Standard Practice for
Evaluating the Elastic Behavior of
Asphalt Binders Using the Multiple
Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR)
Test
AASHTO Designation: R 92-181
--```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Technical Section: 2b, Liquid Asphalt
Release: Group 3 (August)
Provided by : [Link]
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249
Washington, D.C. 20001
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Standard Practice for
Evaluating the Elastic Behavior of Asphalt
Binders Using the Multiple Stress Creep
Recovery (MSCR) Test
AASHTO Designation: R 92-18 1
Technical Section: Group 2b, Liquid Asphalt
Release: Group 3 (August)
1. SCOPE
1.1. This practice provides a means of evaluating the elastic behavior of an asphalt binder by using the
results (percent recovery and non-recoverable creep compliance) from the Multiple Stress Creep
Recovery (MSCR) test. The MSCR test is conducted using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
at a specified temperature. It is primarily intended for use with residue from T 240 (Rolling Thin-
Film Oven Test (RTFOT)), but may also be run on residue from R 28 (Pressurized Aging Vessel
(PAV)).
1.2. The elastic behavior of an asphalt binder can provide insight to the technologist indicating to what
extent, if any, the binder could be modified with an elastomeric polymer.
--```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
1.3. This practice may be used in conjunction with M 320 or M 332.
1.4. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1. AASHTO Standards:
M 320, Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder
M 332, Performance-Graded Asphalt Binder Using the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery
(MSCR) Test
R 28, Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using Pressurized Aging Vessel (PAV)
T 240, Effect of Heat and Air on Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
Provided by : [Link]
T 315, Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
Rheometer (DSR)
T 350, Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) Test of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic
Shear Rheometer (DSR)
TS-2b R 92-1 AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
2.2. ASTM Standard:
D8, Standard Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pavements
2.3. Other Reference:
LTPP Seasonal Asphalt Concrete Pavement Temperature Models, [Link]
3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. Definitions:
3.1.1. Definitions of terms used in this practice may be found in ASTM D 8, determined from common
English usage, or combinations of both.
3.2. Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1. creep and recovery—a standard rheological test protocol whereby a specimen is subjected to a
constant load for a fixed time period and then allowed to recover at a constant zero load for a fixed
time period.
3.2.2. non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr)—the residual strain in a specimen after a creep and
recovery cycle divided by the stress applied.
3.2.3. Average percent recovery (R)—the ratio of the difference between the peak strain and the residual
strain to the peak strain, expressed as a percentage. This is a measure of the elastic response of an
asphalt binder at a given temperature and applied stress level.
4. SUMMARY OF PRACTICE
4.1. This practice is used to evaluate the elastic response of an asphalt binder under shear creep and
recovery at a specified temperature. For most asphalt binders, this temperature will be the high
temperature grade as determined only by environmental conditions (not as adjusted for traffic
speed or loading).
4.2. Asphalt binder is first aged in accordance with T 240 (RTFOT). A sample of the RTFO-aged
asphalt is tested in accordance with T 350 (MSCR). Unless otherwise specified, the 25-mm
--```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
parallel plate geometry is used with a 1-mm gap setting. The sample is tested in creep and
recovery at two stress levels. The stress levels used are 0.1 kPa and 3.2 kPa. The creep portion of
the test lasts for one second which is followed by a nine-second recovery. Ten creep and recovery
conditioning cycles are first conducted at a shear stress of 0.1 kPa. The test is then executed by
conducting ten creep-recovery cycles at each shear stress level (0.1 and 3.2 kPa). Two parameters
are derived from the MSCR test: the non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) and percent recovery
(R).
4.3. Using the Jnr and R values from testing conducted at 3.2 kPa shear stress (identified as Jnr-3.2 and
R-3.2, respectively) data is compared to a curve of R as a function of Jnr. Values that plot on or
above the curve are considered to represent an asphalt binder with a significant elastic response
Provided by : [Link]
indicative of modification using elastomeric polymers.
4.3.1. As an alternative, the equation of the curve may be used and the R-3.2 value compared to the
calculated minimum R-3.2 value determined using the measured Jnr-3.2 value.
TS-2b R 92-2 AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
5. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1. This practice is used to evaluate the elastic response of an asphalt binder under shear creep and
recovery at a specified temperature in accordance with T 350.
6. APPARATUS
6.1. Use apparatus as specified in T 315, T 240, T 350, and R 28.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1. Conditioning—Unless otherwise specified, condition the asphalt binder to be tested in accordance
with T 240 (RTFOT).
7.2. Sample Preparation and Testing—Prepare test specimens and test the specimens in accordance
with T 350. For most asphalt binders, the test temperature will be the high temperature grade as
determined only by environmental conditions (not as adjusted for traffic speed or loading) using
the LTPPBind 3.1 software or the principles behind the temperature determination in LTPPBind.
In the absence of this information, use the temperature that corresponds to the high temperature
grade of the standard unmodified grade of asphalt binder that would be used for the project
location.
7.3. Analysis—After determining the Jnr-3.2 and R-3.2 values for the asphalt binder at the specified
temperature, plot the data on Figure 1. Data that is plotted on or above the curve in Figure 1 is
considered to have a significant elastic response for the associated value of non-recoverable creep
compliance (indicating that the asphalt binder has been modified by an elastomeric polymer).
100
90
80
70
R-3.2, percent
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Jnr-3.2 kPa–1
Provided by : [Link]
Note: The curve stops at Jnr-3.2 = 2.00 kPa–1 and 0.1 kPa–1. Jnr-3.2 values greater than 2.00 kPa–1 are not required to have any minimum
R-3.2 value. Jnr-3.2 values less than 0.1 kPa–1 are required to have a minimum R-3.2 value of 55 percent.
Figure 1—Comparison of MSCR Jnr-3.2 and R-3.2 to Assess Elastic Response
TS-2b R 92-3 --```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
7.3.1. Alternatively, if the Jnr-3.2 value is between 0.10 and 2.00 kPa–1, inclusive, substitute the Jnr-3.2
value determined from testing the asphalt binder into the equation as shown below and solve for
the minimum required R-3.2 value.
−0.2633
R-3.2
= min 29.371 ∗ ( J nr -3.2 )
(1)
where:
R-3.2min = minimum required value of R-3.2 to indicate significant elastic behavior, percent
Jnr-3.2 = measured value of Jnr-3.2 from T 350 testing, kPa–1
7.3.2. If the Jnr-3.2 value is less than 0.10 kPa–1 then the R-3.2min value is 55.0 percent.
7.3.3. If the Jnr-3.2 value is greater than 2.00 kPa–1 then the R-3.2min value is 0.0 percent.
7.3.4. Compare the measured value of R-3.2 from T 350 testing to the R-3.2min value as determined in
Sections 7.4.1 to 7.4.3 (represented by the curve shown in Figure 1). If the measured R-3.2 value
equals or exceeds the R-3.2min value, then the asphalt binder sample is considered to have shown a
significant elastic response for the associated value of non-recoverable creep compliance
indicating that the asphalt binder has been modified.
Note 1—The R-Jnr and R-3.2min values described in Sections 7.3.1 through 7.3.3 (represented by
the curve shown in Figure 1) are intended to be used to evaluate the elastic response of modified
asphalt binders when tested at the appropriate climatic temperature. It should not be used with
asphalt binders that have Jnr-3.2 values greater than 2.00 kPa–1.
--```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
8. REPORT
8.1. Report the following information:
8.1.1. Sample identification;
8.1.2. PG grade and test temperature, nearest 0.1°C;
8.1.3. Average percent recovery at 3.2 kPa, R-3.2, to nearest 0.1 percent;
8.1.4. Non-recoverable creep compliance at 3.2 kPa, Jnr-3.2, to nearest 0.01 kPa–1; and
8.1.5. Figure 1 with data point plotted representing the measured Jnr-3.2 and R-3.2 values or calculation
showing the minimum required value of R-3.2 (R-3.2min) compared to the measured R-3.2 value to
indicate significant elastic behavior.
9. PRECISION AND BIAS
9.1. Precision—The research required to develop precision estimates has not been conducted.
9.2. Bias—The research required to establish the bias has not been conducted.
Provided by : [Link]
TS-2b R 92-4 AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
10. KEYWORDS
10.1. Asphalt binders; creep and recovery; creep compliance; Dynamic Sheer Rheometer (DSR);
elastomer identification; Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) Test; percent recovery;
polymer modification; elastic behavior.
1
This full standard was first published in 2018.
--```,,,````,,,,``,,,,,,,,,`,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Provided by : [Link]
TS-2b R 92-5 AASHTO
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials