EVALUATION OF THE LABORATORY ASPHALT STABILITY TEST

The Laboratory Asphalt Stability Test (LAST) was proposed by the researchers of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 9-10 as a possible new method to evaluate the storage stability of modified asphalts. The test involved exposing the binders with and without mechanical agitation at elevated temperatures for extended lengths of time to assess the thermal stability of the binders. The Federal Highway Administration was assigned the responsibility for evaluating the LAST. The task involved (a) procuring a commercial version of the LAST, (b) correcting perceived deficiencies, and (c) evaluating the test method thoroughly.