The temperatures for this test are based upon the winter temperature experienced by the pavement in the geographical area for which the asphalt binder is intended.

The flexural creep stiffness or flexural creep compliance, determined from this test, describes the low-temperature stress-strain-time response of asphalt binder at the test temperature within the range of linear viscoelastic response.

The low-temperature thermal cracking performance of asphalt pavements is related to the creep stiffness and the m-value of the asphalt binder contained in the mix.

The creep stiffness and the m-value are used as performance-based specification criteria for asphalt binders in accordance with Specification D 6373.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flexural-creep stiffness or compliance and m-value of asphalt binders by means of a bending beam rheometer. It is applicable to material having flexural-creep stiffness values in the range of 20 MPa to 1 GPa (creep compliance values in the range of 50 nPa^–1 to 1 nPa^–1) and can be used with unaged material or with materials aged using aging procedures such as Test Method D 2872 or Practice D 6521. The test apparatus may be operated within the temperature range from –36°C to 0°C.

1.2 Test results are not valid for test specimens that deflect more than 4 mm or less than 0.08 mm when tested in accordance with this test method.

1.3 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 (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Program to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for Construction Materials

D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials

D2872 Test Method for Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)

D6373 Specification for Performance Graded Asphalt Binder

D6521 Practice for Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using a Pressurized Aging Vessel (PAV)

E77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Thermometers

DIN Standard

Keywords

bending beam rheometer; flexural creep compliance; flexural creep stiffness; Asphalt binder; BBR (bending beam rheometer); Flexural testing--concrete; Rheometers;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 19.060 (Mechanical testing); 93.080.20 (Road construction materials)

Citing ASTM Standards

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