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: D2726/D2726M − 21

Standard Test Method for

Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of Non-Absorptive
Compacted Asphalt Mixtures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2726/D2726M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* Compacted Bituminous Mixtures Using Coated Samples

1.1 This test method covers the determination of bulk D3203/D3203M Test Method for Percent Air Voids in Com-
specific gravity and density of specimens of compacted asphalt pacted Asphalt Mixtures
mixtures. D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
1.2 This test method should not be used with samples that D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
contain open or interconnecting voids or absorb more than ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
2.0 % of water by volume, or both, as determined in 11.3. Construction Materials Testing
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units D5361/D5361M Practice for Sampling Compacted Asphalt
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in Mixtures for Laboratory Testing
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to D6752/D6752M Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and
iTeh Standards
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two
Density of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures Using Automatic
Vacuum Sealing Method
systems shall not be combined.
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D7227/D7227M Practice for Rapid Drying of Compacted
Asphalt Mixture Specimens Using Vacuum Drying Appa-
ratus
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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- E77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Ther-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. mometers
ASTMinD2726/D2726M-21
1.5 This international standard was developed accor- E563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath
as a Reference Temperature
/catalog/standards/astm/63cc7553-9421-45ba-9959-b145a233fce6/astm-d2726-d2726m-21
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Ther-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- mometers
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. tance Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
2. Referenced Documents eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3. Terminology
D979/D979M Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving
Mixtures 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
D1188 Test Method for Bulk Specific Gravity and Density of 3.1.1 bulk density—as determined by this test method, the
mass of a metre cubed (or foot cubed) of the material at 25 °C
[77 °F].
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road 3.1.2 bulk specific gravity—as determined by this test
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.21 on method, the ratio of the mass of a given volume of material at
Specific Gravity and Density of Asphalt Mixtures. 25 °C [77 °F] to the mass of an equal volume of water at the
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D2726/D2726M – 19. same temperature.
DOI: 10.1520/D2726_D2726M-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4. Summary of Test Method
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 4.1 The specimen is immersed in a water bath at 25 °C
the ASTM website. [77 °F]. The mass under water is recorded, and the specimen is

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D2726/D2726M − 21
taken out of the water, blotted quickly with a damp cloth towel, 6.3 Drying Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of
and weighed in air. The difference between the two masses is 110 6 5 °C [230 6 9 °F].
used to measure the mass of an equal volume of water at 25 °C
6.4 Thermometer—The thermometer shall be one of the
[77 °F].
following:
4.2 This test method provides guidance for determination of 6.4.1 A liquid-in-glass partial or total immersion thermom-
the oven-dry or thoroughly dry mass of the specimen. The bulk eter of suitable range with subdivisions and maximum scale
specific gravity is calculated from these masses. Then the error of 0.5 °C [1.0 °F] which conforms to the requirements of
density is obtained by multiplying the specific gravity of the Specification E1. Calibrate the thermometer in accordance with
specimen by the density of the water. one of the methods in Test Method E77 or verify its original
5. Significance and Use calibration at the ice point (Notes 4 and 5).
5.1 The results obtained from this test method can be used NOTE 4—Practice E563 provides instructions on the preparation and use
to determine the unit weight of compacted dense asphalt of an ice-point bath as a reference temperature.
mixtures and in conjunction with Test Method D3203/ NOTE 5—If the thermometer does not read 0.0 6 0.5 °C [32.0 6 1.0 °F]
at the ice point, then the thermometer should be recalibrated.
D3203M, to obtain percent air voids. These values in turn may
be used in determining the relative degree of compaction. 6.4.2 A liquid-in-glass partial or total immersion thermom-
eter of suitable range with subdivisions and maximum scale
5.2 Since specific gravity has no units, it must be converted
error of 0.5 °C [1.0 °F] which conforms to the requirements of
to density in order to do calculations that require units. This
Specification E2251. Calibrate the thermometer in accordance
conversion is made by multiplying the specific gravity at a
with one the methods in Test Method E77 or verify its original
given temperature by the density of water at the same tempera-
calibration at the ice point (Notes 4 and 5).
ture.
6.4.3 A platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) with a probe
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are which conforms to the requirements of Specification E1137/
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used.
E1137M. The PRT shall have a three- or four-wire connection
configuration and the overall sheath length shall be at least
iTeh Standards
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally
considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling,
inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with
50 mm [2 in.] greater than the immersion depth. Calibrate the
PRT system (probe and readout) in accordance with Test
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results.
Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of
Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
Methods E644 or verify its original calibration at the ice point
(Notes 4 and 5). Corrections shall be applied to ensure accurate

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means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors. measurements within 0.5 °C [1.0 °F].
6.4.4 A metal-sheathed thermistor with a sensor substan-
6. Apparatus tially similar in construction to the PRT probe described in
6.1 Balance, with ample capacity, and with sufficient sensi- 6.4.3. Calibrate the thermistor system (sensor and readout) in
tivity to enable bulk specific gravities of theASTM specimensD2726/D2726M-21
to be accordance with Test Methods E644 or verify its original
calculated/catalog/standards/astm/63cc7553-9421-45ba-9959-b145a233fce6/astm-d2726-d2726m-21
to at least four significant figures, that is, to at least calibration at the ice point (Notes 4 and 5). Corrections shall be
three decimal places. It shall be equipped with a suitable applied to ensure accurate measurements within 0.5 °C
apparatus to permit weighing the specimen while suspended in [1.0 °F].
water. To avoid erroneous readings by undue displacement of
water, use wire or fish line of the smallest practical size to 7. Standardization
suspend the specimen and holder. Do not use chains, strings, or
7.1 Balance—Standardize at least once each twelve months.
sash cords. The balance shall conform to Guide D4753 as a
Class GP2 balance. 7.2 Temperature-Measuring Devices—Standardize at least
NOTE 2—Since there are no more significant figures in the quotient
once every twelve months.
(bulk specific gravity) than appear in either the dividend (the mass of the 7.3 Drying Oven—Standardize thermometric devices at
specimen in air) or in the divisor (the mass of the volume of water equal
to the volume of the specimen, obtained from the difference in weight of
least once every twelve months.
the saturated surface-dry specimen in air and in water), this means that the
NOTE 6—The terms of standardization, verification, calibration, and
balance must have a sensitivity capable of providing both mass values to
check are defined in Specification D3666 Section 3.
at least four figures. For example, a sensitivity of 0.1 g [0.0002 lb] would
provide four significant figures for mass in the range from 100.1 to 999.9 g
[0.221 to 2.204 lb]. 8. Sampling
6.2 Water Bath, capable of maintaining a temperature of 25 8.1 Specimens may be either laboratory-molded asphalt
6 1 °C [77 6 1.8 °F] for immersing the specimen in water mixtures or from asphalt pavements.
while suspended, equipped with an overflow outlet for main-
taining a constant water level. The use of an overflow outlet is 8.2 Obtain field samples in accordance with Practice D979/
mandatory. D979M.

NOTE 3—The water bath does not need to be a sophisticated device. 8.3 Pavement specimens shall be taken from pavements
Any method that maintains 25 6 1 °C [77 6 1.8 °F] can be used including with a core drill, diamond or carborundum saw, or by other
tempering, aquarium heaters, stirrers, or other devices. suitable means, in accordance with Practice D5361/D5361M.