TRTRC at UT Tyler is a modern, 10,000+ sq‑ft research facility for asphalt technology, pavement materials, and geotechnical characterization. We support TxDOT‑ and industry‑funded projects from mix design through performance modeling—coupling instrumented testing with data analytics and BMD‑ready workflows.
Automatic Laboratory Mixer BITUMIX
is ideal for producing big batches of asphalt mixtures that simulate the plant mixing process and can be used to produce big asphalt slabs for mixture testing and characterization
Heavy-Duty Portable Asphalt Mixer
allows preparation of small batches of asphalt concrete in the lab to be used for various tests
Slab Compactor
can compact asphalt slabs to a target density, applying specific loads corresponding to those of pavement rollers used in highway construction
ASTM D8079EN 12697-33
Gyratory Compactor GALILEO
is used in the lab to prepare asphalt mix specimens of a given height at a predetermined density for the subsequent testing of their mechanical properties
AASHTO T 312ASTM D6925
AsphaltQube
is utilized in the lab to test permanent deformation, cyclic compression, indirect tensile stiffness, indirect tensile fatigue, crack propagation, direct tension- compression, dynamic/complex modulus) plus triaxial compression, four-point and two-point stiffness, and fatigue flexural tests
AASHTO T 342AASHTO T 378AASHTO R 84
AMPT Pro
is one of the most versatile and important equipment in the asphalt laboratory. Dynamic modulus, Flow number, Flow time, Uniaxial Fatigue / SVECD, Overlay test, Semi-Circular Bend, Indirect Tensile Dynamic Modulus, iRLPD, and Small Diameter Dynamic Modulus and SVECD tests are performed using this equipment in the lab
AASHTO T 342AASHTO T 378AASHTO R 84
Balanced Loader
is designed to automatically perform most of the tests included in asphalt Balanced Mix Design procedures, including IDEAL-CT, IDEAL-RT, Indirect Tensile Strength, and Semi-Circular Bend tests. It is also suitable for Marshall, CBR, UCS, and other displacement-controlled tests
ASTM D8225ASTM D6931AASHTO T 393
Double Wheel Tracker
can be used to determine the susceptibility of asphalt mix to deform under load by measuring the rut depth formed by repeated passes of a loaded wheel at a fixed temperature. This machine conforms to both the AASHTO Hamburg Type and EN test methods
AASHTO T 324EN 12697-22
Specific Gravity Frame and Basket
is used in the pavement lab to determine the specific gravity of specimens by allowing us to weigh the samples in both air and water
AASHTO T 166
Large size Pycnometers
is used for determining the theoretical maximum specific gravity of uncompacted bituminous paving mixtures. They can also be used for the calculation of the percent of air voids in compacted bituminous mixtures and the amount of bitumen absorbed by the aggregates
NCAT Asphalt Content Furnace
is used to automatically determine the asphalt content of paving mixtures from 1,200–1,800g in just 30–45 minutes. Samples up to 5,000g can be processed at extended testing times
AASHTO T 308ASTM D6307
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
performs the critical rheological characterization analysis required for the Superpave Performance Grade (PG) classification of asphalt binders. This device is also used for MSCR test and determination of G*| and phase angle of asphalt bitumen at different temperatures and frequencies
AASHTO T 315AASHTO T 350
Pressure Aging Vessel
simulates in-service oxidative aging of asphalt binder through exposure to elevated temperatures in a pressurized environment. Asphalt binder is exposed to heat and pressure to simulate in-service aging over a 7 to 10-year period
AASHTO R 28ASTM D6521
Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)
is utilized in the laboratory to stimulate short-term aged asphalt binders for physical property testing. Asphalt binder is exposed to elevated temperatures to simulate manufacturing and placement aging. The RTFO also provides a quantitative measure of the volatiles lost during the aging process
AASHTO T 240
Bending Beam Rheometer BBR3
provides a measure of low-temperature stiffness and relaxation properties of asphalt binders. These parameters give an indication of an asphalt binder's ability to resist low-temperature cracking
AASHTO T 313ASTM D6648
DV2T Viscometer
meets ASTM and AASHTO standards for high-temperature dynamic viscosity testing of asphalt binders. Asphalt binder products are characterized, and temperature/viscosity relationships are developed to estimate mixing and compaction temperatures in hot-mix design
AASHTO T 316ASTM D4402
Asphalt Penetrometer
is used to examine the penetration of bituminous samples under a constant load, time, and temperature. Penetration Grading of the asphalt is obtained through penetration tests in the laboratory
AASHTO T 49ASTM D5
Ring and Ball Softening Point Apparatus
is used to test the softening point of asphalt, which usually lies between 35°C and 70°C
AASHTO T 53ASTM D36
Laboratory Asphalt Permeameters
use the falling head method to measure the hydraulic conductivity of saturated 6 in (152 mm) diameter asphalt cores or laboratory-compacted specimens
High Capacity Sieve Shaker
is utilized in the lab to determine the gradation of the aggregates that are to be used in the asphalt mixtures
AASHTO T 27ASTM C136
Ovens the laboratory
has ovens that heat the asphalt binders, mixtures, and samples to various temperatures. The ovens come with precise temperature control and can achieve required temperature changes in a very short time for more accurate testing
Solvent Parts Washer
is capable of cleaning asphalt laboratory equipment, samples, and tools quickly and easily. This equipment ensures the tools and equipment are ready for reuse without contamination from previous samples and materials. Also, it uses a recyclable solvent with minimal environmental effect
Micro-Deval Machine
meets current ASTM, AASHTO, and Canadian test methods, as well as more stringent TxDOT standards for the measurement of abrasion resistance and durability of fine and coarse aggregates. The equipment is equipped with sophisticated controllers and optical sensing system that controls and stops the test within fraction of a revolution for accurate results
AASHTO T 327ASTM D7428Tex-461-A
Note: Methods shown are typical standards used with this equipment. Final protocols follow the version specified by the project/agency.
