System for testing paving materials

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A system for measuring the critical temperatures for thermal cracking of asphalt binders. The exemplary embodiment comprises a metal ring at least one strain gauge attached to the inner surface of the ring an environmental chamber, and a data acquisition system. A thermocouple may also be attached to the inside of the ring to monitor the ring temperature. A mold is provided for creating a circular asphalt binder test specimen. When properly cast the specimen encircles the metal ring. The specimen and ring are placed within the environmental chamber for analysis as the temperature within the chamber is lowered. Thermal stress induced by temperature reduction within the asphalt binder test …