🛣️ Particle size distribution of bituminous mixtures — sieving of the aggregate recovered after extraction, PN-EN 12697-2

Construction PN-EN 12697-2

Overview

SCOPE FROM THE PKN CATALOGUE CARD, IN FULL (our translation): "This document specifies a procedure for the determination of the particle size distribution of aggregates of bituminous mixtures by sieving. The test is applicable to aggregate recovered after extraction of the binder in accordance with EN 12697-1 or EN 12697-39. NOTE Fibres, solid additives (insoluble during extraction) and (some) binder modifiers influence the test result."

THE TEST BEGINS WITH ANOTHER PART OF THE SERIES. Part 2 tests the aggregate that remains AFTER the binder has been removed, and the card indicates two ways of obtaining it: extraction according to EN 12697-1 (a separate entry in this database — soluble binder content) or according to EN 12697-39 (this part is not in the database). The result is also affected by what did not dissolve during extraction — the card explicitly lists fibres, solid additives and some binder modifiers. Other parts of the series described in this database: 12697-5 (density), 12697-6 (bulk density of specimens), 12697-8 (air voids), 12697-27 (sampling), 12697-36 (thickness of pavement) and 12697-22 (wheel tracking).

TWO EDITIONS IN THE SCOPES. The current edition (status of the card as of 23.09.2026) is PN-EN 12697-2:2025-06 in the English version (11 pages, KT 212 Road Construction and Maintenance), adopting EN 12697-2:2024 [IDT]; according to the card it replaces PN-EN 12697-2+A1:2019-12 — English version. The +A1:2019-12 edition (English version, published 10-12-2019) was withdrawn on 04-06-2025 — its card has the heading "Withdrawn and replaced by PN-EN 12697-2:2025-06"; it in turn replaced PN-EN 12697-2:2015-06, also in the English version. There is no Polish version of the +A1:2019-12 edition in the catalogue: the address of its card returns an error page (read on 23.09.2026). In accreditation scopes (measurement of 23.09.2026) the 2025-06 edition appears in 26 records, the +A1:2019-12 edition — in 20, the older 2015-06 — in 2, and the number alone without a date — in 3.

WHAT LABORATORIES COMBINE THIS STANDARD WITH. In 26 of 44 entries (at 25 of 37 laboratories), PN-EN 933-1:2012 also stands in the same row of the scope — in 11 in the same record as PN-EN 12697-2, in 15 as a separate record. This is the standard on determining the particle size distribution of aggregates by sieving (a separate entry in this database, "Sieve analysis of aggregate"). In the scopes the test is called "Particle size distribution" (Skład ziarnowy) or "Grading" (Uziarnienie), in 11 records with the range "(0 – 31.5) mm", in one "(0 – 45) mm". The subjects are bituminous mixtures, in a few records also asphalt pavements. Only 3 entries give the technique — all as "Sieving method".

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not have the text of the standard — PKN sells it. That is why WE DO NOT GIVE the set of sieves, the mass of the sample, the method of sieving or the requirements for the accuracy of the result; the card only says that it is sieving of the aggregate recovered after extraction.

THE KEY OF THE "LABORATORIES" TAB — WHY WITHOUT A COLON (measurement of 23.09.2026). The key "PN-EN 12697-2" matches by the beginning of the notation, so it also catches parts 20–29 of this series: it shows 39 laboratories / 141 entries, of which 100 entries are other parts — most of all 12697-27 (sampling) and 12697-22 (wheel tracking). There are, however, only two laboratories visible EXCLUSIVELY through other parts (AB 1211, AB 1641). Three more (AB 1414, AB 1547, AB 1549) have a record of part 2, but not at the beginning of the value — they get on the list through other parts, and they do perform the test. A colon ("PN-EN 12697-2:") would cut off the other parts, but would take away fifteen laboratories performing this test: twelve with a correct notation without a colon — ten whose record begins with "PN-EN 12697-2+A1:2019-12", and two with the number alone — and the three mentioned above, with part 2 not at the beginning of the record; the list would shrink to 22 laboratories / 26 entries. Exchanging two foreign laboratories for fifteen of our own would be a loss, so the key stays broader — for the same reason as for PN-EN 12697-1. The full scale of citations, across all forms of notation: 37 laboratories / 44 entries.

Method principle

The aggregate recovered from a bituminous mixture after removal of the binder (according to EN 12697-1 or EN 12697-39) is sieved and its particle size distribution is determined. This is how the PKN card describes the test; WE DO NOT GIVE the set of sieves, the mass of the sample and the method of sieving — they are in the text of the standard.

Applications

• Control of the grading of the aggregate in a bituminous mixture — on the aggregate recovered after extraction of the binder
• Testing of bituminous mixtures and asphalt pavements (subjects from accreditation scopes)
• Test carried out after the determination of the binder content according to PN-EN 12697-1 — the card indicates this extraction as the source of the aggregate

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12697-2:2025-06 (wersja angielska; wprowadza EN 12697-2:2024 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Mieszanki mineralno-asfaltowe — Metody badań — Część 2: Oznaczanie uziarnienia

Title (EN)

Bituminous mixtures — Test methods — Part 2: Determination of particle size distribution

Step-by-step procedure

1. Recovering the aggregate

   Remove the binder from the mixture sample according to EN 12697-1 or EN 12697-39 — this is what the scope on the card states.

2. Sieving

   Sieve the recovered aggregate. WE DO NOT GIVE the set of sieves, the sample mass and the method of sieving — they are in the text of the standard.

3. Insoluble constituents

   If the mixture contains fibres, solid additives or binder modifiers, record this with the result — the card says they influence the result.

4. Entry in the report

   State the edition: 2025-06 or +A1:2019-12 — both stand in accreditation scopes.

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• Extraction of the binder requires solvents — safety rules according to PN-EN 12697-1
• Dust formation when sieving dry aggregate — respiratory protection

Frequently asked questions