NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

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Designation: D 4123 – 82 (Reapproved 1995)

Standard Test Method for

Indirect Tension Test for Resilient Modulus of Bituminous
Mixtures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4123; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope applying compressive loads with a haversine or other suitable

1.1 This test method covers procedures for preparing and waveform. The load is applied vertically in the vertical
testing laboratory-fabricated or field-recovered cores of bitu- diametral plane of a cylindrical specimen of asphalt concrete
minous mixtures to determine resilient modulus values using (Fig. 1). The resulting horizontal deformation of the specimen
the repeated-load indirect tension test. The procedure described is measured and, with an assumed Poisson’s ratio, is used to
covers a range of temperatures, loads, loading frequencies, and calculate a resilient modulus. A resilient Poisson’s ratio can
load durations. The recommended test series consists of testing also be calculated using the measured recoverable vertical and
at 41, 77 (Note 1), and 104°F (5, 25 (Note 1), and 40°C) at one horizontal deformations.
or more loading frequencies, for example, at 0.33, 0.5, and 1.0 3.2 Interpretation of the deformation data (Fig. 2) has
Hz for each temperature. This recommended series will result resulted in two resilient modulus values being used. The
in nine test values for one specimen which can be used to instantaneous resilient modulus is calculated using the recov-
evaluate the overall resilient behavior of the mixture. erable deformation that occurs instantaneously during the
unloading portion of one cycle. The total resilient modulus is
NOTE 1—Ambient laboratory temperature may be substituted as appro- calculated using the total recoverable deformation which
priate.
includes both the instantaneous recoverable and the time-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the dependent continuing recoverable deformation during the un-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the loading and rest-period portion of one cycle.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.1 The values of resilient modulus can be used to evaluate
the relative quality of materials as well as to generate input for
2. Referenced Documents pavement design or pavement evaluation and analysis. The test
2.1 ASTM Standards: can be used to study effects of temperature, loading rate, rest
D 1559 Test Method for Resistance to Plastic Flow of periods, etc. Since the procedure is nondestructive, tests can be
Bituminous Mixture Using Marshall Apparatus2 repeated on a specimen to evaluate conditioning as with
D 1561 Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Mixture Test temperature or moisture. This test method is not intended for
Specimens by Means of California Kneading Compactor2 use in specifications.
D 3387 Test Method for Compaction and Shear Properties
of Bituminous Mixtures by Means of the U.S. Corps of 5. Apparatus
Engineers Gyratory Testing Machine (GTM)2 5.1 Testing Machine—The testing machine should have the
D 3496 Method for Preparation of Bituminous Mixture capability of applying a load pulse over a range of frequencies,
Specimens for Dynamic Modulus Testing2 load durations, and load levels.
D 3515 Specification for Hot-Mixed, Hot-Laid Bituminous
NOTE 2—An electrohydraulic testing machine with a function generator
Paving Mixtures2 capable of producing the desired wave form has been shown to be suitable
for use in repeated-load indirect tension testing. Other commercially
3. Summary of Test Method
available or laboratory constructed testing machines such as those using
3.1 The repeated-load indirect tension test for determining pneumatic repeated loading can also be used. However, these latter
resilient modulus of bituminous mixtures is conducted by machines may not have the load capability to handle larger specimens at
the colder testing temperatures.

1
5.2 Temperature-Control System—The temperature-control
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-4 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.26 on
system should be capable of control over a temperature range
Fundamental/Mechanistic Tests. from 41 to 104°F (5 to 40°C) and within 62°F (61.1°C) of the
Current edition approved April 30, 1982. Published June 1982. specified temperature within the range. The system should
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.

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1
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

D 4123 – 82 (1995)
capable of measuring horizontal deformations in the range of
0.00001 in. (0.00025 mm) of deformation. Loads should be
measured and recorded or accurately calibrated prior to testing.
5.3.1 Recorder—The measuring or recording devices
should be independent of frequency for tests conducted up to
1.0 Hz.
5.3.2 Deformation Measurement—The values of vertical
and horizontal deformation can be measured by linear variable
differential transducers (LVDTs) or other suitable devices.
LVDTs should be at midheight opposite each other on the
specimen’s horizontal diameter. The sensitivity and type of
measurement device should be selected to provide the defor-
mation readout required in 5.3. A positive contact by spring
loading or gluing attachments to the specimen should be
provided if direct contact between the measuring device and
sample is required.
P = applied load
t = thickness of specimen NOTE 3—The Trans-TEX Model 350-000 LVDT3 and Statham UC-
D = diameter of specimen 34transducers have been found satisfactory for this purpose. If the
a = width of loading strip transducers are temperature-sensitive, such as Statham UC-3, the testing
= 0.5 in. (13 mm) for 4-in. (102-mm) diameter specimen machine should be placed in a controlled temperature chamber. The gages
= 0.75 in. (19 mm) for 6-in. (152-mm) diameter specimen
should be wired to preclude the effects of eccentric loading so as to give
FIG. 1 Indirect Tension Test the algebraic sum of the movement of each side of the specimen.
Alternatively, each gage can be read independently and the results
summed independently.
5.3.3 Load Measurement—Loads should be measured with
an electronic load cell capable of satisfying the specified
requirements for load measurements in 5.3.
5.4 Loading Strip—A metal loading strip with a concave
surface having a radius of curvature equal to the nominal radius
of the test specimen is required to apply load to the specimen.
Specimens will normally be either a nominal 4 or 6 in. (102 or
(a) Load-Time Pulse 152 mm) in diameter. The load strip shall be 0.5 or 0.75 in. (13
a = duration of loading during one load cycle or 19 mm) wide for these diameters, respectively. Edges should
b = recovery time
c = cycle time be rounded by grinding to remove the sharp edge in order not
to cut the sample during testing. For specimens with rough
textures, a thin hard rubber membrane attached to the loading
strip has been found effective in reducing stress concentration
effects, but should be used only when vertical deformations are
not measured.
6. Specimens
(b) Vertical Deformation Verses Time 6.1 Laboratory-Molded Specimens—Prepare the
laboratory-molded specimens in accordance with acceptable
procedures such as Methods D 1561, D 1559, D 3496, and
D 3387. The specimens should have a height of at least 2 in.
(51 mm) and a minimum diameter of 4 in. (102 mm) for
aggregate up to 1 in. (25 mm) maximum size, and a height of
at least 3 in. (76 mm) and a minimum diameter of 6 in. (152
(c) Horizontal Deformation Verses Time mm) for aggregate up to 1.5 in. (38 mm) maximum size.
FIG. 2 Typical Load and Deformation Versus Time Relationships 6.2 Core Specimens—Cores should have relatively smooth,
for Repeated-Load Indirect Tension Test parallel surfaces and conform to the height and diameter
requirements specified for laboratory specimens.
include a temperature-controlled cabinet large enough to hold
7. Procedure
at least three specimens for a period of 24 h prior to testing.
5.3 Measurement and Recording System—The measure- 7.1 Place the test specimens in a controlled-temperature
ment and recording system should include sensors for measur- cabinet and bring them to the specified test temperature. Unless
ing and recording horizontal and vertical deformations. When
Poisson’s ratio is to be assumed, only a measurement system 3
Available from Trans-tek Inc., Route 83, Ellington, CT 06029.
for horizontal deformation is required. The system should be 4
Available from Gould-Statham, 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93033.

2
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

D 4123 – 82 (1995)
the temperature is monitored, and the actual temperature gressively lower moduli. Bring the specimens to the specified
known, the specimens should remain in the cabinet at the temperature before each test.
specified test temperature for at least 24 h prior to testing. 7.7 Measure the average recoverable horizontal and vertical
deformations over at least three loading cycles (see Fig. 2) after
NOTE 4—A dummy specimen with a thermocouple in the center can be
used to determine when the desired test temperature is reached. the repeated resilient deformation has become stable. The
vertical deformation measurements can be omitted when Pois-
7.2 Place a specimen into the loading apparatus and position son’s ratio is not to be determined.
the loading strips to be parallel and centered on the vertical
diametral plane. Adjust and balance the electronic measuring 8. Calculations
system as necessary. 8.1 Calculate the resilient modulus of elasticity, E, in
7.3 Precondition the specimen by applying a repeated hav- pounds-force per square inch (or megapascals), and Poisson’s
ersine or other suitable waveform load to the specimen without ratio, n as follows:
impact for a minimum period sufficient to obtain uniform
ERI 5 P~nRI 1 0.27!/tDHI (1)
deformation readout. Depending upon the loading frequency
and temperatures, a minimum of 50 to 200 load repetitions is
typical; however, the minimum for a given situation must be ERT 5 P~nRT 1 0.27!/tDHT (2)
determined so that the resilient deformations are stable (Note
5). Resilient modulus evaluation will usually include tests at nRI 5 3.59 DHI/DVI 2 0.27 (3)
three temperatures, for example, 41 6 2, 77 6 2, and 104 6
2°F (5, 25, and 40 6 1°C), at one or more loading frequencies, nRT 5 3.59 DHT/DVT 2 0.27 (4)
for example, 0.33, 0.5, and 1.0 Hz for each temperature. The
where:
recommended load range is that to induce 10 to 50 % of the ERI = instantaneous resilient modulus of elasticity, psi
tensile strength (Note 6). Tensile strength can be determined (or MPa),
from a destructive test on a specimen and the equation of 8.3 ERT = total resilient modulus of elasticity, psi (or MPa),
(Note 7). nRI = instantaneous resilient Poisson’s ratio,
NOTE 5—As few as five repetitions have been found to be sufficient for nRT = total resilient Poisson’s ratio,
loads such as 5 to 25 lbf. P = repeated load, lbf (or N),
NOTE 6—Loads as low as 10 lbf have been used. t = thickness of specimen, in. (or mm),
NOTE 7—Load duration is the more important variable and it is DHI = instantaneous recoverable horizontal deformation,
recommended that the duration be held to some minimum which can be in. (or mm),
recorded. The recommended time for the load duration is 0.1 to 0.4 s, with DVI = instantaneous recoverable vertical deformation, in.
0.1 s being more representative of transient pavement loading. Recom- (or mm),
mended frequencies are 0.33, 0.5, and 1 Hz. Instead of tensile strength DHT = total recoverable horizontal deformation, in. (or
data, load ranges from 4 to 200 lbf/in. (4 to 35 N/mm) of core or specimen
mm), and
thickness can be used.
DVt = total recoverable vertical deformation, in. (or mm).
7.4 Monitor the horizontal and, if measured, the vertical
deformations during the test. If total cumulative vertical 8.2 If Poisson’s ratio is assumed, the vertical deformations
deformation greater than 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) occurs during are not required. A value of 0.35 for Poisson’s ratio has been
the test, reduce the applied load, the test temperature, or both. found to be reasonable for asphalt mixtures at 77°F (25°C).
NOTE 8—A typical load pulse-deformation trace is shown in Fig. 2, 8.3 Calculate the tensile strength, ST, approximately as
along with notations indicating the load-time terminology. follows:
7.5 Each resilient modulus determination should be com- ST 5 2 Pult/ptD (5)
pleted within 4 min from the time the specimens are removed where:
from the temperature-control cabinet. The 4-min testing time Pu1t = ultimate applied load required to fail specimen, lbf
limit is waived if loading is conducted within a temperature- (or N),
control cabinet meeting the requirements in 5.2. t = thickness of specimen, in. (or mm), and
7.6 Test each specimen for resilient modulus twice: Follow- D = diameter of specimen, in. (or mm)
ing the first test, replace the sample in the temperature-control
cabinet for 10 min, continue by rotating the specimen approxi- 9. Report
mately 90°, and repeat the test. Three laboratory fabricated 9.1 Report the average resilient modulus at temperatures of
specimens or three cores are recommended for a given test 41, 77, and 104°F (5, 25, and 40°C) and load duration for each
series with variables of temperature, load duration, and load load and frequency used in the test.
frequency. In order to reduce permanent damage to the
specimen, testing should begin at the lowest temperature, 10. Precision
shortest load duration, and smallest load. Subsequent testing on 10.1 The precision of this test method has not been estab-
the same specimen should be for conditions producing pro- lished.

3
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

D 4123 – 82 (1995)
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