Superpave Testing Equipment

The Research Grade Asphalt Dynamic Shear Rheometer

Dynamic shear rheometer

ATS RheoSystems and REOLOGICA Instruments AB have released VISCOTECH DSR, a research grade Dynamic Shear Rheometer specifically designed for the asphalt industry. VISCOTECH DSR exceeds all of the SHRP instrument requirements.

The instrument comes standard with 8 and 25 mm parallel plates, but is also available with various plate/plate and couette measuring systems. The instrument features a wide torque and frequency range utilizing a low inertia air bearing coupled with a high resolution angular displacement sensor. In addition, it comes standard with automatic gap setting stage control and quantitative normal force loading capability. The instrument is built around a dedicated, on board 32 bit computer for unprecedented performance, versatility, and reliability. A built in modem allows for remote control operation, remote service diagnostics, and software updates. The user interface is a true windows environment including multitasking and universal file structure for data exportation to any other Windows program. No interface card is required allowing the instrument to operate with a notebook computer. Standard software allows frequency sweep testing and a special SHRP program provides binder specification testing at 10 rad/s.

VISCOTECH DSR was specifically designed with resistively heated lower plate and radiant heated upper plate, rather than the conventional water circulating bath systems. Resistively heated systems possess inherently faster transient response times, and do not have the problems associated with water baths including water level, water absorption into test samples, and sample insertion onto wet plates. Gradients between the two plates are better than 0.1oC and heating/cooling rates in excess of 20 oC/min are possible.

Key Features:

  • Exceeds all SHRP instrument requirements.
  • True MS Windows user interface with frequency sweep capability including 10 rad/s
  • Automatic gap zero and automatic gap setting with user selectable normal force loading
  • Dry, resistively heated upper/lower furnace with heating/cooling rates to 20oC/min
  • Automatic compensation for thermal expansion of measuring systems (patent pending)
  • Built in communication port for remote service diagnostics, remote control operation, and software updates
    Air bearing design
  • Temperature range -15 to 400oC with user programmable temperature profiles ISO 9001 approved

Portable Gyratory Compactor AFG1

Portable Gyratory Compactor AFG1

The Pine Instrument Company Portable Gyratory Compactor AFG1 is the first compactor that allows the operator to take the machine to the material. The AGF1's smaller size, along with integral wheels and handles, makes this a truly mobile unit, perfect for field QC/QA work yet suitable for laboratory design. This compactor provides all the test data needed to meet current SUPERPAVE™ asphalt mix design requirements at the job site or in the lab.

The AFG1 continues Pine's tradition of producing asphalt testers that are easy to use, loaded with features, and sturdy enough to provide years of reliable service in the demanding construction industry environment. One of the many features Pine has incorporated into the AFG1 is total electrical operation. Only 15 amps of current at 110 VAC are required to power the entire unit.

PINE PAVE SOFTWARE

The AFG1 is supplied with user-friendly Pine-Pave Software. This PC based software package utilizes Microsoft Excel templates to assist the asphalt technician with data retrieval from the AFG1.

AFG1 FEATURES

  • Integrated wheels and handles for true mobility.
  • Reduced size and weight.
  • Portable.
  • Completely electrical (110 VAC) operation.
  • Angle is continuously measured and displayed.
  • Easy-to-use controls.
  • Pine-Pave (PC-based) Mix Design software included.
  • Serial port for connection to external PC.
  • Parallel port for connection to external printer.
  • Rugged construction for low maintenance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Requirements: 110 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 PH, 15A
Size (approx.): 750mm [W] x 750mm [L] x 1300mm [H] (30" x 30" x 54")
Weight (approx.): 294kg (650 pounds)
Consolidation Pressure: 600 kPa
Angle of Gyration: 1.25 degrees
Speed of Gyration: 30rpm
No. of Gyrations: 0-999
Data acquisition: Specimen height recorded once per gyration to within 0.1 mm
Specimen Diameter 150mm
Max. Initial Height: 250mm
Max. Final Height 50mm
Modes of operation 1) Compact to number of gyrations
2) Compact to specified height
Unit of measure: SI Units
Calibration: ASTM E$ and AASHTO T67 load calibration at factory, accurate to within 1%

Brovold Gyratory Compactor

brovold gyratory compactor

Portable - Accurate - Rugged

This innovative patented test system: 

  • Weighs under 350 pounds.
  • Transports easily in a small truck or minivan.
  • Exceeds all FHWA & AASHTO specifications.
  • Provides automatic testing and data acquisition.
  • Extracts the specimen with the touch of a button.
  • Has rugged industrial electronics and durable 
    tubular aluminum frame.
  • Produces gyration from within the mold.
  • Holds the mold angle with no moving parts.

PORTABLE...  The Brovold Gyratory Compactor is a truly portable gyratory compactor for mobile applications.  This completely self-contained test system weighs less than 350 pounds.  It operates with 110 Volt power, requiring less than 12 Amps.

Rugged...
Durable industrial electronics, tubular aluminum frame construction, and the exceptional stiffness of the aluminum retaining cylinder allow transportation of this system for testing with no loss of system safety, integrity, or accuracy.

Easy to Operate...
The complete test cycle is run by pushing one button on the operator interface panel.  Using the same hydraulic cylinder which provides the testing load, the specimen is extracted with the touch of a button.  The mold may be loaded with asphalt while it is in the compactor.

 
Illustration of Portability (note: sandals not recommended)
Pine-Pave Software...
All compactor are supplied with user-friendly Pine-Pave Software.  This PC-based software package utilizes Microsoft Excel® templates to assist the asphalt technician with volumetric mix design as described in the Superpave™ mixture design specifications.  Pine-Pave also provides easy data retrieval from the compactor, performs volumetric calculations, and displays test results.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Requirements: 105-125 VAC/60 Hz, 12 Amps or
200-240 VAC/50 Hz, 6 Amps or
200-240 VAC/60 Hz, 6 Amps.
Size (approx.): 54.1cm wide x 76.2cm deep x 140.7cm high 
(21.3 inches W. x 30 inches D. x 55.4 inches H.)
Weight (approx.): Approximately 159kg (350 lbs) 
Operational Parameters
  • Designed for contractor use or as a space-saving fixed lab unit.
  • Instant in-place specimen extrusion.
  • Angle of gyration set at 1.25 degrees.
Communications:
Serial port for transfer of compaction data directly to an external computer, or serial printer.

 

 

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Pine Instument Company Products

AFGC 125X Gyratory

AFGC 125X Gyratory Compactor The Pine Instrument Company AFGC 125X Gyratory Compactor is designed to comply with the SUPERPAVE™ asphalt mix design requirements and has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Studies have shown that the gyratory compaction method best simulates the long term effect of traffic on pavement. The 125X is designed to withstand the demanding environment of the construction industry and has become the standard by which others are judged.

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Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

The Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) is a simple apparatus that makes quick, accurate and automated measurements of the stiffness modulus and creep curve. Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

Rotational Viscometer/Rheometer

The High Temperature Viscometer can be used to measure asphalt binder quality and to determine the handling characteristics of the asphalt binder during mixing and compaction. The device also calculates shear rate and shear stress. A rotating spindle applies torque to an asphalt sample in the thermostatically controlled chamber, allowing relative resistance of rotation to be measured. Rotational Viscometer/Rheometer

Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)

Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)

The Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) is used for the simulation of short-term aging of asphalt binder that occurs during mixing and lay down of hot mix asphalt.

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Pressure Aging Vessels (PAV)

Pressure Aging Vessels (PAV) The Pressure Aging Vessel method uses pressurized heated air to simulate long term oxidative aging of asphalt binders. A PAV test may be used to estimate binder properties after 5 to 10 years of in-service field aging.


   
M&L Testing Equipment (1995) Inc.Canada, carries a large inventory of materials testing equipment. If you have any questions regarding a listed product, or if you do not see the equipment you require, please contact us by using our Contact Form or E-mail us @ .
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