Asphalt Testing Services

Atlas Engineering and Technology Group provides independent asphalt testing and quality assurance services for road construction and pavement rehabilitation projects across Sydney and New South Wales. Our team works directly on-site — including during night paving operations — to deliver real-time compaction data, asphalt core testing, and compliance reporting aligned with RMS R116, TfNSW R116, and Australian Standards.

Nuclear density gauge in use during night asphalt paving works

Asphalt Site Testing During Construction

Atlas technicians attend your project during placement and compaction to carry out immediate asphalt site testing. Working alongside paving crews during night works, we provide rapid feedback on compaction levels to ensure non-conformances are identified and addressed before the pavement is opened to traffic.

Asphalt PQI Testing and In-Situ Density with Nuclear Density Gauge

We use a Pavement Quality Indicator (PQI) nuclear density gauge to measure asphalt bulk density of freshly compacted layers directly on the road surface. Asphalt PQI testing provides immediate, non-destructive density readings during active paving, enabling real-time compaction control without the delay of core extraction. Testing is carried out in accordance with AS 2891.14.2 and AS 2891.14.3, with density offset calculations performed in accordance with AS 2891.9.2.

A density offset is determined for each nominated mix and specified layer thickness, and is re-verified wherever site characteristics change — including variations in underlying surface roughness, substrate composition, or layer density.

  • Rapid, non-destructive asphalt bulk density measurement
  • PQI results available in the field during active paving
  • Suitable for TfNSW R116 lot-based compaction control
  • Density offset reported on all test certificates
Nuclear density gauge placed on asphalt during night paving operation with roller in background

Asphalt Core Testing and Laboratory Analysis

Where asphalt core testing is required — for asphalt bulk density verification, asphalt air void testing, or layer thickness determination — Atlas extracts and prepares samples in accordance with AS 2891.1.2. Core thickness is measured using digital callipers and reported as part of each test certificate. Laboratory bulk density is determined per AS 2891.9.2.

Asphalt core being measured with digital calipers in laboratory

Core Testing Capabilities

  • Core extraction in accordance with AS 2891.1.2
  • Layer thickness measurement and reporting
  • Asphalt bulk density of compacted cores (AS 2891.9.2)
  • Asphalt air void testing and in-situ air void determination
  • Visual assessment of layer interfaces and layer count

RMS R116 and TfNSW R116 Compliance

Atlas has direct experience supporting contractors working under both RMS R116 and TfNSW R116 (Heavy Duty Dense Graded Asphalt). Our asphalt site testing programs are structured to meet the sampling and testing frequency requirements of Annexure R116/L and support lot-based compaction control as specified in TfNSW Q.

Lot and Sub-Lot Testing

Compaction control is carried out on lots using statistical techniques in accordance with TfNSW Q. Where a lot is found to be nonconforming, we assist in defining sub-lots to isolate and exclude conforming sections, with sub-lot boundaries set at the midpoints between sample locations.

Sampling for the Principal

When loose asphalt samples are required by the Principal, Atlas technicians riffle and/or quarter samples on-site and deliver them in sealed, labelled containers ready for dispatch or laboratory testing.

Full Scope of Asphalt Testing Services

Mix Design and Characterisation

  • Marshall Mix Design (AS 2891.5)
  • Superpave Gyratory Compaction
  • Binder content: ignition method (AS 2891.3.1) and extraction method
  • Aggregate gradation analysis
  • Maximum density: Rice test (AS 2891.7.1)

Mechanical and Performance Testing

  • Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS): dry and moisture-conditioned (AS 2891.13.1)
  • Resilient Modulus (Mr) (AS 2891.13.1)
  • Dynamic Creep and Permanent Deformation
  • Wheel Tracking Test

Binder Testing

  • Penetration grade testing (AS 2341.12)
  • Softening point: Ring and Ball (AS 2341.18)
  • Rotational and kinematic viscosity
  • Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
  • Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) ageing

Applicable Standards

All asphalt site testing and laboratory testing is carried out in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards and TfNSW R116 specifications, including:

TestStandard
Core ExtractionAS 2891.1.2
Binder Content (Ignition Method)AS 2891.3.1
Marshall Stability and FlowAS 2891.5
Maximum Density of AsphaltAS 2891.7.1
Asphalt Bulk Density of Compacted CoresAS 2891.9.2
Indirect Tensile Strength / Resilient ModulusAS 2891.13.1
Asphalt PQI Testing / In-Situ Density (Nuclear Gauge)AS 2891.14.2, AS 2891.14.3
Penetration of Bituminous MaterialsAS 2341.12
Softening Point (Ring and Ball)AS 2341.18

Who We Work With

Atlas provides independent, third-party asphalt testing and quality assurance to a wide range of clients across the road and civil construction sector, including:

  • Road and civil construction contractors
  • Local councils and municipal authorities
  • Transport for NSW and other government agencies
  • Private developers and asset owners
  • Consulting engineers and project managers

Get in Touch

Contact our testing team to discuss your asphalt site testing requirements, PQI testing program, or to request a fee proposal. Atlas Engineering and Technology Group is available for day and night work and is committed to providing fast, accurate results that keep your project compliant with RMS R116 and TfNSW R116 requirements and on schedule.