In the 1990’s a new binder speciication was introduced, this
was the Superpave binder speciication. The Superpave
binder speciication is based on the rheological properties
of the asphalt binder measured over a wide range of
temperatures and aging conditions. Various pieces of
equipment are used to measure stress strain relationships
in the binder at the speciied test temperatures. This
equipment includes the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR). Measuring the
binders’ rheological properties over a wide range of
temperatures, loading conditions, and aging
conditions allows performance relationships to be
established between the test results and the pavement.
The details of this asphalt binder testing are described in the
American Association State Highway and Transportation
Oicials AASHTO Speciication (AASHTO) M 320.