ASTM D3203/D3203M-17 PDF

Full title and description

St ASTM D3203/D3203M-17 — Standard Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Compacted Asphalt Mixtures. This standard specifies the procedure for determining the percent of air voids in compacted dense and open asphalt (bituminous) paving mixtures for use in mix design and compaction evaluation.

Abstract

ASTM D3203/D3203M-17 defines the sampling and test procedures needed to measure the percent air voids in laboratory-compacted asphalt mixture specimens. The method requires determination of the bulk (compacted) specific gravity of the specimen and the theoretical maximum specific gravity of the mixture, then uses those values to calculate the percent air voids. Results support pavement mix design, quality control, and assessment of compaction in paving projects.

General information

• Status: Superseded (replaced by ASTM D3203-22).
• Publication date: Approved April 1, 2017; published 2017 (designation D3203/D3203M-17).
• Publisher: ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 93.080.20 — Road construction materials.
• Edition / version: D3203/D3203M-17 (2017 edition).
• Number of pages: 3 pages (concise test method).

Scope

This test method covers determination of the percent air voids in compacted asphalt mixtures (both dense and open-graded). It provides requirements for specimen preparation/conditioning, measurement of specimen bulk specific gravity and the mixture theoretical maximum specific gravity, units (SI preferred), and the calculation necessary to express air void content as a percentage of the compacted specimen volume.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of dense and open asphalt mixtures by air-void threshold (open mixtures generally ≥ 10% air voids).
• Measurement of bulk (compacted) specific gravity (Gmb) of test specimens using accepted procedures (saturated-surface-dry or vacuum/automatic methods referenced elsewhere).
• Use of the theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of the mixture (determined by a referenced method) as the zero–air-voids reference.
• Calculation of percent air voids from measured Gmb and Gmm values to quantify compaction and porosity.
• Emphasis on personnel competence, equipment calibration, and appropriate safety/health practices.

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing laboratories, transportation agencies (state DOTs), pavement engineers, contractors, and quality-assurance/quality-control personnel. Typical applications include hot-mix asphalt mix design verification, laboratory compaction checks, acceptance testing of manufactured mixtures, and evaluation of field compaction when compared with design targets.

Related standards

Commonly referenced companion standards include ASTM D2041 (theoretical maximum specific gravity of asphalt mixtures), ASTM D2726 (bulk specific gravity of compacted mixtures using saturated surface-dry specimens), ASTM D6752 (automatic vacuum sealing method for bulk specific gravity), and the equivalent AASHTO method AASHTO T269. These complementary methods provide the measurements required to calculate air voids per D3203.

Keywords

percent air voids, air voids, asphalt mixtures, HMA, compaction, bulk specific gravity, theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm), Gmb, pavement mix design, QA/QC

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D3203/D3203M-17 is a short test method that specifies how to determine the percent air voids in compacted asphalt paving mixtures by measuring compacted bulk specific gravity and the mixture theoretical maximum specific gravity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test procedure and required measurements for calculating percent air voids in both dense and open-graded compacted asphalt specimens, including units, specimen conditioning, and calculation approach; it does not replace referenced methods for measuring Gmm or Gmb.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials laboratories, DOTs, pavement designers, contractors, and construction QC/QA teams use this standard as part of mix design and acceptance testing workflows.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D3203/D3203M-17 edition (2017) has been superseded by a later ASTM revision (designated D3203-22). Users should consult the active D3203 revision for the latest requirements and any editorial or technical changes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. D3203 is part of a family of asphalt mixture test methods and is typically used together with standards that determine Gmm and Gmb (for example ASTM D2041 and ASTM D2726) and with AASHTO equivalents (AASHTO T269/T209/T166 series) in pavement mix design and testing programs.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Percent air voids, air void content, asphalt mixture, compacted density, Gmm, Gmb, compaction, pavement quality control.