5/18/2018 Standard Practice for Designing Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)

Standard Practice for Designing Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)

AASHTO Designation: R 46-08 (2017)1,2

Technical Section: 2d, Proportioning of Asphalt–Aggregate

Mixtures

Release: Group 3 (August 2017)

1. SCOPE
1.1. This standard practice covers the design of stone matrix asphalt (SMA) using the Superpave Gyratory
Compactor™ (SGC). The SMA design is based on the volumetric properties of the SMA in terms of air voids
V
( a), voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA), and the presence of stone-on-stone contact.

1.2. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The U.S. Customary units in parentheses
are for information only.

1.3. This standard practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard practice to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
M 325, Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)
R 30, Mixture Conditioning of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
T 19M/T 19, Bulk Density (“Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate
T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
T 85, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
G
T 166, Bulk Specific Gravity ( mb) of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Using Saturated Surface-Dry
Specimens
G
T 209, Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity ( mm) and Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
T 283, Resistance of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures to Moisture-Induced Damage
T 305, Determination of Draindown Characteristics in Uncompacted Asphalt Mixtures
T 312, Preparing and Determining the Density of Asphalt Mixture Specimens by Means of the Superpave
Gyratory Compactor

2.2. Asphalt Institute Publication:

MS-2, Mix Design Methods for Asphalt Concrete and Other Hot-Mix Types

3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. Definitions:
3.1.1. stone matrix asphalt (SMA)—an asphalt mixture consisting of two parts, a coarse aggregate skeleton and a
rich asphalt binder mortar. The mixture must have an aggregate skeleton with coarse aggregate-on-coarse
aggregate contact (generally referred to as stone-on-stone contact). The coarse aggregate is generally
considered to be that fraction of the aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve but may be
designated as other sizes.

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3.1.2. air voids (Va)—the total volume of the small pockets of air between the coated aggregate particles
throughout a compacted asphalt mixture, expressed as a percent of the bulk volume of the compacted
asphalt mixture (Note 1).

3.1.3. Note 1—Term defined in the Asphalt Institute Publication MS-2.

3.1.4. voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA)—the volume of the intergranular void space between the aggregate
particles of a compacted asphalt mixture that includes the air voids and the effective binder content,
expressed as a percent of the total volume of the specimen (Note 1).

3.1.5. voids in the coarse aggregate (VCA)—the volume between the coarse aggregate particles. This volume
includes filler, fine aggregate, air voids, asphalt binder, and stabilizing additive (if used).

3.1.6. SMA mortar—a mixture of asphalt binder, filler [material passing the 0.075-mm (No. 200) sieve], and
stabilizing additive.

3.1.7. stabilizing additive—either cellulose or mineral fiber.

4. SUMMARY OF THE PRACTICE

4.1. Materials Selection—Asphalt binder, aggregate, mineral fillers, and stabilizing additives that meet the
applicable specification are selected.

4.2. Selecting Optimum Gradation—Three recommended trial aggregate gradations from the selected
aggregates are blended. The dry-rodded unit weight for the coarse aggregate for each trial gradation is
determined in accordance with T 19M/T 19. For each trial gradation, an initial trial asphalt binder content is
selected and at least two specimens are compacted in accordance with T 312. Where no previous history is
available, an initial trial asphalt binder content between 6.0 and 6.5 percent is recommended. Gradations of
the three blends are selected to ensure that minimum VMA requirements and stone-on-stone contact are
achieved.

4.3. Selecting Design Binder Content—Replicate specimens are compacted in accordance with T 312 at three
binder contents. The design binder content is selected on the basis of satisfactory conformance with the
requirements of Section 10 (Note 2).

Note 2—When an SMA mix cannot be designed within the minimum binder content requirements, the
guidelines given in Table X2.1 can be used to establish minimum binder content requirements based on the
combined-aggregate bulk specific gravity.

4.4. Evaluating Moisture Susceptibility—The moisture susceptibility of the mixture, designed and compacted in
accordance with T 312 to a Va content of 6.0 ± 1.0 percent, is evaluated in accordance with T 283.

4.5. Evaluating Draindown—The mixture is evaluated for sensitivity to asphalt binder draindown in accordance
with T 305. If the mixture fails the moisture susceptibility or draindown tests, it must be modified so that
the specification requirements are met.

5. TEST SPECIMENS
5.1. Number of Samples—A total of nine samples are initially required; at least three samples at each of the
three trial gradations are produced. Each sample is mixed with the trial asphalt binder content, and two of
the three samples for each trial gradation are compacted. The remaining sample of each trial gradation is
used to determine the theoretical maximum density in accordance with T 209.

5.2. Preparation of Aggregates—Dry aggregates to a constant mass at 105 to 110°C (221 to 230°F), and
separate the aggregates by dry-sieving into the desired size fractions. The following size fractions are
recommended:

37.5 mm (11/2 in.) to 25.0 mm (1 in.);

25.0 mm (1 in.) to 19.0 mm (3/4 in.);
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19.0 mm (3/4 in.) to 12.5 mm (1/2 in.);

12.5 mm (1/2 in.) to 9.5 mm (3/8 in.);
9.5 mm (3/8 in.) to 4.75 mm (No. 4);
4.75 mm (No. 4) to 2.36 mm (No. 8);
2.36 mm (No. 8) to 0.075 mm (No. 200); and
Passing 0.075 mm (No. 200).

5.3. Determination of Mixing and Compaction Temperatures:

5.3.1. The temperature to which the asphalt binder must be heated to produce a viscosity of 170 ± 20 cSt shall
be the mixing temperature.

5.3.2. The temperature to which the asphalt binder must be heated to produce a viscosity of 280 ± 30 cSt shall
be the compaction temperature.

Note 3—While the temperatures given in Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 are appropriate for neat asphalt
binders, the selected temperatures may not be applicable to modified asphalt binders. In those cases, it is
recommended that the manufacturer’s guidelines for mixing and compaction temperatures be used.

5.4. Preparation of Mixtures:

5.4.1. A mechanical mixing apparatus shall be used.

5.4.2. An initial batch shall be mixed for the purpose of “buttering” the mixing bowl and stirrers. This batch shall
be emptied after mixing, and the sides of the bowl and stirrers shall be cleaned of mixture residue by
scraping with a small limber spatula but shall not be wiped with a cloth or washed clean with solvent,
except when a change is to be made in the asphalt binder or at the end of a design.

5.4.3. Into separate pans for each test specimen, weigh sufficient material to produce compacted samples of the
desired volume, approximately 4700 g. Mix the aggregate in each pan. Place the aggregate in an oven and
heat to a temperature not exceeding the mixing temperature established in Section 5.3 by more than
approximately 28°C (50°F). Heat the asphalt binder to the established mixing temperature. The stabilizing
additive is added to the heated aggregate prior to the introduction of the asphalt binder.

Note 4—It is recommended that the stabilizing additive be manually mixed with the heated aggregate.
This procedure is needed to ensure an even distribution of the stabilizing additive during the laboratory
mixing process. The use of stabilizing additives generally requires slightly longer mixing times.

5.4.4. Form a crater in the dry blended aggregate and stabilizing additive, and weigh the preheated required
amount of asphalt binder into the crater. Care must be exercised to prevent loss of the mix during mixing
and subsequent handling. At this point, the temperature of the aggregate and asphalt binder shall be
within the limits of the mixing temperature established in Section 5.3. Mix the aggregate and asphalt
binder rapidly until the aggregate is thoroughly coated.

5.5. Compaction of Specimens—The compaction temperature is determined in accordance with Section 5.3.
Laboratory samples of SMA are short-term conditioned in accordance with R 30 and then compacted for
100 gyrations.

Note 5—When aggregates have a Los Angeles Abrasion loss value greater than 30 percent, the desirable
number of SGC design gyrations is 75.

6. SELECTION OF TRIAL GRADATIONS

6.1. The trial gradations must be selected to be within the desired specification range as defined in M 325. To
design an SMA mixture, it is recommended that at least three trial gradations be initially evaluated. It is
suggested that one of the trial blends fall along the coarse limits, one along the fine limits, and one in the
middle of the gradation bands as defined in M 325. When the bulk specific gravities of the different
aggregates to be used in the mixture vary by more than 0.2, the trial blend gradations should be based on
volumetric percentage. An example problem illustrating how to blend aggregates based on volume is given
in Appendix X1.1.

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7. SELECTION OF TRIAL BINDER CONTENT

7.1. As a starting point, for aggregates with bulk specific gravities approximately equal to 2.75, a binder content
of approximately 6.0 percent or greater, by mass, needs to be selected. If the bulk specific gravity of the
coarse aggregate exceeds 2.75, the trial binder content can be reduced by approximately 0.1 percent for
each specific-gravity increment of 0.05 above 2.75. If the bulk specific gravity of the coarse aggregate is
below 2.75, the trial binder content can be increased approximately 0.1 percent for each specific gravity
increment of 0.05 below 2.75 (see Table X2.1).

8. DETERMINATION OF VCA IN COARSE-AGGREGATE FRACTION OF MIXTURE

8.1. For best performance, the SMA must have a coarse-aggregate skeleton with stone-on-stone contact. The
course-aggregate fraction is that portion of the total aggregate blend retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4)
sieve for 12.5-mm (1/2-in.) and 19-mm (3/4-in.) SMA. For the 9.5-mm (3/8-in.) nominal-maximum
aggregate size SMA, the coarse aggregate is that portion of the total aggregate blend retained on the 2.36-
mm (No. 8) sieve. The condition of stone-on-stone contact within an SMA is defined as the point at which
the VCA of the compacted mixture is less than the VCA of the coarse aggregate in the dry-rodded test.

8.2. The dry-rodded VCA of the coarse-aggregate fraction ( VCA

DRC) is determined by compacting the stone with
the dry-rodded technique in accordance with T 19M/T 19. When the dry-rodded density of the stone
fraction has been determined, the VCA
DRC can be calculated using Equation 1:

(1)

where:

GCA = the bulk specific gravity of the coarse aggregate (T 85);

γs = the unit weight of the coarse-aggregate fraction in the dry-rodded condition [kg/m3 (lb/ft3)]
(T 19M/T 19); and

γw = the unit weight of water [1000 kg/m3 (62.4 lb/ft3)].

9. SELECTION OF DESIRED GRADATION

9.1. After the trial samples have been compacted and allowed to cool, they are removed from the molds and
tested to determine their bulk specific gravity in accordance with T 166. The uncompacted samples are
used to determine the theoretical maximum density in accordance with T 209. Using the bulk specific
V
gravity and theoretical maximum density, the a, VMA, and VCA of the compacted mixture ( mix) can be VCA
calculated using Equations 2, 3, and 4:

(2)
(3)
(4)
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where:

Gmb = the bulk specific gravity of the compacted mixture (T 166);

Gsb = the bulk specific gravity of the total aggregate;

Ps = the percent of aggregate in the mixture;

GCA = the bulk specific gravity of the coarse-aggregate fraction (T 85);

PCA = the percent of coarse aggregate in the total mixture; and

Gmm = the theoretical maximum density of the mixture (T 209).

9.2. Of the three trial gradations evaluated, the one with the lowest percent of coarse aggregate that meets or
exceeds the minimum VMA requirement, and has a VCA
mix less than VCA
DRC, is selected as the desired
gradation. The trial gradation selected, based on the above conditions, is referred to as the optimum
gradation.

Note 6—If possible, the selected gradation should have a VMA somewhat higher than the minimum
criteria to allow for some reduction in VMA during plant production.

10. SELECTION OF OPTIMUM BINDER CONTENT

10.1. Once the optimum gradation of the mixture has been chosen, it may be necessary to raise or lower the
V
binder content to obtain the proper amount of a in the mixture. In this case, additional samples are
prepared using the selected gradation and varying the binder content. The optimum binder content is
V
chosen to produce the a in the mixture specified in M 325.

10.2. Twelve samples are needed for this portion of the procedure. This number provides for three compacted
samples and one uncompacted sample (used to determine the theoretical maximum density) at each of the
three binder contents. The mixture properties are determined and the optimum binder content is selected
V
to provide the desired a level. The SMA selected should have properties meeting the criteria as specified
in M 325. If these criteria are not satisfied, the mixture should be modified so that the requirements are
satisfied.

11. MOISTURE SUSCEPTIBILITY

11.1. Moisture susceptibility of the selected mixture is determined in accordance with T 283 using samples
V
compacted in accordance with T 312 to a a content of 6.0 ± 1.0 percent. The retained tensile strength
level of the SMA shall be as specified in M 325 at 6.0 ± 1.0 percent a. V

12. DRAINDOWN SENSITIVITY

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12.1. Draindown sensitivity of the selected mixture is determined using T 305. Draindown sensitivity is
determined at the anticipated plant-production temperature and shall satisfy the requirements of M 325.

13. ADJUSTING MIXTURE TO MEET PROPERTIES

13.1. Va Content—The amount of Va in the mixture can be controlled by the binder content. However, a problem
occurs when low Va contents exist at binder contents below the minimum values specified. Lowering the
binder content below these values to achieve a proper amount of Va violates the minimum binder-content
specification. Instead, the mixture gradation must be modified to increase the VMA.

13.2. VMA—The VMA may be raised by increasing the percentage of coarse aggregate. Changing the aggregate
source may also be required to increase VMA.

13.3. VCAmix—If the VCA mix is higher than the VCA

DRC, then the mixture gradation must be modified. This
modification is typically accomplished by increasing the percentage of coarse aggregate.

13.4. Moisture Susceptibility—If the mixture fails to meet the moisture-susceptibility requirements, antistrip
agents can be used. If these measures prove ineffective, the aggregate source and/or binder source can be
changed to obtain better aggregate/binder compatibility.

13.5. Draindown Sensitivity—Problems with draindown sensitivity can be remedied by increasing the amount of,
or by selecting a different, stabilizing additive.

14. REPORT
14.1. Report the following information:
14.1.1. Identification of the project name and project number;

14.1.2. Information on the materials used, including aggregate source, binder source and performance grade, type
and amount of stabilizing additive, and material quality characteristics;

14.1.3. Results of the gradation optimization (results of all trial gradations);

14.1.4. Optimum gradation and binder content;

14.1.5. Volumetric properties for each trial blend and at the optimum binder content;

14.1.6. Moisture susceptibility results; and

14.1.7. Draindown sensitivity results.

15. KEYWORDS
15.1. Mineral aggregate; stone matrix asphalt (SMA); stone-on-stone contact; Superpave gyratory compactor;
volumetric properties.

APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)

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X1. EXAMPLE OF BLENDING AGGREGATE COMPONENTS TO SATISFY SMA

GRADATION BANDS
X1.1. In asphalt mixture designs, specified aggregate gradations should be based on aggregate volume and not
aggregate mass. However, for most conventional asphalt mixtures (dense-graded), the specific gravities of
the different aggregate stockpiles are assumed to be sufficiently comparable to make the gradations based
on mass percentages similar to those based on volumetric percentages. This assumption is often not true
in the aggregate components and, particularly in the mineral fillers used in SMA, where specific gravities
vary widely. Therefore, in SMA, the specified gradation bands presented in the mixture design procedure
are based on the percent passing by volume. This appendix gives an illustrative example with the objective
of providing guidance on blending aggregate components based on volumes to meet the SMA gradation
G
bands. However, if the sb of the different aggregates to be used within the mixture varies by 0.2 or less,
gradations based on mass percentages may be used.

X1.2. The first step is to perform gradation tests based on mass in accordance with T 27 for the various
aggregates to be used in SMA. For the example covered in this appendix, a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) nominal-
maximum aggregate size SMA is to be blended. Table X1.1 provides the results of the gradation tests
performed on four aggregates that are to be blended. Also needed to determine aggregate gradations
G
based on volume are the sb of the different aggregates. Table X1.1 also provides the sb values for each G
G
aggregate. Notice that the sb values differ by more than 0.2.

X1.3. The second step is to determine the percent, by mass, retained on each sieve for the different aggregates.
For a given sieve, this calculation is performed by subtracting the percent passing the given sieve from the
percent passing the next larger sieve. For example, using Aggregate C, the percent, by mass, retained on
the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve would be calculated as follows:

Percent retained on 4.75-mm (No. 4) Sieve = 84.6 – 48.9 = 35.7 percent

where:

84.6 = the percent by mass passing the 9.5-mm (3/8-in.) sieve (Table X1.1);

48.9 = the percent by mass passing the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve (Table X1.1); and

35.7 = the percent by mass retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.

Table X1.1—Results of Gradation and Specific Gravity Tests for Aggregates to Be Used

X1.4. In the third step, assume the mass of each aggregate stockpile is 100 g. Using this assumption allows for
the mass that would be retained on each sieve for each aggregate to be determined and shown to be
equal to the numbers displayed in Table X1.2.

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X1.5. Table X1.2 presents the values for the percent, by mass, retained for all sieves and aggregates. Note that a
row has been added to reflect the material finer than the 0.075-mm (No. 200) sieve.

Table X1.2—Percent, by Mass, Retained on Each Sieve

X1.6. The fourth step converts the masses determined in Step 3 to volumes per sieve. To make this conversion,
G
the sb of the individual aggregates is needed. The volume of aggregate retained on each sieve for each
aggregate can be determined from Equation X1.1:

(X1.1)

where:

γw = the unit weight of water (1.0 g/cm3).

X1.7. The following calculation applies for the volume of the aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve of
Aggregate C.

where:

35.7 g = the mass of Aggregate C retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve (Table X1.2);

2.736 = the bulk specific gravity of Aggregate C (Table X1.1);

1.0 g/cm3 = the unit weight of water; and

13.05 cm3 = the volume of Aggregate C retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.

X1.8. The volumes retained on all sieves for each of the four aggregates are provided in Table X1.3.

Table X1.3—Volumes of Aggregate Retained on Each Sieve

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X1.9. The values provided in Table X1.3 are used to blend the different aggregates to meet the desired gradation
based on volumes. In this procedure, the aggregate is blended by mass; then the final gradation is
determined based on volume. As with gradations based on mass, this is a trial-and-error process. To
perform the blending, select the estimated percentages, by mass, of the different aggregates to be used.
For this example, the percentages in Table X1.4 will be tried first.

Table X1.4—Percentages of the Four Aggregates Used for the First Trial

X1.10. Notice that the percentages in Table X1.4 are based on mass. This format indicates that the volume
represented by 30 percent of Aggregate A, by mass, will be used in the blending of the aggregates based
on volumes.

X1.11. The percent of each aggregate in the blend is multiplied by the volume retained on a given sieve for each
aggregate to determine the total volume retained on that sieve. Using the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, the total
volume retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve is calculated as follows:

total volume retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve = (0.30 × 13.00) + (0.30 × 14.63) + (0.30 × 13.05) +
(0.10 × 0.00) = 12.20 cm3

where:

0.30, 0.30, 0.30, and 0.10 = the percentage, by mass, of each aggregate in the blend
expressed as a decimal; and

13.00, 14.63, 13.05, and 0.00 = the volume retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve for each
aggregate (Table X1.3).

X1.12. The calculation in Section X1.11 is performed for each of the sieves in the gradation. Table X1.5 presents
the total volume retained for each of the sieves in the gradation.

Table X1.5—Total Volumes Retained for Each Sieve for the First Trial

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X1.13. Now, based on the total volume retained per sieve and the total volume of the blended aggregates, the
percent retained for each sieve, by volume, can be determined for the blend. This calculation is
accomplished for a given sieve by dividing the volume retained on that sieve by the total volume of the
blend. The following illustrates this calculation for the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.

where:

12.20 cm3 = the volume retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve (Table X1.5);

37.56 cm3 = the total volume of the blend (Table X1.5); and

32.48 = the percent volume of the blend retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve.

X1.14. Using the percent retained per sieve based on volume, the percent passing, by volume, for the gradation
can be determined similarly to the method used for gradations based on mass. Determine the cumulative
percent retained for each sieve, and then subtract that value from 100.

X1.15. Table X1.6 provides the percents retained, based on volumes, for each of the sieves and converts these
values to percent passing.

Table X1.6—Percents Passing Based on Volumes for the First Trial

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X1.16. Now, the blended gradation is compared to the required gradation band (also based on volume). Table
X1.7 compares the gradation band for a 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) nominal-maximum aggregate size SMA from MP
8 to the gradation shown in Table X1.6.

Table X1.7—Comparison of Gradation Blend Based on Volume for the First Trial to Specified Gradation Band

X1.17. Based on Table X1.7, the blended gradation did not meet the specified gradation band for a 19.0-mm (3/4-
in.) nominal-maximum aggregate size SMA. Therefore, different blending percentages for the various
aggregates are needed. Table X1.8 shows the percentages of the four aggregates used for the second trial.

Table X1.8—Percentages of the Four Aggregates Used for the Second Trial

X1.18. Table X1.9 presents the blending of the four aggregates for the second trial. The second trial blend
percentages were used along with the values from Table X1.3 to determine the percent passing, by
volume, for the blend.

Table X1.9—Percents Passing Based on Volumes for the Second Trial

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X1.19. Based on Table X1.9, the percentages in Table X1.10 produce a gradation, based on volume, that satisfies
the 19.0-mm (3/4-in.) nominal-maximum aggregate size gradation band for SMA.

Table X1.10—Acceptable Blend of the Four Aggregates

X2. ADJUSTMENT OF MINIMUM BINDER CONTENT BASED ON BULK SPECIFIC

G
GRAVITY ( SB) OF THE COMBINED AGGREGATES

Table X2.1—Guide to Adjust Minimum Binder Content Based on Varying Gsb of Combined Aggregates

1 Formerly AASHTO Provisional Standard PP 41. First published as a full standard in 2008.
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2 Reapproved with no technical changes; minor editorial revisions have been made at the discretion of the authors
responsible for standards on proportioning of asphalt-aggregate mixtures (Technical Section 2d).

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