For questions, thoughts, or interests in collaboration please contact: 

David Mensching, david.mensching@dot.gov or Satish Belagutti, satish.belagutti.ctr@dot.gov 

Asphalt Binder and Mixture

Laboratory (ABML) Look-In

TURNER-FAIRBANK HIGHWAY RESEARCH CENTER 

June 2020 – Issue 1

ABML—Implementation and Delivery (ABML-ID) Founded in 2019, ABML-ID is a partnership between the Office of Preconstruction, Construction, and Pavements; Office 

of Infrastructure Research and Development; and the Resource Center to actively support implementation-focused 

activities that advance research products into field evaluation and deployment. The ABML-ID supports the FHWA Mobile 

Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) in providing technical expertise to the asphalt pavement community. ABML-ID also

focuses on projects of national interest from State departments of transportation (DOTs) and stakeholders. The ABML-ID 

project-selection process is shown below.

ABML-ID Project Selection Process

 

Current Project Highlights 

Assessing Automated Extraction Technology

ASTM D8159 Standard Test Method for Automatic 

Extraction of Asphalt Binder from Asphalt Mixtures1

 

The ABML-ID is assessing automated asphalt extraction 

technology prescribed in ASTM D8159.1 Evaluations will 

be based on the comparison of high, intermediate, and 

low-temperature physical properties changes of asphalt 

binders, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and binder 

blended with RAP extracted using the traditional 

AASHTO T 164 Method A and automated extraction.2

 

Benefits 

Reported benefits of using ASTM D81591 by SHA users 

include:

• Reduction of sources of variability due to automated 

process. 

• Ease of use. 

• Less hazardous material exposure. 

• Reduction in purchase and disposal costs of 

trichloroethylene. 

• Determination of asphalt binder content and 

gradation in one working day. 

State of the Practice

The following State Highway Agencies (SHA) are 

currently using ASTM D81591

: 

• Georgia DOT (viscosity of recovered RAP). 

• Illinois DOT (asphalt binder content and gradation 

of RAP). 

• Wisconsin DOT (asphalt binder content and 

performance grade). 

• Iowa DOT (asphalt binder content). 

Future Plans • Propose a new asphalt binder 

recovery procedure that is 

safe, efficient, and cost 

effective. 

• Provide guidance to partner 

agencies on automated 

extraction’s effect on 

performance grades and 

impact on blending charts. 

1 ASTM International Vol 04.03 Road and Paving Materials, July 30, 2019. 2 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials T 164 “Standard Method of Test for Quantitative Extraction 

of Asphalt Binder from Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). 

“The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear in this document only because 

they are considered essential to the objective of the presentation. They are included for informational purposes only and are not intended to 

reflect a preference, approval, or endorsement of any one product or entity.” 

ABML-ID 

Receives 

Project 

Request

ABML-ID Panel 

Reviews and 

Approves 

Project

Work Plan 

Developed and 

Executed

Summary of 

Findings 

Presented to 

Partner 

Agencies

Project 

Revised or 

Analysis 

Expanded if 

Needed

Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-20-057 

Automated Extractor 

Source: FHWA. 

Source: FHWA.