This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D4215 − 21

Standard Specification for

Cold-Mixed, Cold-Laid Asphalt Paving Mixtures1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4215; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope D1073 Specification for Fine Aggregate for Asphalt Paving

1.1 This specification covers cold-mixed, cold-laid and Mixtures
recycled cold-mixed, cold-laid asphalt paving mixtures for D2026/D2026M Specification for Cutback Asphalt (Slow-
base, binder, leveling, and surface courses. Curing Type)
D2027/D2027M Specification for Cutback Asphalt
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor- (Medium-Curing Type)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- D2028/D2028M Specification for Cutback Asphalt (Rapid-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the Curing Type)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- D2172/D2172M Test Methods for Quantitative Extraction of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Asphalt Binder from Asphalt Mixtures
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. D2397/D2397M Specification for Cationic Emulsified As-
2. Referenced Documents phalt
D2399 Practice for Selection of Cutback Asphalts
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 D2489/D2489M Test Method for Estimating Degree of Par-
C127 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) ticle Coating of Asphalt Mixtures
and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate D3515 Specification for Hot-Mixed, Hot-Laid Bituminous
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) Paving Mixtures (Withdrawn 2009)3
and Absorption of Fine Aggregate D3628 Practice for Selection and Use of Emulsified Asphalts
C136/C136M Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
Coarse Aggregates Plasticity Index of Soils
D8 Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pave- E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
ments Ventilation Ovens
D75/D75M Practice for Sampling Aggregates
D140/D140M Practice for Sampling Asphalt Materials 3. Terminology
D242/D242M Specification for Mineral Filler for Asphalt 3.1 Definitions are in accordance with Terminology D8.
Mixtures
D448 Classification for Sizes of Aggregate for Road and 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Bridge Construction 3.2.1 asphalt-aggregate for recycling—asphalt pavement or
D546 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Mineral Filler for paving mixture removed from its original location and reduced
Asphalt Paving Mixtures by suitable means, after removal or in place, to such particle
D692/D692M Specification for Coarse Aggregate for As- size as may be required for use in cold-mixed, cold-laid
phalt Paving Mixtures recycled asphalt paving mixtures.
D977 Specification for Emulsified Asphalt 3.2.2 cold-mixed, cold-laid asphalt paving mixtures—
D979/D979M Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving mixtures of coarse and fine aggregates, or coarse or fine
Mixtures aggregate alone, with or without mineral filler, uniformly
mixed and laid at or near ambient temperature.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road 3.2.3 cold-mixed, cold-laid recycled asphalt paving
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.27 on mixtures—mixtures of asphalt aggregate for recycling with
Cold Mix Asphalts. additional mineral aggregate as necessary, with or without
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally
approved in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4215 – 07 (2013).
mineral filler, mixed at or near ambient temperatures with
DOI: 10.1520/D4215-21. additional asphalt.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.

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 D4215 − 21
4. Ordering Information 7.3 When cold-mixed, cold-laid recycled mixtures are
4.1 Orders for cold asphalt paving mixtures under this produced, asphalt conforming to 7.1 or 7.2 shall be added to
specification shall include the following information: the asphalt aggregate for recycling as necessary.
4.1.1 Type of asphalt (emulsified asphalt, cutback asphalt), NOTE 3—Various asphalt modifiers or recycling agents have been used
4.1.2 Grade of asphalt, on a number of cold-mixed, cold-laid recycled asphalt paving projects.
4.1.3 The composition of the asphalt paving mixture (dense Specifications for these materials are being developed.
mixture and mix designation; open mixture and mix designa-
tion; open-graded friction course mixture and mix 8. Composition of Asphalt Paving Mixtures
designation), 8.1 The mixture shall conform to one of the compositions
4.1.4 The maximum percentage of asphalt aggregate for by weight given in Table 1 of Specification D3515.
recycling permitted in the mixture, and
NOTE 4—The mix designation selected should be determined by the
4.1.5 The percentage of crushed particles required in the intended use, thickness of paving courses, and desired texture. The
aggregate if different from that specified in 5.2. required mix sbould be specified.

5. Aggregates 8.1.1 Compositions shown in Table 1 of Specification

D3515 are based on the use of fine and coarse aggregates
5.1 The aggregates shall be crushed stone, crushed slag, having approximately the same bulk specific gravities; grading
crushed gravel, or sand conforming to the quality requirement of the total aggregate, therefore, would be the same on either a
of the appropriate ASTM specifications as follows: weight or bulk volume basis. If the bulk specific gravities of
5.1.1 Coarse Aggregate—Specification D692/D692M. coarse and fine aggregates differ greatly, it may be desirable to
5.1.2 Fine Aggregate—Specification D1073. change the grading limitations to compensate for these differ-
NOTE 1—Other mineral aggregates, such as uncrushed gravel and ences.
crushed shell, may be specified, provided that local experience or tests
have demonstrated their ability to produce satisfactory asphalt paving
8.2 A job-mix formula shall be selected that comes within
mixtures. the specification limits and that is suitable for the traffic,
climatic conditions, and specific gravities of the aggregates
5.2 The aggregates for open-graded friction course mixture
used. Below the No. 8 (2.36 mm) sieve size, the job-mix
described in Table 2 of Specification D3515 shall meet all the
formula grading curve shall be reasonably parallel to the curves
requirements of 5.1 with the added requirement that (1) the
of the grading limits as selected from Table 1 of Specification
coarse particles, retained on the No. 4 sieve, be crushed so that
D3515.
at least 90 weight percent have one or more fractured faces and
75 weight percent have two or more fractured faces; and (2) the 8.3 Any variation from the job-mix formula in the grading
coarse aggregate, or if a blend is used, the coarsest fraction be of the aggregate, as shown by the sieve analyses of materials
of a type known to possess adequate resistance to the polishing (Note 5), or any variation from the job-mix formula in the
action of the anticipated traffic. asphalt content, as indicated by extraction tests of the finished
mixture (Note 6) greater than the tolerances shown in Table 3
5.3 Recommended grading requirements for coarse and fine
of Specification D3515, shall be investigated and the condi-
aggregate may be selected from Classification D448 and
tions causing such variation shall be corrected (Note 7).
Specification D1073, respectively. Other aggregate gradations
may be used, provided that the combined coarse and fine NOTE 5—It is recognized that the extraction test is a generally accepted
aggregates, and filler, when used, produce a mixture that and approved method for determining the composition of an asphalt
conforms to the requirements for grading of total aggregate as mixture. However, due to the relatively wide difference in the asphalt
content and aggregate gradation sometimes found in individual samples of
described in Table 1 of Specification D3515. mixture taken from the same lot, as shown by extraction tests, it is
5.4 When cold-mixed, cold-laid recycled mixtures are recommended that the extraction test results on individual small samples
produced, aggregates conforming to 5.1 may be blended with be used as an indication of the mix composition, and not as the sole basis
for acceptance or rejection of the product. It may be necessary to
the asphalt aggregate for recycling as necessary to produce the determine both aggregate gradation and asphalt content from extraction
results required by 5.3. tests samples.
NOTE 6—Cold mixtures require special preparation in the form of
6. Mineral Filler curing prior to performing the extraction test. One recommended curing
procedure is to place the mixture to be extracted into a suitably large metal
6.1 The mineral filler shall conform to Specification D242/ pan with a large spoon such that the mixture, in a loose state, is from 1 to
D242M. 11⁄2 in. (25 to 38 mm) in depth. Place the mixture, pan, and spoon in an
oven, conforming to Specification E145, Type 1B, the temperature of
7. Asphalt which has been adjusted to 250 + 5 °F (121 + 3 °C), for 3 h. At the end of
NOTE 2—Practices D2399 and D3628 provide guidance in selecting each hour remove the pan and stir the mixture thoroughly for 1 min.
types and grades of asphalt. Replace in the oven, except after the third hourly stirring, allow to cool to
room temperature. The extraction test is then performed on this cured
7.1 When cutback asphalt is used it shall conform to mixture. (Other curing procedures may be used provided local experience
Specification D2026/D2026M, D2027/D2027M, or D2028/ demonstrates their ability to prepare mixtures properly for the extraction
D2028M. test.)
NOTE 7—Application of tolerances may result in a gradation outside the
7.2 When emulsified asphalt is used it shall conform to composition limits in Table 1 of Specification D3515. This will not be
Specification D977 or D2397/D2397M. cause for investigation.

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 D4215 − 21
9. Mixing Equipment specified. In the case of road mixing, a known volume or
weight shall be windrowed or otherwise placed on the road or
9.1 The equipment for mixing shall be one of the following:
mixing area.
9.1.1 Central Plant—Batch, continuous, or drum mixer.
9.1.2 Travel Plant, with own asphalt spray system or with 10.6 Preparation of Mixture—The proportions of the com-
separate distributor. ponents of the mixture, within the limits specified, shall be
regulated so as to produce a satisfactory mixture. The sequence
9.1.3 Grader or Drag, with separate distributor.
in which the asphalt material is proportioned with the
aggregate, aggregate and asphalt aggregate for recycling, or
10. Mixing Operation
asphalt aggregate for recycling may vary under different
10.1 Aggregate Storage—Aggregates furnished in different mixing procedures.
sizes or from different sources shall be kept separate, and 10.6.1 The mixing shall be accomplished in the shortest
adequate provisions shall be made to keep them from becom- time that will produce a satisfactory mixture.
ing mixed or otherwise contaminated. Preblending of aggre- 10.6.2 Minimum mixing time may be established on the
gates for travel plants and road mixing is permissible so long best coating obtainable or percentage of coated particles as
as grading requirements are maintained. Stockpiles shall be determined by Test Method D2489/D2489M. These values will
built and the materials removed therefrom in such a manner as vary with aggregate gradation, particle shape, and surface
to minimize size segregation. texture, and with the type of asphalt, asphalt content, and use
for which the mix is intended.
10.2 Old Asphalt Pavement—Asphalt aggregate for recy-
cling shall be reduced in size as may be required. Adequate NOTE 9—All the coarse particles may not be coated, particularly in
provisions shall be made to keep asphalt aggregate for recy- dense-graded mixtures.
cling from being mixed with aggregates or otherwise contami- 10.7 Mixing Plant Inspection—The engineer or his autho-
nated. rized representatives shall have access at any time to all parts
of the mixing plant in order to ensure the manufacture of the
10.3 Preparation of Asphalt—The asphalt shall be main- mixture in strict accordance with this specification.
tained at a temperature at which it can be properly handled
through the pumping system and uniformly distributed 11. Methods of Sampling and Testing
throughout the mixture. At no time will the temperature of the 11.1 Sample all material and determine the properties enu-
asphalt be allowed to exceed the following: merated in this specification in accordance with the following
Temperature ASTM standards:
Asphalt °F °C 11.1.1 Sampling Aggregates—Practice D75/D75M.
Cutback asphalt 250 121
Emulsified asphalt 180 82 11.1.2 Sampling Asphalt Paving Mixtures—Practice D979/
D979M.
NOTE 8—The flash point of some grades of cutback asphalt is below 11.1.3 Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates—Test
250 °F; therefore, caution must be used when applying heat to cutbacks. Method C136/C136M.
11.1.4 Sieve Analysis of Mineral Filler for Asphalt
10.4 Preparation and Handling of Mineral Aggregates—
Mixtures—Test Method D546.
Each aggregate shall be separately fed by feeders, except in the
11.1.5 Quantitative Extraction of Asphalt Binder from As-
case of preblended aggregates where only one feeder is
phalt Mixtures—Test Methods D2172/D2172M.
required, in proper uniform proportion to produce a satisfac-
11.1.6 Sampling Asphalt Materials—Practice D140/
tory mixture within the limits specified. In the case of road
D140M.
mixing a known uniform volume or weight of a single
11.1.7 Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of
aggregate, several aggregates or preblended aggregate shall be
Coarse Aggregate—Test Method C127.
windrowed or otherwise placed on the road or mixing area.
11.1.8 Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Fine
10.5 Preparation and Handling of Asphalt Aggregate for Aggregate—Test Method C128.
Recycling—Asphalt aggregate for recycling shall be separately 11.1.9 Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of
fed by a feeder, except in the case of preblended aggregates Soils—Test Method D4318.
where only one feeder is required, in proper uniform propor- 11.1.10 Degree of Particle Coating of Asphalt Mixtures—
tions to produce a satisfactory mixture within the limits Test Method D2489/D2489M.

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 D4215 − 21
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