After how many minutes is bulk specific gravity (pill) water weight determined?

In the determination of bulk specific gravity of an asphalt mixture, the water weight (or buoyant weight) is taken after a specific duration of time to ensure consistent results. The correct timeframe is 4 minutes, with a permissible variance of plus or minus 1 minute. This time frame allows for the complete saturation of the aggregate sample by ensuring all air bubbles have escaped and that the sample has fully acclimated to the water being used for the test.

This step is crucial because any air that remains trapped in the aggregates can lead to incorrect measurements of specific gravity, thereby affecting the overall evaluation of the asphalt mix's properties. Adhering to the 4-minute guideline helps maintain the integrity of the test and the reliability of the results.

Other timeframes might not provide the same level of saturation, leading to discrepancies in the measurements and, as a result, potentially impacting the quality assurance processes in asphalt production.