This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6925 − 23

Standard Test Method for

Preparation and Determination of the Relative Density of
Asphalt Mix Specimens by Means of the Superpave
Gyratory Compactor1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6925; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the compaction of an asphalt 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
mix into cylindrical specimens using the Superpave Gyratory D8 Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pave-
Compactor (SGC). This standard also refers to the determina- ments
tion of the relative density of the compacted specimens at any D979/D979M Practice for Sampling Asphalt Mixtures
point in the compaction process. Compacted specimens are D1188/D1188M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and
suitable for volumetric, physical property, and mechanical Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Coated
testing. Smaller specimens may be cut from the compacted
Samples
cylindrical specimen for specific test specimen geometry
D2041/D2041M Test Method for Theoretical Maximum
requirements. The compaction procedures apply to Laboratory
Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures
iTeh Standards
Mixed Laboratory Compacted (LMLC) and Plant Mixed Labo-
ratory Compacted (PMLC) asphalt mix. D2726/D2726M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and
Density of Non-Absorptive Compacted Asphalt Mixtures

([Link]
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
standard. The values given in degrees for the angle of gyration, cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
gyrations per minute, and hardness are mathematical conver-
Document Preview
D4402/D4402M Test Method for Viscosity Determination of
sions from the SI units and are provided for information
Asphalt at Elevated Temperatures Using a Rotational
regarding the commonly used units of degree, rotations per
Viscometer
minute, and Rockwell hardness, respectfully.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.3 The text of this test method references ASTM D6925-23ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
notes and
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
[Link]
Construction Materials Testing
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be D6752/D6752M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and
considered as requirements of the standard. Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Vacuum Sealing Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D6857/D6857M Test Method for Maximum Specific Grav-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- Vacuum Sealing Method
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. D7115 Test Method for Measurement of Superpave Gyra-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- tory Compactor (SGC) Internal Angle of Gyration Using
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Simulated Loading
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the E10 Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
terials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.20 on
2
Mechanical Tests of Asphalt Mixtures. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, [Link], or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@[Link]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6925 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6925-23. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D6925 − 23
2.2 AASHTO Standards:3 5. Apparatus
R 18 Standard Practice for Establishing and Implementing a 5.1 Superpave Gyratory Compactor—A compactor com-
Quality Management System for Construction Materials prised of the following system components: (1) reaction frame
Testing Laboratories and drive system, (2) loading system, loading ram, and
R 99 Standard Practice for Troubleshooting Asphalt Speci- pressure indicator, and (3) recording system for height mea-
men Volumetric Differences between Superpave Gyratory surement and number of gyrations.
Compactors (SGCs) Used in the Design and the Field 5.1.1 The reaction frame shall provide a structure against
Management of Superpave Mixtures which the compaction pressure can be applied when compact-
R 30 Standard Practice for Mixture Conditioning of Hot Mix ing specimens.
Asphalt (HMA) 5.1.2 The compactor shall be designed to gyrate the mold at
R 35 Standard Practice for Superpave Volumetric Design for a constant angle of gyration during the compaction process. An
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) internal angle of gyration of 20.25 6 0.35 mrad (1.16 6 0.02°)
R 47 Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Hot Mix as determined by Test Method D7115 shall be utilized.
Asphalt (HMA) to Testing Size
T 312 Standard Method of Test for Preparing and Determin- NOTE 2—Research has shown external angle (measurement between the
external mold wall and the frame of the compactor) to be different from
ing the Density of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens by
the internal angle (measurement between internal mold wall and top and
Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor bottom plate). The difference between these measurements varies for
T 344 Standard Method of Test for Evaluation of Superpave different types of compactors. Some discrepancies in relative density have
Gyratory Compactor (SGC) Internal Angle of Gyration been resolved by use of the internal angle.
Using Simulated Loading 5.1.3 The gyration drive system shall be capable of gyrating
2.3 Other References: the specimen at a rate of 0.5 6 0.0083 Hz (30.0 6 0.5
ASME B46.1 Surface Texture (Surface Roughness, gyrations per minute).
Waviness, and Lay)4 5.1.4 The loading system, ram, and force indicator shall be
Asphalt Institute MS-2 Mix Design Methods for Asphalt capable of providing and measuring a constant vertical force to
Concrete5 provide an applied pressure of 600 6 60 kPa during the first

3. Terminology
iTeh Standards five gyrations and 600 6 18 kPa during the remainder of the
compaction process. The applied pressure is defined as the
3.1 This test method uses ([Link]
applied force divided by the area of the nominal mold diameter
terms as defined by Terminology (150 mm).
D8.

4. Significance and Use

Document Preview NOTE 3—The report on the ruggedness evaluation of AASHTO TP4
(T 312)6 indicated that the pressure tolerance of 618 kPa resulted in
significantly different values of bulk specific gravity of the compacted
4.1 This test method is used to prepare specimens for specimens (Gmb) in some cases. However, since the pressure is directly set
at 600 kPa, the tolerance of 618 kPa should apply only to the ability of
ASTM
determining the volumetric and physical properties of com- D6925-23
the SGC to maintain vertical pressure during compaction. To minimize
[Link]
pacted asphalt mix. potential errors caused by pressure, operators should take care during
verification of calibration to ensure that the specified pressure has been
4.2 This test method is useful for monitoring the density of attained.
test specimens during the compaction process. This test
5.1.5 The axis of the loading ram shall be perpendicular to
method is suited for the laboratory design, field control of
the platens of the compactor.
asphalt mix, forensics, imaging, and visualization of com-
5.1.6 The height measurement and recording system shall
pacted asphalt mix.
be capable of continuously measuring and recording the height
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are of the specimen during the compaction process to the nearest
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure 0.1 mm. The height shall be recorded once per gyration.
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. 5.1.7 The system shall record test information such as
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally
considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling,
specimen heights per gyration. This may be accomplished
inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with through data acquisition or printing.
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results. 5.1.8 The system shall be capable of stopping at a specified
Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of number of gyrations or at a specified height through automatic
Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a control or operator input.
means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.
5.2 Specimen Molds—Specimen molds shall have steel
walls that are at least 7.5 mm thick and are hardened to
3
Rockwell C48 or better. New molds shall have an inside
Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
diameter of 149.90 mm to 150.00 mm. The inside diameter of
[Link] molds in service shall be 149.90 to 150.20 mm. The inside
4
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
6
[Link]. McGennis, R., Kennedy, T. W., Anderson, V. L., Perdomo, D., “The Superpave
5
Available from Asphalt Institute, 2696 Research Park Dr., Lexington, KY Gyratory Compactor,” Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists,
40511, [Link] Vol 66, 1997, pp. 277–311.

2
 D6925 − 23
finish of the molds shall be smooth (rms of 1.60 µm or is reason to doubt the stability of the machine’s operation.
smoother when measured in accordance with ASME B46.1). Check the mold bore diameter and end plate diameters annu-
The inside diameter of the molds shall be measured in ally.
accordance with Annex A1. 6.3 Verification of standardization shall be performed if the
5.3 Mold Plates and Ram Heads—All mold plates and ram gyratory compactor is transported to a new location.
heads in contact with the mixture shall be fabricated from steel NOTE 5—Unknown SGC equipment should be evaluated using proce-
dures such as Test Method D7115 to assess its ability to produce
with a minimum hardness of 451 BHN according to Test
compacted specimens at various compaction levels which are equivalent
Method E10 (Rockwell Hardness of C48 according to Test to existing SGC models which are known to have met the specifications.
Method E18). The mold plates and ram head surfaces in Such assessments should utilize the calibration and operational parameters
contact with the mixture shall be flat and shall have an outside outlined in Section 5.
diameter of 149.50 to 149.75 mm. The outside diameter of the
end plates shall be measured in accordance with Annex A1. 7. Preparation of Lab Mixed Lab Compacted (LMLC)
Test Specimens
5.4 Thermometers—Calibrated liquid-in-glass thermom-
eters of suitable range with subdivisions of 0.1 °C or 0.2 °C 7.1 Preparation of Aggregates—Weigh and combine the
conforming to the requirements of Specification E2251 shall be appropriate aggregate fractions to the desired specimen weight.
used (ASTM Thermometer Numbers S67F-03 or S67C-03; The specimen weight will vary based on the ultimate disposi-
S65F-03 or S65C-03; S63F-03 or S63C-03; or equivalent). tion of the test specimens. If a target air void level is desired
Alternatively, other thermometer may be used, for example such as that required for mechanical property tests, specimen
resistance thermometer (RTD, PRT, IPRT) of equal or better weights shall be adjusted to create a given density in a known
accuracy. Calibrate the temperature measurement system volume. If the specimens are to be used for determination of
(probe and readout) to ensure accurate measurements within volumetric properties, the weights shall be adjusted to result in
63 °C. a compacted specimen having dimensions of 150 mm in
diameter and 115 6 5 mm in height at the required number of
NOTE 4—Standardization practices specified in Specification D3666 are gyrations.

iTeh Standards
recommended for the thermometer used in this test method. Dial ther- NOTE 6—It may be necessary to produce a trial specimen to achieve this
mometers may exhibit inaccuracies due to frequent use or mishandling. It height requirement. Generally, 4500 to 4700 g of aggregate are required to
is recommended that the standardization of dial thermometers be con- achieve this height for aggregates with combined bulk specific gravities of

([Link]
ducted more frequently by a comparison to a reference thermometric 2.55 to 2.70 respectively.
device of equal or greater readability at a temperature within the range of NOTE 7—Details of aggregate preparation may be found in any suitable
intended use. mix design manual, such as the Asphalt Institute’s MS-2 or AASHTO

Document
g. The balance shall Preview
5.5 Balance—The balance shall have a minimum capacity
of 10 000 g with a sensitivity of 0.1
R 35.
7.2 Place the blended aggregate specimens and asphalt
conform to Guide D4753 as a Class GP2 balance. binder in an oven and bring to the required mixing temperature.
Heat the mixing container and all necessary mixing imple-
ASTM the
5.6 Oven—A forced-draft oven capable of maintaining D6925-23
ments to the required temperature.
[Link]
specimen at the required temperature for heating aggregate, 7.2.1 The laboratory mixing temperature range is typically
asphalt, and equipment. The oven shall have a range of 50 °C defined as the range of temperatures where the unaged asphalt
to a minimum of 204 °C, thermostatically controlled to 63 °C. binder has a viscosity of 170 6 20 mPa·s measured in
5.7 Miscellaneous—Miscellaneous equipment may include: accordance with Test Method D4402/D4402M.
flat bottom metal pans for heating aggregates; scoops for NOTE 8—Modified asphalt binders, especially those produced with
batching aggregates; containers for heating asphalt binders; polymer additives, generally do not adhere to the equiviscous ranges noted
mixing spoons; trowels; spatulas; welder’s gloves for handling in 7.2.1. The user should refer to the asphalt binder manufacturer to
hot equipment; 150 mm paper disks; lubricants for moving establish appropriate mixing and compaction temperature ranges. In no
case should the mixing temperature exceed 175 °C.
parts; laboratory timers; and mechanical mixers.
7.3 Charge the heated mixing bowl with the dry, heated
6. Standardization aggregate and mix the dry aggregates. Form a crater in the
heated aggregate blend and weigh the required amount of
6.1 Items requiring periodic standardization of calibration asphalt binder into the aggregate blend. Immediately initiate
include the vertical pressure, internal angle of gyration, fre- mixing.
quency of gyration, height measurement system, and oven
temperature. Check of the mold and platen dimensions and 7.4 Mix the asphalt binder and aggregate as quickly and
smoothness of finish is also required. Verification of thoroughly as possible to yield an asphalt mixture having a
calibration, system standardization, and quality checks shall be uniform distribution of asphalt binder. Because of the large
performed by the manufacturer, other agencies providing batch weights, a mechanical mixer is preferable for the mixing
standardization services, or in-house personnel. Frequency of process.
verification shall follow Specification D3666 intervals. 7.5 After completing the mixing process, subject the loose
mix to the appropriate conditioning in accordance with
6.2 Standardize the internal angle of gyration, pressure
AASHTO R 30.
(applied force (kN) divided by nominal mold area (m2)), height
measurement, and gyration speed annually and whenever there NOTE 9—Different asphalt mix conditioning procedures may apply for

3
 D6925 − 23
volumetric design and mechanical property testing specimens. 15 min or more. Operator experience should dictate the length (and
necessity) of the cooling period to avoid deformation of the compacted
8. Preparation of Plant Mixed Lab Compacted (PMLC) mixture specimen. Under no circumstances should specimens which have
Test Specimens bulged or otherwise deformed be used for any testing purposes.
9.5 Place the extruded specimen on a flat surface in an area
8.1 Samples of plant-produced asphalt mix shall be obtained
where it can cool undisturbed to room temperature. Clean the
according to Practice D979/D979M or other specified sampling
mold and end plates then place the compaction mold and end
method. Samples shall be reduced to test size according to
plates back in the oven for a minimum of 20 min before
AASHTO R 47 or other specified procedure.
reusing. See also Note 11.
8.2 For samples of plant-produced asphalt mix, the user
9.6 Collect the printout or save the data to file of the height
must specify one of the following short-term aging conditions.
measurements for each gyration.
8.2.1 No conditioning, compact immediately as produced.
The asphalt mix may need to be equilibrated at lab compaction 10. Densification Procedure
temperature as defined in 9.1.1.
8.2.2 Condition according to 7.5. 10.1 When the specimen densification is to be monitored, as
8.2.3 Another conditioning that the user can demonstrate in a volumetric mix design, the following steps are required in
will replicate the design conditioning. addition to those specified in Section 9.
10.1.1 Determine the mass of the extruded specimen to the
NOTE 10—Reheated Plant Mixed Lab Compacted (RPMLC) asphalt nearest 0.1 g. Determine the bulk specific gravity of the
mix reheating procedures may induce artificial aging which may influence
compacted density.
extruded specimen in accordance with Test Method D1188/
D1188M, D2726/D2726M, or D6752/D6752M.
9. Compaction Procedure 10.1.2 Determine the maximum theoretical specific gravity
of the loose mixture in accordance with Test Method D2041/
9.1 Place a compaction mold assembly (including mold and D2041M or D6857/D6857M, using a companion sample. The
end plates) in an oven at the required compaction temperature companion sample shall be conditioned to the same extent as
6 5 °C for a minimum of 45 min prior to the compaction of the the compacted specimen using AASHTO R 30.
conditioning process described in 7.5). iTeh Standards
first mixture specimen (during the time the mixture is in the
11. Relative Density Calculations

([Link]
NOTE 11—Oven performance and temperature uniformity can signifi-
11.1 At the completion of Section 10 determinations, deter-
cantly impact the time required for a mold to reach compaction tempera-
mine the relative density at any given gyration of interest as
ture. Mold temperature can be confirmed with an infrared thermometer.
9.1.1 The compaction temperatureDocument
range is defined as the Preview
follows:

range of temperatures where the unaged asphalt binder has a

viscosity of 280 6 30 mPa·s measured in accordance with Test
S D G mbx 5 G mbfinal
h final
hx
(1)

Method D4402/D4402M. See also Note 8. ASTM D6925-23 S D %G mm 5

G mbx
G mm
100 (2)
[Link]
9.2 Verify the settings on the compactor. Unless noted
otherwise, the SGC shall be initialized to provide specimen where:
compaction using the settings described in 5.1. The number of Gmbx = bulk specific gravity of the extruded specimen at
gyrations for specimens used for volumetric properties shall be any gyration, x,
determined by AASHTO R 35 or other governing specification. Gmm = maximum theoretical specific gravity of the mix-
The final compacted specimen height may be used as the stop ture (companion sample),
criteria for mechanical test specimens compacted to a target air hfinal = height of the specimen recorded at the final
void. gyration, mm,
9.3 At the end of the conditioning period, remove the loose hx = height of the specimen recorded at any gyration, x,
mix sample and the compaction mold assembly from the oven. during the compaction process, mm,
Gmbfinal = bulk specific gravity of the extruded specimen at
Place a paper disk inside the mold to aid separation of the
the final gyration, and
specimen from the base plate after compaction.
%Gmm = relative density at any gyration, x.
NOTE 12—Some SGC models permit the mix to be placed into the mold NOTE 15—The relative density calculated at any gyration (x) using the
after the mold is loaded into the machine. above equation is an approximation based on back calculation. Due to
inherent variability in aggregates as well as blending and mixing of HMA
9.4 At the end of the compaction process, remove the mold specimens, the actual relative density of an alternate specimen produced
assembly from the SGC. After a suitable cooling period, using the same materials at any given number of gyrations (x) may not
extrude the compacted specimen from the mold and remove the exactly correlate with the relative density calculated using the above
paper disk. equation.
NOTE 16—AASHTO R 99 provides guidance on troubleshooting den-
NOTE 13—Some compactor configurations may permit extruding from sity discrepancies between laboratories.
the mold prior to removing the mold from the compactor.
NOTE 14—The purpose of the cooling period is to ensure that the 12. Report
specimen will not deform when it is extruded. Cooling may be facilitated
using a fan. For some specimens with high air voids (7 % or more) that 12.1 Report the following information:
will be used in physical property testing, this period may be as long as 12.1.1 Project details;