Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Test Method LS-297 Rev. No.

34
Laboratory Testing Manual Date:2020-05-15 Page 1 of 9

METHOD OF TEST FOR

THE DETERMINATION OF INDIRECT TENSILE STRENGTH
OF EXPANDED ASPHALT MIXES

1. SCOPE
1.1 This method covers procedures for indirect tensile strength testing of field samples of
expanded asphalt mix.
1.2 This method covers two procedures for specimen preparation: (i) Steps 5 to 7 illustrate the
preparation of briquette from loose samples; (ii) Step 8 illustrates the procedure for curing and coring
the specimen from slab samples.

2. RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
2.1 MTO LS-261 Method of Test for Preparation of Marshall Specimens
MTO LS-282 Method of Test for Quantitative Extraction of Asphalt Cement and Analysis
of Extracted Aggregate From Bituminous Paving Mixtures
MTO LS-707 Method of Test for Moisture-Density Relationship of Soils using 4.5 kg
Rammer and 457 mm Drop
2.2 ASTM D2041 Standard Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and
Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures
ASTM D2216 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture)
Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
ASTM D6931 Standard Test Method for Indirect Tensile (IDT) Strength of Bituminous
Mixtures
ASTM E11 Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
2.3 Wirtgen Cold Recycling Technology Manual, 1st Edition, 2012

3. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

Constant Mass the mass of the sample when there is no change in mass in excess of 0.1% for
successive 30 minute drying periods.
Prepared Mix material that passes the 26.5 mm sieve that has a moisture content equal to 80% of
w omc .
w omc optimum moisture content determined during the mix design process in accordance
with the Modified Proctor Test (LS-707).
w labsample the percentage of moisture in the sample in the lab as determine prior to moisture
conditioning, by mass.
π 3.141593
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4. APPARATUS
OVEN: of suitable capacity and capable of maintaining 110 ± 5°C for drying samples
MARSHALL MOLDS: as per LS-261
COMPACTION HAMMER: as per LS-261
COMPACTION PEDESTAL: as per LS-261
FILTER PAPER: paper disc as per LS-261
WEIGH SCALE: as per LS-261
SIEVE: 26.5 mm opening sieve, meeting ASTM E11 specifications with a minimum surface area
equivalent to a sieve with a 305 mm diameter frame
SPATULA: as per LS-261
METAL TROUGH: as per LS-261
CONTAINERS: as required for mixing and splitting samples
EXTRUSION JACK: as per LS-261
INFRARED THERMOMETER GUN: capable of measuring temperatures with an accurancy of ± 1°C
and calibrated according to ASTM E2847.
FORCED DRAFT OVEN: capable of maintaining 40 ± 1°C for curing the specimens
TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM: an air cabinet or water bath capable of maintaining a
temperature of 25°C ± 1°C
COMPRESSION LOADING APPARATUS AND BREAKING HEAD: able to uniformly load the
specimen with a constant deformation rate of 50.8 mm/minute, see Figure 1
LOADING STRIPS: as per ASTM D6931, see Figure 1
VERNIER CALIPER: long jaw greater than 100 mm
CORING MACHINE: capable to core 4” specimens
FREEZER: capble to maintaining -18 ± 1 °C for freezing the specimens

5. PROCEDURE FOR PREPARING LAB SAMPLE USING LOOSE EXPANDED ASPHALT MIX
5.1 Keep the bags of loose expanded asphalt mix samples at room temperature (22 ± 2°C) for at
least 2 hours prior to sample preparation.
5.2 Manually screen the entire sample. Particles retained on the 26.5 mm sieve that are stuck
together may be separated by hand. Oversize material shall not be crushed. Discard material retained
on the 26.5 mm sieve.
5.3 Determine w labsample by following the procedures outlined in ASTM D2216 with the following
exceptions: use a 1000 g representative portion, and record its mass to the nearest 0.1 g.
5.4 When w labsample is greater than or equal to 80% of w omc , proceed to Step 6 and immediately
prepare the briquettes.
5.5 When w labsample is less than 80% of w omc , determine the mass of water, m water (g) that needs to
be added to the remaining screened material (for manufacturing briquettes as in Step 6) as follows:
Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Test Method LS-297 Rev. No. 34
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5.5.1 Weigh the screened material that passed the 26.5 mm sieve to determine its mass, m labsample
(g) in a tared flat pan.
5.5.2 Moisture condition the screened material, from w labsample to 0.8w omc by adding m water of water
as calculated by the following equation:

mwater = (0.8womc − wlabsample ) × mlabsample

The mass of water, m water can be added by spraying the sample with a spray bottle filled with distilled
water and mixing the moisture into the screened material. The prepared mix shall be compacted into
briquettes as soon as 80% of the optimum moisture content, 0.8w omc is achieved.

6. PROCEDURE FOR THE COMPACTION OF SPECIMENS USING LOOSE EXPANDED ASPHALT

MIX (BRIQUETTE MANUFACTURE)
6.1 Prepare the Marshall mold and compaction hammer by cleaning the mold, collar, base-plate,
and face of the compaction hammer at room temperature (22 ± 2°C). Use 100 mm (4”) Marshall molds
for the briquettes.
6.2 Reduce the prepared mix using the riffle splitter in accordance with LS-282 to get sufficient
material (approximately 6,600 g) for preparing 6 Marshall briquettes. Note that, to achieve a
compacted height of 63.5 ± 2.5 mm, usually 1,100 g is sufficient for each briquette. The 6 briquettes
will be divided into 2 sets of 3 briquettes each. One set of 3 briquettes will be tested as dry specimens
and the other set of 3 briquettes will be tested as wet specimens.
6.3 Place a filter paper at the bottom of the Marshall mold (see Note 1).
6.4 Using the metal trowel for removing the prepared mix from the trough, place approximately
1,100 g into each of the tared molds. Make certain that the bottom of the trowel is in contact with the
bottom of the trough so that the prepared mix is not removed in layers.
6.5 Using the spatula, rod the prepared mix in the mold 25 times – 15 around the outside, 10
around the centre. When rodding around the outside, keep the spatula blade flat against the inside
the mold. When rodding around the inside, do not change direction of the blade, and finish by leaving
a small cone of prepared mix in the centre of the mold.
6.6 Place another filter paper at the top of the Marshall mold.
6.7 The briquettes shall be compacted at room temperature (22 ± 2°C). Each briquette shall
receive 75 blows per side. Make sure the hammer is kept as vertical as possible and ensure free fall
of the hammer during compaction.
6.8 After compaction, remove the mold from the base-plate, remove the top and bottom filter
papers, and extrude the briquettes by means of an extrusion jack.

Note 1: Placing filter paper at the bottom and top of the Marshall mold may be omitted, provided that
the mold and the hammer are kept clean.
Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Test Method LS-297 Rev. No. 34
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7. PROCEDURE FOR CURING THE BRIQUETTE SPECIMENS

7.1 Place the specimens on their faces on a smooth flat perforated tray and cure in a forced draft
oven for 24 hours at 40 ± 1°C. Turn the specimens over the tray and cure for a further 48 ± 4 hours
at 40 ± 1°C.
7.2 Remove the specimens from the oven, and immediately record each specimen’s mass in air,
M to the nearest 0.1 g.
7.3 Allow the specimens to cool in air at room temperature (22 ± 2°C) for a minimum of 4 hours
and a maximum of 20 hours. The use of fans or other methods of accelerating cooling of specimens
is not permitted.

8. PROCEDURE FOR CORING AND CURING THE SPECIMENS FROM SLAB SPECIMENS
8.1 Total of six slab samples to produce six core specimens, one core from each slab specimen.
The core specimens will be divided into 2 sets of 3 cores each. One set of 3 cores will be tested as
dry specimens and the other set of 3 cores will be tested as wet specimens.
8.2 A small companion sample, taken of the top 70 mm of the recycled material, shall be extracted
to determine the moisture content of the recycled mat according to the Determination of the Moisture
Content from LS-282. Then, Perform either Method A or Method B from below.

Method A
8.3 The representative moisture content of the companion sample shall be 3.5% or less to
continue with the freezing process. If the companion slab moisture exceeds 3.5%, continue testing
according to Method B.
8.4 Freeze the slabs at -18 ± 1 °C for 12 to 24 hours.
8.5 Remove the slab specimens from the freezer and immediately use a wet coring method to
extract 4” core specimens, with minimal amount of water to help lubricate the coring procedure. The
top surface of the slab should be placed face down on a flat surface while coring. ATttal of six 4” core
samples shall be extracted.
8.6 The cores shall be trimmed from the bottom to a height of 63.5 ± 2.5 mm using a table saw
immediately following the coring.
8.7 Dry the core specimens by placing them in the oven for 72 hours at 40 ± 1°C, and immediately
record each specimen’s mass in air, M to the nearest 0.1 g.
8.8 Allow the specimens to cool in air at room temperature (22 ± 2°C) for a minimum of 4 hours
and a maximum of 20 hours. The use of fans or other methods of accelerating cooling of specimens
is not permitted.
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Method B
8.3 Place the slab specimens on a smooth flat perforated tray and cure in the oven for 72 hours
at 40 ± 1°C.
8.4 Remove the slab specimens from the oven to cool in air at room temperature (22 ± 2°C) for a
minimum of 12 to 24 hours.
8.5 Extract total of six 4” core sample with minimal amount of water to help lubricate the coring
procedure. The top surface of the slab should be placed face down on a flat surface while coring.
8.6 The cores shall be trimmed from the bottom to a height of 63.5 ± 2.5 mm using a table saw
immediately following the coring.
8.7 Dry the core specimens by placing them in the oven for 24 hours at 40 ± 1°C, and immediately
record each specimen’s mass in air, M to the nearest 0.1 g.
8.8 Allow the specimens to cool in air at room temperature (22 ± 2°C) for a minimum of 4 hours
and a maximum of 20 hours. The use of fans or other methods of accelerating cooling of specimens
is not permitted.

9. DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIMENS VOLUME

9.1 When cooled, the height, h shall be measured around the circumference at 4 evenly spaced
places for each specimen to the nearest 0.1 mm and the average height, h avg is calculated. The
diameter, d shall be measured at two cross faces (at 0° and 90° for each face) for each specimen to
the nearest 0.1 mm and the average diameter, d avg is calculated. Use these measurements to
calculate the volume of each specimen with the following formula:

π d avg 2 havg
V=
4000
Where V = volume of specimen in cm3 to one decimal place
d avg = average diameter of specimen in mm to one decimal place
h avg = average height of specimen in mm to one decimal place

10. DETERMINATION OF SPECIMEN DENSITY

10.1 Calculate the density of the compacted specimens using the following formula:
M
D=
V
Where D = density in g/cm3 to three decimal places
M = mass of specimen in g
V = volume of specimen in cm3
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10.2 If the density of any one specimen is more than ± 0.015 g/cm3 from the average density of all
the specimens, recheck the calculations and, if necessary, re-weigh.
10.3 Group the 6 specimens into 2 sets of 3 specimens each so that the average density of
each set is essentially the same (see Note 2).

Note 2: Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) requires 3 specimens for dry conditioning and another 3
specimens for wet (soak) conditioning.

11. DETERMINATION OF INDIRECT TENSILE STRENGTH (ITS)

11.1 The standard ITS test is used to test the specimens under both dry and wet conditions. The
ITS is determined by measuring the ultimate load to failure of a specimen which is subjected to a
constant deformation rate of 50.8 mm/minute on its diametrical axis according to ASTM D6931.
11.2 The dry specimen conditioning procedure is as follows:
11.2.1 Bring the 3 specimens to the test temperature of 25° ± 1°C by placing the specimens in a dry
temperature control system for 2 h ± 10 min ; or by placing the specimens in a heavy duty leak-proof
plastic bag and then placing in a 25° ± 1.0°C water bath for 2 h ± 10 min with a minimum 25 mm of
water above the surface.
11.2.2 Remove a specimen from the air cabinet or water bath and place it into the loading apparatus.
11.2.3 Centre the specimen on edge on the lower loading strip. Position the upper loading strip.
Take note of the alignment marks on the loading apparatus and position accordingly.
11.2.4 Position the assembly centrally under the loading ram of the compression testing device.
11.2.5 Apply the load to the specimen without shock, at a rate of advance of 50.8 mm per minute
until the maximum load is reached.
11.2.6 Record this maximum load, P (in N), accurate to zero decimal place.
11.2.7 Record the internal temperature of the specimens using an infrared thermometer gun
immediately after the test.
11.3 The wet specimen conditioning procedure is as follows:
11.3.1 Condition the 3 specimens with water at 25°C ± 1°C in a vacuum according to ASTM D2041,
with the exception that the vacuum pressure is only increased until the residual pressure manometer
reads 50 mm mercury. Once the vacuum is achieved, continue vacuuming and agitating for 60 ± 1
minutes.
11.3.2 Remove the specimen from the vacuum and let the specimen drain for 5 miniutes, and then
surface dry the specimen.
11.3.3 Test for the ultimate tensile load, as described above in Steps 9.2.3 through 9.2.7.
11.4 Calculate the ITS for each specimen to the nearest 1 kPa using the following formula:
2000 × P
ITS =
π × havg × d avg
Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Test Method LS-297 Rev. No. 34
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Where ITS = Indirect Tensile Strength in kPa to zero decimal place

P = Maximum applied load in N to zero decimal place
h avg = average height of the specimen in mm to one decimal place
d avg = average diameter of the specimen in mm to one decimal place

11.5 Calculate the tensile strength ratio (TSR) for each set of specimens using the following
formula:
ITS wet
TSR = × 100%
ITS dry
Where ITS wet = average ITS of all wet specimens in the set
ITS dry = average ITS of all dry specimens in the set

12. REPORTING

Report the following measurements in the report:

12.1 w labsample of each specimen and w omc of the mix design, to the nearest 0.1%.
12.2 h avg and d avg of each specimen to the nearest 0.1 mm, and its calculated volume and density.
12.3 ITS of each specimen to the nearest kPa.
12.4 ITS dry and ITS wet for the set of dry and wet specimens to the nearest kPa, respectively, and
the calculated TSR value.
12.5 Internal temperature of each specimen immediately after test to the nearest 1°C.
12.6 Deformation rate used in test, to the nearest mm/min.
12.7 Any observations about the load test.
Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Test Method LS-297 Rev. No. 34
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Figure 1
Humboldt Modified Lotman Breaking Head with Guide Rods and Loading Strips
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Figure 2
Example of a Report Form