Job Mix Formula (JMF) Tool Instructions

About the JMF Tool

About the JMF Tool

The JMF Verification Tool is a web-based application developed by the California Department of Transportation, Materials Engineering & Testing Services (METS) for contractors to electronically submit JMF proposals and design data and for the ability to verify JMF submittals for Caltrans District Labs.

Benefits

The JMF Verification Tool provides a centralized database for automating JMF verification of test results. Being web based allows Contractors and Caltrans to have access to statewide JMF data. By expanding DIME to include the tests required for JMF verification we can provide statewide consistency in test records and allow stakeholders an efficient means to view real-time test data.

The JMF Tool is designed to accommodate HMA mix designs for Type A HMA, RHMA-G, OGFC BWC-G, Type AHMA for Bridge Decks and Type A HMA Minor. Sample and test result data submitted through this tool are stored in DIME (Data Interchange for Materials Engineering) and are available for sharing and analysis there.

General Instructions

Login and Account Registration

Login to the Job Mix Formula (JMF) tool using your Data Interchange for Materials Engineering (DIME) login username and password. If you do not have a DIME account you must first create one by visiting the DIME login page and following the instructions found on that page to have an account created for you.

After logging in to the JMF tool, you can view the labs you are associated with by clicking on your name in the top-right side of the navigation section. To switch to a different organization, simply click on the name of the organization in the list. You can confirm which organization account you are accessing by looking at the message toward the top of the main content section.

JMF Dashboard

The JMF Dashboard is your landing page that lets you see the most current data related to your HMA Mix Designs and JMF Submittals. There are 4 major sections of the dashboard:

Quick Stats
Displays graphs representing data related to your JMF submittal acceptance ratio as well as the number of JMF submittals submitted per month.
HMA Mix Designs
This section displays the most recently created or modified HMA Designs by your organization. Clicking the button toward the top of the section will guide you in starting a new HMA mix design. The list is filterable if you are searching for a particular mix design.
JMF Submittals
This section shows the most recent JMF submittals (CEM-3511) submitted by your organization.
Quick Links
The two sections at the bottom of the dashboard page display the most recently accessed JMF Submittals and HMA Mix Designs.

Submitting a new HMA Mix Design (CEM-3512)

From the JMF Dashboard page, click on the "Start new HMA Design" button at the top of the HMA Mix Design section.

To start a new HMA Mix design, select the HMA Producer Information, the HMA Qualified Laboratory Information, the Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Information and optionally provide notes for this HMA mix design. If the HMA Producer or the HMA Qualified Lab is not listed — or any information is incorrect — please contact the Caltrans Materials Administrator.

After clicking the "Next" button, you will be brought to a page that allows you to input sample and test result data for your proposed HMA mix design.

Each section is listed along the left side. You may navigate from one section to the next or jump around. The entered data is automatically saved for your convenience and lets you pick up where you left off if you have to step away from the data input process.

Entering Sample Information

Each section related to mix design component materials will contain a button that allows you to create a new sample. Simply click on the "Create.." button and enter basic information about the sampled material in the pop-up box.

Entering Test Results

Once a sample is created, you will have the option to enter results for QC tests performed on the sample. Each input page is different depending on the material type, but each test designated for the material will have at least one button labeled "Enter Data" on the page. Clicking on the button will display a pop-up box. Simply fill in the QC test results and click the "Save" button. The pop-up will close, and the appropriate data will be populated automatically on the form. Continue until you have all test results entered for all material types.

Submit a New JMF (CEM-3511)

After all data for your HMA Mix Design is ready, you may submit a proposal to Caltrans to use that HMA mix on a Caltrans project.

To start a new JMF Submittal, either click the "New Submittal" link next to the HMA Mix Design on the dashboard or click the "New Submittal" at the top of the HMA Mix Design input page.

First, review some basic information related to the JMF and click "Create JMF Submittal" to begin the submittal process.

You will be brought to a page that allows you to specify information required in the JMF submittal process. The navigation down the left side of the page will guide you through the process. Click on a tab to view a section and enter the required information in each section.

Once all required information is entered, click on the "Submit" tab to provide final information to send your proposal to Caltrans for verification. Choose which project personnel to send the submittal to. You may add recipients to the list as necessary. Sign the submittal with your mouse (or finger on mobile devices) and click the "Submit to Caltrans". You will see a confirmation message once the JMF submittal is received in the system.

Data Interchange for Materials Engineering (DIME) Integration

All sample and test result data entered in the JMF tool will be stored in the Data Interchange for Materials Engineering (DIME) system as well. For your convenience, the HMA Mix Design input page contains a tab that is labeled "Sample and Test Summary" that contains links to all samples and test results on DIME.

Please visit DIME for more information.

Appendices

Appendix A - Required Samples/Test Results for a Given Mix Design

Type A Hot Mix Asphalt

Aggregate Gradation
Create a sample for each aggregate gradation bin provided in the CEM-3512. For example, if there are 3 bin sizes identified in CEM-3512 (Bin 1: 3/4”, Bin 2: 3/8” and Bin 3: Plant Sand) you would need to create a separate DIME sample for each bin. From there you would input AASHTO T27 test data for each sample.
Aggregate Quality
Create an additional aggregate sample to provide your Aggregate Quality test results, AASHTO T335, T96, T176, T304, T85, T84, ASTM D4791, and CT 204. If any Project Specified Aggregate Quality Characteristics are specified for testing, they would be included on this sample as well (e.g. AASHTO T104, T210, CT 227).
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
Create 6 reclaimed asphalt pavement samples. 3 samples would have its own set of tests, AASHTO T164, T30 and T209. The other 3 samples would have their own sets of tests, AASHTO T308 and T30.
Asphalt Binder
Create 1 binder sample. The binder sample requires 2 test results, AASHTO T228 and T315.
Lime (if applicable)
Create 1 lime sample and provide 1 test result, AASHTO T27.
Liquid Antistrip (if applicable)
Create 1 antistrip sample and provide 1 test result, ASTM D2074.
Warm Mix Asphalt (if applicable)
Create 1 warm mix asphalt (WMA) sample. No test data is required for WMA.
Asphalt Modifier (if applicable)
Create 1 sample of asphalt modifier and provide results for 3 tests, ASTM D445, D92, D2007.
Hot Mix Asphalt
Create 1 hot mix asphalt (HMA) sample for your Hot Mix Asphalt Design Data test results, AASHTO T308, T275, T209, T269, T283 (plant produced material) and T324 (plant produced material.

Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt (RHMA) Gap Graded

The same requirements for Type A Hot Mix Asphalt, excluding RAP, should be followed with the addition of the following samples:

Crumb Rubber Modifier
Create 1 sample of crumb rubber modifier and provide results for 3 tests, CT 385, 208, and ASTM D297.
Asphalt Rubber Binder Design and Profile
Create 1 sample of asphalt rubber binder and provide results for 4 tests, ASTM D217, D5329, D36 and D7741.

Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC)

The same requirements for Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt Gap Graded, excluding RAP and Hot Mix Asphalt, should be followed.