System and method for conditioning and detection of susceptibility to moisture damage in asphalt mixes
US8312776B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2203/0005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determination of susceptibility of asphalt concrete materials to moisture damage. An asphalt sample of known bulk specific gravity (density) is placed inside a chamber filled with water, which is capable of heating the sample to a predetermined temperature. The chamber is pressurized by introduction of air pressure to a flexible membrane that decreases the volume within a chamber containing the sample and water, increasing the pore pressure in the sample. The pressure is then released and allowed to come to ambient pressure. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times (cycles). When a selected number of cycles are complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and its bulk specific gravity (density) measured again. The difference between the density before and after conditioning is an excellent method of rating the degree at which moisture would deteriorate asphalt samples due to introduction of moisture. The cyclic nature of the increased/decreased pore pressure is observed to significantly decrease bulk specific gravity (density) for poor quality asphalt designs. Furthermore, the sample conditioned by this method can be used for …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.