What is BS EN 12697-45 about?  
BS EN 12697- 45 is the 45th part in the multi-series of European standard that discusses bituminous mixtures.
BS EN 12697-45 specifies a test method to assess the durability of adhesion in base and binder course asphalt mixtures. The Saturation Ageing Tensile Stiffness (SATS) conditioning regime is used to age the specimens in the presence of water. A comparative test for assessing their performance before and after conditioning is also conducted.
The applicability of this test method is limited to bituminous specimens with consistent air voids contents and hard binder, in particular, to asphalt concrete mixtures with a binder content between 3,5 % and 5,5 %, air voids contents between 6 % and 10 % and 10/20 pen hard paving grade bitumen.
Who is BS EN 12697-45 for? 
BS EN 12697-45 on SATS conditioning test is relevant to: 
- Manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous mixtures and asphalt
- Asphalt refining plants
- Suppliers of construction materials
- Construction and civil engineers
- Contractors
- Road maintenance authorities
Why should you use BS EN 12697-45?  
The SATS test's sensitivity to various aggregates, fillers, binders, volumetric proportions, and combination types has been evaluated. The findings reveal that the SATS test can distinguish between different asphalt mixture combinations in terms of moisture resistance.
The test method given in BS EN 12697-45 is designed to provide a screening test for the assessment of a combination of aggregate, filler, and additives for lean/stiff base and binder course mixtures in terms of retained adhesion capabilities during simulated ageing in a wet atmosphere. The SATS test, a novel combined ageing/moisture damage laboratory test that can help you estimate the moisture damage of a variety of UK asphalt mixtures, is described in the test procedure.
These provisions are given in BS EN 12697-45 to help you maintain quality and performance of construction materials. Aside from that, it helps differentiate between different asphalt mixture combinations in terms of moisture resistance, thereby aid in selection of right materials for your construction needs.
