Interlaboratory Study and Precision Statement for AASHTO T 336 Test Method

Abstract

With the recent release of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software, there will be a greater emphasis on measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of concrete because of its significance on predicted distress and design life. The most widely used test method to measure the CTE of concrete is the AASHTO T 336 test method. Data are presented from an interlaboratory (round robin) study conducted by FHWA; this study included 20 CTE units and laboratories representing FHWA, state highway agencies, universities, commercial testing laboratories, and the concrete paving industry. As part of the study, each laboratory tested nine concrete specimens (three concrete mixtures 3 three specimens per mixture) that spanned the typical range of CTE values for concrete. On the basis of this interlaboratory study for the AASHTO T 336 test method, the within-laboratory single operator standard deviation was found to be 0.12 mstrain/°C and the between-laboratory standard deviation was found to be 0.28 mstrain/°C. Data from the study also showed that there was no statistically significant difference between custom-built CTE devices versus commercially available testing devices. This demonstrates the ruggedness of the current test method.