Asphalt Plant Technician Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Minimum sample mass for fine aggregate is 300 g after drying.
• For the cone and quarter procedure , flatten the pile to a uniform thickness so that its diameter is 4 x to 8 x its thickness.
• For fine aggregate, the splitter will have an equal number and equal width of chutes, at least 12, which direct material to alternate sides.
• Moisture content of aggregate is used to adjust the amount of binder introduced into the mixture at a drum mix production facility.
• Performance tests require the specimens to be fabricated to a specific height and/or void volume.
• In asphalt mixtures, what is the primary purpose of adding rubber?
• According to R 68, what is the specified temperature range and accuracy for thermometers used to determine temperatures of aggregates, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixtures?
• If the test is run immediately following the test procedures for T164 or T308, the extracted aggregate must still be dried to a constant mass in an oven.
• Manufacturer's waste shingles are historically a much larger source of supply for the asphalt industry than postconsumer asphalt shingle waste.
• Determine the SSD mass of the specimen after drying it thoroughly with a dry towel.
• In the cone and quarter method, what is the relationship between the pile diameter and its thickness?
• Which statement is false about binder content calculation?
• PG Binder grades are used to classify asphalt binders based on performance at high and low temperatures.
• Performance tests generally require the specimens are fabricated to a specific height and / or void volume.
• All gyratory compactors (regardless of manufacturer) must meet specific guidelines for pressure of compaction, speed and angle of gyration, and height measurement during compaction.
• Prying the mixture until it tears off the underlying material is the recommended method for creating separation in the tested layer.
• For fine aggregate samples, the requirement is that the sample in the bag remains on the suspension for at least 15 minutes and the immersed mass is recorded.
• Which statement is true about the split portion characteristics after sampling?
• Which statement about agitation time and sieve adequacy is correct?
• Visual identification of segregation is much easier than quantifying the degree of segregation.
• What vacuum level must the chamber achieve at sea level according to the procedure?
• Which statement about the constant mass procedure is true?
• For sampling from a paver hopper, which procedure is correct?
• Sampling the initial discharge or the few final tons from a bin or conveyor belt decreases chances of obtaining segregated material and should be encouraged.
• Which statement is true about handling large samples when splitting?
• When placing the lid on the bowl assembly in the centrifuge, be sure to clamp it down tightly to avoid an appreciable loss of fines.
• The vacuum system must have a pump capable of evacuating air in chamber to 6 mm Hg at sea level.
• Using the duplicate portion of sand at SSD to determine the dry mass of the sample removes the necessity to dry the entire contents of the pycnometer.
• After drying to a constant mass, the cooling should occur at room temperature.
• When sampling hotbins, it is important to have a sampling device that is capable of completely interrupting the entire flow of aggregate as it passes through the gate into the weigh hopper.
• It normally takes about 60 minutes to eliminate air bubbles by manual methods once the sample and water are in the pycnometer flask.
• Which adjustment is required when uncoated particles are present to determine sample volume?
• If the sample is too large, it may be run in portions. What condition leads to this?
• The standard discusses minimum mass for sampling and includes pounds in parentheses. Which mass unit is explicitly used for the minimum sample mass?
• Sample cans should be cleaned thoroughly before using them again.
• After repeating vacuum drying, dry mass determinations that are within 0.3 g of one another indicate that drying is complete.
• Aggregates must be properly heated prior to being placed in the cold feeds.
• Minimum sample mass for fine aggregate is 300 g after drying.
• Which sieve size is designated as the 75-μm ( #200 ) sieve?
• When sampling a flat surface, how far must each sampling location be from the edges?
• The Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) is used to assess the moisture damage susceptibility of asphalt mixtures.
• When foaming processes are used, the laboratory performing the design will need to replicate the plant foaming process with a lab-scale foam asphalt plant capable of producing consistent foamed asphalt at the water content used in field production. This is necessary to ensure what?
• Using auger extensions when the screed is extended is recommended because auger extensions are a notable source of segregation.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• If the sample is too large to fit into the vacuum container, what should be done?
• For volumetric determinations, it is acceptable to use the effective specific gravity of the RAS in lieu of the bulk specific gravity.
• AASHTO requires double friction-top cans, square cans with screw tops, or small mouth cans with screw caps to hold the asphalt samples.
• Core samples should be delivered to the testing laboratory in a manner that provides for their protection during transport from jarring, rolling, or impact with any object.
• In the flask (above the scale) method, the weight after 10 ± 1 minutes is recorded as which letter?
• A blank sample of aggregate (without asphalt binder) is prepared during the correction factor sample preparation to provide a comparison of the gradation with the mixture (burned) samples later.
• Dry subset samples and wet subset samples should be grouped so that the average air voids for each subset is about the same.
• The ability to elevate the temperature of virgin aggregate in order to heat RAP added to the mixture will influence the amount of RAP that can be added.
• What defines the total mix time?
• Which statement about the incremental method is true?
• Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) is characterized by gap grading.
• The cone and quarter reduction method is acceptable for use with fine aggregate that is drier than the SSD condition.
• Which statement is NOT described as part of the ignition test procedures?
• For NMAS 12.5 mm or less and a wash sieve analysis specified, the correct procedure is to perform the dry sieve first and then wash.
• For the ignition method (T308), the mass used should agree with the mass after ignition within 0.1%; if not, the results should not be used for acceptance.
• Samples dried past the SSD condition must be immersed in water for 30 minutes prior to resuming surface drying.
• What is the duration of the vacuum step?
• It is not recommended to use auger extensions when the screed is extended since auger extensions are a notable source of segregation.
• The test method applies to which range of asphalt mixture types?
• Which statement is true about the quartering method and pile size?
• Samples from mix production should be obtained only after the material has been stored in a silo for at least 1 hour.
• What is the environmental impact of lower temperatures during WMA production and placement?
• The water bath temperature specification in °F is given as 77 ± 2 °F. Which range corresponds to this?
• When using this method, what is required?
• The number of gyrations is determined by the target density in the design, not by the temperature of the mixture.
• Which statement about sample reduction is true?
• In the SSD cone test, if the sand slumps on the first trial, what is the correct procedure?
• Which statement is true about splitting large samples using methods?
• The standard draindown basket uses a 12.5 mm sieve cloth.
• Foaming technologies often use water along with other chemicals to produce expansion of the binder phase. Which statement best describes this process?
• In shoveling from a stockpile, which material should be obtained?
• The procedure prohibits the use of fans to assist in cooling extruded specimens.
• Why should clumped fine aggregate particles be limited to 6.3 mm?
• When weighing the sample in the water (Method A), be sure to provide an overflow valve for the water that is displaced by the volume of the specimen.
• Which statement is true regarding the ash temperature range?
• Samples should be dried to a constant mass, unless control situations necessitate rapid test results on coarse aggregate.
• For coarse aggregate , the splitter will have an equal number and equal width of chutes , at least 8 , which shall be least 25 % greater in width than the largest particle size.
• Which statement about the small pycnometer is true?
• As an asphalt binder ages, its viscosity increases largely due to oxidation.
• The thickness of cored specimens should be at least how many times the maximum aggregate size used in the HMA mixture?
• In the ignition test, what is the sequence of burn stages?
• Which practice to avoid segregation when using paver extensions?
• Samples under vacuum must be agitated by which device?
• What is the approved thermometer accuracy under R 68 for measuring temperatures of aggregates, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixtures?
• The prevalence of segregation has decreased over the past decade due to changes in mix types.
• Thickness testing is used as a quality control check to ensure that the proper amount of material has been placed during paving.
• During the cone test, when the sand slumps and moisture is added, what should you do after the 30-minute soaking?
• When sampling uncompacted roadway materials, how far should the roller stay from the sampling operation?
• Loadout from a silo should be in one continuous drop into the bed of the haul unit.
• On a flat surface created by a loader, how many randomly selected locations should be sampled at minimum?
• The MSCR test is intended to characterize the enhanced elasticity of polymer modified asphalts.
• Specimen sizes should not exceed more than 500 grams greater than the minimum recommended sample mass.
• For asphalt mixtures that contain uncoated particles, what must be used to determine sample volume?
• The sample needs to be prepared so that clumped particles of fine aggregate are not greater than which size?
• Overnight storage of asphalt mixtures using polymer modified binders is recommended to allow the polymer to fully activate.
• Sieves larger than the 203.2 mm (8 in) diameter variety should be used for coarse aggregate testing to avoid the potential for overloading.
• What is the required oven temperature and precision for drying the sample?
• If a lab uses a unit with internal balances, what document belongs with the binder content report?
• A binder graded as 64V - 22 would be used where design ESALS are in excess of 30 million.
• Which statement about the original printed ticket and Method A is true?
• Which statement best describes a bonded wearing course (BWC)?
• If the mass passing through any sieve after one minute of hand agitation exceeds 0.5% of the original mass, the sieving is not adequate.
• According to R 30 , long term conditioning is performed on loose ( uncompacted ) asphalt mixtures.
• The cone and quarter reduction method is acceptable for use with coarse aggregate in any moisture condition.
• For plate method sampling behind the paver, where should the plate be installed?
• It normally takes about 60 minutes to eliminate air bubbles by manual methods once the sample and water are in the pycnometer flask.
• NOT a main category of WMA technology?
• Which statement about ashing temperature is true?
• These procedures are used for evaluating the properties of sand used as aggregate in asphalt plants.
• The drill bit should be perpendicular to the pavement when cutting the core.
• Short term conditioning is intended to simulate the " pre - compaction " phase of the asphalt mixture during production and construction.
• The vacuum pump must be capable of evacuating air in the vacuum chamber to 5 mm Hg within how many seconds at sea level?
• Long-term conditioning requires placement in a forced draft oven at 85 ± 3 °C for 120 ± 0.5 hours.
• Apparent specific gravity is the ratio of the mass in air of a unit volume of the impermeable portion of aggregate ( does not include the permeable pores in aggregate ) to the mass in air of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
• If 100% of the final RAS passes a 3/8 inch sieve, what is true about the particle size?
• Bulk specific gravity is the determination of the specific gravity including permeable and impermeable air voids or pores that exist within the aggregate.
• When decanting, pour both the water with suspended fines and the coarser particles onto the nested sieves.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Which statement is true about drying after carbonate addition?
• The guideline cautions against agitation longer than 5 minutes due to particle degradation.
• RAS stands for recycled asphalt shingles.
• In metric units the mixing viscosity range is 0.17 ± 0.02 Pa·s. The compaction temperature range is 0.28 ± 0.03 Pa·s.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Once a correction factor has been determined for an ignition furnace, the correction factor can be applied to a wide variety of different asphalt mixtures.
• Which concept is the 'nominal maximum size' associated with in material sampling?
• For binder content determination, the sample must be moisture free when weighed.
• Core samples should be protected from jarring during transport.
• When measuring a cored specimen the measurement must be made only between two well defined lines of demarcation.
• When Method A is used, the test is complete when the change in mass does not exceed 0.01 percent for three consecutive minutes.
• When selecting the specimen form (cylindrically molded, cored, or sawed), what factor primarily determines the size requirements?
• Marshall or SUPERPAVE specimens have an alternate method for thickness measurements.
• Which statement about asphalt mixtures is true?
• When the sample has a nominal size of 12.5 mm or less and a wash sieve analysis is specified, the dry sieve procedure should be performed before washing.
• The oven used to dry aggregate must be capable of maintaining 110 ± 5 °C with an operating range between 100–200 °C, within ±5 °C (and 230 ± 9 °F).
• A baghouse is a secondary collector that does not produce reusable fines.
• The asphalt content of manufacturer's waste shingles is higher than the asphalt content of postconsumer asphalt shingles.
• When sampling from a stockpile, which option describes how to obtain the sample from the horizontal surface relative to the intersection of horizontal and vertical faces?
• Viscosity of asphalt decreases as temperature rises.
• At high service temperatures, asphalt binders must retain elasticity to prevent permanent deformation; at low temperatures, the binder must flow to relax stresses.
• Minimum sample mass for fine aggregate is 300 g (0.66 lb) after drying.
• Long-term conditioning duration is 120 ± 0.5 hours (five days).
• Subsequent additions of solvent when rinsing may not exceed 200 ml.
• Which device is a primary dust collector?
• Minimum mass for fine aggregate after drying is 300 g.
• Aging has no effect on viscosity of asphalt binder.
• Pouring off the top few pounds from a field sample to produce a test portion will ensure the test portion represents the field sample.
• How should air temperature be checked according to the material?
• Filter rings are not moisture sensitive and do not need to be dried in an oven to a constant mass prior to use.
• Prying the mixture with the core shovel until it tears off the underlying material is an approved method to produce separation.
• Which combination of sieve sizes are used in the nested stack for washing?
• A current of warm air may be used to assist getting the sand to an SSD condition.
• In the suspension (below the scale) method, the weight after 10 ± 1 minutes is recorded as which letter?
• In the cone and quarter method, flatten to a uniform thickness.
• AASHTO requires at least three solvent rinses.
• Pycnometers are calibrated by filling them with water at what temperature to the calibration line and determining the mass?
• What is the purpose of grouping dry and wet subsets by similar air voids?
• Which statement is true about the incremental method procedure?
• For fine aggregate , the splitter will have an equal number and equal width of chutes , at least 12 which direct flow of material to alternate sides.
• T 27 cautions against using agitation time more than 5 minutes as particle degradation may occur.
• As temperature increases, viscosity increases.
• In moisture content calculation, what do W and D represent?
• Asphalt modifiers can improve high-end binder properties when using softer binders with RAP (recycled asphalt product) and RAS (recycled asphalt shingles).
• Open or gap graded mixtures are more likely to exhibit draindown than densely graded mixtures.
• If a sample has cooled more than 25°C below the test temperature, the test duration should be 70 ± 5 minutes.
• AASHTO stipulates two stockpile sampling methods: sampling from a flat surface created by a loader, and sampling from a horizontal surface on the stockpile face.
• How do many WMA additives affect compaction compared to HMA?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• For coarse aggregate, the splitter will have an equal number and equal width of chutes, at least 8, which shall be at least 25% greater in width than the largest particle size.
• The cone test is used to assess the condition of the sand.
• For convection type furnaces, preheat the furnace to 538 ± 5 °C (1000 ± 9 °F).
• Short-term conditioning for hot mix asphalt requires placing the sample in a forced-draft oven at 132 to 138 °C for 2 hours (+5 minutes).
• Which statement is true about gradation analysis after removal from baskets?
• An extraction is run to determine the percentage of fines ( minus 75 μm ( #200 ) ) in an asphalt mixture.
• The use of a duplicate portion of sand at SSD is intended to avoid drying the entire pycnometer to determine the dry mass.
• The specimen must absorb at most what percent water by volume for the test method to be applicable?
• When freezing saturated specimens, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them inside a heavy duty plastic bag with 10 ml of water.
• The water in the immersion bath should be regulated at 25 ± 1 °C (77 ± 1.8 °F) during testing.
• Counter-flow dryer drums are so named because the aggregate entry point is opposite the combustion end of the dryer drum.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• RAS should not be blended with any other aggregate or RAP prior to use.
• AASHTO requires at least three solvent rinses to follow the first rinse.
• For modified asphalt binders, the field production temperature for proper coating is usually higher than that for unmodified binders.
• The mass of material used for production specimens , along with the resulting height and relative density achieved , can be used to derive a target mass for any desired height and relative density in subsequent specimens.
• Part of the TSR procedure is to describe the appearance of the mixture in the cracked specimen and to indicate if any stripping of aggregate is notable.
• If the mass passing through any sieve after one minute exceeds 0.5% of the original mass, the sieve analysis is considered inadequate.
• The standard water temperature for this procedure is 25 ± 1 °C (77 ± 2 °F).
• If the pavement is still warm, water, ice, dry ice, or liquid nitrogen may be used to cool the pavement to prevent damage.
• Constant mass is defined as the mass at which further drying in an oven regulated at 110 ± 5 °F (230 ± 9 °F) does not alter the mass by more than 0.1 percent.
• Conventional dense graded thin overlays are intended to provide significant structural improvement.
• This procedure allows for the use of any plastic bag, as long as it does not leak.
• RAP moisture has no effect on the amount of RAP that can be added.
• The centrifuge maximum speed is 3600 rotations per minute.
• Random numbers selected from a table should never be used to represent units of time.
• Like OGFC, the stability of SMA is derived from stone-to-stone contact, and asphalt binder films are much thicker than densely graded mixtures.
• Which statement about oven requirements is NOT correct?
• When taking the temperature in a haul unit, where should the reading be obtained?
• AASHTO recommends drawing off at least 1 liter before sampling asphalt.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• The miniature stockpile reduction method can be used for any combination of fine and coarse aggregates.
• After decantation, what should be done with material on the 75-μm ( #200 ) sieve and any remaining fines on the larger sieve?
• Which statement is true about daily calibration of pycnometers?
• Sieves larger than 203.2 mm diameter should be used for coarse aggregate testing to prevent overload.
• Freshly sampled asphalt should be sealed and labeled immediately after sampling.
• Which statement is true about the quartering template size relative to the pile?
• What is the most frequently noted issue with warm-mix asphalt (WMA) production?
• How should the percentage of material finer than the 75 μm sieve be reported?
• Constant mass is achieved when further drying at 230 ± 9 °F changes mass by no more than 0.1 percent.
• The aggregate's nominal maximum size permitted in the container is 37.5 mm or smaller.
• RAP high in moisture can be used in greater amounts in asphalt mixtures.
• What is the approximate vacuum pressure used in the procedure?
• If the percentage of material finer than the 75 μm sieve is 10% or more, how should it be reported?
• Cover the sample with water ( and wetting agent when used ) and agitate it with sufficient vigor so that the particles finer than the 75‑µm (#200) sieve become suspended in the water.
• While weighing the material, if the sample has cooled more than 25 °C ( 77 °F ) below the test temperature, run the test for 70 ± 5 minutes.
• A sieve shaker should achieve sieving adequacy within a reasonable time, approximately 10 minutes.
• Postconsumer shingles processed today may still contain asbestos.
• If the difference of the measured asphalt binder content of the two correction factor specimens is within 0.15%, then the correction factor is established as the average difference of the measured asphalt binder contents and the actual asphalt binder content.
• A binder content report should include an attachment of the original printed ticket when units with internal balances (Method A) are used.
• The sample size should be large enough so that after the sample is split twice there will be a sufficient testing sample size.
• What is the typical WMA production temperature range?
• The Full-Depth Reclamation method is applied when an existing pavement structure has an excellent foundation and the pavement surface has no deficiencies.
• Compared to the uncorrected relative density, the corrected relative density of the specimen is typically higher.
• Evaluation of the WMA design as per R 35 requires the usual volumetric testing as well as evaluations of coating, compactability, moisture sensitivity, and rutting resistance. Which of the following is included?
• HFST uses wear-resistant aggregates such as flint, granite, or calcined bauxite with a polymer binder.
• What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of the immersion bath temperature given as 25 °C?
• An SSD condition implies the aggregate contains large amounts of free water on its surface.
• Proper sampling is equally as important as proper testing.
• Which statement best describes the allowable extraneous material percentage above the No. 4 sieve in RAS?
• For fine aggregate samples, the immersed mass should be recorded.
• The thickness of the specimen for Method A is measured to the nearest 1/16 in.
• When multiple increments are obtained, what should be done with them?
• Which statement is false about solvent handling?
• Thickness measurements are only valid on specimens cored in the field; Marshall or SUPERPAVE specimens have an alternate method for measurements.
• Should washing, agitating, and decanting continue until the wash water is clear?
• What is the minimum thickness multiplier relative to the maximum aggregate size?
• For volumetric determinations, which gravity measure is acceptable to use for RAS?
• The miniature stockpile reduction method can be used on fine aggregate , coarse aggregate , or combinations thereof
• After removing the sample from the sample baskets, gradation analysis can be performed in accordance with which standard?
• When performing the sample reduction, care must be taken in order to ensure the split test portion has a character similar to that of the field sample.
• What tool is recommended for sampling from the end of an auger?
• When using Method A, the thickness of the specimen is the average of four readings taken at the approximate quarters of the specimen.
• Has the prevalence of segregation decreased due to changes in mix types over the past decade?
• The recommended sample cans include double friction-top cans, square cans with screw tops, or small mouth cans with screw caps.
• Which statement correctly describes the characteristics of the split portion compared to the field sample?
• The VMA calculation uses the bulk specific gravity of the combined aggregates.
• For coarse aggregate samples, the requirement is that the sample remains on the suspension for at least 60 minutes and the immersed mass is recorded.
• Open or gap graded mixtures tend to drain down more readily than densely graded mixtures.
• Which standard governs gradation analysis of extracted aggregate?
• Gyratory compaction evaluations include monitoring pressure, speed, angle of gyration, and height measurement during compaction.
• VFA is expressed as a percentage of the Bulk specific gravity.
• The sieve used to classify particles finer than 75 micrometers is No. 200.
• Which statement is true about weighing for small pycnometer use?
• Long term conditioning is performed on compacted asphalt mixtures.
• Moisture content is determined by dividing the loss ( W - D ) by the original mass ( W ) and then multiplying the product by 100.
• For fine aggregate, the splitter will have an equal number and equal width of chutes, at least 12, directing material to alternate sides.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• When the extracted aggregate is the result of the centrifuge method (T164), which step is correct for accounting of sieve material?
• When dealing with sensitive aggregate, controlled drying in a regulated oven is recommended.
• The diameter of cylindrically molded or cored specimens, or the length of the sides of sawed specimens, should be at least equal to four times the maximum size of the aggregate.
• Once sealed, the bags will stay sealed for up to several hours without any appreciable loss of the seal over time.
• Air voids are expressed as a percentage of the total sample volume.
• When RAP is used as part of an asphalt mixture, what is important to control?
• The oven used for drying to constant mass is regulated at which temperature?
• When using rapid dry methods for aggregate, which practice helps prevent localized overheating and aggregate fracturing?
• Which statement is true about handling large samples?
• Excessive raking at the joint is a common source of segregation in the mat.
• For a sample that weighs 1210.0 g with a draindown weight of 2.4 g , the percent drain down calculates to approximately 0.2 %.
• The shaker time evaluation and corresponding determination of sieve adequacy should be performed at least once monthly.
• Postconsumer shingles have relatively higher binder stiffness due to aging.
• The angle measure instrument is independent of specific compactor characteristics, and is useful in comparing the angle between compactors to ensure that specimens of a consistent density are produced.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• AASHTO does permit a preliminary split of the moist sand through a coarse aggregate splitter with chute widths set wide ( 1 ½ in . or greater ) to a size of not less than 5,000 g.
• Which temperature range is specified for the drying oven?
• The maximum size can be determined solely by the largest particle present.
• SBS stands for styrene - butadiene - styrene.
• Which statement about handling extraction solvents is true?
• VFA is expressed as a percentage of the Bulk specific gravity.
• A sample with a nominal maximum aggregate size of 12.5 mm (1/2 in) requires a minimum of 10 kg (22 lb) of material to run the sieve analysis.
• The check of the sample mass after submersion and the initial mass prior to submersion passes if less than 0.08 percent is lost, or no more than 0.04 percent is gained.
• The sample container uses a wire basket with a mesh size of 3.35 mm or less.
• Under the mass-change criteria, which statement describes a pass?
• Specimens should be maintained above 25 °C (77 °F) to facilitate drying.
• Which statement is true regarding splitting large samples?
• During the coring operation, it is possible to increase core density.
• Which statement best describes the impact of silo storage procedures on mixture segregation?
• If mechanical devices are used to agitate the sample, limit agitation to a maximum of 20 minutes.
• In a Method B ignition test, burns after the initial burn must be at least how many minutes?
• A sample that weighs 1000 g with a draindown weight of 3 g would yield a percent drain down of about 0.3%.
• The purpose of sampling is to obtain material that shows the nature and conditions of the materials being represented.
• The accepted range for specimen mass is within 500 grams of the minimum recommended mass.
• Voids filled with asphalt are spaces within the VMA that contain liquid binder.
• For the cone and quarter procedure, flatten the pile to a uniform thickness so that its diameter is 4 x to 8 x its thickness.
• Which saturation percentage is required by AASHTO before conditioning wet subset?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• The amount of asphalt mixture needed to produce a specimen with a height of 115 ± 5 mm is typically between 4800-5200 grams.
• The process requires monthly verification of sieve adequacy and shaker time.
• When using Method A, the thickness of the specimens should be measured to the nearest 1/16 in. or 0.1 cm.
• A lack of care during coring may cause core density to decrease.
• Which statement best describes stratified random sampling's purpose?
• After repeating vacuum drying, dry mass determinations within 0.3 g indicate completion.
• When Method B is used, the cross - sectional area should be determined for a horizontal plane through the specimen as near as possible to the top of the specimen.
• PG Binder grades vary by 6 degree increments on the high and low end.
• Immediately following T164 or T308, the extracted aggregate must be dried to a constant mass.
• Cover the sample with water (wetting agent optional) and agitate it so that particles finer than the 75-μm sieve become suspended.
• Which statement is true regarding the attachment of the original printed ticket when using Method A?
• Postconsumer shingles have higher asphalt content than manufacturer's waste shingles.
• The weight of the plate plus drain down material is recorded to the nearest 0.1 g.
• When using the centrifuge method, the total passing the 75-µm sieve is obtained by adding the dry material passing the 75-µm sieve, along with mineral matter, to the mass removed by washing.
• When the percentage of available RAS or RAS + RAP binder in the total binder exceeds 15%, AASHTO recommends a PG adjustment (one grade softer) for the base asphalt binder.
• What is required of plastic bags used in this procedure?
• Which statement is true about the incremental method in sampling?
• Continue washing, agitating, and decanting the sample until the wash water is clear.
• The mechanical reduction method ( splitter ) is especially appropriate for fine aggregates with free moisture.
• The procedure requires washing the aggregate retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve to remove adherent coatings after drying to a constant mass.
• The cooling step after drying is to a temperature of approximately 50 °C (122 °F) before handling.
• In Method B, which device is used to soak the specimen in water?
• Sufficient grinding results in a RAS that has what texture?
• Pycnometers should be calibrated each day of use.
• A sample with a nominal maximum aggregate size of 12.5 mm requires a minimum of 10 kg to run the sieve analysis.
• Which WMA process is currently the most commonly used in the United States?
• A nest of two sieves consisting of an upper sieve with openings in the range of 2.36 mm ( # 8 ) and 1.18 mm ( # 16 ) , and a 75 - μm ( # 200 ) lower sieve are used when washing.
• In WMA, compaction temperatures are generally lower than those for HMA. Which statement best describes this?
• Asphalt mixtures that fail to meet specifying agency requirements for TSR need to be completely redesigned.
• Cores should be protected from freezing or excessive heat to prevent sample distortion.
• According to M 338, how often must thermometric measuring devices be standardized?
• Which option correctly lists an acceptable thickness measurement device?
• Which statement about washing, agitation, and decantation is true?
• The total mix time ends at the close of the pugmill discharge gate.
• Which statement is false about the measurement timing for the filled pycnometer mass?
• Which statement is true about the use of the vacuum pump in this process?
• Which statement is true about the miniature stockpile reduction method?
• What is the precision for reporting the percentage finer than the 75 µm sieve when the result is less than 10%?
• Conventional dense graded thin overlays can be placed on structurally deficient surfaces since they offer significant structural improvement.
• Which forms can the specimens take to satisfy size requirements?
• When the extracted aggregate is the result of the ignition method (T308), the mass used shall agree with the mass of the aggregate remaining after ignition within 0.1%; if the variation exceeds 0.1%, the results of the test should not be used for acceptance.
• The asphalt mixture and solvent should soak for 12 + 4 hours before proceeding with the test.
• If ignition method results vary by more than 0.1% from the post-ignition mass, what should be done with the results?
• The sample container's capacity is 4 to 7 liters.
• Which of the following statements about general moisture testing procedures is accurate?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Compaction temperature is the temperature at which the binder reaches a kinematic viscosity of 280 ± 30 cSt.
• OGFC stands for Open Graded Friction Course.
• Which expression correctly defines moisture content as a percentage of water loss during drying?
• What is the size of the lower sieve in the nested stack used for washing?
• Stockpiles need to be properly managed in order to produce uniform asphalt mixtures.
• Proper stockpile management can help in limiting segregation of aggregate particles.
• What is the maximum allowed percentage of extraneous material for recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in material retained above the No. 4 sieve?
• After the sample has been in the oven for the required amount of time, remove the basket and container from the oven and determine and record the weight of the plate plus drain down material to the nearest 0.1 g.
• Should samples be dried to a constant mass unless rapid test results are required for coarse aggregates?
• Since shingles containing asbestos were last manufactured in 1980, there is absolutely no potential for postconsumer asphalt shingles processed today to contain asbestos.
• Which of the following statements about oven requirements is NOT correct?
• When placing the sample in the basket, use a small tamping rod to consolidate the material so that it occupies approximately 1/2 the height of the basket.
• The standard water temperature for this procedure is 25 ± 1 °C.
• Primary goal of open graded friction course (OGFC) is to improve the wet weather driving experience by allowing water to drain into the mixture and then move laterally through it toward the shoulder.
• Which practice directly helps limit segregation caused by aggregate particle distribution?
• For the chemical extraction method (T164) with a mineral matter determination, the initial sample mass for gradation should be the sum of the extracted aggregate mass and the mineral matter mass.
• Which statement about the relationship between cold feed configuration and segregation is true?
• In the procedure, when using mechanical devices to agitate the sample, what is the maximum allowed agitation time?
• Can washing, agitating, and decanting be performed as a continuous operation when mechanical agitation is used?
• Which statement is true about the coarse aggregate splitter design?
• The measurement of a cored specimen must be made using only a single measurement.
• The nominal maximum size is defined as the first sieve through which all material is required to pass.
• Continue the washing, agitation and decantation until the wash water is clear.
• There should be at least 1 in. of space between the edge of the specimen and the edge of the bag.
• What is the primary benefit of stratified random sampling in ensuring sampling coverage?
• AASHTO requires wet subset specimens to be saturated 70-80% prior to conditioning.
• What is the specified thickness of gyratory specimens?
• When measuring a cored specimen, be sure to include any previous layers or underlying foreign material in the measurement.
• What is the interval used to check the mass change for Method A to determine completion?
• An aggregate correction factor for the 75 µm sieve is required when the average difference between the percent passing the 'blank' sample sieve and the correction factor specimens sieve is greater than 0.50 percent.
• Which factor is not described as part of WMA processing considerations?
• When sampling the extract to obtain the portion to be ashed, you should disturb or agitate the extract.
• The drying process is aided by placing the specimen into the chamber on its side.
• When all sieves produce average differences greater than the allowable tolerances, aggregate correction factors are used for sieves larger than the 75 µm sieve only in the table.
• Cores extracted from the pavement should be labeled with a marking tool to permit proper identification.
• What precaution should be taken when delivering asphalt binder by tanker?
• Shingles can contribute asphalt content and reduce the need for new binder.
• Which device is NOT listed as an acceptable thickness measuring tool?
• Bituminous materials may be sampled only in the hot state.
• Which statement about the vacuum system is true?
• When the extracted aggregate is the result of the centrifuge method (T 164), add the mass of any dry material passing the 75-µm sieve by dry sieving, along with the mass of any mineral matter (ash), to the mass removed by washing in order to obtain the total passing the 75-µm sieve.
• The thickness of the specimens should be not greater than one-and-one-half times the maximum size of the aggregate.
• Which of the following statements is true about moisture content in asphalt plant operations?
• The washing, agitating, and decanting may be a continuous operation where mechanical agitation is used.
• When determining SSD condition with the cone test, if on the first trial the sand slumps, add a few milliliters of moisture and allow the water to soak into the sample for 30 minutes, and then repeat the drying process.
• Since absorption will occur as the aggregate soaks in the water, determination of the filled pycnometer mass should be made as quickly as possible, with the measurement obtained no longer than 30 seconds from the introduction of the sample into the water.
• Which statement describes the likely result of insufficient grinding of shingles for RAS processing?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Samples conditioned for the wet subset are saturated under a vacuum, frozen at least 16 hrs, and heated in a hot water bath for 24 hrs.
• Which statement describes the sieve designation for the 75-μm sieve?
• In a Method B ignition test, the initial burn must be at least how many minutes?
• Which practice helps ensure representative moisture testing results when drying aggregates?
• Moisture content calculations used for aggregates ( and asphalt mixtures or RAP, when so specified ) are by convention figured as the mass of water driven out of the material through drying divided by the dry mass of the material.
• The average thickness method for Method A uses four readings at the approximate quarters.
• High Friction Surface Treatments (HFST) involve applying very high-quality aggregate with a polymer binder to restore pavement friction in high-crash areas.
• The length of time an aggregate remains in the dryer drum is known as the dwell time.
• In the cone test, the tamper should be allowed to fall freely from a height of 50 mm over the top of the sand.
• Asphalt binder is one of the first products derived from crude oil as it is heated to remove and collect volatile distillates.
• The method may only be used when the absorption of the specimen is greater than what percent by volume?
• The initial burn duration requirement applies to which ignition test method?
• Which statement about calibration of pycnometers is true?
• Start centrifuge slowly and gradually increase the speed to a maximum setting of 3600 rotations per minute.
• A thin overlay is a non-structural maintenance treatment.
• Which statement is true about sieve sizes used when washing?
• If surface moisture is present in the sample, the sand will retain its molded shape when the mold is lifted vertically.
• An SSD condition is defined as the aggregate containing only small amounts of free water on the surface.
• Which statement accurately describes the oven temperature specification for drying aggregate samples?
• Which statement is NOT described as part of the ignition test procedure?
• If a bag contains punctures or tears, what should be done before putting the sample and bag into the vacuum chamber?
• Absorption is the increase in mass of aggregate due to water in the pores of the material, but not including water adhering to the outside surface of the particles.
• Which statement about VMA calculation is true?
• After drying to a constant mass, the sample should be cooled at room temperature for 1 to 3 hours for test samples up to 37.5 mm, or longer for larger sizes, until the aggregate is comfortable to handle (approximately 50 °C).
• After the cooling period, the aggregate should be immersed in water at room temperature for 15 to 19 hours.
• SBR stands for styrene - butadiene - rubber, also known as latex.
• The cone and quarter reduction method is acceptable for use with fine aggregate that is drier than the SSD condition.
• The binder stiffness of postconsumer asphalt shingles is higher than manufacturer's waste shingles due to oxidation.
• Two of the most common polymers used in asphalt binder of the elastomer variety are SBR (styrene - butadiene - rubber, also known as latex) and SBS (styrene - butadiene - styrene).
• Specimen height of 115 ± 5 mm is typical for gyration testing.
• Hand-cranked manual core drills may be used to obtain samples when power-driven drills are not available.
• For coarse aggregate testing, which sieve size is recommended to avoid the potential for overloading?
• Which statement is true about adding ammonium carbonate to ash?
• The water bath should be regulated at a temperature of 25 ± 1 °C (77 ± 2 °F).
• The sample is covered with water either by complete immersion or by adding approximately 6% moisture. Which option best reflects this statement?
• For a mix with a nominal maximum size of 25 mm, what is the minimum mass of the sample required?
• The procedure states that paper towels are preferable to cloth towels when cleaning the cold trap.
• Dry the sample to a constant mass in an oven regulated at 110 ± 5 °C (230 ± 9 °F) and determine the initial sample weight to the nearest 0.1%.
• If a mixture needs reheating prior to compaction, best practice is to reheat inside the specimen mold.
• The degree of saturation determination method.
• Mixing of an unmodified binder with a modified binder, even of the same PG grade, is prohibited.
• Acceptable devices to measure thickness include a jig, a set of calipers, or a tape measure.
• Which equation correctly expresses moisture content as a percentage, using W as the original mass and D as the dry mass?
• Random-number methods in this sampling approach are used to:
• Which statement is true about the incremental method adaptation?
• Representative samples are obtained from at least five locations in the pile during miniature stockpile reduction method.
• The asphalt mixture and solvent should soak for 12 + 4 hours before proceeding with the test.
• When sampling from the storage tank valve, a technician should wear protective PPE including thermal gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, safety goggles, and a hard hat.
• Splitting the sample twice is sufficient to obtain a testing sample size.
• What does the statistical sample include?
• A mixture prepared in a laboratory as part of a mix design should be short-term conditioned in accordance with which standard?
• Which statement about VMA calculation is true?
• RAP stands for recycled asphalt product.
• What is the standard diameter of gyratory specimens used for this test?
• In evaluating WMA performance, which property besides coating and rutting resistance is commonly evaluated?
• Which statement describes the initial quantity of oven-dried sand used to start the test (reiterated for emphasis)?
• The Method B procedure requires that the specimen soak in water in the volumeter for 10 minutes.
• Which statement best describes the potential environmental benefits of WMA over HMA?
• Short-term conditioning occurs at 135 ± 3 °C in a forced-draft oven.
• After decantation, should suspended fines on the larger nested sieve and material on the 75-μm sieve be returned to the sample for drying?
• Asphalt binder is produced from crude oil by heating to remove volatile distillates.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• The sampler must use every precaution to obtain samples that reflect the nature and conditions of the materials which they represent.
• The sum of the masses retained on the sieves should be within 0.3 percent of the mass after washing.
• For NMAS 12.5 mm or less with a wash sieve analysis, the recommended sequence is to dry before washing.
• According to T 312, what are the thermometer requirements for measuring the temperature of aggregates, binder, and asphalt mixtures?
• Filter rings must be dried in an oven to a constant mass prior to use.
• Which statement accurately defines constant mass in the oven drying procedure?
• Overloading sieves can cause errors in the determination of particle distribution.
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Which of the following is the correct precaution when using rapid drying?
• Per AASHTO R 90, what minimum mass and maximum nominal size should be sampled?
• Which of the following statements about sampling procedures is true?
• A nest of two sieves consisting of an upper sieve with openings in the range of 2.36 mm (#8) and 1.18 mm (#16), with a 75‑µm (#200) lower sieve, is used when washing.
• When dealing with sensitive aggregate, which drying approach is recommended?
• When sampling the extract in order to obtain the portion to be ashed, take care not to disturb or agitate the extract.
• Which is the correct oven temperature specification for drying aggregate samples?
• AASHTO recommends sampling at least 1 liter for standard and routine testing.
• The mass measurement of the filled pycnometer should be obtained within 30 seconds of introducing the sample into the water.
• One simple method to avoid segregation in the paver is to maintain an adequate HMA supply to meet demand at the screed.
• The statement "The sample is spread out in the bag by pressing the bag downward onto the aggregate" is accurate.
• Which condition determines when this method can be used?
• When the extracted aggregate is the result of the chemical method (T164) and a mineral matter determination was performed, the mineral matter mass should be added to the extracted aggregate mass, the sum of which is used as the initial sample mass for the extracted aggregate gradation.
• Bituminous materials may only be sampled in a liquid (hot) state.
• When sampling from a stockpile, what method yields representative samples?
• Tensile strength (and the tensile strength ratio) is used to determine an asphalt mixture's susceptibility to moisture damage because the tensile strength measurement is directly influenced by the degree of stripping in the specimen.
• For both Method A and Method B furnaces, the furnace shall be equipped with a fan with a capability to pull air through the furnace to expedite the test and to reduce the escape of smoke into the laboratory.
• When using rapid dry methods for aggregate, be sure to stir the sample frequently to prevent localized overheating and aggregate fracturing.
• Bulk specific gravity accounts for both permeable and impermeable voids, whereas apparent specific gravity accounts only for the impermeable portion.
• From which layer should samples be obtained when sampling haul unit materials?
• This procedure requires approximately 1 kilogram of oven dried sand to begin the test. Which option states this requirement?
• Visual identification is easier, but it is not a reliable method to quantify the degree of segregation.
• How should you determine the row of the table that contains the desired random?
• Sampling HMA mixture behind the paver during construction is useful in identifying segregation in the mat.
• Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) may include fibers as part of the mix.
• When using the small pycnometer, the fixture is weighed together with the pycnometer.
• For a sample whose dry mass was 1500 g and original mass was 16541 g, the moisture content was calculated to be 10.3%.
• Which statement about sample reduction is correct?
• What are the three main technology categories used to produce WMA?
• The statement: For a nominal max size 12.5 mm, the minimum moisture-content sample size is 3 kg.
• When an ash test is being performed, the extract from all rinses must be collected and measured.
• Which standard stipulates requirements for the lot and sublot sizes, sampling frequencies for QC and acceptance, and the physical procedures used to obtain the sample?
• In the Method C procedure, at what temperature should the oven be regulated?
• D 3665 provides the rationale for utilizing which sampling procedure?
• When paver extensions are used, segregation can be reduced by keeping the length of extensions relatively equal on both sides.
• In the TSR procedure, what aspect is evaluated for the cracked specimen?
• The miniature stockpile reduction method can be used on fine aggregate, coarse aggregate or combinations thereof.
• Which statement confirms the oven drying temperature used for constant mass?
• For sampling from a paver hopper, which option includes trimming the front of the sampling area to form a vertical face?
• Functional overlays are defined as thin treatments using a hot mix system. A thin treatment is a non-structural layer and is applied as a preservation or maintenance treatment, either corrective or preventive.
• The Method A suspension apparatus includes a wire with a diameter of at least 1/4 in.
• Which statement is true regarding the quartering method?
• Sampling from a flat surface created by a loader is a stockpile sampling method.
• For test Method A, key in the sample mass of the specimen into the control panel. The entered mass should be to the nearest whole gram.
• Which procedure may be used to break apart clumped particles in hardened asphalt mixtures?
• Aggregate correction factors are used for sieves larger than the 75 µm ( # 200 ) sieves only in the table.
• The height data of the specimen is necessary to determine relative density at the desired number of gyrations.
• Referee specimens are dried to a constant mass prior to determining the initial weight, A, of the specimen. What preparation is performed on referee specimens before weighing?
• If the mass passing through any sieve after one minute of hand agitation exceeds 0.5% of the original sample mass, the sieving is not adequate.
• Due to the configuration of most cold feeds, it is impossible to promote segregation as they are loaded.
• When sampling from an auger, where should samples be taken?
• What procedure ensures that fines finer than the 75 μm sieve are suspended in the wash water?
• After flattening or a small scoop to obtain representative samples from at least five locations in the pile the pile in the miniature stockpile reduction method, use a large spoon.
• Elastomers are rubbery in nature and help to increase binder ductility.
• This procedure outlines the steps to be taken in order to determine a random sample location. Primary purpose?
• Simply pouring off the top few pounds out of a field sample to produce a test portion ensures the test portion will be a good representation of the field sample.
• According to T 312, which standard must the thermometers meet?
• Shaking the basket to release entrapped air as it is placed in the water bath is not recommended due to potential sample loss.
• Which method's ignition test requires an initial burn duration of at least 30 minutes?
• Lower compaction temperatures for WMA enable what?
• Overloading sieves can cause errors in the determination of particle distribution.
• Specimen height of 115 ± 5 mm is used for density calculations.
• After decantation, any suspended fines remaining on the larger nested sieve, as well as material on the 75‑µm sieve, must be returned to the sample for drying.
• What should be done with material finer than 75 µm after processing?
• One description of the maximum size is that it is the first sieve through which all material is required to pass.
• A baghouse is a type of secondary collector.
• For centrifuge method, the dry material passing the 75-µm sieve, along with mineral matter, is added to the mass removed by washing to obtain total passing the 75-µm sieve.
• or a small scoop to obtain representative samples from at least five locations in the pile . After flattening the pile in the miniature stockpile reduction method , use a large spoon
• The standard basket used for the draindown test consists of 12.5 mm ( 0.50 in. ) sieve cloth.
• The sample should be rinsed until the extract has the color of chocolate.
• What vacuum and duration are required for the process?
• Which statement about SSD conditioning is true?
• Which statement describes the centrifuge method step for the 75-μm sieve fraction?
• This method is applicable to the determination of moisture in asphalt mixtures as well as aggregate.
• Which is the acceptable oven temperature range for moisture testing?
• Which statement describes how moisture content is conventionally calculated for aggregates?
• Voids filled with asphalt (or binder) are the spaces within the VMA that contain liquid binder.
• The test method may be used as long as the specimen absorbs less than or equal to 2% water (by volume).
• The Method A procedure allows multiple samples to be soaked and suspended simultaneously.
• The fixture for the small pycnometer is weighed together with the pycnometer.
• A lot consists of 4 sublots of 500 tons each. If the third sublot sample is drawn at 312 tons, what is the total lot size?
• Sieve shaker must provide sieving adequacy within a reasonable time (10 minutes or less).
• Using the duplicate portion of sand at SSD to determine the dry mass of the sample removes the necessity to dry the entire contents of the pycnometer at the end of the procedure in order to determine the dry mass.
• The term modifier refers to materials added to a base asphalt to change the PG (generally on the high temperature end).
• The degree of saturation for vacuumed wet subset specimens is determined by comparing the increase in SSD mass to the volume of air in the specimen.
• What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of 25 °C?
• An example of a primary collector is a cyclone.
• After decantation, what should be done with any material on the 75-μm sieve and any suspended fines on the larger sieve?
• Which statement is true about the characteristics of the split portion after sampling?
• A road was paved starting at station 25+00 and ending at station 1+00, resulting in a paving length of 2600 ft. What is the length of this paving?
• It is not important to feed a batch plant at a rate consistent with the demand for material in the bins since adjustments to the batching process can be made to accommodate carry over.
• When the sample has a nominal size of 12.5 mm (1/2 in) or less and a wash sieve analysis (T 11) is specified, the technician should perform the dry sieve procedure first and then wash the sample.
• After the sample basket is removed from the ignition furnace, it should be allowed to cool to room temperature before proceeding (approximately 30 minutes).
• Core measurements are used to determine the correlation ratio for the stability value of the sample.
• Cooling methods for the pavement during coring may include water, ice, dry ice, and liquid nitrogen.
• What is the correct treatment of mineral matter when using the chemical method for extraction?
• For a sample whose dry mass is 1500 g and original mass is 16541 g, the moisture content is approximately which value?
• Which statement about ammonium carbonate addition is true?
• What is the tolerance for the preheat temperature for convection type furnaces?
• Load is applied to the specimen by means of a constant rate of movement of the testing machine head 50 mm (2 in.) per second.
• Which statement correctly identifies the designation of the 75-μm sieve?
• Dense graded mixtures attempt to achieve overall mixture stability by filling void spaces between the coarse aggregate particles with smaller particles.
• Sampling from the stockpile face on a horizontal surface is a stockpile sampling method.
• The sieve shaker must provide sieve adequacy within a maximum of how many minutes?
• The mechanical reduction method (splitter) is especially appropriate for fine aggregates with free moisture.
• Report the percentage of material finer than the 75‑µm (#200) sieve to the nearest 0.1%, except if the result is 10% or more, in which case the percentage is reported to the nearest whole number.
• If the test is run immediately following the test procedures for T164 or T308, the extracted aggregate must still be dried to a constant mass in an oven.
• The shaker time evaluation and sieve adequacy determination should be performed at least monthly.
• An aggregate correction factor for the 75 µm ( # 200 ) sieve is required when the average difference between the percent passing the 'blank' sample 75 µm ( # 200 ) sieve and the correction factor specimens 75 µm ( # 200 ) sieve is greater than 0.50 percent.
• The sample size required for this test is 1200 + 200 grams.
• In the miniature stockpile reduction method, sampling may begin with flattening or a small scoop, and a large spoon is used to collect final samples.
• The statement "Burns after the initial burn must be at least 15 minutes" is true or false?
• The mix is held at an elevated temperature in an oven in order to simulate the conditions the mixture encounters during compaction.
• AASHTO does permit a preliminary split of the moist sand through a coarse aggregate splitter with chute widths set wide (1½ in. or greater) to a size of not less than 5,000 g.
• Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) is used widely in Europe and is characterized by its gap grading, its use of modified asphalt binders, and in some cases, its use of fibers.
• Segregation is defined as a lack of homogeneity in the HMA mat of such magnitude that there is a reasonable expectation of accelerated pavement distress.
• Grinding of shingles should be sufficient so that what percentage of the final RAS will pass a 3/8 in sieve?
• Placing the specimen into the drying chamber on its side is recommended.
• The blank sample is used to compare gradation with the later burned samples.
• Which sieve size is used to classify the portion of material retained above a certain size in RAS processing?
• Which statement about the initial sand mass is true?
• How is a lot defined?
• Recycled shingles are high in asphalt content, and can provide for a reduction in the amount of new binder required.