The Marshall method is widely used to design and check hot-mix bituminous paving mixes. Cylindrical specimens are compacted with a standard hammer, conditioned in a water bath, and then loaded to failure in a Marshall test frame.
Stability and flow
The maximum load the specimen carries is its stability. The deformation at that load is the flow value. Together with density and void calculations, these numbers help choose the right bitumen content for a mix.
Equipment involved
A basic setup includes compaction moulds and hammer, a specimen extractor, a breaking head, a load frame with proving ring or load cell, and a flow meter. Digital versions record load and flow automatically.
