)$ Designation: D 2726-00

Standard Test Method for

Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive
Compacted Bituminous Mixtures’
This standard is issued under Ure tied designation D 2726; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last rcapproval. A
superscript epsilon (E) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapprovaf.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of bulk 3.1 Definitions of Terms Speci~c to This Standard:
specific gravity and density of specimens of compacted bitu- 3.1.1 bulk densi~—as determined by this test method, the
minous mixtures. mass of a metre cubed (or foot ctibed) of the material at 25°C
1.2 This test method should not be used with samples that (77”F).
contain open or interconnecting voids or absorb more than 270 .3.1.2 bulk speci$c gravi~—as determined by this test
of water by volume, or both, as determined in 10.4. method, the ratio of the mass of a given volume of material at
1.3 The values stated in S1 units are to be regarded as the 25°C to the mass of an equal volume of water at the same
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information temperature.
only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 The specimen is immersed in a water bath at 25°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- (77”F). The mass under water is recorded, and the specimen is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- taken out of the water, blotted quickly with a damp cloth towel,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. and weighed in air. The difference between the two masses is
used to measure the mass of an equal volume of water at 25”C.
2. Referenced Documents Correction factors are provided for converting the mass of
2.1 ASTM Standards: water to that of the reference 25°C if from a practical point of
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements view the weighing was done at different temperatures.
for Test Methods for Construction Materials* 4.2 This test method provides guidance for determination of
D 979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures3 the oven dry or thoroughly dry mass of the specimen. The bulk
D 1188 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density specific gravity is calculated from these masses. Then the
of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using ParafEn-Coated density is obtained by multiplying the specific gravity of the
Specimens3 specimen by the density of the water.
D 1461 Test Method for Moisture or Volatile Distillates in
Bituminous Paving Mixtures3 5. Significance and Use
D 3203 Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Compacted 5.1 The results obtained from this test method can be used
Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures3 to determine the unit weight of compacted dense bituminous
D 3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen- mixtures and in conjunction with Test Method D 3203, to
cies Testing and Inspecting Bituminous Paving Materials3 obtain percent air voids. These values in turn may be used in
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci- determining the relative degree of compaction.
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Testing Soil, Rock, 5.2 Since specific gravity has no units, it must be converted
and Related Construction Matenals4 to density in order to do calculations that require units. This
conversion is made by multiplying the specific gravity at a
given temperature by thedensity of water at the same tempera-
‘ This test method is under the jurkdction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road ture.
and Paving Materiafs and is the direct responsibilky of Subcommittee D04.21 on
Specific Gravity and Density of Bitorninous Mixtures. NOTEl—The personnel and equipment used in performing this test can
Current edition approved Aug. 10,2000. Published September 2000. Originally be evaftrated in accordance with Practice D 3666.
published as D 2726 – 68T. Last previous edition D 2726 – 96a”.
‘ Annual Book of ASTM Staruzhrds, Vol 04.02.
3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
4 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.

CopynghlCSASTM, 100 BarrHarborDrive,WestConshohocken,PA 19428-2959, UnitedStates.

1
6. Apparatus then determine the mass by weighing in water. Designate this
6.1 Balance, with ample capacity, and with sufficient sensi- mass as C. If the temperature of the specimen differs from the
tivity to enable bulk specific gravities of the specimens to be temperature of the water bath by more than 2°C (3.6”F), the
calculated to at least four significant figures, that is, to at least specimen shall be immersed in the water bath for 10 to 15 rein,
three decimal places. It shall be equipped with a suitable instead of 3 to 5 min.
apparatus to permit weighing the specimen while suspended in 9.1.1.1 Measure the temperature of the water and if different
water. To avoid erroneous readings by undue displacement of from 25 * 1“C (77 Y 1.8”F) a correction to the bulk specific
water, use wire or fish line of the smallest practical size to gravity to 25°C must be made in accordance with 10.2.
suspend the specimen and holder. Do not use chains, strings, or 9.1.2 Mass of Saturated Surface-Dry Specimen in Air—
sash cords. The balance shall conform to Specification D 4753 Surface * the specimen by blotting quickly with a damp cloth
as a Class GP2 balance. towel and then determine the mass by weighing in air.
Designate this mass as B.
Nom 2—Since there are no more significant figures in the quotient
9.1.3 After determining the mass in water and in a saturated-
(bulk specific gravity) than appear in either the dividend (the mass of the
specimen in air) or in the divisor (the mass of the volume of water equal surface dry condition, thoroughly dry the specimen to a
to the volume of the specimen, obtained from the difference in weight of constant mass at 110 ~ 5°C (230 3 9°F). Allow the specimen
the saturated surface-dry specimen in air and in water), this means that the to cool and weigh in air. Designate this mass as A. Other
balance must have a sensitivity capable of providing both mass vahres to methods may be used to dry the specimen as long as a constant
at least four figures. For example, a sensitivity of 0.1 g would provide four mass is achieved (mass repeats within 0.1 ?ZO).
significant figures for mass in the range from 100.1 g to 999.9 g.
Nom 3—Drying the specimen at the ~quired temperature of 110”C
6.2 Water Bath, for immersing the specimen in water while
(230”F) will change the characteristics and shape of the specimen. This
suspended, equipped with an overflow outlet for maintaining a will make the specimen unsuitable for further testing. Drying the
constant water level. The use of an overflow outlet is manda- specimen at a reduced temperature such as 52°C ( 125”F), in order to keep
tory. it intact, will not meet the requirements of this test method.

7. Sampling 9.1.3.1 Microwave drying or other approved methods may

be used to dry the specimen if the specimen is not over-heated
7.1 Specimens may be either laboratory-molded bituminous
and documentation exists showing that the results are equiva-
mixtures or from bituminous pavements.
lent to oven drying. The interval of time between readings to
7.2 Obtain field samples in accordance with Practice D 979.
determine constant mass must be sufficient to ensure that all
7.3 Pavement specimens shall be taken from pavements
moisture and solvent has been removed. This interval is
with a core drill, diamond or a Carborundum saw, or by other
dependent on the size of the specimen and can be determined
suitable means.
by experimentation and confirmed with the oven-dried com-
8. Test Specimens parisons. Documentation must exist to validate the intervals.
8.1 Size of Specinzens-It is recommended, (1) that the 9.2 For Luboratory-Prepared Thoroughly Dry Specimens:
diameter of cylindrically molded or cored specimens, or the 9.2.1 Mass of Dry Specimen in Air—Determine the mass by
length of the sides of sawed specimens, be at least equal to four weighing the specimen after it has been standing in air at room
times the maximum size of the aggregate; and (2) that the temperature for at least 1 h. Designate this mass as A.
thickness of specimens be at least one and one half times the 9.2.2 Mass of Specimen in Water—Use the same procedure
maximum size of the aggregate. as described in 9.1.1.
8.2 Care shall be taken to avoid distortion, bending, or 9.2.3 Mass of Saturated Su~ace-Dry Specimen in Air—
cracking of specimens during and after removal from pave- Surface dry the specimen byblotting quickly with a damp cloth
ments or mold. ‘Specimens shall be stored in a safe, cool place. towel and then determine the mass by weighing in air.
8.3 Specimens shall be free of foreign materials such as seal Designate this mass as B.
coat, tack coat, foundation material, soil, paper, or foil. When
any of these materials are visually evident, they shall be 10. Calculation
removed by sawing in accordance with 8.6. 10.1 Calculate the bulk specific gravity of the specimen as
8.4 If desired, specimens may be separated from other follows:
pavement layers by sawing or other satisfactory means.
Bulk Sp gr = AI(B – C) (1)

9. Procedure
where:
9.1 For Cores and for Other Specimens that May Contain A mass of the dry specimen in air, g,
Moisture or Solvent-Only specimens that are known to be (B-C) ~ mass of the volume of water for the volume of
thoroughly dry (that is, laboratory-prepared dried specimens), the specimen at 25”C,
are to be tested in accordance with 9.2. All others are assumed B= mass of the saturated surface-dry specimen in air,
to contain moisture or solvent and are to be tested in accor- g, and
dance with 9.1. The sequence of testing for 9.1 is: in water, c= mass of the specimen .in water, g.
saturated-surface dry, dry. 10.2 The bulk specific gravity of the specimen at 25°C can
9.1.1 Mass of Specimen in Water—Completely submerge be calculated from bulk specific gravity of the specimen
the specimen in the water bath at 25°C (77°F) for 3 to 5 tin measured at any other temperature as follows:

2
 Bulk sp gr at 25°C = K X Bulk sp gr measured at any other per foot cubed and the recording of density in pounds
temperature (2) force per foot cubed is acceptable with this test method.
where: 11. Report
K = determined from Table 1.
11.1 Report the following:
10.2.1 This calculation is valid for the precision of the test
11.1.1 Bulk specific gravity of the mixture to the third
method if the temperature of the water differs from 25°C by
decimal place as: bulk specific gravity at 25”C,
less than 3°C (5.4°F). For a difference of temperature greater
11.1.2 Density of the mixture with four significant figures in
than 3°C (5.4”F), a correction to the mass of water displaced
Kg/m3 or lb/ft3 as: density at 25”C,
shall be made using the following equation:
11.1.3 Type of mixture,
correction = AT X K, X @ – C) (3) 11.1.4 Size of sample, and
11.1.5 Water absorption, Yo.
where:
AT = 25°C – the temperature of the water bath, and 12. Precision and Bias
K, = 6 X 10-5 mL/mL/°C average coefficient of cubical
Criteria for judging the acceptability of bulk specific
12.1
thermal expansion of bituminous concrete.
gravity test results obtained by this test method are given in the
10.3 Calculate the density of the specimen as follows:
following table:5
Density = Bulk sp gr X 997.0( or 62.24) (4) Standard Deviation Acceptable Range of Two
Test and Type Index (1 s) Results (D 2S)
where: Single operator precision 0.0124 0.035
997.0 = density of water in Kg/ms at 25°C (0.9970 g/cm3) Multilaborstory precision 0.0269 0.076

10.4 Calculate the percent water absorbed by the specimen NOTE 4-Samples for the interlaboratory study were prepared in three
(on volume basis) as follows: bituminous mixing plants and were compacted by the individual labora-
tories with Marshatl compaction equipment using 75 blows each end of
B–A
Percent water absorbed by volume = ~ X 100 (5) the specimen. Mechanical compactors were rdso used, but they were
calibrated to give compaction equivalents for the 75 blows of tbe manuaf
10.5 If the percent water absorbed by the specimen in 10.4 equipment.
exceeds 2 ‘%o,use Test Method D 1188. In a report6 dated March 22, 1988, The University of Nevada-Reno
concluded that “The ASTM D2726 precision statement accurately reflects
10.6 This test method has been written using the absolute
variances caused by either method of compaction (Marshatl or Hveem), or
system for density (kilograms per metre cubed) in S1 units. The
by aggregate type (rounded or angular).”
conversion to the gravitational system of unit weight in pounds
12.2 The figures given in Column 2 are the standard
TABLE 1 Absolute Density of Water and Conversion Factor K for deviations that have been found to be appropriate for the
Varioua Temperatures conditions of test described in Column 1. The figures given in
Temperature,” C Absolute Density of Correction Factor K Column 3 are the limits that should not be exceeded by the
WaterA difference between the results of two properly conducted tests.
10 0.999728 1.002661 12.3 The values in Column 3 are the acceptable range for
11 0.999634 1.002567 two tests. When more than two results are being evaluated, the
12 0.999526 1.002458
13 0.999406 1.002338
range given in Column 3 must be increased. Multiply the
14 0.999273 1.002204 standard deviation(s) in Column 2 by the multiplier given in
15 0.999129 1.002060 Practice C 670, Table 1, for the number of actual tests.
16 0.998972 1.001903
17 0.998804 1.001734
Example: for three tests – 0.0124 X 3.3= 0.041. Additional
18 0.998625 1.001555 guidance and background is given in Practice C 670.
19 0.998435 1.001364 12.4 Bias-Since there is no accepted reference material
20 0.998234 1.001162
21 0.998022 1.000950
suitable for determining the bias for the procedure for measur-
22 0.997801 1.000728 ing density, no statement on the bias of this test method is
23 0.997569 1.000495 being made.
24 0.997327 1.000253
25 0.997075 1.000000 13. Keywords
26 0:996814 0.999738
27 0.996544 0.999467 13.1 air voids; compaction; density; specific gravity; unit
28 0.996284 0.999187 weight
29 .0.995976 0.998898
30 0.995678 0.998599

‘Data taken from Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 55th cd., CRC Press, 5Basis of estimate: 4 replicates, 6 materiafs, 16 laboratories.
Inc. ‘ Supporting data available from ASTM headquarters. Request RR 1004.
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