F) for the asphalt cement specimens ñ47 to ññ9 2"/„ 68.3 0.89
and 37.8 1°C (100 * 1.8°F) for tar 560to 573 2’/ G9.9 0.56 5.1 The report shall include the Al-
specimens. Bring the specimens prepared 574 to 555 2"/tt Al.4 0.83 lowing information:
with asphalt cut-back to the specified ñb6 to 598 2’/ 73.0 0.51 5.1.1 Type of sample tested (labora-
599 to 510 2'"/„ 74.6 0.78 tory sample or pavement core
temperature by placing them in the air
GH to 1i25 3 76.2 OPG specimen).
bath ft›r a minimum or 2 hours. Maintain
the air bath temperature at 2ñ ñ 1°C “ ’The measured stabiIity of a specimen multipl red
(77 * 1.S°F). Thoroughly clean the bJ i be rat to for ihe thickness of tic sJiee imen
equals the corrected sIabi1ii y for a 6.1.5 i7ini t2‘ /j-in) NOTE 8—For core specimens, the freight
guide rods und the inside surfaces of the speci men. of each test specimen in millimetres (or
test heads prior to making the test. and ' VoIn nc-thickness rc1‹iiioiis1iip s basecl on a inches) shall be reported.
lubricate the guide rods so that the upper speci
test head slides freely over them, The men cliame ter of 101 G ruin 4 i n.).

testing-liead temperature shall be main- 5.1.2 Average maximum load in

tained between 21.1 to 37.S‘G (7tJ to
l00°F) using a water bath when required,
Remove the specimen tram the water
bath, oven, or air bath, and place in
the lower segment of the breaking head.
Place the upper segment of the breaking
head on the speeiirien, and pt ace the
complete assembly in position on the
testing machine. Place the flowmeter,
where used, in position over one of the
Guide rods and adjust ttre loo winetcr to
zero while holding the sleeve firmly
against the upper segment of the breaking
head. Held the flowmeter sleeve firmly
against the upper segment of the
breaking head while the test load is
being applied,
pounds-force (or newtons) of at least
three specimens, corrected when re-
quired.
5.1.3 Average flow value, in hun-
dredths o1 an inch. twenty five hun-
dredths of a millimetre, of three speci
mens, and
5.1.4 Test temperature.