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: D1074 − 17

Standard Test Method for

Compressive Strength of Asphalt Mixtures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1074; 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 D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates

1.1 This test method provides a method for measuring the D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
compressive strength of compacted asphalt mixtures. It is for D979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures
use with specimens weighed, batched, mixed, and fabricated in D1075 Test Method for Effect of Water on Compressive
the laboratory, as well as for mixtures manufactured in a Strength of Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
hot-mix plant. D2041 Test Method for Theoretical Maximum Specific
Gravity and Density of Bituminous Paving Mixtures
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded D2726 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical of Non-Absorptive Compacted Bituminous Mixtures
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only D3203 Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Compacted
and are not considered standard. Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
as requirements of the standard. ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the Construction Materials Testing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2.2 Federal Specification:
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Bridges on Federal Highway Projects3
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1 The compressive strength of specimens prepared and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. tested by this test method along with density and voids
properties are used for laboratory mix design of asphalt
2. Referenced Documents mixtures. One approach is described in ASTM STP 252.4
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3.1.1 This test method also describes the methods for
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse molding, curing, and testing of specimens being evaluated by
Aggregates Test Method D1075.
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements 3.1.2 When used in conjunction with other mixture physical
for Test Methods for Construction Materials properties, the compressive strength may contribute to the
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing overall mixture characterization and is one factor determining
Size its suitability for use under given loading conditions and
environment as a highway paving material.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road 3.2 Typical values of minimum compressive strengths for
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.22 on design of asphalt mixtures by this test method for different
Effect of Water and Other Elements on Asphalt Coated Aggregates.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally
3
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D1074 – 09. DOI: “Asphaltic Concrete Mix Requirements,” Standard Specifications for Construc-
10.1520/D1074-17. tion of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, Federal Highway
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Administration, Washington, DC, 1996, p. 233.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Goode, J. F., “Use of the Immersion-Compression Test in Evaluating and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Designing Paving Mixtures,” Bituminous Paving Materials, STP 252, ASTM
the ASTM website. International, West Conshohocken, PA, 1959, pp. 113–129.

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 D1074 − 17
traffic densities are given in Table 401-1 of the Standard (2.5 mm) ⁄min for 2-in. (50.8-mm) specimens to 0.4 in.
Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on (10.2 mm) ⁄min for 8-in. (203.2-mm) specimens. The testing
Federal Highway Projects.3 Some state departments of trans- machine shall conform to the requirements of Practices E4.
portation and federal agencies have specific requirements of The testing machine shall be equipped with two steel bearing
their own based on their experience with this test method. The blocks with hardened faces, one of which is spherically seated
agencies should be consulted for their specific requirements if and the other plain. The spherically seated block shall be
work is to meet their standards. mounted to bear on the upper surface of the test specimen and
3.3 Reheated mixtures are permissible in this test method, the plain block shall rest on the platen of the testing machine
but the resulting compressive strengths will be higher than for to form a seat for the specimen. The bearing faces of the plates
newly prepared mixtures due to the change in the binder shall have a diameter slightly greater than that of the largest
viscosity, an element of the compressive strength as measured specimens to be tested. The bearing faces, when new, shall not
under these loading conditions and temperature.5 depart from a true plane by more than 0.0005 in. (0.0127 mm)
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are at any point and shall be maintained within a permissible
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure variation limit of 0.001 in. (0.025 mm). In the spherically
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. seated block, the center of the sphere shall coincide with the
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally
center of the bearing face. The movable portion of this block
considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/
inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with shall be held closely in the spherical seat, but the design shall
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results. be such that the bearing face can be rotated freely and tilted
Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of through small angles in any direction.
Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors. 4.4 Oven—The oven used in the preparation of materials or
reheating of mixtures shall be controllable within 65 °F
4. Apparatus (63 °C) of any specified temperature above ambient up to
4.1 Molds and Plungers—The molds and plungers shall be 392 °F (200 °C).
in accordance with the following: 4.5 Hot Plate—A small hot plate equipped with a rheostat
4.1.1 Diameter Tolerances—The mold shall have sufficient shall be provided for supplying sufficient heat under the mixing
height to allow fabrication of a 4 by 4 in. (101.6 by 101.6 mm) bowl to maintain the aggregate and asphalt material at the
specimen. It shall have an inside diameter of 4.000 to 4.005 in. desired temperature during mixing.
(101.60 to 101.73 mm) and a nominal thickness of 1⁄4 in.
(6.4 mm). 4.6 Hot Water Bath or Oven—A water bath or oven suffi-
4.1.2 The plungers shall pass through the mold freely and ciently large to hold three sets of 4-in. (101.6-mm) molds and
shall have a diameter within 0.050 in. (1.27 mm) of the mold plungers. If the water bath does not have an internal tempera-
inside diameter. The plungers may be solid, hollow, or other ture control, a hot plate of sufficient capacity with a control to
structure so long as the ends are at least 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) maintain the water bath at a temperature just under the boiling
thick and are at a right angle to the mold wall. The bottom point will be required. The oven shall be capable of maintain-
plunger shall be 2 6 1⁄8 in. (50 6 4 mm) high but the top ing a temperature of between 200 to 275 °F (93.3 to 135 °C).
plunger may be any suitable height. 4.7 Air Bath—The air bath shall be capable of either manual
4.1.3 Specimens Other Than 4 by 4 in. (101.6 by or automatic control for storing the specimens at 77 6 1.8 °F
101.6 mm)—Molds and plungers for fabricating these size (25 6 0.5 °C) immediately prior to making the compression
specimens are allowed in accordance with Section 6. test.
4.2 Supports—Temporary supports for specimen molds
shall consist of two steel bars, 1 6 1⁄8 in. (25.4 6 3.1 mm) 4.8 Balance—Balances or scales and weights meeting the
square and a minimum length of 3 in. (76.2 mm). requirements of Guide D4753 shall be provided as appropriate
for the sample or ingredient mass.
4.3 Testing Machine—The testing machine must be of any
type of sufficient capacity that will provide a range of accu- 4.9 Mixing Machine—Mechanical mixing is preferable over
rately controllable rates of vertical deformation. Since the rate hand mixing. Any type of mixer may be used, provided it can
of vertical deformation for the compression test is specified as be maintained at the required mixing temperature and will
0.05 in./min·in. (0.05 mm/min·mm) of specimen height, and it produce a well-coated, homogeneous mixture of the required
may be necessary to test specimens ranging in size from 2 by size in two minutes or less, and further provided that it is of
2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) to perhaps 8 by 8 in. (203.2 by such design that fouling of the blades will be minimized and
203.2 mm) in order to maintain the specified minimum ratio of each individual batch can be retrieved in essentially its entirety
specimen diameter to particle size, the testing machine should including asphalt and fines. Hand mixing is allowable, if
have a range of controlled speeds covering at least 0.1 in. necessary, but for hot mixtures the time required to obtain
satisfactory coating is often excessive and generally the test
results are less uniform than when machine mixing is em-
5
Welborn, J. Y., Halstead, W. J., and Olsen, R. E., “Relation of Absolute ployed.
Viscosity of Asphalt Binders to Stability of Asphalt Mixtures,” Public Roads,
Volume 32, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC, 1963. (Also Sym- 4.10 Spatulas—A flexible spatula for scraping the mixing
posium on Fundamental Viscosity of Bituminous Materials, ASTM STP 328.) bowl and a stiff spatula for spading the specimen in the mold.

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 D1074 − 17
4.11 Thermometers—Calibrated liquid-in-glass thermom- contact with the bowl. The mixing shall be completed within
eters of suitable range with a readability of 1 °F (0.5 °C) 90 to 120 s, during which time the temperature should have
conforming to the requirements of Specification E2251 shall be dropped to about 5 to 9 °F (3 to 5 °C) above the compacting
used. (Thermometer ASTM No. S63F-03 or S63C-03, or temperature. If the counter top is metal, an insulator such as
equivalent.) Alternately, another electronic thermometer may paper may be used to reduce the rate of cooling. If the material
be used, for example resistance thermometer (RTD, PRT, has cooled too fast, a hot plate, oven, or similar device shall be
IPRT) of equal or better accuracy. used to slightly reheat the mixture. Caution should be exercised
to avoid excessive heating of the material so as to prevent
5. Preparation of Test Mixtures causing an increase in the viscosity of the thin film of asphalt
5.1 Limit the size of the individual batches to the amount cement coating the aggregate.
required for one test specimen. 5.6 Asphalt paving mixtures shall be sampled in accordance
5.2 Mix an initial batch for the purpose of “buttering” the with Practice D979 and reduced to slightly more than needed
mixing bowl and stirrers. Empty this batch after mixing and to fabricate the specimen. The size reduction shall be in
clean the sides of the bowl and stirrers of mixture residue by accordance with Practice C702, Method B. Then the mass of
scraping with a small limber spatula. Do not wipe with cloth or the reduced sample will be adjusted to the required mass by
wash clean with solvent, except when a change is to be made removing and discarding a small amount of mixture. Care must
in the binder or at the end of a run. be exercised to discard both fine and coarse particles to
maintain proper gradations. Place the weighed mixture into an
5.3 Mold a trial specimen in order to determine the correct appropriate container and heat in an oven to the mixing
weight of materials to produce a specimen of the desired temperature provided in 5.4 for the asphalt represented in the
height. Use the initial or “buttering” batch for this purpose, if mixture. Thoroughly mix the mixture until the temperature is 5
desired. to 9 °F (3 to 5 °C) above the compacting temperature. This will
5.4 Aggregate ingredient samples shall be obtained in ac- result in the mixture being at the compacting temperature when
cordance with Practice D75 and reduced to the appropriate size compacting begins. Compacting may commence immediately,
by Practice C702. When preparing aggregates for batching, or the material may be placed into an oven for a short time to
each reduced ingredient sample shall be separated into the allow more efficient handling of multiple samples; however, a
desired size fractions in accordance with Test Method C136. sample shall not remain in the oven more than 1 h.
Agency practice will specify which of the following sieves
should be used to derive the desired fractions: 2 in., 11⁄2 in., 6. Test Specimens
1 in., 3⁄4 in., 1⁄2 in., 3⁄8 in., No. 4, No. 8, and No. 10 (50.0 mm, 6.1 Generally, the test specimens shall be cylinders 4.0 in.
37.5 mm, 25.0 mm, 19.0 mm, 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm, 4.75 mm, (101.6 mm) in diameter and 4.0 6 0.1 in. (101.6 6 2.5 mm) in
2.36 mm, and 2.00 mm). The mixture design, job mix formula, height. It is recognized that the size of test specimens has an
or other control shall be used to combine the appropriate mass influence on the results of the compressive strength test.
of each size from each ingredient aggregate to obtain the Cylindrical specimens of dimensions other than 4.0 in.
appropriate gradation and batch mass, and to determine the (101.6 mm) are allowable, provided that:
appropriate mass of bitumen to use for each specimen. A 6.1.1 The height shall be equal to the diameter within
representative sample of bitumen shall be obtained in accor- 62.5 %,
dance with Practice D140 from a representative stock of 6.1.2 The diameter shall be not less than four times the
material. The temperature versus kinematic viscosity relation- nominal diameter of the largest aggregate particles,
ship for the bitumen involved dictates the temperature to be 6.1.3 The diameter shall be not less than 2 in. (50.8 mm),
used for preparing the asphalt concrete test specimens. The and
user should refer to the asphalt binder manufacturer to establish 6.1.4 The unit rate of deformation shall be kept constant
appropriate mixing and compaction temperature ranges. Ag- during the compression test (Section 8).
gregate is heated no hotter than 50 °F (28 °C) above the mixing
temperature to allow for dry mixing prior to adding the asphalt 7. Molding and Curing Test Specimens
cement.
7.1 Wipe the molds and plungers with a clean cloth that has
NOTE 2—In no case should the mixing temperature exceed 347 °F a few drops of oil on it. The thoroughly mixed material,
(175 °C). maintained at a temperature slightly above (3 to 5 °C (5 to
5.5 Preheat the bowl and batch of aggregate in an oven 9 °F)) compacting temperature, is now ready for transfer into
meeting the requirements of 4.4 to a temperature that complies the mold for compacting. As soon as the material has been
with the aggregate temperature in 5.4. This will result in an thoroughly mixed and has reached a temperature within the
acceptable temperature after dry mixing. With the bowl of specified range, place approximately one-half of the mixture in
aggregate resting on a balance, quickly pour the prescribed the molding cylinder which, together with the top and bottom
mass of hot asphalt cement onto the hot aggregate and plunger, has been preheated for at least 1 h in the water bath
immediately mix the asphalt cement into the aggregate with maintained at a temperature just under the boiling point or
minimal “fanning action.” This can be done with a large spoon preheated for at least 2 h in an oven maintained at a
by rolling the material from perimeter toward the center to temperature between 200 and 275 °F (93.3 and 135 °C). With
maximize aggregate and asphalt contact and minimize asphalt the bottom plunger in place and the molding cylinder supported

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 D1074 − 17
temporarily on the two steel support bars, spade the mixture deemed appropriate by the agency involved. If Test Method
vigorously 25 times with a heated spatula with 15 of the blows D2041 is used, a sample of the mixture prepared but not
being delivered around the perimeter of the mold to reduce molded and compacted may be used.
honeycombing, and the remaining ten at random over the 8.5 Calculate the percent air voids in each specimen in
mixture. accordance with Test Method D3203.
NOTE 3—Laboratory samples prepared according to this test method
may produce different test results, such as compressive strength values 9. Report
and percent air voids, when compared to results obtained from reheated
field samples due to the effect of additional cure time on the absorption of 9.1 Report the following information:
asphalt material by the aggregate in the field sample. 9.1.1 The bulk specific gravity, theoretical maximum spe-
7.2 Quickly transfer the remaining half of the mixture to the cific gravity, density, and percent air voids of the specimens,
molding cylinder and repeat a similar spading action. Penetrate 9.1.2 The compressive strength in lb/in.2 (kPa), determined
the mixture with the spatula as deeply as possible. A spatula by dividing the maximum vertical load obtained during defor-
having a slightly curved cross section has been used to mation at the rate specified in Section 8, by the original
advantage by some laboratories. The top of the mixture must be cross-sectional area of the test specimen. Not less than three
slightly rounded or cone-shaped to aid in firm seating of the specimens shall be prepared for each asphalt increment and the
upper plunger. average of the three shall be reported as the compressive
strength, and
7.3 Compress the mixture between the top and bottom 9.1.3 The nominal height and diameter of the test speci-
plungers under an initial load of about 150 psi (1 MPa) to set mens.
the mixture against the sides of the mold. Remove the support
bars to permit full double-plunger action and apply the entire 10. Precision and Bias
molding load of 3000 psi (20.7 MPa) for 2 min. When
specimens are to be tested in accordance with Test Method 10.1 Single-Operator Precision—The single-operator stan-
D1075 for loss of strength resulting from the action of water, dard deviation of a single test result (where a test result is, as
the standard molding load of 3000 psi (20.7 MPa) may be defined in this test method, the average of a minimum of three
increased or decreased to achieve a target air void percentage separate compressive strengths) has been found to be 21 psi
or percent density. (145 kPa) (see Note 4). Therefore, results of two properly
conducted tests (each consisting of the average of a minimum
7.4 Remove the specimen from the mold with an ejection of three individual compressive strengths) in the same labora-
device that provides a smooth, uniform rate of travel for the tory on the same material by the same operator should not
ejection head. differ by more than 59 psi (407 kPa) and the range (difference
7.5 After removal from the mold, oven cure specimens 24 h between highest and lowest) of the individual measurements
at 140 °F (60 °C). In case specimens are to be stored dry for used in calculating the average should not exceed 122 psi
more than 24 h from completion of oven curing to compression (841 kPa) (see Note 5).
testing, protect them from exposure to the air by sealing them NOTE 4—These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s) and (d2s)
in closely fitting, airtight containers. limits as described in Practice C670.
NOTE 5—Calculated as described in Practice C670.
8. Procedure
10.2 Multilaboratory Precision—The multilaboratory stan-
8.1 Allow the test specimens to cool at room temperature dard deviation of a single test result (where the test result is, as
for at least 2 h after removal from the curing oven; then defined in this test method, the average of a minimum of three
determine the bulk specific gravity of each specimen in separate compressive strengths) has been found to be 54 psi
accordance with the procedure and calculations of paragraph (372 kPa) (see Note 4). Therefore, results of two properly
numbers 9.2 and 10.1, respectively, of Test Method D2726. conducted tests (each consisting of the average of a minimum
8.2 Bring the test specimens to the test temperature 77 6 of three individual compressive strengths) in different labora-
1.8 °F (25 6 1 °C), by storing them in an air bath maintained tories on the same material should not differ by more than
at the test temperature for not less than 4 h. 153 psi (1055 kPa).
8.3 Test the specimens in axial compression without lateral 10.3 This test method has no bias because the compressive
support at a uniform rate of vertical deformation of strength of asphalt mixtures is defined only in terms of the test
0.05 in. ⁄min·in. (0.05 mm/min·mm) of height. For specimens 4 method.
in. (101.6 mm) in height, use a rate of 0.2 in./min
(5.08 mm ⁄min). 11. Keywords
8.4 The theoretical specific gravity and density shall be 11.1 asphalt paving mixtures; compression testing; com-
determined by Test Method D2041, or by any other method pressive strength

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 D1074 − 17
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