HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT
GUIDANCE NOTES
ON
CENTRALISED SAMPLING AND TESTING OF
AGGREGATES, FILLER AND BITUMEN USED
FOR PRODUCING BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
Research & Development Division
RD/GN/007B
November 2015
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Sampling and Testing of Aggregates and Fillers
4. Sampling and Testing of Bitumen
5. Reporting of Test Results
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1. Introduction
1.1 These Guidance Notes promulgate that the Research and Development Division of
the Highways Department (HyD) offers assistance to the offices of the HyD in
sampling and testing of the coarse and fine aggregates, filler and bitumen which are
used for producing bituminous materials. These Guidance Notes set out the sampling
and testing methods according to the General Specifications for Civil Engineering
Works (2006 Edition) (GS) and Particular Specifications in HyD Term Contract (PS),
frequency of sampling and testing and the dissemination of results.
2. Background
2.1 Bituminous paving materials are mixtures of aggregates, filler, bitumen and other
additives. The properties of these constituents play an important role to the
performance of the bituminous materials. Therefore, the aggregates, filler and bitumen
used for producing bituminous materials need to be tested and appropriate testing
methods are specified in the GS and PS. However, these tests are often a repeat of work
undertaken by others because the constituents of a particular bituminous mix normally
come from the same refinery source or quarry. Besides, the information on non-
compliance of these constituents under a particular contract may not be readily available
to all staff in the HyD and other works departments.
2.2 In order to ensure the efficiency of the material testing and to disseminate the
information effectively, the Research and Development Division has undertaken the
centralised quality control of the aggregates, filler and bitumen by sampling these
materials and delivering them to the Public Works Laboratories (PWL) for testing on a
regular basis. The test results are made available to HyD offices and other relevant
departments for reference.
3. Sampling and Testing of Aggregates and Fillers
3.1 The coarse and fine aggregates, crushed rock filler, hydrated lime, which is a type of
filler, are sampled at the bituminous materials batching plant. These materials are
generally sampled once in every three months for testing but this frequency of
sampling and testing is subject to change as and when required.
3.2 The coarse and fine aggregates, and fillers are then delivered to the PWL for testing
by the appropriate methods. The sampling methods and testing standards for these
materials are described in Table 1.
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Table 1 : Sampling and Testing of Aggregates and Filler
Material Property Sampling Method Test Method
Coarse aggregate(1) Relative density and CS3 CS3
water absorption
Ten percent fines value
Particle size distribution
Flakiness index
Fine aggregate Relative density and CS3 CS3
water absorption
Particle size distribution Geospec 3, Test
Method 8.2
Filler(2) Relative density ASTM D242 BS EN 196-6
Particle size distribution CS3
Notes : (1) Coarse aggregate comprises crushed rock retained on a 5 mm BS test sieve.
(2) Filler is crushed rock filler or hydrated lime.
4. Sampling and Testing of Bitumen
4.1 There are two types of bitumen specified in GS and PS. One type is bitumen that
shall comply with ASTM D 946, Grade 60-70 (“Bitumen (Grade 60-70 Pen)”). The
other type is polymer modified bitumen that shall be a pre-blended type bitumen with
Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer manufactured by the wet mix method and
have a performance grade not lower than PG 76 of the Performance Graded Asphalt
Binder Specification AASHTO M320 (“Polymer Modified Bitumen (PG 76)”).
Generally, bitumen is sampled from the storage tank in the bituminous materials
batching plant, and the storage tank of bitumen supplier or the tank of the delivery
truck of the bitumen supplier if the bitumen supplier does not have storage tank in
Hong Kong. Bitumen is sampled in accordance with ASTM D140.
4.2 The bitumen is then delivered to the PWL for testing to determine their properties.
The testing standards and the recommended frequency of sampling and testing of
bitumen are described in Table 2 and Table 3 for Bitumen (Grade 60-70 Pen) and
Polymer Modified Bitumen (PG76) respectively.
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Table 2 - Sampling and Testing of Bitumen (Grade 60-70 Pen)
Test Test Method Frequency of Sampling
and Testing
Penetration ASTM D 5 Monthly
Relative density ASTM D 3289
Softening point BS 2000
Ductility ASTM D 113
Retained penetration after thin film ASTM D 1754 Quarterly
oven test
Solubility ASTM D 2042
Viscosity ASTM D 2171
Loss of heating BS 2000
Note : Frequency of sampling and testing is subject to change as and when required.
Table 3 – Sampling and Testing of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PG 76)
Test Test Method Frequency of Sampling
and Testing
Viscosity AASHTO T316
Dynamic Shear AASHTO T315
Dynamic Shear after Rolling Thin- AASHTO T315 Monthly
Film Oven and
AASHTO T240
Flash Point AASHTO T48
Note: Frequency of sampling and testing is subject to change as and when required.
5. Reporting of Test Results
5.1 A summary of the test results in the past 12 months are made available to HyD offices
for their reference. Other relevant works departments can obtain the test results from
the Research and Development Division when necessary for their reference.
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5.2 Engineers are recommended to approach the Research and Development Division if
they have any query or require more information on the properties of the constituents
of the bituminous materials.
