Aashto TP 70-2007

Standard Method of Test for
Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) Test

of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
Rheometer (DSR)
AASHTO Designation: TP 70-13
1. SCOPE
1.1. This test method covers the determination of percent recovery and nonrecoverable creep
compliance of asphalt binders by means of the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) test. The
MSCR test is conducted using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) at a specified temperature. It
is intended for use with residue from T 240 (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test (RTFOT)).
1.2. The percent recovery value is intended to provide a means for determining the elastic response and
stress dependence of polymer modified and unmodified asphalt binders.
1.3. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
 M 320, Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder
 MP 19, Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder Using Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR)
Test
 R 28, Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using a Pressurized Aging Vessel (PAV)
 T 240, Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving Film of Asphalt Binder (Rolling Thin-Film
Oven Test)
 T 315, Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
Rheometer (DSR) --`,,,,```,,``,``,,,,,`,````,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
2.2. ASTM Standard:

 D 8, Standard Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pavements
3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. Definitions:
3.1.1. Definitions of terms used in this practice may be found in ASTM D 8, determined from common
English usage, or combinations of both.
TS-2b TP 70-1 AASHTO

© 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Provided by IHS under license with AASHTO
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS
All rights reserved. Duplication Licensee=University
is a violation of applicable law.
of Texas Revised Sub Account/5620001114, User=ty76, ryrtyrty
Not for Resale, 01/29/2015 14:38:10 MST
3.2. Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1. creep and recovery—a standard rheological test protocol whereby a specimen is subjected to a
constant load for a fixed time period and then allowed to recover at a constant zero load for a fixed
time period.
3.2.2. nonrecoverable creep compliance (Jnr)—the residual strain in a specimen after a creep and
recovery cycle divided by the stress applied, kPa–1.
4. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

4.1. This test method is used to determine the presence of elastic response in an asphalt binder under
shear creep and recovery at two stress levels at a specified temperature. For performance-graded
(PG) asphalt binders, the specified temperature will typically be the PG high temperature as
determined in accordance with MP 19, Section 4. Refer to Note 3 in MP 19 for additional
guidance.
4.2. Asphalt binder is first conditioned using T 240 (RTFOT). A sample of the RTFO-conditioned
asphalt is tested using T 315 (DSR). The 25-mm parallel plate geometry is used with a 1-mm gap
setting. The sample is tested in creep at two stress levels followed by recovery at each stress level.
The stress levels used are 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa. The creep portion of the test lasts for 1 s, which is
followed by a 9-s recovery. Ten creep and recovery cycles are tested at each stress level.
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5. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

5.1. This method is designed to identify the presence of elastic response in a binder and the change in
elastic response at two different stress levels while being subjected to ten cycles of creep stress
and recovery. Nonrecoverable creep compliance has been shown to be an indicator of the
resistance of an asphalt binder to permanent deformation under repeated load.
6. APPARATUS
6.1. Use the apparatus as specified in T 315.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Conditioning—Condition the asphalt binder in accordance with T 240 (RTFOT).
7.2. Sample preparation—The sample for the MSCR test is prepared the same as samples for T 315
using 25-mm plates. The temperature control will also follow the T 315 requirements.
7.2.1. This test may be performed on the same sample that was previously used to determine the DSR
properties of the RTFO residue as specified in M 320. When using the previously tested sample to
perform this test, a 1-min relaxation period between the tests is required before running this test.
When using a new sample to perform this test, the 1-minute relaxation period is not required.
7.3. Test protocol—The test is performed at the selected temperature using a constant stress creep of
1.0-s duration followed by a zero stress recovery of 9.0-s duration. The test is performed at two
stress levels, 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa. Twenty cycles are run at the 0.1-kPa stress level followed by ten
cycles at the 3.2-kPa stress level for a total of 30 cycles. The first 10 cycles at 0.1 kPa are for
conditioning the specimen. The commanded full stress for each creep cycle shall be achieved
within 0.03 s from the start of the creep cycle as certified by the equipment manufacturer. The

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials © 2013 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
stress and strain shall be recorded at least every 0.1 s for the creep cycle and at least every 0.45 s
for the recovery cycle on an accumulated basis such that, in addition to other data points, the data
points at the peak strain at 1.0 s and the recovered strain at 10.0 s for each cycle’s local time are
explicitly recorded. If the DSR does not record the peak and recovered strain as specified, then the
software shall extrapolate prior data to determine the strain value at 1.00 s and 10.00 s.
Extrapolated data shall include a measured data point no more than 0.05 s prior to the required
time for a creep cycle and no more than 0.30 s prior to the required time for a recovery cycle.
There are no rest periods between creep and recovery cycles or changes in stress level. The total
time required to complete the two-step creep and recovery test is 300 s.
7.4. Analysis—Analyze and record the creep and recovered percent strain for the 0.1-kPa and 3.2-kPa
creep stress levels as follows:
7.4.1. For each of the last ten cycles at the 0.1-kPa stress level and the ten cycles at the 3.2-kPa stress
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level, record the following:
7.4.1.1. The initial strain value at the beginning of the creep portion of each cycle. This strain shall be
denoted as ∈0.
7.4.1.2. The strain value at the end of the creep portion (i.e., after 1.0 s) of each cycle. This strain shall be
denoted as ∈c.
7.4.1.3. The adjusted strain value at the end of the creep portion (i.e., after 1.0 s) of each cycle (∈1), which
is calculated as follows:
∈1 = ∈c – ∈0
7.4.1.4. The strain value at the end of the recovery portion (i.e., after 10.0 s) of each cycle. This strain shall
be denoted as ∈r.
7.4.1.5. The adjusted strain value at the end of the recovery portion (i.e., after 10.0 s) of each cycle (∈10),
which is calculated as follows:
∈10 = ∈r – ∈0
7.4.2. For each of the last ten cycles, calculate the following at the creep stress level of 0.1 kPa:
7.4.2.1. Percent recovery ∈r (0.1, N) for N = 1 to 10:

(∈1 − ∈10 ) × 100
∈r ( 0.1, N ) =
∈1
7.4.3. For each of the ten cycles, calculate the following at the creep stress level of 3.2 kPa:
7.4.3.1. Percent recovery ∈r (3.2, N) for N = 1 to 10:

(∈1 − ∈10 ) × 100
∈r ( 3.2, N ) =
∈1
8. CALCULATION
8.1. Using the results obtained in Sections 7.4.2.1 and 7.4.3.1, determine the average percent recovery
for the asphalt binder at creep stress levels of 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa as shown in the following
equations:

8.1.1. Calculate average percent recovery at 0.1 kPa:
SUM ∈r ( 0.1, N ) 
=R0.1 = for > 111 to 1020
10
8.1.2. Calculate average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa:

SUM ∈r ( 3.2, N ) 
=R3.2 = for > 1 to 10
10
8.2. Using the results obtained in Sections 7.4.2.1 and 7.4.3.1, determine the nonrecoverable creep
compliance between 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa as shown in the following equations:
8.2.1. For each of the ten cycles at a creep stress of 0.1 kPa, calculate the nonrecoverable creep
compliance using the last 10 cycles, Jnr (0.1, N), kPa–1, as strain/stress:
∈10
J nr ( 0.1, N ) =
0.1
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8.2.2. For each of the ten cycles at a creep stress of 3.2 kPa, calculate the nonrecoverable creep
compliance, Jnr (3.2, N), kPa–1, as strain/stress:
∈10
J nr ( 3.2, N ) =
3.2
8.2.3. Calculate the average nonrecoverable creep compliance at 0.1 kPa, J nr , kPa–1:
0.1
SUM  J nr ( 0.1, N ) 
J nr0.1 = for N = 11 to 20
10
8.2.4. Calculate the average nonrecoverable creep compliance at 3.2 kPa, J nr , kPa–1:
3.2
SUM  J nr ( 3.2, N ) 
J nr3.2 = for N = 1 to 10
10
8.2.5. Calculate the percent difference in nonrecoverable creep compliance between 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa,
J nrdiff :
 J nr − J nr  × 100
J nrdiff = 
3.2 0.1 
J nr0.1
9. REPORT
9.1. Report the following information:
9.1.1. Sample identification;
9.1.2. PG grade and test temperature, to the nearest 0.1°C;
9.1.3. Average percent recovery at 0.1 kPa, R0.1;
9.1.4. Average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa, R3.2;

9.1.5. Nonrecoverable creep compliance at 0.1 kPa, Jnr0.1, to two significant digits, kPa–1;
9.1.6. Nonrecoverable creep compliance at 3.2 kPa, Jnr3.2, to two significant digits, kPa–1; and
9.1.7. Percent difference between nonrecoverable creep compliance at 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa, Jnrdiff, to the
nearest 0.1 percent.
10. PRECISION AND BIAS

10.1. Precision—The research required to develop precision estimates has not been conducted.
10.2. Bias—The research required to establish the bias has not been conducted.
11. KEYWORDS
11.1. Asphalt binders; creep and recovery; creep compliance; Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR);
elastomer identification; Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) Test; percent recovery;
polymer modification.
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
X1.1. A typical test data plot consisting of ten cycles of creep and recovery at 0.1-kPa creep stress is
shown in Figure X1.1. The plot for 3.2-kPa creep stress is similar to Figure X1.1 and will not be
shown here. Test data from cycle number 9 are plotted in Figure X1.2 for further clarification.
Figure X1.1—Test Data Plot Showing Typical Ten Cycles of Creep and Recovery
at Creep Stress of 0.1 kPa
TS-2b TP 70-5
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X1.2. Sample Calculations:
X1.2.1. Calculation of percent recovery for cycle number 9 (see Figure X1.2):
1. Determine strain at the start (initial strain): ∈0 = 183%
2. Determine strain at 1-s creep end time point: ∈c = 212%
3. Determine adjusted creep end strain at 1-s point: ∈1 = (∈c – ∈0) = (212 – 183) % = 29%
4. Determine strain at 10-s recovery end time point: ∈r = 206.0%
5. Determine adjusted recovery end strain at 10-s point: ∈10 = (∈r – ∈0) = (206 – 183)
% = 23%
6. Determine percent recovery for cycle number 9 at 0.1-kPa creep stress, ∈r (0.1, 9):
(∈1 − ∈10 ) × 100
∈r ( 0.1, N ) =
∈1
X1.2.2. For cycle number 9 at a creep stress level of 0.1 kPa, the percent recovery will be:
(29 − 23) × 100
= 21%
29.0
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Figure X1.2—Test Cycle No. 9 Data Plot Showing Creep and Recovery at Creep Stress of 0.1 kPa
X1.3. Follow the above example to calculate percent recoveries for all ten cycles for both creep stress
levels of 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa.
X2. INDICATIONS OF ELASTIC RESPONSE
X2.1. The percent recovery is intended to provide a means for determining the presence of elastic
response and stress dependence of polymer modified and unmodified asphalt binders. Figure X2.1
may be used as an indicator of the presence of an elastomeric polymer.

Figure X2.1—Nonrecoverable Creep Compliance Versus Percent Recovery
X2.2. On the graph in Figure X2.1, plot the average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa, R3.2, versus the average
nonrecoverable creep compliance at 3.2 kPa, Jnr3.2, measured at the same temperature.
X2.3. If the plotted point falls above the line on the graph, the indication is that the asphalt binder is
modified with an acceptable elastomeric polymer. If the plotted point falls below the line on the
graph, the indication is that the asphalt binder is not modified with an elastomeric polymer.
--`,,,,```,,``,``,,,,,`,````,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---


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Standard Method of Test for

Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) Test

AASHTO Designation: TP 70-13

1.3. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

2.2. ASTM Standard:

TS-2b TP 70-1 AASHTO

4. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD

5. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

TS-2b TP 70-2 AASHTO

7.4.2.1. Percent recovery ∈r (0.1, N) for N = 1 to 10:

7.4.3.1. Percent recovery ∈r (3.2, N) for N = 1 to 10:

TS-2b TP 70-3 AASHTO

8.1.2. Calculate average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa:

9.1.1. Sample identification;

9.1.2. PG grade and test temperature, to the nearest 0.1°C;

9.1.3. Average percent recovery at 0.1 kPa, R0.1;

9.1.4. Average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa, R3.2;

TS-2b TP 70-4 AASHTO

10. PRECISION AND BIAS

X1. SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

X2. INDICATIONS OF ELASTIC RESPONSE

TS-2b TP 70-6 AASHTO

TS-2b TP 70-7 AASHTO

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