FAA P-401 field compaction testing

[ducksfan]

When taking an in-place field density testing on an FAA P-401 spec, do you use the theoretical maximum density (rice value) or the bulk specific gravity (marshall value as the others in my office call it). I have done 3 different airport jobs on the east coast and I always used the rice value in the field. One of the engineers said that was wrong since you are comparing the cores with the marshall value in the field and not the rice value. Any links would be helpful since they wont believe it unless i show them proof.

 

[ducksfan]

I should add that I am aware field testing is not for acceptance and this is more for quality control to help the contractor achieve the required compaction. This is due to a faa project currently that has issues with the air voids being below 2 percent on the cores.

 

[BigH]

What does the specification say? Is the mix design based on the Marshall and a percent thereof or is it based on the Rice Density and percent thereof. There must be a basis for the field density to be measured against and this should/must be in the specifications. The jobs I worked on overseas is for using the Marshall as the basis.