PD 6692:2006 provides guidance on the use and application of the BS EN 12697 series of European standards which specify test methods for asphalt.
Most of the test methods for asphalt are based on national test methods from European countries, including UK test methods specified in British Standards. PD 6692 gives a description of each of these European test methods, along with guidance on their relevance and familiarity to UK users and covers the following areas:
- an overview of European Standards defining test methods for asphalts
- test methods required for testing the constituent materials
- test methods called up in several standard specifications for asphalt
- test methods called up in specific standard specifications for asphalt
- test procedures used to support called up test methods
- test methods and procedures not called up in the asphalt standards.
For test methods that are based on British Standards, only a brief description of the test method is given along with guidance about any changes that have been introduced and how they affect UK users. Some of the European test methods are similar, in part or in name, to existing British Standards. However, the differences are significant enough to necessitate a more detailed description of the test and how its implementation affects UK users.
For European test methods that are relatively new to the UK and are likely to be widely used in the future, a detailed description of the test methods is given in an attempt to anticipate the effects of the introduction of these new test procedures. Other tests, which are also unfamiliar to UK users but are not likely to be widely used in the UK, are described only for completeness.
The document is primarily aimed at potential UK users of the test methods, but it will also be of interest to all in the UK associated with the manufacture and use of asphalt throughout Europe.
