To determine the optimum asphalt content, each potential mix would be evaluated.

The process to identify the optimum percentage:

Step 1:

First, calculate the bulk density of the each compacted mixture using the formula.

Here, is the bulk density of the compacted mixture, is the mass of specimen, is

the volume of compaction mold, and is the density of water.

Then, find out the bulk density for each percent asphalt mix using the formula.

Here, is the bulk density of each possible mix.

Next, plot the bulk density against the corresponding asphalt content.

Step 2:
Plot the stability and flow against the corresponding asphalt content.
Step 3:

Calculate the bulk specific gravity of the aggregates in the paving mixture for each asphalt
percentage using the formula.

Here, are bulk specific gravities of aggregates such as fine aggregate,

coarse aggregate, and mineral filler and is the percent by weight of fine
aggregate, coarse aggregate, and mineral filler respectively, in the paving mixture
Next, find out the percent voids in the mineral aggregate for each asphalt percentage using the
formula.

Here, ​VMA​ is the percent voids in the mineral aggregate and is the aggregate by weight of
total paving mixture.
Next, plot the ​VMA​ against the corresponding asphalt content.

Step 4:
Find the maximum specific gravity of paving mixture for each asphalt percentage using
the formula.

Here, is the percent by weight of aggregates in paving mixture, is the percent by weight

of asphalt in paving mixture, is the effective specific gravity of the aggregates, and is
the asphalt specific gravity.
Calculate the percent air voids in compacted mixture for each asphalt percentage using the
formula.

Here, is the percent air voids in compacted mixture.

Then, draw the percentage asphalt versus percent air voids in compacted mixture graph.

Step 5:

The five plots are now used to determine the optimum asphalt percentage.
• Choose the highest unit weight from the plot of unit weight (bulk density) vs. asphalt
percentage.
• Choose the maximum stability from the plot of stability vs. asphalt percentage.
• Choose the air voids in compacted mixture from the plot of percentage asphalt versus percent
air voids in compacted mixture.
The optimum asphalt percentage is then determined by averaging these values. The properties
of the mix corresponding to this asphalt percentage are determined from the five plots and
compared to the given criteria.