Materials Test - Compaction

CRT-GYR-EN Gyratory Compactor
Gyratory compaction is considered to be one of the best methods of laboratory compaction for the
assessment of compactibility and the manufacture of test specimens.

Compaction is achieved by the application of a vertical stress (normally 600kPa) via end platens to a known
mass of asphaltic mixture within a 100 or 150mm internal Ø mould. The longitudinal axis of the mould is
rotated (gyrated) at a fixed angle to the vertical whilst the platens are kept parallel and horizontal. During
compaction the height of the sample is automatically measured and both the mixture density and void
content calculated. The compaction progresses and it is also saved in Microsoft Excel™ compatible format.
The operator can choose whether to compact for a certain number of gyrations or until a target mixture
density or void content is achieved.

Problems with existing compactors are mainly related to build quality and ease of use. Unlike most
compactors 100 and 150mm Ø moulds can be tested without changing machine parts. A filled gyratory
compactor mould is heavy and often very hot. In many cases these moulds have to be lifted in and out of
gyratory compactors. With the CRT-GYR-EN no lifting of filled moulds is required. They are automatically
lowered into position for compaction and then lifted up again for transfer to the integrated demoulding
system.

Key Uses
Compaction of asphaltic paving material to a target mixture density or void content
Assessment of mixture compactibility
SHRP Superpave asphalt mixture design
Preparation of cylindrical test specimens

Standards
EN 12697-10
EN 12697-31
D6307
SHRP M-002
AASHTO T321/TP4

Key Features
Complies with EN 12697-10 and EN 12697-31
Can be configured to comply with SHRP Superpave specifications
Automatic mould insertion and retraction
150mm and 100mm internal Ø moulds can be tested without changing parts
Cold mix (emulsion) materials can be compacted and the expelled fluid collected
USB link with data acquisition and control system so that desktop can be used as host computer
User friendly LabVIEW™ software displays results in real time
Compaction data stored in Microsoft Excel™ compactible format
Machine calibrated with traceable equipment
Option for mould up to 300mm high

CRT-RC2S/V European Standard Roller Compactors – Steel Roller
The Roller Compactor is considered to be the method of laboratory specimen compaction that results in
slabs of asphastic paving materials with properties that most closely simulate those of materials in the
highway. Slabs can be compacted to target mixture densities using loads that are equivalent to those of
full-scale compaction equipment.

The CRT-RC2S and CRT-RC2SV are pneumatically powered and controlled by a programmable logic
controller (PLC) connected to an HMI which the operator can use to select the number of passes and
compaction load levels. Although the primary function is to produce slabs for wheel tracking tests, the slabs
can be sawn into beams or cored to provide specimens for a variety of other tests. Users have compacted
hot asphaltic materials over stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs) on a base of cracked concrete
in order to assess the effectiveness of the SAMI by using shear or bending tests.

Key Uses
Preparation of homogeneous asphalt slabs
Wheel tracking tests
Sawing into beams for bending tests
Coring to produce specimens for indirect tensile and axial tests

Standards
EN 12697-33 Steel roller

Key Features
Steel wheeled roller segments
Solid machine frame
Model for compaction of 305x400mm and 30505mm slabs
Roller compactor moulds will fit Copper Technology Wheel trackers so that compacted slabs can be wheel-tracked without
de-moulding
Maximum compaction load of 30kN per 305mm roll width (equivalent to largest on-site static rollers)
Speed control
HMI for operator selection of number of passes and compaction levels
Vibrating roller option with adjustable frequency to simulate on-site vibratory rollers
Safety enclosure with interlocked doors to prevent unguarded operation
Slabs can be used as wheel-tracking specimens or sawn into beam fatigue specimens

CRT-RCENLD-III European Large Roller Compactor - Pneumatic Tyred Roller
Roller compaction is the laboratory method that most closely simulates on-site compaction. The machine
can be configured to operate with a single or twin wheels depending on the mould size. The wheel track the
surface in overlapping wheel-paths using sequences specified in EN 12697-33 or custom sequences
designed by the user. The base of the mould is incrementally raised by a precision jacking system and the
system is tracked to keep it level with the top of the mould.

Compacted slabs can be from 50 to 150mm thick. 500x180mm slabs are usually wheel tracked in the
Cooper Technology Large Wheel Tracker, whilst 600x400mm slabs are normally cut to produce trapezoidal
or prismatic specimens for fatigue, modulus tests and Duriez test.

Key Uses
Preparation of homogeneous asphalt slabs
Wheel tracking tests
Sawing into beams for bending tests
Coring to produce specimens for indirect tensile and axial tests

Standards
EN 12697-33 Pneumatic tyred roller
NF P98-250-2

Key Features
Compacts uniform slabs of asphaltic paving mixture
Computer control for repeatable standard EN 12697-33 compaction patterns
Option for customer defined compaction patterns to be programmed and saved
Single or dual wheeled configuration
Mould size (length x width) 500x180mm or 600x400mm
Compacted slabs can be used in the large pneumatic tyred wheel tracker or cut into beams for bending tests
Safety enclosure with optical laser sensors for user safety, easy access and excellent manoeuvrability
Issued with UKAS certification of calibration