Designation: D 6926 – 04

Standard Practice for

Preparation of Bituminous Specimens Using Marshall
Apparatus1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6926; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D 2171 Test Method for Viscosity of Asphalts by Vacuum

1.1 This practice covers preparation and compaction of 102 Capillary Viscometer
mm (4 in.) diameter by nominal 64 mm (2.5 in.) high D 2493 Viscosity-Temperature Chart for Asphalts
cylindrical bituminous paving mixture specimens by means of D 4402 Test Method for Viscosity Determinations of As-
the original manual Marshall method and subsequent variations phalt at Elevated Temperature Using a Brookfield Ther-
of the method. This practice is intended for use with laboratory mosel Apparatus
and plant produced bituminous mixtures with aggregate up to E 11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing
25 mm (1 in.) maximum size and for recompaction of asphalt Purposes
pavement samples. 3. Significance and Use
1.2 There are three types of Marshall compaction apparatus
in use. The following types of hammer arrangements are 3.1 Compacted bituminous mixture specimens molded by
included in this practice: this procedure are used for various physical tests such as
1.2.1 Manually held hammer handle attached to a flat stability, flow, indirect tensile strength, fatigue, creep, and
compaction foot through a spring loaded swivel and is hand modulus. Density and voids analysis are also conducted on
operated (original standard developed by the Corps of Engi- specimens for mixture design and evaluation of field compac-
neers). tion.
1.2.2 Hammer handle restrained laterally (fixed) but not NOTE 1—Uncompacted mixtures are used for determination of theo-
vertically attached to a flat compaction foot through a spring retical maximum specific gravity.
loaded swivel and is either mechanically or hand operated.
There may or may not be a constant surcharge on top of the 4. Apparatus
hammer handle. Mechanical hammers are available that oper- 4.1 Specimen Mold Assembly—Mold cylinders, base plates,
ate at (1) nominal 55 blows per minute and (2) equal to or and extension collars shall conform to the details shown in Fig.
greater than 75 blows per minute. 1.
1.2.3 Hammer handle restrained laterally (fixed) with con- 4.2 Specimen Extractor—The specimen extractor shall have
stant surcharge on top of hammer, a slanted compaction foot, a steel disk that will enter the mold without binding and not be
rotating mold base, and is mechanically operated. less than 100 mm (3.95 in.) in diameter and 12.5 mm (1⁄2 in.)
1.3 Although the mass and height of mass drop for each thick. The steel disk is used for extracting compacted speci-
apparatus are the same, density achieved in compacted speci- mens from molds with the use of the mold collar. Any suitable
mens with the same number of blows will be different. It is up extraction device such as a hydraulic jack apparatus or a lever
to the user to establish the specific required number of blows to arm device may be used, provided the specimens are not
be used for compaction of the specimen in relation to the field. deformed during the extraction process.
4.3 Compaction Hammers:
2. Referenced Documents 4.3.1 Compaction Hammers with a Manually Held (Type 1)
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 or Fixed (Type 2) Handle, either mechanically or hand operated
as generally shown in Fig. 2, shall have a flat, circular
compaction foot with spring loaded swivel and a 4.54 6 0.01
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and kg (10 6 0.02 lb) sliding mass with a free fall of 457.2 6 1.5
Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.20 on
Mechanical Tests of Bituminous Mixes. mm (18 6 0.06 in.) (see Fig. 2 for hammer tolerances). A
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2004. Published August 2004. mechanical hammer is shown in Fig. 3.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM NOTE 2—Manual compaction hammers should be equipped with a
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on finger safety guard.
the ASTM website.

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D 6926 – 04

mm in.
A 104.1 to 105.4 4.100 to 4.150
B 109.1 to 110.2 4.295 to 3.439
C 114.0 to 115.8 4.490 to 4.560
D 107.0 to 109.7 4.211 to 4.320
E 101.3 to 101.7 3.990 to 4.005
F 119.9 to 121.4 4.720 to 4.780
G 101.1 to 101.3 3.980 to 3.990
H 69.3 to 70.4 2.730 to 2.770
J 7.0 to 7.2 0.235 to 0.285
K 6.1 to 6.7 0.235 to 0.265
L 86.9 to 87.9 3.420 to 3.460
M 3.0 to 4.8 0.120 to 0.190
N 12.3 to 14.9 0.485 to 0.585
FIG. 1 Compaction Mold

4.3.2 Compaction Hammers with a Fixed Hammer Handle, ing all specimens with the same hammer and with no other hammers
surcharge on top of handle, constantly rotating base, and operating.
mechanically operated (Type 3) as generally shown in Fig. 4 4.4 Compaction Pedestal—The compaction pedestal shall
shall have a slanted, circular tamping face and a 4.54 6 0.01 kg consist of a nominal 203.2 by 203.2 mm (8 by 8 in.) wooden
(10 6 0.02 lb) sliding weight with a free fall of 457.2 6 1.5 post approximately 457 mm (18 in.) long capped with a steel
mm (18 6 0.06 in.) (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 for hammer and plate approximately 304.8 by 304.8 mm (12 by 12 in.) and 25.4
tamping face bevel angle and tolerances, respectively). A mm (1 in.) thick. The wooden post shall be oak, yellow pine,
rotating mechanism is incorporated in the base. The base or other wood having an average dry density of 670 to 770
rotation rate and hammer blow rate shall be 18 to 30 rpm and kg/m3 (42 to 48 lb/ft3). The wooden post shall be secured by
64 6 4 blows per minute, respectively. bolts through four angle brackets to a solid concrete slab. The
NOTE 3—Type 3 Marshall hammer apparatus are available in versions steel cap shall be firmly fastened to the post. The pedestal
with more than one hammer. Multiple hammer operation will affect assembly shall be installed so that the post is plumb and the cap
specimen density. Best comparative results will be obtained by compact- is level.

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 D 6926 – 04

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mm in.
O minus P 456.6 to 457.8 17.975 to 18.025
Q Bronze bushings — —
R Minimum nominal diameter of 0.625 in. (15.9 mm) 15.9 0.625
and with suitable corrosion resistance
S Face hardened. Impact resistant material 98.0 to 100.0 3.860 to 3.950
T 11.5 to 14.0 0.450 to 0.550
U 49.8 to 51.8 1.960 to 2.040
kg lb
W 4.53 to 4.55 9.98 to 10.02
X Spring loaded swivel between guide rod and foot—details optional — —
FIG. 2 Manual Compaction Hammer

4.5 Specimen Mold-Holder—With single hammer compac- that essentially all of the batch can be recovered. A metal pan
tors, the holder shall be mounted on the compaction pedestal so or bowl of sufficient capacity for hand mixing may also be
as to center the compaction mold over the center of the post. used.
Specimen mold-holders of multi-hammer compactors are not 4.8 Miscellaneous Equipment:
necessarily centered. The holders shall hold the compaction 4.8.1 Containers for Heating Aggregates, flat-bottom metal
mold, collar, and base plate securely in position during pans, or other suitable containers.
compaction of the specimen. 4.8.2 Covered Containers for Heating Bituminous Material,
4.6 Ovens, Heating Pots or Hot Plates—Circulating air either gill-type tins, beakers, pouring pots, or saucepans may
ovens or thermostatically controlled heating pot and hot plates be used.
shall be provided for heating aggregates, bituminous material, 4.8.3 Mixing Tools, shall consist of a steel trowel (Mason’s
specimen molds, compaction hammers, and other equipment to pointing trowel with point rounded), spoon or spatula, for
within 3°C (5°F) of the required mixing and compaction spading and hand mixing.
temperatures. Suitable shields, baffle plates, or sand baths shall 4.8.4 Calibrated Thermometers, for determining tempera-
be used on the surfaces of the hot plates to minimize localized tures of aggregates, bitumen, and bituminous mixtures.
overheating. Armored-glass or dial-type thermometers with metal stems are
4.7 Mixing Apparatus—Mechanical mixing is recom- recommended. A range from 10 to 200°C (50 to 400°F) with
mended. Any type of mechanical mixer may be used provided sensitivity of 3°C (5°F) is required.
the mix can be maintained at the required temperature and 4.8.5 Balance, readable to at least 0.1 g for batching
mixing will produce a well-coated, homogeneous mixture of mixtures.
the required amount in the allowable time, and further provided 4.8.6 Gloves, for handling hot equipment.

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 D 6926 – 04

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FIG. 4 Slanted Foot, Rotating Base Compactor

25 to 19 mm (1 to 3⁄4 in.)
FIG. 3 Mechanical Hammer 19 to 12.5 mm (3⁄4 to 1⁄2 in.)
12.5 to 9.5 mm (1⁄2 to 3⁄8 in.)
9.5 to 4.75 mm (3⁄8 to No. 4)
4.75 to 2.36 mm (No. 4 to No. 8)
4.8.7 Marking Crayons, for identifying specimens. 2.36 mm (Passing No. 8)
4.8.8 Scoop, flat bottom, for batching aggregates.
5.2 Determination of Mixing and Compacting Tempera-
4.8.9 Spoon, large, for placing the mixture in the specimen
tures:
molds.
5.2.1 The asphalt cement used in preparing the samples
must be heated to produce viscosities of 0.17 6 0.02 Pa·s and
5. Test Specimens
0.28 6 0.03 Pa·s for mixing and compacting, respectively. An
5.1 Preparation of Aggregates—Dry aggregates to constant example of a viscosity temperature chart is given in Fig. 2 of
weight. Oven drying should be done at 105 to 110°C (221 to D 2493.
230°F). After cooling, separate the aggregates by dry-sieving
into the desired size fractions.3 The following minimum size NOTE 4—Selection of mixing and compaction temperatures at viscosi-
ties of 0.17 6 0.02 Pa·s and 0.28 6 0.03 Pa·s, respectively, may not apply
fractions are recommended:
to modified binders. The user should contact the manufacturer to establish
appropriate mixing and compaction temperature ranges.
5.2.2 Cutback Asphalt Mixture—The temperature to which
3
Detailed requirements for these sieves are given in ASTM Specification E 11. a cutback asphalt must be heated to produce a viscosity of 0.17

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 D 6926 – 04
6 0.02 Pa·s shall be the mixing temperature. The compaction 5.3.3 For multiple batched sample, place the entire batch or
temperature for a cutback asphalt mixture is selected using a sample on a clean non-absorptive surface. Hand mix to ensure
compositional chart of viscosity versus percent solvent for that uniformity and quarter into appropriate sample size to conform
cutback asphalt. From the compositional chart, determine the to specimen height requirements. For asphalt cements and tar
cutback asphalt’s percentage of solvent by weight from its mixtures, put the samples into metal containers and cover.
viscosity at 60°C (140°F) after it has lost 50 percent of its Place the covered metal containers in a ventilated oven at the
solvent (for rapid-cure and medium-cure cutbacks) or 20 temperature established in 5.3.2 to condition for a minimum of
percent of its solvent (for slow cure cutbacks). The compaction 1 h and a maximum of 2 h. Cure cutback asphalt mixture in the
temperature is determined from the viscosity temperature chart mixing bowl in a ventilated oven maintained at approximately
as that to which the cutback asphalt must be heated to produce 11°C (20°F) above the compaction temperature. Curing is to be
a viscosity of 0.28 6 0.03 Pa·s after losing the specified continued in the mixing bowl until precalculated weight of 50
amount of original solvent. % solvent loss or more has been obtained. The mix may be
stirred in the mixing bowl during curing to accelerate the
5.2.3 Recompacted Paving Mixtures—Materials obtained
solvent loss. However, care should be exercised to prevent mix
from an existing pavement shall be warmed in covered
loss. Weigh the mix during curing in successive intervals of 15
containers in an oven to within 3°C (5°F) of the desired
min initially and less than 10 min intervals as the weight of the
compaction temperature. Heating should only be long enough
mix at 50 % solvent loss is approached.
to achieve desired compaction temperature. If the compaction 5.3.4 Other bituminous or plant-produced materials may
temperature for a specific mixture is not known, experience has require special curing techniques.
shown that these mixes should be compacted at a temperature
between 120°C (250°F) and 135°C (275°F). In preparation for NOTE 5—Heating mixtures for a period of time prior to compaction
may result in specimens having properties that are different from those
heating to compaction temperature the material should be
that are compacted immediately after mixing (original Marshall criteria
warmed and worked until a loose mixture condition is ob- are based on a no-cure procedure).
tained. Any cut aggregate can be removed. Stability of reheated
and recompacted mixtures from existing pavements is likely to 5.4 Compaction of Specimens:
be higher than the original mixture due to in service hardening 5.4.1 Thoroughly clean the specimen mold assembly and
of the binder. The reheating process will have only minor the face of the compaction hammer and heat them either in
influence on binder hardening. boiling water, in an oven, or on a hot plate to a temperature
between 90 and 150°C (200 and 300°F). Place a piece of
5.3 Mixture Preparation—Specimens may be prepared nonabsorbent paper, cut to size, in the bottom of the mold
from single batches or multiple batches containing sufficient before the mixture is introduced. Place the mixture in the mold,
material for three or four specimens. spade the mixture vigorously with a heated spatula or trowel 15
5.3.1 Weigh into separate containers the amount of each times around the perimeter and 10 times over the interior. Place
aggregate size fraction required to produce a batch that will another piece of nonabsorbent paper cut to fit on top of the mix.
result in one, two, three, or four compacted specimens 63.5 6 Temperature of the mixture immediately prior to compaction
2.5 mm (2.5 6 0.1 in.) in height (about 1200, 2400, 3600 or shall be within the limits of the compaction temperature
4800 g, respectively). Place aggregate batches in containers on established in 5.2.
a hot plate or in an oven and heat to a temperature above but 5.4.2 Place the mold assembly on the compaction pedestal
not exceeding the mixing temperature established in 5.2 by in the mold holder and apply the required number of blows
more than 28°C (50°F) for asphalt cement and tar mixes and with the specified compaction hammer. Remove the base plate
14°C (25°F) for cutback asphalt mixes. Charge the mixing and collar and reverse and reassemble the mold. Apply the
container with the heated aggregate and dry mix thoroughly same number of compaction blows to the face of the reversed
(approximately 5 s) with scoop or spoon. Form a crater in the specimen. After compaction, remove the collar and base plate.
dry blended aggregate and weigh the required amount of Allow the specimen to cool sufficiently to prevent damage and
bituminous material at mixing temperature into the mixture. extract the specimen from the mold. Cooling specimens in the
For mixes prepared with cutback asphalt, introduce the mixing mold can be facilitated by immersion in cold water. To
blade in the mixing bowl and determine the total weight of the facilitate extraction, the mold and specimen can be briefly
mix components plus bowl and blade before proceeding with immersed in a hot water bath to heat the metal mold and reduce
mixing. Care must be exercised to prevent loss of the mix specimen distortion. Carefully transfer specimens to a smooth,
during mixing and subsequent handling. At this point, the flat surface and allow to cool at room temperature (this may be
mixture temperature shall be within the limits of the mixing overnight). A fan can be used to facilitate cooling.
temperature established in 5.2. Mix the aggregate and bitumi- 5.4.2.1 When compaction is accomplished with a manually
nous material rapidly until thoroughly coated for approxi- held and operated hammer, hold the axis of the compaction
mately 60 s for single-specimen batches and approximately hammer by hand, as nearly perpendicular as possible to the
120 s for multiple-specimen batches. base of the mold assembly during compaction. In this original
5.3.2 Condition single batches in covered metal containers Marshall procedure, no mechanical device of any kind shall be
in an oven at a temperature 8°C (15°F) to 11°C (20°F) above used to restrict the handle of the hammer in the vertical
the compaction temperature established in 5.2 for a minimum position during compaction.
of 1 h and a maximum of 2 h. NOTE 6—Hammer shaft should be clean and lightly oiled.
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 D 6926 – 04
6. Report based on requirements of the criteria being applied. For
6.1 The report shall include at least the following informa- Marshall stability, and flow determination according to Prac-
tion: tice D6926, use only those replicate specimens which have
6.1.1 Sample identification (number, laboratory mixed, or bulk specific gravities within 60.020 of the mean.
plant mixed, and so forth),
NOTE 7—For two specimens prepared by laboratories participating in a
6.1.2 Type of bituminous material, source, and content, AMRL reference testing program, the single operator 1s and the accept-
6.1.3 Type(s) of aggregate, source, and grading, able difference of two results, d2s, for the bulk specific gravity were 0.007
6.1.4 Type and time of curing prior to compaction, and 0.020, respectively Results of these tests are available as a research
6.1.5 Type of hammer (that is, manually held or fixed and report4.
mechanically or manually operated hammer and flat or slanted
foot), 8. Keywords
6.1.6 Number of blows/side,
8.1 bituminous mixtures; laboratory compaction; Marshall
6.1.7 Mixing temperature,
test
6.1.8 Compaction temperature, and
6.1.9 Type and time of cooling.
7. Precision
7.1 A precision statement is not applicable to this practice. 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
Specimens should be accepted or rejected for further testing be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: XXXXXX.

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