On Friday, July 30, 2021, AASHTO released the Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, and AASHTO Provisional Standards, 41^st Edition—2021 (the “Materials Standards”). Be advised that AASHTO currently released the PDF Download version of the standards; the five-volume paperback version is being printed and will be available to purchase in September 2021.

MAJOR REVISIONS TO THE 2021 EDITION
In Fall 2020, AASHTO Publications conducted a survey of our customers who use the Materials Standards. Based on the overwhelming responses and feedback we received, we have made the following revisions to the 2021 Edition:

• First, we are returning to a single annual release of the standards, rather than three separate annual updates. The PDF Download format will be released each year in July; the paperback format will be released a few weeks later in September.

• To make it easier for users to track updates and search for specific standards, the volumes are now organized by standard type: M and R standards in one volume; T standards in another; and MP, PP, and TP standards in the third.

2021 NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS
The 2021 Edition of the Materials Standards includes 12 new and 52 revised standards.

Click here to download a Summary of 2021 New and Revised AASHTO Materials Standards, which includes the designation number, title, technical section number, and balloted revisions for each standard.

PURCHASING OPTIONS
The 2021 Materials Standards are available to purchase in three formats:

• Paperback: The paperback version will be published as a five-volume set. This format remains popular with our customers, especially those who work in the field, in our accredited labs, especially at times when internet access is not available. (The five-volume paperback version will be available to purchase in September 2021.)
• PDF Download: Customers can purchase either a single-user license or choose among several multi-user licenses—2-user, 3-user, 5-user, 10-user, or 25-user—which offer increasingly deeper price discounts per user. The PDF Downloads are fully searchable and include a fully linked table of contents, a summary of technical changes, a guide to revisions and history, a user-friendly bookmark structure, and the ability to add margin notes. Customers can also print any portion of the publication.
• Paperback + PDF Download Combo: The standards can also be purchased in a set that includes both the paperback edition and the single-user PDF Download. The set offers customers the convenience and popularity of both formats, and at a discounted price. (Once the standards are printed and released in September, this paperback/PDF Download Combo will be made available to purchase.)

AASHTO Accredited laboratories are eligible to receive an exclusive promo code to purchase the 2021 edition at the discounted AASHTO member price.  An email with more details has been sent to all applicable laboratories.  

QUESTIONS/TECHNICAL SUPPORT?

• For general questions about the Materials Standards, email the AASHTO Publications Department at aashtopublications@aashto.org.
• If you have any problems accessing your PDFs, contact AASHTO Publications Technical Support by email at support@iengineering.com or by phone at 703-722-2980, extension 301. 
• AASHTO Accreditation discount questions can be directed to info@aashtoresource.org or kswanson@aashtoresource.org.