Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)

Anton Paar USA Smartpave 102 Modular Compact Rheometer or approved DEMONSTRABLE
equal

Specifications for Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) System for Research and AASHTO T 315 Testing

The DSR shall meet all requirements set forth in the most current versions of AASHTO T 315 Standard
Test Method for Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
Rheometer (DSR), and AASHTO T 350 Test Method for Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) of
Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer. In addition, the DSR shall be new and of research
quality and meet the following requirements:

1. The DSR shall be supplied with all ancillaries, such as air filters, hoses etc., necessary for
operation.

2. All instrument calibration equipment - temperature (wafer and digital thermometer) AND
TORQUE calibration equipment and any training necessary for its use will be included in bid. Any
equipment already in the laboratory that can be used for torque or temperature calibration may
be deemed acceptable, at MNDOTs discretion.

3. The DSR shall affect temperature control using a lower Peltier controlled plate AND upper Peltier
controlled hood enclosure for testing over the temperature range of -30C to +120C. Systems
providing temperature control of the upper test plate via electrical resistance heating, fluid
circulator cooling, vortex chiller cooling, or LN2 cooling will NOT be considered. One Peltier
controlled lower plate and one Peltier controlled upper hood enclosure shall be provided.
Vendors bidding shall include in their bid proposal engineering data verifying that the sample
temperature, as measured at two locations axially within the measuring gap and two locations
radially with the measuring gap, is within the allowable 0.1C tolerance throughout the gap.
The data may be in tabular and/or graphical format and must cover the range from -30C to
+120C.

4. The DSR shall have automatic recognition of upper test plates and chambers which transmits the
model and serial number of each component to the control system via computer software. The
precise plate diameter of each upper plate must also be transmitted via the automatic
recognition system. The information automatically sent to the software shall include, at
minimum: plate name, plate serial number, exact plate diameter, coefficient of thermal
expansion of plate, and operating temperature range of the plate and/or chamber. The user shall
not need to enter any details regarding the upper test plates geometry or serial number in the
DSR software. Automatic recognition system should not require special placement or rotational
motion of the upper measuring systems for detection. DSR software shall actively use the upper
measuring system information real time preventing need for user to load a measuring system file
prior to the test based upon the measuring gap to be used. The DSR must have automatic
detection and test abort when measuring systems or chambers not designed for use with a
 particular template are installed. The DSR shall be delivered with these (and the others in this
bid spec where applicable) capabilities and demonstrated during installation.

5. The DSR upper and lower test plates shall be serialized via permanently machined etching of
traceable serial numbers on each upper and lower test plate. Each test plate shall be delivered
with documentation of precise plate diameters as required by AASHTO T 315. One set of 8mm
and 25mm upper and lower test plates shall be provided unless geometries already in the
laboratory are exactly suitable for the new instrument, at MNDOTs discretion.

6. The DSR shall utilize a quick connect system which provides quick-connect coupling of the upper
test plate to the instrument. The quick connect coupling system shall be of design such that re-
zeroing of the gap is not necessary after upper test plate removal for cleaning. Systems utilizing a
screw-on mechanism or draw rod for affixing upper test plates will NOT be considered.

7. The DSR shall be provided with a PT100 PRT temperature calibration device (wafer) which
integrates directly with the DSR to perform automatic temperature calibrations via the DSR
software. The temperature calibration device shall be delivered with a traceable certificate of
calibration which meets the full reporting requirements of AASHTO T 315 showing calibration in
6C increments from 4C to 88C. The temperature calibration device shall not require use of a
multi-meter and must be capable of being sent to a certified calibration laboratory, or rheometer
manufacturer, for traceable calibration. Temperature calibration must be conducted with no user
interaction covering at least 21 temperatures. Vendors shall include in their bid a sample of the
exact certification of calibration supplied with the temperature calibration wafer proposed in
their offer.

8. The DSR shall perform an automated temperature calibration over the entire AASHTO T 315
range AND with no human interaction to generate the temperature calibration parameters,
archive calibration, and apply parameters during testing. At least 21 calibration temperatures
must be permitted in the automated calibration routine and utilized in calculation the
temperature offsets as required by AASHTO calibration requirements. The DSR software shall
provide a temperature calibration report in a format compliant to AMRL/ASTM accreditation
requirements. The DSR shall be delivered with these capabilities. Vendors shall include in their
bid proposal a sample of the exact temperature calibration report provided by their DSR
software.

9. The DSR zero gap and measuring gap setting shall be completely automatic and accomplished via
the DSR software. The DSR shall come equipped with automatic gap control, which corrects the
measuring gap based on temperature changes.

10. The DSR shall have a commercially available Peltier controlled concentric cylinder (cup and bob)
chamber with temperature gradient within the sample not more than 0.1C and including a
traceable PT100 PRT temperature calibration device (wafer) which integrates directly with the
DSR to perform automatic temperature calibrations via the DSR software. This chamber shall be
 available for the DSR at the time of bidding. Vendors shall include in their bid proposal a
brochure and/or specification sheet showing a photo of such a concentric cylinder chamber, the
temperature calibration sensor for use in the cup and bob configuration, technical specifications
and available measuring system geometries. Additionally, the vendor shall include in their bid
engineering data verifying that the sample temperature, as measured at two locations axially
within the measuring gap and two locations radially with the measuring gap, is within the
allowable 0.1C tolerance throughout the gap.

11. The DSR shall have a commercially available convection oven for testing over the temperature
range of -100C to +300C for use with torsion bar fixtures, parallel plate fixtures, and extensional
rheology fixtures. This chamber shall be available for the DSR at the time of bidding and the
vendors bid propose shall include a brochure with photo and specifications of such a convection
oven.

12. DSR shall have software that can be used for Research applications (frequency sweeps, strain
sweeps etc.) as well as Quality Control operations.

13. The DSR shall include onsite installation and training at purchasers location. Installation is to
include a full AASHTO compliant temperature calibration at 21 temperatures and torque
calibration verification using Cannon N2700000SP standard.

14. Vendor shall have available a loaner dynamic shear rheometer for use during down time to
exceed five working days. Loaner system shall be provided a no charge, except shipping, during
the two year warranty period and for a nominal week rental rate plus shipping outside the
warranty period.

15. The DSR shall be delivered within thirty days of award and installation and training shall occur
within forty days of award.

16. DSR shall operate on MS Windows 7 or later software.

17. The DSR shall include a comprehensive TWO year warranty. The warranty shall cover all parts
and labor costs. Any necessary warranty service shall be performed on-site or the supplier shall
assume all shipping costs.

18. The DSR provider must PROVE all above specifications before installation (or at the latest upon
installation) or instrument will be returned at suppliers expense and the order will be
cancelled.

19. Bid MUST include one AASHTO compliant Preventative Maintenance visit by trained instrument
service personnel to be used within the 2 year warranty period. All measurements and
documentation of AASHTO T315 compliancy will be provided in a report as part of the visit.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Bidders are advised that they must provide with the bid sufficient documentation, specifications,
drawings, etc. to allow the agency to evaluate the offered apparatus for conformance to these
specifications and requirements. Failure to provide said documentation may result in that bid
being rejected.

Bidders are further advised that a demonstration of the apparatus bid may be required by the
agency prior to the award to determine compliance. If required, the demonstration shall be in the
Minneapolis-St Paul Metropolitan Area. Bidders are advised to carefully read spec sheet to
ensure your instrument meets the above requirements before bidding.

NOTE TO PURCHASING AGENT

This is a highly technical instrument with some critical requirements. We would like to examine
low bid for compliance with the specifications prior to award and to arrange a demonstration (if
necessary).