As shown in Table 2-4, 10 candidate test methods were
selected for laboratory evaluation. However, since a production
unit of the SG-5 device was not available for evaluation
at the time of this study, the list of candidate test methods was
revised. Table 3-1 shows the revised list.
The laboratory program was originally planned in two
experiments, but was later expanded to five experiments.
Experiment 1 was a preliminary evaluation to compare results
and variability of the test methods listed in Table 3-1. Experiment
2 was to further evaluate the test methods selected at the
conclusion of Experiment 1 with a broader range of aggregate
materials.
After reviewing the results of Experiments 1 and 2, Experiments
3, 4, and 5 were added to the laboratory testing program
to answer specific questions related to the test procedures
previously evaluated. Experiment 3 was added to evaluate
modifications relative to the drying and soaking methods in
AASHTO T 85 and T 84 to reduce the testing time. Experiment
4 was added to determine the effect of P200 material
on AASHTO T 84 test results. Experiment 5 was added to
investigate time-zero reading for Phunque methods. Results
of Experiments 1 through 4 are presented in this chapter, and
results of Experiment 5 are included in Appendix H, which is
available on the project web page.