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Alternative Title:Investigation of nuclear asphalt content gauge.
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Abstract:The introduction of new aggregate sources to Louisiana in the mid 1980s has presented problems in asphalt concrete mix design and construction. Absorptive aggregates such as reclaimed portland cement concrete and some stones now being supplied have made asphalt content determination a critical aspect of mix control. Current test procedures take several hours to determine asphalt content. In addition, the use of chlorinated solvents is being reduced nationally because of their hazardous storage, handling and disposal problems. This study evaluated the operation and performance of the nuclear asphalt content gauge as a replacement for existing methods to reduce test time and eliminate the use of hazardous solvents. The variation in test results between centrifuge, reflux and the nuclear asphalt content gauge was evaluated for one week's production at six asphalt plants. Three batch plants and three drum plants were examined. Moisture content for the correction of nuclear content results was determined using both a microwave and the ASTM D1461 distillation method. Cold feed gradations were compared to extracted gradations from the samples tested for asphalt content. The pooled standard deviations for the nuclear asphalt content gauge were similar to the reflux extraction results regardless of plant type with the batch plant deviation slightly lower than the drum plant. Both the nuclear gauge and the reflux had lower standard deviations than the centrifuge extractor. All moisture contents were negligible indicating reduced need for this test. Cold feed gradations were similar to hot mix extracted results with occasional bias because of the type of plant emission control and return system. The cold feed standard deviations for each sieve were comparable to the extracted hot mix samples, historical and Materials Test System (MATT) data bases.
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