Core analysis

Core drilling is a reliable method for the extraction of representative samples from completed asphalt or
concrete installations. Drilled cores of the actual construction material provide the best samples for
laboratory tests that assess the material quality or verify compliance with project specifications.

Core samples are obtained from various sections of the road pavement to provide a clear view of the
whole road. The cores are subjected to various inspection and analysis procedures to give a view of the
field laid asphalt layer and verify with the design specifications

References

ASTM D5361

AASHTO R67

Some of the tests and analysis that the cores reveal/undergo include;

1. Thickness

The sample is trimmed using a mechanical core trimmer to remove any of the attached material from
the underlying layers. The thicknesses at 3 points is measured using a Vernier caliper and the average
taken as the thickness of the core.

The core thickness reflects the thickness of the field laid layer and is checked with the design thickness
of the design. The thickness should be equal or greater than the design thickness in order to serve the
intended traffic loadings sufficiently without strain

More thickness can infer inadequate compaction of the asphalt layer

2. Air voids

The curved surface of the core cut sample is studied and the amount of air voids rated. High amount of
air voids means inadequate compaction and a porous layer which could allow water penetration which
will consequently results in pavement failure

3. Quality of binder coat

The bottom side of the core specimen is studied and the level of bonding is evaluated by the way the
core, upon removal from the field surface comes out with material from the underlying layer. If there's
material from the underlying layer means that the binding coat was effective in bonding the two layers
which would facilitate smooth transfer of loads from the surface to the subgrade layer

4. Density

Using the basket method to determine the relative density, the core samples are weighed to determine
their weight in air, they're then soaked in water for 30 minutes and using a clean adsorbent cloth are
dried on the surface to obtain the surface dry weight. The samples are then immersed in water to
determine the weight in water.

Using the weights, the relative density and the density of the cores can be determined

5. Extraction of binder and grading, and maximum specific gravity

These tests are comducted to cross check the properties of the field laid asphalt and the designed
asphalt mix.

The core samples are placed in the oven at temperatures between 135°C and 200°C for the core samples
to melt and disintegrate.

The samples are then allowed to cool down and some of the sample is obtained for maximum specific
gravity determination and the remaining sample taken to the extraction chamber for determination of
binder content, amount of voids , particle size distribution of the field laid asphalt.