The asphalt testing system is based on the recently developed HB10 load frame, with the hydrostatic actuator, servo-valve and pressure accumulator unit mounted on the upper fixed crosshead
Asphalt is a composite material mainly used for the construction of roads, pavements and parking lots.
Mineral aggregates and binder are mixed and placed in layers then compacted.
The method of manufacturing has been relatively unchanged for many years, and as a result the empirical values determine the essential features concerning deformation behaviour, liability of cracking, fatigue resistance, ageing characteristics and adhesiveness.
The European EN 12697 standard now makes it possible to directly test the properties of the asphalt.
In addition to static testing procedures, dynamic tests are especially required since the asphalt is often subject to dynamic strain from rolling tyres.
To address this requirement Zwick has developed a servo-hydraulic testing system complete with all necessary tooling and equipped with the latest software so that building materials can be tested under circumstances that simulate the effects of parking and moving vehicles.
The load cell with its accelerometer is installed directly onto the actuator.
A temperature chamber with cooling unit is equipped for environmental testing, and the temperature chamber is mounted on a rail system which reduces the time taken to change machine configurations.
A large selection of special equipment enables flexible testing.
Zwick's proven HydroWin 9610 system is used as the measurement and control electronics, and this offers a measurement data capture frequency of 10kHz and a 19bit resolution.
The required test sequences are produced and evaluated with user-friendly workshop software with dynamic analyser and profile software.
The measurement data can be transferred to an MS Excel programme in Ascii format making it easy for the user to format the presentation of the test reports.
The testing machine can both be used for the testing of the suitability of new materials as well as the evalution of finished goods.
