Material Mix Design

Aggregate gradation, bitumen content, and volumetric properties per ASTM D3515 / AASHTO M323

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Superpave / Marshall Mix Design

Optimizing aggregate structure and binder content for performance

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Aggregate Structure
Coarse Aggregate
> 4.75 mm (No. 4)
Fine Aggregate
0.075 - 4.75 mm
Mineral Filler
< 0.075 mm (No. 200)
CA Angularity
> 95% (1 face)
FA Angularity
> 45% (U)
Flat/Elongated
< 10% (5:1)
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Binder Selection
Performance Grade
PG 64-22 / PG 76-22
Binder Content Range
4.5% - 6.5%
Dust/Asphalt Ratio
0.6 - 1.2
Anti-Strip Agent
0.5-1.0% (if req'd)
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Volumetric Properties
Target Air Voids
4.0% (Ndesign)
VMA (Min)
13% - 17%
VFB
65% - 78%
DP Ratio
0.6 - 1.2
Gmm (Rice)
Per ASTM D2041
Gmb (Bulk)
Per ASTM D2726
Sieve Size Superpave 12.5mm Superpave 19mm Marshall 12.5mm Marshall 19mm
19.0 mm10090-10010090-100
12.5 mm90-100< 9090-100< 90
9.5 mm< 90> 90< 90> 90
4.75 mm> 90> 90> 90> 90
2.36 mm32-6728-5844-7435-65
1.18 mm> 90> 90> 90> 90
0.075 mm2-101-72-82-8
Mix Design Procedure
  • Select aggregate sources and perform blend gradation (ASTM D3515)
  • Determine design traffic level (ESALs) and select Ndesign gyrations
  • Prepare trial blends at 3-4 binder contents (0.5% increments)
  • Compact gyratory specimens to Ninitial, Ndesign, Nmax
  • Measure Gmm (Rice) and Gmb (bulk) for each blend
  • Plot volumetric curves and select optimum binder content at 4% Va
  • Verify all criteria at optimum: VMA, VFB, DP, stability, moisture
  • Run TSR (AASHTO T283) - minimum 80% retained strength
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