A sample of asphalt cement is tested using a pycnometer. The following weights are recorded: Weight of empty pycnometer ($W_1$) = 35.0 g Weight of pycnometer + water at 25°C ($W_2$) = 85.0 g Weight of pycnometer + partially filled with asphalt ($W_3$) = 60.0 g Weight of pycnometer + asphalt + filled to the mark with water ($W_4$) = 86.5 g

Calculate the specific gravity of the asphalt cement.

A compacted cylindrical asphalt concrete specimen has the following properties: Bulk specific gravity of the compacted mix ($G_{mb}$) = 2.380 Theoretical maximum specific gravity of the loose mix ($G_{mm}$) = 2.490 Asphalt binder content by total weight of the mix ($P_b$) = 5.5% Bulk specific gravity of the combined aggregate ($G_{sb}$) = 2.650

Calculate the Air Voids ($V_a$), Voids in the Mineral Aggregate (VMA), and Voids Filled with Asphalt (VFA).

An asphalt sample is conditioned in a water bath at 25°C. A standard needle weighing exactly 100 grams is allowed to penetrate the sample for exactly 5 seconds.

Three tests are performed on the same sample. The needle penetrates to depths of 6.2 mm, 6.5 mm, and 6.4 mm. Determine the penetration grade of the asphalt cement.