Systems & methods for automating asphalt mix design

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for automating asphalt mix design by running one or more tests on the mix design using computer controlled equipment; digitally collecting data for each run using the computer controlled equipment; and selecting an optimum mix based on the collected data.

1 . A method for automating mix design, comprising: 
 running one or more tests on the mix design using computer controlled equipment;    digitally collecting data for each run using the computer controlled equipment; and    selecting an optimum mix based on the collected data.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising turning on a communication port.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting an operating mode.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the equipment is a gyratory compactor, further comprising capturing a specimen height for each gyration from the gyratory compactor.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising turning off the gyratory compactor upon reaching a predetermined gyration value.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising turning off the communication port.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising loading a second specimen.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising uploading data to a computer.  
   
   
       9 . A method for asphalt mix design, comprising: 
 running one or more tests on the mix design using computer controlled equipment;    digitally collecting data from the computer controlled equipment; and    selecting an optimum mix based on the collected data.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the equipment is a gyratory compactor, further comprising: 
 turning on a communication port;    selecting an operating mode;    capturing a specimen height for each gyration from the gyratory compactor; and    turning off the gyratory compactor upon reaching a predetermined gyration value.    
   
   
       11 . A system, comprising: 
 a gyratory compactor; and    a computer coupled to the gyratory compactor, the computer having computer readable code to run one or more tests on the mix design using the gyratory compactor; digitally collect data for each gyration from the gyratory compactor; and select an optimum mix based on the gyration data.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising code to turn on a communication port.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising code to select a real-time mode or an import mode.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising capturing a specimen height for each gyration from the gyratory compactor.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising code to turn off the gyratory compactor upon reaching a predetermined gyration value.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising code to turn off the communication port.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the gyratory compactor sequentially receives one or more specimen.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising code to upload gyratory data to a computer.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the code to receive one or more material properties further comprises code to turn on the gyratory compactor.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mix comprises a Superpave mix.