EVAC Asphalt Criteria

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East Valley Asphalt Committee

HOT ASPHALT MIX CRITERIA
Revised September 2012
Effective November 1, 2012

In an effort to standardize asphalt mix designs in Eastern Maricopa County, the Cities of Chandler, Mesa,
Scottsdale, Tempe and the Towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek formed an East Valley Asphalt Committee
(EVAC). The Committee initially established and has now revised the following procedures for submitting,
reviewing and approving asphalt mixes. Once an asphalt mix design is approved, the mix may be used in any of
the six communities per approved plans, details and specifications. The following is the procedure for asphalt
producers to obtain approval of their asphalt mixes.

I. General Information:

A. Many of the references provided herein are to Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)
Uniform Standard Specifications (Specification). The specification refers to the 2012 version.

B. Who needs to submit: All producers of hot asphalt concrete whose mixes may be placed within the
right-of-ways of the Cities of Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, and/or Towns of Gilbert and Queen
Creek.

C. Where to submit: Two (2) copies of the reports shall be submitted to the Chairman of the East Valley
Asphalt Committee (City of Mesa) with the appropriate cover sheet.

D. When to submit: New approvals or re-approvals of asphalt mixes, hot mix facilities, and laboratory
certifications will be required on an annual basis. The submittals will be due beginning the first
workday in November and no later than the last work day in November for approval by the following
first workday of January. After that date, submittals may experience significant delays in the
approval process. Additional submittals may be required when the committee, in their judgment,
determines the product in the field is not meeting the design or as required in the following criteria.

E. A format is included in this document for itemizing data critical to the mix design review. Completion
of this format is necessary for acceptance of each mix design. Please use the COM HMA Input Sheets.
These forms are located online at www.mesaaz.gov/engineering/Policiesandforms.aspx.

F. For projects within the City of Mesa, bulk samples of the proposed mix designs must be submitted to
the City of Mesa Materials Lab no earlier than 7 days and no later than 3 days prior to the first use of
an approved mix placed within the City of Mesa. Bulk sample requirements for other EVAC
communities will be per their standard specifications and requirements.

G. For projects within the City of Mesa, paving asphalt samples (1 quart) will be required for each
project and each day’s production placed within the City of Mesa in accordance with AASHTO T-40.
The sample must be submitted by the contractor/supplier in contractor/supplier provided approved
containers to the City of Mesa Materials Lab before the end of the day’s production. Paving asphalt
sample requirements for other EVAC communities will be per their standard specifications and
requirements.
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H. The asphalt mix design submittal will include the following information:

1. The mix design will be stamped, signed and dated by the Engineer responsible for the mix
design.
2. A unique product code for each mix design.
3. Grade of asphalt binder, including type of modifiers if present.
4. Recommended asphalt binder content.
5. Paving asphalt test results shall be submitted for the material per MAG Specification Section
711 that are stamped, signed and dated by a licensed professional engineer in Arizona.
6a. For Marshall Mix designs: stability and flow.
6b. For SuperpaveTM Mix designs: number of gyrations at initial, design and maximum.
7. Anti-strip supplier with certifications for the material.
8. Method to add anti-strip agent to the aggregate.
9. Specific gravity of aggregates (bulk, bulk SSD, apparent and effective).
10. Specific gravity of anti-strip agent and asphalt binder.
11. Maximum specific gravity of asphalt mixture.
12. Bulk density.
13. Moisture sensitivity.
14. Aggregate proportions (including anti-strip agent) based on bin percentages and composite
gradation. The composite plotted on a graph raised to 0.45 power gradation chart.
15. Sand Equivalent.
16. Fractured face count.
17. Plasticity Index.
18. Percent voids in mineral aggregate.
19. Percent voids filled.
20. Percent effective air voids.
21. Dust proportion.
22. Film thickness.
23. Unconfined void content.
24. Mixing and compaction temperatures.
25. Plant and Laboratory Certifications including addresses.

II. Requirements:
ASPHALT CONCRETE
1.0 GENERAL:

Asphalt concrete shall be a mixture of asphalt cement and mineral aggregates. Mineral admixture, mineral
filler and anti-stripping agent shall be included in the mixture when required by the mix design or by the
Engineer. All materials shall be proportioned by weight, volume or a combination in a central mix plant in the
proportions required by the mix design to provide a homogeneous and workable mass. Asphalt concrete shall
be produced in accordance with the MAG Specification Sections 321 and 710 with the following modifications:

A. Subsection 321.5; delete 1st paragraph and substitute the following: “If the contractor/supplier elects to
change the source of material, the contractor/supplier shall furnish a new mix design that is in accordance with
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the East Valley Asphalt Committee criteria and must be included on the current approved asphalt mix list.”

B. Subsection 321.10.2; delete reference to “fan drying per AASHTO T209 Section 15.”

C. Subsection 710.1; delete 2nd sentence in 1st paragraph and substitute the following: “Mineral admixture,
mineral filler and anti-stripping agent shall be included in the mixture when required by the mix design or
by the Engineer. All materials shall be proportions by weight, volume or a combination in a central mix
plant in the proportions required by the mix design to provide a homogeneous and workable mass.”

D. Subsection 710.2.2; delete the last paragraph and substitute the following: “The natural sand shall not
exceed 15 percent for Marshall mixes and Gyratory mixes by weight of the total aggregate for a mix.”

E. Subsection 710.2.3; Add the following to this subsection: “When liquid anti-stripping agents are used,
the agent shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO designation R 15-89. The agent shall be added in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended dosage rate. Other mineral filler, mineral admixture, or
anti-stripping agents, shall be approved by the Engineer prior to start of mix design.”

The designation for asphalt concrete mixes shall be based on the nominal maximum aggregate size of the mix.
The applicable mix designations are 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch and Base (1inch) mix.

Asphalt Rubber and Recycled Asphalt mixes are not part of the EVAC approved list. Each agency shall
review and approve these mixes as appropriate.

Each mix shall be designed using Marshall or Gyratory compaction methods. Either Gyratory or Marshall Mixes
may be used for low or high traffic conditions, as determined by the agency. Low traffic conditions are conditions
where the asphalt mix will be subject to low volume and low weight vehicle usage. Examples of this condition
are residential streets, most parking lots and residential minor collector streets. High traffic conditions are
conditions where the asphalt mix will be subject to high volume and/or heavy weight vehicle usage as found on
major collector, arterial and commercial streets. Street classifications (i.e. minor collector and major collector)
shall be determined by the specifying agency. The following table (Table 1) displays the recommended lift
thickness for various asphalt concrete mix designations found within M A G S t a n d a r d S p e c i f i c a t i o n
Section 710. Please note that these recommended lift thicknesses are minimums based on each mix
designation’s “Nominal Aggregate Size” and the relative coarseness of its gradation. The compacted thickness
of layers placed shall not exceed 150% of the Minimum Lift Thickness of Table 1 except as otherwise provided
in the plans and specifications, or if approved in writing by the Engineer.

TABLE 1
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM LIFT THICKNESSES for ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXES
Asphalt Concrete Mix
Minimum Lift Thickness Marshall Mixes Minimum Lift Thickness Gyratory Mixes
Designation (inches)

3/8” 1.0 inches 1.5 inches

1/2” 1.5 inches 2.0 inches

3/4” 2.5 inches 3.0 inches

Base 3.0 inches n/a

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2.0 MATERIAL:

2.1 Asphalt Binder: The asphalt binder specified in this section has been developed for use in desert climate
conditions. Should it be utilized in other climates, consideration should be given to adjustments in the asphalt
binder selection. The asphalt binder shall be Performance Grade Asphalt conforming to the requirements of
M A G S t a n d a r d S p e c i f i c a t i o n Section 711 for PG 70-10 or PG 76-16, unless otherwise approved by
the Engineer or specified differently in the plans or special provisions.

2.2 Aggregate: Coarse and Fine aggregates shall conform to the applicable requirements of this section.
Coarse mineral aggregate shall consist of crushed gravel, crushed rock, or other approved inert material with
similar characteristics, or a combination thereof, conforming to the requirements of these specifications.

Coarse aggregate for hot mix asphalt is material retained on or above the No. 4 sieve and Fine aggregate is
material passing the No. 4 sieve. Aggregates shall be relatively free of deleterious materials, clay balls, and
adhering films or other material that prevent coating with the asphalt binder. Coarse and Fine aggregates shall
conform to the following requirements when tested in accordance with the applicable test methods.

TABLE 2
COARSE/FINE AGGREGATE REQUIREMENTS
Characteristics Test Method Low Traffic High Traffic
Fractured Faces, % Arizona 212 75, 1 or more 85, 1 or more
(Coarse Aggregate Only) 80, 2 or more
Uncompacted Voids, % Min. AASHTO T-304, 42 45
Method A
Flat & Elongated Pieces, % 5:1 Ratio ASTM D4791 10.0 Max. 10.0 Max.
Sand Equivalent, % AASHTO T-176 50 Min. 50 Min.
Plasticity Index AASHTO T-90 Non-plastic Non-plastic
L.A. Abrasion, %Loss AASHTO T-96 9 max. @ 100 Rev. 9 max. @ 100 Rev.
40 max. @ 500 Rev. 40 max. @ 500 Rev.
Combined Bulk Specific Gravity AI MS-2/SP-2 2.35 – 2.85 2.35 – 2.85
Combined Water Absorption AI MS-2/SP-2 0 – 2.5% 0 – 2.5%

Tests on aggregates used in asphalt concrete outlined above, shall be performed on materials furnished for mix
design purposes and composited to the mix design gradation.
Blend sand (naturally occurring or crushed fines) shall be clean, hard and sound material which will readily
accept asphalt binder coating. The blend sand grading shall be such that, when it is mixed with the other
mineral aggregates, the combined product shall meet the requirements of Table 2.
The natural sand shall not exceed 15 percent for the Marshall and Gyratory mixes by weight of the total aggregate
for a mix.

2.3 Mineral Admixture: Mineral admixture when used as an anti-stripping agent in asphalt concrete shall
conform to the requirements of AASHTO M-17. Mineral admixture used in asphalt concrete shall be dry
hydrated lime, conforming to the requirements of ASTM C1097 or Portland cement conforming to ASTM C150
Type II or ASTM C595 Type IP. The amount of hydrated lime or Portland cement used shall be determined by
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the mix design. The minimum Mineral admixture content within a mix will be 1.00 percent, by weight of total
aggregate. When liquid anti-stripping agents are used, the agent shall conform to the requirements of AASHTO
designation R 15-89. The agent shall be added in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended dosage
rate. Other mineral filler, mineral admixture, or anti-stripping agents, shall be approved by the Engineer prior to
the start of the mix design.

3.0 MIX DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:

3.1 General: The mix design for asphalt concrete shall be prepared by a laboratory that is accredited through the
AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) in Hot Mix Asphalt Aggregates and Hot Mix Asphalt. The laboratory
shall be under the direct supervision of a Civil Engineer, registered by the State of Arizona, and who is listed
by ADOT as a “Qualified Asphaltic Concrete Mix Design Engineer” within ADOT’s latest list of approved
laboratories. The latest list of approved laboratories is available on ADOT’s web page www.azdot.gov. The
date of the design shall not be older than one year from the date of submittal, unless supportive
documentation is provided and approved by the Engineer.
The mix design report shall include the elements as outlined in Section I H above and also include the
following:

(1) The name and address of the testing organization and the person responsible for the mix
design report.

(2) The mix plant identification and/or location, as well as the supplier or producer name.

(3) A description of all products that are incorporated in the asphalt concrete along with the sources of all
products, including admixtures and asphalt binder, and their method of introduction.

(4) The supplier and grade of asphalt binder, the source and type of mineral aggregate, and the percentage
of asphalt binder and mineral admixture used.

(5) The mix design report shall state the traffic condition (low or high traffic) and size designation. In all
cases Gyratory based mix designs shall be designated as high traffic mixes. Marshall based mix design shall
be designated either low or high traffic mixes.

(6) The results of all testing, determinations, etc., such as: specific gravity and gradation of each
component, water absorption, sand equivalent, loss on abrasion, fractured coarse aggregate particles,
Tensile Strength Ratio (AASHTO T 283), Marshall stability and flow, asphalt absorption, percent air
voids, voids in mineral aggregate, and bulk density. Historical abrasion values may be supplied on existing
sources. The submittal should include a plot of the gradation on the Federal Highway Administration 0.45
Power Gradation Chart, plots of the compaction curves and the results of moisture sensitivity testing.

(7) The laboratory mixing and compaction temperature ranges for the supplier and grade of asphalt binder
used within the mix design.

(8) A specific recommendation for design asphalt binder content and any limiting conditions that may be
associated with the use of the design, such as minimum percentages of crushed or washed fine aggregate.

(9) The supplier’s product code, the laboratory Engineer’s seal (signed and dated), and the date the design
was performed. The mix design shall be submitted to the Agency or Engineer by the Contractor/Supplier for
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which it was developed as part of his project submittals. Once the mix design has been approved by the
agency or Engineer, the Contractor and/or his supplier shall not change plants nor utilize additional mixing
plants without prior approval of the Engineer. Any changes in the plant operation, the producer’s pit, the
asphalt binder, including modifiers in the asphalt binder, or any other item that will cause an adjustment in
the mix, shall be justification for a new mix design to be submitted.

3.2 Mix Design Criteria: The mix design shall be performed by one of two methods, Marshall Mix Design or
Gyratory Mix Design. The method shall be specified on the plans, special provisions, or by the Engineer. A
minimum of 4 points will be used to establish the mix design results. The oven aging period for both Marshall
and Gyratory mix design samples shall be 2 hours.

3.2.1 Marshall Mix Design: The Marshall Mix Design shall be performed in accordance with the
requirements of the latest edition of the Asphalt Institute’s Manual, MS-2 “Mix Design Methods for Asphalt
Concrete.” The mix shall utilize the compactive effort of 75 blows per side of specimen. The mix shall
comply with the criteria in Table 3.

TABLE 3
MARSHALL MIX DESIGN
CRITERIA Requirements
Criteria 3/8” Mix 1/2” Mix 3/4” Mix Base Mix Designated Test
Method
1. Voids in Mineral Aggregate: %, min 15.0 14.0 13.0 12.0 AI MS-2
2. Effective Voids: %, Range 4.0 ± 0.2 4.0 ± 0.2 4.0 ± 0.2 4.0 ± 0.2 AI MS-2
3. Absorbed Asphalt: %, Range * 0 - 1.0 0 - 1.0 0 - 1.0 0 - 1.0 AI MS-2
4. Dust to Eff. Asphalt Ratio, Range ** 0.6 – 1.4 0.6 – 1.4 0.6 – 1.4 0.6 – 1.4 AI MS-2
5. Tensile Strength Ratio: %, Min. 65 65 65 65 ASTM D 4867
6. Dry Tensile Strength: psi, Min. 100 100 100 100 ASTM D 4867
7. Stability: pounds, Minimum 2,000 2,500 2,500 3000 AASHTO T-245
8. Flow: 0.01-inch, Range 8 - 16 8 - 16 8 – 16 8 – 16 AASHTO T-245
9. Mineral Aggregate Grading Limits AASHTO T-27

Percent Passing with Admix shall be per

MAG Standard Specification Section 710
* Unless otherwise approved by the Engineer.
** The ratio of the mix design composite gradation target for the No. 200 sieve, including admixture, to the
effective asphalt content shall be within the indicated range.

3.2.2 Gyratory Mix Design: Gyratory Mix Designs shall be performed in accordance with the requirements
of latest edition of the Asphalt Institute’s SP-2 manual. Mix design laboratory compacted specimens shall be
prepared using a gyratory compactor in accordance with AASHTO T-312.

The mix design shall be formulated in a manner described for volumetric mix designs in the current edition of
the Asphalt Institute Manual SP-2, except the number of trial blend gradations necessary will be determined by
the mix design laboratory. Duplicate gyratory samples shall be prepared at a minimum of four (4) binder
contents to select the recommended binder content. The completed mix design shall meet all the mineral
aggregate and mix design criteria specified herein.
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For purposes of design, the number of gyrations shall be 8 for Nini, 100 for Ndes, and 160 for Nmax. The
corrected density of the specimens shall be less than 89.0 percent of maximum theoretical density at 8 gyrations.
The corrected density of the specimens shall be less than 98.0 percent of maximum theoretical density at 160
gyrations.

The Gyratory mix shall comply with the criteria in Table 4.

TABLE 4
GYRATORY MIX DESIGN
CRITERIA
Criteria Requirements Designated Test
3/8” Mix 1/2” Mix 3/4” Mix Method
1. Voids in Mineral Aggregate: %,
15.0 14.0 13.0 AI SP-2
Min.
2. Effective Voids: %, Range 4.0 ± 0.2 4.0 ± 0.2 4.0 ± 0.2 AI SP-2
3. Absorbed Asphalt: %, Range * 0 - 1.0 0 - 1.0 0 - 1.0 AI SP-2
4. Dust to Eff. Asphalt Ratio, Range ** 0.6 – 1.4 0.6 – 1.4 0.6 – 1.4 AI SP-2
5. Tensile Strength Ratio: %, Min. 75 75 75 AASHTO T-283
6. Dry Tensile Strength: psi, Min. 75 75 75 AASHTO T-283
7. Mineral Aggregate Grading Limits AASHTO T-27
Percent Passing with Admix shall be per
MAG Standard Specification Section 710

* Unless otherwise approved by the Engineer.

** The ratio of the mix design composite gradation target for the No. 200 sieve, including admixture, to the
effective asphalt content shall be within the indicated range.

3.2.3 Moisture Sensitivity Testing: Moisture sensitivity testing will be performed in accordance with
AASHTO Test Method T283 for both Marshall and Gyratory mix designs. The minimum required Tensile
Strength Ratio is indicated in the tables above.
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APPROVALS:

City of Mesa Town of Gilbert

By: s/ Elizabeth Huning By: s/ Mike Gillespie
City Engineer Town Engineer
Date: September 2012 September 2012

City of Tempe City of Scottsdale

By: s/ Andy Goh By: s/ Derek Earle
City Engineer City Engineer
Date: September 2012 September 2012

City of Chandler Town of Queen Creek

By: s/ Sheina Hughes By: s/ Chris Dovel
City Engineer Town Engineer
Date: September 2012 September 2012
 ENGINEERING MATERIALS LAB
Arterial Mix Design Information Input Sheet

ASPHALT MIX: AGGREGATE PROPERTIES:

Supplier Fractured Face One Count (%)
Fractured Face Two Count (%)
Type 1/2" Uncompacted Void Content (%)
Flat and Elongated Particles (%)
3/4" Sand Equivalent
Plasticity Index
Design Binder Content (%) L.A. Abrasion @ 100 Revolutions (%)
Product Code L.A. Abrasion @ 500 Revolutions (%)
Plant Location Combined Bulk Specific Gravity
Plant Number Combined Water Absorption (%)
Supplier Lab Number Fine Aggregate Bulk Specific Gravity
Name of Design Lab Film Thickness
Design Date
MIX PROPERTIES:
BINDER PROPERTIES: Voids in Mineral Aggregate (%)
Binder Grade Effective Voids (%)
Mixing Temperature (°F) Absorbed Asphalt (%)
Compaction Temperature (°F) Dust to Effective Asphalt Ratio
Specific Gravity Gyrations @ N Initial
Gyrations @ N Design
ADMIX: Gyrations @ N Maximum
Admix Content (%) Max Theoretical Specific Gravity @ N Design
Admix Type Bulk Specific Gravity @ N Design

TENSILE STRENGTH RATIO:

Dry Tensile Strength (psi)
Tensile Strength Ratio (%)

CITY OF MESA USE ONLY:

Documentation Received?
Date Submitted NVLAP or AASHTO Accreditation
Review Date ARPA Certification
Reviewed by Asphalt Binder Certification
Is Gradation Within Limits? Admix Certification
Design P.E. Stamp and Resume
 ENGINEERING MATERIALS LAB
Residential Mix Design Information Input Sheet

ASPHALT MIX: AGGREGATE PROPERTIES:

Supplier Fractured Face One Count (%)
Fractured Face Two Count (%)
Type 1/2" Uncompacted Void Content (%)
Flat and Elongated Particles (%)
3/4" Sand Equivalent
Plasticity Index
Design Binder Content (%) L.A. Abrasion @ 100 Revolutions (%)
Product Code L.A. Abrasion @ 500 Revolutions (%)
Plant Location Combined Bulk Specific Gravity
Plant Number Combined Water Absorption (%)
Supplier Lab Number Fine Aggregate Bulk Specific Gravity
Name of Design Lab Film Thickness
Design Date
MIX PROPERTIES:
BINDER PROPERTIES: Voids in Mineral Aggregate (%)
Binder Grade Effective Voids (%)
Mixing Temperature (°F) Absorbed Asphalt (%)
Compaction Temperature (°F) Dust to Effective Asphalt Ratio
Specific Gravity Stability (lbs)
Flow (0.01 in)
ADMIX: Maximum Theoretical Specific Gravity
Admix Content (%) Bulk Specific Gravity
Admix Type

TENSILE STRENGTH RATIO:

Dry Tensile Strength (psi)
Tensile Strength Ratio (%)

CITY OF MESA USE ONLY:

Documentation Received?
Date Submitted NVLAP or AASHTO Accreditation
Review Date ARPA Certification
Reviewed by Asphalt Binder Certification
Is Gradation Within Limits? Admix Certification
Design P.E. Stamp and Resume