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Photo for visual interest. At the South Central Superpave Center, a man sits at a desk with a computer. Other test equipment is on the desk and in the background.

Superpave Testing Equipment

TTI's SHRP shear machine is capable of testing specimens in direct shear with control of both temperature and confining pressure. It is a two-axis machine, which means that it has not only a vertical hydraulic actuator but also a horizontal actuator, each of which may be controlled as desired by the user. Each machine is equipped with state-of-the-art measurement and signal conditioning systems, control systems, and data acquisition systems.

TTI also has a universal testing machine manufactured by Industrial Process Controls, Ltd., of Australia. This equipment was evaluated by TTI in National Cooperative Highway Research Program's 9-7 study to determine its suitability for QC/QA testing that will be compatible with Superpave.

TTI has either acquired or designated funds to buy all of the equipment necessary to test asphalt binders and mixes according to Superpave. TTI has the following SHRP testing equipment in the laboratory and operational at this time:

  • direct tension,
  • bending beam rheometer,
  • dynamic shear rheometer (Bohlin),
  • pressure aging vessel,
  • brookfield thermosel viscometer,
  • superpave shear machine, and
  • superpave gyratory compactor.

Indirect tensile testing equipment has been requisitioned.

For More Information

Joe Button
Materials and Pavements Division
Texas Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX  77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-9965 · fax (979) 845-0278
j-button@tamu.edu

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