CCIL / LABORATORY INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Preparation of Marshall Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus

ASTM D6926 - 10

APPARATUS

1. Compaction mold assembly / Clause 4.1 – Fig.1 …………………………………………….. ____

2. Specimen Extractor (hydraulic jack) with steel disc (not less than 100mm in dia. and
12.5mm in thickness) / Clause 4.2 …………………………………………………………….. ____

3. Compaction Hammers

a. Manually Held (Type 1) / Clause 4.3.1 …………………………………………….. ____

b. Fixed Handle (Type 2) - Mechanically operated / Clause 4.3.1 ………............... ____
c. Fixed Handle (Type 3) – Mechanically operated with surcharge and constantly
rotating base / Clause 4.3.2 ………………………………………………………… ____

- Rotation rate 18 to 30 rpm ……………………………………………………….. ____

- 64 ± 4 blows per minute ……………………………………………………………____

4. Compaction Pedestal / Clause 4.4 ……………………………………………………………... ____

- Wooden Post (203.2 (8”) x 203.2mm (8”) x 457 mm (18”) in height)

……………………………………………………………………………………….. ____
- Capped with steel plate (304.8 (12”) x 304.8mm (12”) x 25.4 (1.0”) thick
………………................................................................................................... ____
- Secured to a solid concrete slab with 4 angle brackets ……………………… ____
- Compaction Pedestal (Plumb & Level) ........................................................... ____

5. Specimen Mold Holder for single hammer compactors (centered on the compaction
Pedestal) / Clause 4.5 …………………………………………………………………………… ____

6. Forced Air Ovens, thermostatically controlled heating pot and hot plates / Clause 4.6 ….. ____

Note 1: Heating equipment required to heat material and equipment to within

3.0°C (5°F) of the required mixing and compaction temperatures.
Note 2: Suitable shields or sand baths shall be used on the surface of hot
plates to minimize localized overheating.

7. Mixing Apparatus / Clause 4.7

a. Metal pan of sufficient capacity for hand mixing …………………………………… ____

b. Mechanical mixer ……………………………………………………………………… ____

- Able to produce a well-coated mixture in the allowable time …………………. ____

- Maintain required temperature …………………………………………………… ____
- Entire batch recoverable after mixing …………………………………………… ____

Miscellaneous Equipment:

8. Containers for Heating Aggregates (flat bottom metal pans or other suitable containers)
/Clause 4.8.2 ………………………...................................................................................... ____
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Preparation of Marshall Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus

ASTM D6926 – 10

Miscellaneous (continued)

9. Covered Containers for Heating Bituminous Material (either gill-type tins, beakers or pouring
pots) / Clause 4.8.2 ............................................................................................................ ____

10. Mixing Tools (shall consist of a steel trowel (Mason’s pointing trowel with rounded point)),
spoon or spatula / Clause 4.8.3 ......................................................................................... ____

12. Thermometers readable to 1°C (2°F) / Clause 4.8.4 ......................................................... ____

13. Calibrated Thermometers (Range from 10 to 200°C (50 to 400°F) / Sensitivity of 3°C (5°F))
/ Clause 4.8.5 ……………………………………………………............................................ ____

14. Balance / Clause 4.8.6 – readable to at least 0.1 g for batching mixtures ……………....... ____

15. Scoop (flat bottom for batching) / Clause 4.8.9 ................................................................. ____

Important:

a. Refer to Note 3 of ASTM 6926 -10, regarding the use of multiple hammer operations and the
use of a single hammer.

b. Refer to Note 4 of ASTM 6926 -10, regarding standardization of dial thermometers by

comparison to a reference thermometer.

PROCEDURE (Mix Design)

1. Preparation of Aggregates / Clause 5.1

a. Dried aggregates to constant weight – 105 to 110°C (221 to 230°F)? …………. ____
b. Dry-sieved to desired size fraction? ………………………………………………… ____

2. Determination of Mixing and Compacting Temperatures / Clause 5.2.

a. Asphalt Cement heated to produce viscosities of 0.17 ± 0.02 Pa·s (for mixing) and
0.28 ± 0.03 Pa·s (for compaction)? …………………………………………………. ____

3. Mixture Preparation (Single or Multiple (3 to 4 specimens) batches / Clause 5.3 to 5.3.4.

a. Aggregate batched into single containers that will produce compacted specimens
63.5 ± 2.5 mm (2.5 ± 0.1 in.) in height? …………………………………………….. ____

- 1200 g for 1 compacted specimen ………………………………………………. ____

- 2400 g for 2 compacted specimens ……………………………………………… ____
- 3600 g for 3 compacted specimens ……………………………………………… ____
- 4800 g for 4 compacted specimens ……………………………………………… ____
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Preparation of Marshall Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus

ASTM D6926 – 10

3. Mixture Preparation (continued)

b. Containers placed in oven or on a hot plate and heated to a temperature above

but not exceeding the mixing temperature by more than 28°C (50°F) for asphalt
cements? ………………………………………………………………………………. ____
c. Charged Mixing container with heated aggregate? ………………….................... ____
d. Dry mixed (approx. 5 s) with scoop or spoon? ……………………………………. ____
e. Crater formed in dry heated mixture? ………………………………………………. ____
f. Poured the required amount of bituminous material into the mixture? …………. ____
g. Mixed the aggregate and bituminous material until thoroughly coated? ……….. ____

- 60 s for single-specimen batches? ……………………………………………… ____

- 120 s for multiple-specimen batches? …………………………………………… ____

h. Single batches placed in covered metal containers and conditioned in oven at 8°C
(15°F) to 11°C (20°F) above compaction temperature – 1 to 2 hours? ………… ____

i. Multiple batches (conditioning)

- Quartered into sample size (ASTM C702) to conform to specimen height

requirements? …………………………………………….................................... ____
- Placed in covered metal containers and conditioned in oven at 8°C (15°F) to 11°C
(20°F) above compaction temperature – 1 to 2 hours? ……………………….. ____

4. Compaction of Specimens / Clause 5.4 to 5.4.2.1

a. Marshall mould and foot of compaction hammer heated (where applicable) in boiling
water, oven or on a hot plate to a temp. between 90 and 150°C (200 and 300°F)?
…………………………………………………………………………………………… ____
b. Placed a nonabsorbent paper (cut to size) in bottom of mold? ..………………… ____
c. Placed mixture in mould and rod vigorously with heated spatula? ……………… ____

- 15 times around perimeter and 10 times in the middle of the mold.

d. Placed a nonabsorbent paper (cut to size) on top of rodded mix? ……………… ____
e. Mix temperature prior to compaction is within the limits of the compaction
temperature previously established (viscosity of 0.28 ± 0.03 Pa·s)? …………… ____
f. Placed mould securely in specimen mould holder and apply the required
number of blows with the specified compaction hammer? ……………………….. ____
g. Base plate and collar removed – mould reversed and reassembled? ………….. ____
h. Applied the same number of blows to the reverse side of compacted
specimen? …………………………………………………………………………….. ____
i. Removed collar and base plate and allowed specimen to cool sufficiently to
extract specimen from mold – transferred specimen to a smooth flat surface and
allowed to cool to room temperature? ……………………………………………… ____
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Preparation of Marshall Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus

ASTM D6926 – 10

PROCEDURE (Field Sample)

1. Recompacted Paving Mixture / Clause 5.2.3

a. Pavement (field sample) warmed in covered containers in oven to within 3.0°C (5.0°F) of
the desired compaction temperature? …………………………………………………… ____

or

Mix compacted at temp. between 120°C (250°F) and 135°C (275°F) if

compaction temp. for specific mix is unknown? ………………………………………… ____

b. Material warmed and worked to produce a loose mixture condition – cut aggregate
removed? …………………………………………………………………………………… ____
c. Oven time sufficient only to achieve desired compaction temperature? …………….. ____
d. Compaction as specified in Clause 5.4 to 5.4.2.1? ……………………………………. ____

REPORTING / 6.1 to 6.1.9

Per the following? ………………………………………………………………………. ____

- Sample identification (lab number, mix number etc)

- Type of bituminous material, source, and content
- Type(s) of aggregate, source, and grading
- Type / time of curing prior to compaction
- Type of hammer used (Type 1, 2, or 3)
- Number of blows
- Mixing temperature
- Compaction temperature
- Type / time of cooling

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