SUPERPAVE Digest 386

SUPERPAVE Digest 386

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) Resilient Modulus Testing

2) Re: Resilient Modulus Testing

What test methods are you using to determine Resilient Modulus of bituminous

mixtures? e.g. AASHTO TP31, ASTM D4123.

How have you implemented the results from resilient modulus testing?

Do you know of any vendors that sell such equipment? What is the general price

range? What is the contact information?

I would imagine that some have used their existing MTS force machines for such

tests.

We build them.

SUPERPAVE Digest 387

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) Resilient Modulus Testing

by Michael Heitzman <>

The LTPP contractors had a lot of problem with this test in the early

stages of material characterization. A modified test method, developed

in Florida, is currently being used in the LTPP program (Protocol P07).

There has been extensive discussion on this subject at the TRB-LTPP

Materials ETG meetings. Aramis Lopez (FHWA) can provide you with more

details on the test method.

What you want to do with the test results will have a large influence on

the test method selected (ie..the level of accuracy and repeatability

needed). While the modified test is more repeatable, the cost and time

to prepare/test the specimen may more than the application requires.

Good Luck

SUPERPAVE Digest 388

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) Re: Resilient Modulus Testing

If you can make a cylinder with some height to it, you are better off doing

dynamic modulus or the soils versions of resilient modulus. If you can only

make a hockey puck (which is what you will often have by default with a

core), you are effectively limited to indirect tension type modulus testing

and you are going to have to accept the limitations of that test. Some of

the limitations can be overcome to some degree by fancy instrumentation, but

there are others that are pretty difficult to overcome because of the laws of

physics. Obviously, one way to deal with some of the variability issues is

to increase the number of replicates ... a solution which nobody wants to

hear because it means more work, and, in the case of coring, means more swiss

cheese.