🏗️ Determination of the water sensitivity of bituminous specimens — three methods: A — ratio of the indirect tensile strength of saturated and water-conditioned specimens to that of dry specimens (ITSR, %), B — compressive strength ratio (i/C, %), C — bonding value of the mixture 1 h after mixing; at least 6 cylindrical specimens of the same age divided into two subsets, vacuum saturation at (6,7 ± 0,3) kPa, PN-EN 12697-12

Construction PN-EN 12697-12

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN 12697-12:2018-08 (English version; scope in Polish on the card), in full (our translation): “This European Standard specifies three methods for determining the effect of saturation and accelerated water conditioning: - method A uses the indirect tensile strength of cylindrical specimens of bituminous mixtures; - method B uses the compressive strength of cylindrical specimens of bituminous mixtures; - method C determines the mass washed off a bituminous mixture 1 hour after mixing, where the adhesion of bitumen to aggregate can be equated to the value of the washed-off mass. Method C is suitable for testing a bituminous mixture with bitumen of kinematic viscosity of 4 000 mm2/s or less at 60 °C. These methods can be used to evaluate the effect of water on a bituminous mixture with or without adhesion agents, including liquids such as amines and fillers such as hydrated lime or cement”. We read the text in the sample of SIST EN 12697-12:2018 (the text of EN 12697-12:2018 without changes) from the cover to 5.3.2 a) (pages 9–10, start of conditioning of wet specimens); we do not have the rest of method A (5.3.2 b)–f), 5.4 with Table 1 of test temperatures), methods B and C, calculations, test report or precision — we know only their titles from the table of contents.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 12697-12:2018 (foreword, Clauses 1–5.3.2 a), table of contents). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 227 “Road materials”; it supersedes EN 12697-12:2008. Changes from the 2008 edition (foreword): the series title no longer makes the methods exclusively for hot mix asphalt; each method is described separately; the statement that methods A and B give the same result was deleted; the restriction of slenderness below 0,5 for method B was deleted (added as a requirement in 6.2.5); EN 12697-5 and EN 12697-7 were added, EN 1246 and EN 13108-1 deleted; compaction by impact compactor according to EN 12697-30 (2 × 50 blows) was introduced [5.2.3 b]; the tolerance for conditioning at 40 °C was changed from ± 1 °C to ± 2 °C [5.3.2 b)]; a description of determining the specimen volume for calculating the degree of swelling was added [5.3.2 e]; the conditioning temperature for soft grade bitumen was changed [5.3.2 f]; a table of recommended test temperatures for method A depending on the binder grade was added [5.4, Table 1]; a description and requirements for the compression testing machine and measuring device were added [6.1]; the tolerance of the constant load was modified and Table 2 with static compaction parameters introduced [6.2.3]. Scope (1): as on the card; method C — for soft asphalt with bitumen of kinematic viscosity at 60 °C up to 4 000 mm²/s. References (2): EN 12697-5, -6, -7, -8, -23, -27, -29, -30, -31, -32, -33. Terms (3): slenderness — height of a specimen divided by its diameter; ITS — maximum tensile stress according to EN 12697-23 from the peak load when loaded diametrically until break; ITSR — ratio of the ITS of wet (water-conditioned) specimens to that of dry specimens in percent; i/C — ratio of the compressive strength of wet to dry specimens in percent (at the test temperature and the speed of displacement of the press); water sensitivity according to method A is ITSR, according to method B — i/C; bonding value — the amount of aggregate fines and bitumen coming loose from a 1 000 g sample of mixture mixed with 1 500 ml of water in a graduated glass beaker. Principle (4): method A — a set of cylindrical specimens is divided into two equal subsets; one is kept dry at room temperature, the other is saturated and stored in water at an elevated conditioning temperature; the ITS of both is determined at a test temperature depending on the bitumen grade and the ratio is expressed in percent; method B — one subset at 50 % humidity, the other saturated and in water, compressive strength of both at 18 °C; method C — the mixture is mixed with water, the material coming loose is measured by filtering, and the result is the mass of dried fines and bitumen on the filter paper in grams. Method A — apparatus (5.1): compression testing machine with testing head and loading strips according to EN 12697-23; vacuum system reaching a residual pressure of (6,7 ± 0,3) kPa within (10 ± 1) min and maintaining it for (30 ± 5) min; vacuum container with a perforated shelf above the bottom; thermostatically controlled water bath (conditioning and test temperatures depend on the bitumen grade) with a perforated shelf on spacers, upper surfaces of the specimens more than 20 mm below the water surface; optionally a thermostatically controlled air chamber and soft plastic bags. Specimens (5.2): at least six cylindrical specimens per sample, all of the same age (prepared the same day); diameters (80 ± 2), (100 ± 3), (120 ± 3), (150 ± 3) or (160 ± 3) mm with maximum aggregate size up to 11, 22, 31,5 and 40 mm (for 150 and 160 mm) respectively; specimens moulded according to EN 12697-30, -31 or -32 or cores from a slab according to EN 12697-33 or from a layer according to EN 12697-27; compaction a) to an air void content at least equal to the highest required local value (EN 12697-8 on densities according to EN 12697-5 and -6 or -7) or b) with an energy level: impact compactor 2 × 25, 2 × 35 or 2 × 50 blows, gyratory compactor 25 or 50 gyrations, vibratory (80 ± 5) s, roller compactor 24 passes (pneumatic tyre procedure); visual examination (symmetrical, curved side even and circular); dimensions according to EN 12697-29 with the measuring points marked so that measurements can be repeated on wet specimens; bulk density according to EN 12697-6 or -7; division into two subsets with similar average height and density — difference of average heights not more than 5 mm, of densities not more than 0,015 Mg/m³; curing upright on a flat surface at (20 ± 5) °C for 16–24 h from compaction. Conditioning (5.3): dry subset upright at (20 ± 5) °C; wet subset on the shelf in the vacuum container with water at (20 ± 5) °C, water level at least 20 mm above the upper surface of the specimens — here the sample ends.

STATUS (PKN catalogue cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 12697-12:2018-08 (English version, published 22-08-2018, 22 pages, price group L) has no “Withdrawn” heading: Building and Building Structures Sector, KT 212 Road Construction and Maintenance, ICS 93.080.20, “Introduces: EN 12697-12:2018 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 12697-12:2008 – English version”. The card of PN-EN 12697-12:2008 (English version) has the “Withdrawn” heading: withdrawal date 22-08-2018, “Replaced by: PN-EN 12697-12:2018-08 – English version”. The PKN search for “PN-EN 12697-12” (02.10.2026) also shows the 2004 edition.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 02.10.2026). The number 12697-12 appears in 7 records at 7 laboratories: AB 423, AB 937, AB 1269, AB 1414, AB 1486, AB 1545, AB 1689. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 18.12.2025 to 01.07.2026) the 2018-08 edition is given by AB 1414 and AB 1689, the withdrawn 2008 edition by AB 1486 and AB 1545, both editions by AB 423, the number without year by AB 937 and AB 1269. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 12697-12”) shows 7 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA entries). Bituminous mixtures — “water sensitivity” by method A (AB 937, AB 1414 with the range 40–115 %, AB 1486, AB 1545, AB 1689), “sensitivity to water” by method A together with PN-EN 12697-23 (AB 1269), “resistance to water” by method A (AB 423). None of the seven laboratories gives methods B or C.

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Division of specimens: the two subsets must have similar average height and density (differences not more than 5 mm and 0,015 Mg/m³) — this is a condition of the division, not a recommendation (5.2.7). Age of specimens: all are prepared the same day and cured for 16–24 h (5.2.1, 5.2.8). Dimensions: the measuring points are marked so that the same dimensions are measured on the wet specimens (5.2.5). Compaction: the standard allows two ways — to an air void content at least equal to the highest required local value or with an energy level (impact, gyratory, vibratory or roller compactor) (5.2.3). Edition: the 2018 edition changed, among other things, the tolerance of conditioning at 40 °C (from ± 1 to ± 2 °C) and the temperature for soft bitumen, and added a table of test temperatures for method A — two laboratories cite only the withdrawn 2008 edition. Entry name: “resistance to water” in one scope and “sensitivity” in the others are the same standard and the same method A.

WHAT WE DO NOT STATE. We do not have 5.3.2 b)–f), 5.4 or Clauses 6–10: the temperature and duration of water conditioning, the test temperatures from Table 1, the requirements of method B (press, slenderness, static compaction parameters from Table 2) and method C, the formulae for ITSR, i/C and the washed-off mass, the content of the test report or precision data — so we do not state any of these numbers.

Method principle

A set of at least six cylindrical specimens is divided into two subsets of similar height and density; one stays dry at (20 ± 5) °C, the other is vacuum-saturated with water and conditioned in water; after conditioning the indirect tensile strength of both subsets is compared — ITSR is the ratio of the strength of the wet to the dry specimens in percent (method A; method B analogously in compression, method C — washed-off mass).

Applications

• Bituminous mixtures — evaluation of the effect of water, also with adhesion agents (amines, hydrated lime, cement); 7 laboratories in PCA scopes, all by method A
• Type testing and control of mixtures together with other parts of PN-EN 12697 (density, air voids, wheel tracking)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12697-12:2018-08 (wersja angielska; EN 12697-12:2018 IDT)

Title (PL)

Mieszanki mineralno-asfaltowe — Metody badań — Część 12: Określanie wrażliwości na wodę próbek mineralno-asfaltowych

Title (EN)

Bituminous mixtures — Test methods — Part 12: Determination of the water sensitivity of bituminous specimens

Step-by-step procedure

1. Specimens

   At least 6 cylinders prepared the same day; compaction to the required air void content or with an energy level; curing for 16–24 h at (20 ± 5) °C. PN-EN 12697-12:2018-08 current (PKN cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Dimensions, density, division

   Dimensions according to EN 12697-29 (points marked), bulk density according to EN 12697-6 or -7; two subsets with differences of average heights up to 5 mm and densities up to 0,015 Mg/m³.

3. Conditioning

   Dry subset at (20 ± 5) °C; wet subset vacuum-saturated in water at (20 ± 5) °C, then according to 5.3.2 b)–f) (outside the part we read).

4. Test

   Indirect tension of both subsets at the temperature from Table 1 (method A) according to 5.4 and EN 12697-23 — outside the part we read.

5. Result

   ITSR in percent — ratio of the ITS of wet to dry specimens (we do not have the formula from Clause 8).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The standard contains no safety warnings in the part we read; the laboratory sets the rules for working with the press and the vacuum system
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the two subsets must have similar average height and density (5.2.7), and all specimens the same age (5.2.1)

Frequently asked questions