Pavement
- Publication no: AP-T358-21
- ISBN: 978-1-922382-75-7
- Published: 4 August 2021
- PDF (free) Download
This report describes research work into the development of a new test method utilising the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) to conduct consistency 6% at 60 °C tests. These tests are included in the Australian national polymer modified binder (PMB) specification (ATS 3110) to evaluate the rutting performance of PMBs prior to their use in road construction.
The current test method uses an Australian-made elastometer device to determine consistency 6% at 60 °C properties, but this device is no longer available. As an alternative, a new test method has been developed to determine consistency 6% at 60 °C properties using a DSR which is widely used across the world for testing bituminous binders and many other materials.
The development work described in this report involved an extensive literature review and equipment investigations, optimisation of test procedures, and validation studies using many different types of binders to ensure the new test method using a DSR yields equivalent results to the test method using the elastometer. A plan for future work that may be needed to fully implement the new test method is also briefly discussed.
To learn more, watch the webinar presented by Young Choi.
- Summary
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Project Background
- 1.2 Purpose
- 1.3 Scope
- 1.4 Methodology
- 2. Introduction to the Elastometer and the DSR
- 2.1 Elastometer
- 2.1.1 Development Background and Operational Principles
- 2.1.2 Test Procedure and Specimen Types
- 2.1.3 Test Properties and Specification Requirements
- 2.2 Dynamic Shear Rheometer
- 2.2.1 Development Background and Operational Principles
- 2.2.2 Typical Tests and Specimen Types
- 2.2.3 Use of DSRs in Australia
- 2.1 Elastometer
- 3. Previous Studies into DSR and Elastometer Consistency Properties
- 3.1 Elastometer Consistency 10% vs DSR Complex Viscosity
- 3.2 Elastometer Consistency 6% vs DSR Complex Viscosity
- 3.2.1 Further Investigations by ARRB
- 4. Selection of Binder Samples
- 4.1 Asphalt Grade PMB
- 4.2 Sprayed Sealing Grade PMBs
- 4.3 Other Types of Binders
- 4.4 Preparation of Binder Samples for Validation Tests
- 5. Selection of Test Equipment
- 5.1 Elastometer Tests
- 5.2 DSR Tests
- 5.2.1 Selection of a DSR Test Geometry
- 6. Preparation for DSR Consistency 6% Tests
- 6.1 Operational Principles of the Cup-and-bob Setup
- 6.2 Feasibility of Conducting Consistency 6% Tests Using the DSR
- 6.3 Calibration of the Cup-and-bob Setup
- 6.4 Binder Sample Preparation Methods for DSR Tests
- 6.4.1 Preheating Temperature of the Cup-and-bob Setup
- 6.4.2 Inclusion of a Sample Cooling Period
- 7. Validation of the DSR Consistency 6% Test
- 7.1 Comparison of DSR and Elastometer Results Using a Shear Rate of 0.1 s-1
- 7.2 Comparison of DSR and Elastometer Results When Different Shear Rates Were Used in DSR Tests
- 7.3 Comparison of DSR and Elastometer Results When a Shear Rate of 0.15 s-1 was Used in DSR Tests
- 8. DSR Parallel-plate Consistency 6% Tests
- 9. Investigation into Elastomer Mould B Tests
- 10. Summary and Conclusions
- References
- Appendix A Draft Test Method: Consistency of Bituminous Binders Using the DSR
- A.1 Preface
- A.2 Scope
- A.3 Further Development
- A.4 Safety Disclaimer
- A.5 References
- A.6 Equipment
- A.7 Calibration and Validation of DSR
- A.8 Preparation of the DSR and Binder Sample for Testing
- A.8.1 DSR Preparation
- A.8.2 Sample Preparation
- A.8.3 Handling of the DSR Cup and Bob and Mounting the Binder Sample
- A.8.4 Conditioning of Binder Sample on DSR for Testing
- A.9 Test Procedure
- A.10 Results
- A.11 Information to be Reported
- A.12 Precision
- Appendix B Calibration of Cup-and-bob Setup
- B.1 Principle
- B.2 Procedure for Determining the CL Factor
- B.2.1 Preparation of the DSR and Test Sample
- B.2.2 Rotational-viscosity Test Procedure
- B.2.3 Viscosity Results and Calculation of the CL Factor
- B.3 Worked Example of Determining a CL Factor