STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 General:

All over the world aggregates bound with bitumen are conventionally used in construction and
maintenance of surface course of a flexible pavement. The surface course normally comprises of
bituminous mixtures comprising of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and filler heated to suitable
temperature, mixed thoroughly with heated bitumen at required viscosity and then compacted.
Bituminous concrete (BC) is a well graded mixture containing coarse aggregate , fine aggregate,
filler, and bitumen of total mass of mix. One of the major concerns of mix design of bituminous
mix is the type and amount of filler used which may affect the performance of the mix. Various
studies have been conducted to study the properties of mineral filler, generally the material
passing 0.075mm IS sieve, to evaluate its effect on performance of asphalt paving mixture in
terms of consistency, void filling, Marshall Stability and mix strength.
Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS) is a byproduct from the blast-furnaces used for
the manufacture iron and steel industries. At places around such plants, GGBS is not only
abundantly available, it finds little use, for which it creates serious waste disposal problems.
Hence, in this study, an attempt has been made to explore the use of GGBS, which is mostly
passing 0.075 mm sieve and has been considered to be filler in bituminous paving mixes by
studying various fundamental engineering properties.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

CHAPTER-2
MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY

2.1 Material Used:

2.1.1 Aggregates:

Coarse aggregates consisting of 20mm, 12mm, 6mm down IS sieve and stone dust collected
from a local source are used. The specific gravity of aggregates and various results on physical
properties found in the laboratory are tabulated in Table 1. The standard specifications as per
MORTH (Table 500-18) are also mentioned.

Table 1: Physical Properties of aggregates

Requirement as
Sl. Test
Name of Test per Table 500-
No. Results Specification
18 of MORTH
1 Impact Test 22.70% Max 24% IS: 2386 Part IV
2 Crushing Test 19.70% Max 30% IS: 2386 Part IV
Combined Flakiness and IS: 2386 Part I
3 19.30% Max 35%
elongation
4 Water absorption 0.50% Max 2% IS: 2386 Part III
5 Los Angeles abrasion test 17% Max 30% IS: 2386 Part IV
6 Specific Gravity test 2.71 IS: 2386 Part III
6.a 20 mm passing 2.66
6.b 12 mm passing 2.68
6.c 6 mm passing 2.7
6.d Dust 2.72

Fine aggregate comprises of stone dusts with fractions passing 4.75 mm and retained on 0.075
mm IS sieve were collected from a local crusher. Its specific gravity is as mentioned in table-1.
In order to explore the use of GGBS a very fine waste product of blast furnace slag from
manufacture of iron in bituminous paving mix, the same collected from local source has been

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

used. For comparison point of view, stone dust collected from local sources has also been used in
this study. The specific gravity of GGBS is taken as standard value of 2.85.

Aggregate gradation was determined by conducting the sieve analysis test for different sizes. The
obtained and required gradation as per MORTH is as shown in table 2. The code confirming to
the sieve analysis is IS: 5421-1981.

GRADATION CHART

120

100

80 HIGHER+'Gradation of BC'!
$23:$23 LIMIT
APERCENTAGE FINER 60 LOWER LIMIT
Obtained
40

20

0
0.01 0.1 1 10 100

SIEVE SIZE

Figure 1: Gradation Chart.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Table 2: Required gradation for the mix.

Required Gradation as per table

Obtained
500-19 of MORTH
100 100
93.268 90-100
78.1 59-79
69.48 52-72
36.56 35-55
28.014 28-44
22.794 20-34
19.43 15-27
15.486 10-20
9.106 5.0-13
4.64 2.0-8

2.1.2 Bitumen:

Bitumen grade confirming to viscosity grade (VG) 10, has been used as the bitumen for the
purpose of preparation of bituminous mixtures. The important physical properties are as
mentioned in table-3.

Table-3: Physical Properties of Bitumen

Property Test method Value

Penetration at 25o C(mm) IS:1203-1978 108
Flash Point (o C) IS:1205-1978 225
Fire Point (o C) IS:1205-1978 236
Specific Gravity IS:1202-1978 1.03
Ductility Value(cm) IS:1208-1978 100+

2.2 Preparation of Mix Specimens:

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

The samples for bituminous concrete mixtures were prepared at different bitumen contents for
the filler used. The mixture with stone dust was considered to be control specimens. The
optimum bitumen content for each type of filler in bituminous concrete mix was done as per the
normal procedure.

CHAPTER-3

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

TEST PROGRAM

3.1 Marshall Test:

Marshall Test is a simple and low cost standard laboratory test adopted all over the world for
design and evaluation of bituminous mixtures. This test has been fundamentally used in this
study to evaluate the different mixture at different bitumen contents and the parameters
considered are stability, flow value, unit weight, air voids, voids in mineral aggregates, voids
filled with bitumen. The optimum bitumen content was selected to have maximum stability,
maximum unit weight and median allowable limits for flow. The average of bitumen content
corresponding to these three parameters is selected as optimum bitumen content. All the Marshall
criteria of the mixes at OBC are checked with respect to the same given in MORTH. Although
Marshall Method is essentially empirical, it is useful in comparing mixtures under specific
conditions.

3.1.1 Steps involved:

1. Grading of commercially available Mineral Aggregate
2. Proportioning of Mineral Aggregate Blend
3. Preparation of Marshall Specimens
4. Testing of Marshall Test Specimens
Bulk Density
Stability
Flow
5. Computation of Percent Air Voids in Compacted Mix
6. Computation of Percent voids in Mineral Aggregates filled by Binder
7. Computation of Optimum Binder Content
8. Checking Specification Values at Optimum Binder Content

Standard design parameters of Marshall Stability test (as per MORTH):

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

i. Number of Blows : 75
ii. Minimum Marshall Stability, (kg) : 900
iii. Marshall Flow, (mm) : 2-4
iv. Voids in Compacted Mix, (%) : 3-6
v. Voids in Mineral Aggregate filled by Bitumen, (%) : 65-75
vi. Water Sensitivity, Loss of stability on immersion in water at 600C : Min 80%

3.2 Marshall Properties

To find the optimum bitumen content two specimens for each combination having bitumen
content in the order 4.75%, 5%, 5.25%, 5.5%, 5.75% and 6% were prepared and the average of
these results has been reported. The results of Marshall Tests have been presented in Figures 2 to
7, in which the variations of Marshall Properties with respect to bitumen contents considered in
this study are shown.

Stability
1325
1300
1275
1250
1225
1200
1175
1150
1125
1100
1075
1050
1025
1000
4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6

Figure 2: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and stability (kg).

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Flow
4.80

4.70

4.60

4.50

4.40

4.30

4.20

4.10

4.00
4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6 6.25

Figure 3: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and flow (mm).

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Bulk density
2.38

2.37

2.36

2.35

2.34

2.33

2.32

2.31

2.30
4.5 4.7 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.7 5.9 6.1

Figure 4: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and bulk density (g/cc).

Air Voids
8.00
7.50
7.00
6.50
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
4.5 4.75 5 5.25 5.5 5.75 6 6.25

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Figure 5: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and air voids (%).

Voids Filled Bitumen

79.00
77.00
75.00
73.00
71.00
69.00
67.00
65.00
63.00
61.00
59.00
57.00
55.00
4.5 4.7 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.7 5.9 6.1

Figure 6: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and voids filled with bitumen (VFB) (%).

VMA
18.50

18.00

17.50

17.00

16.50

16.00

15.50
4.7 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.5 5.7 5.9 6.1

Figure 7: Relation b/w bitumen percentage and voids in mineral aggregates (VMA) (%).

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

From the above charts:

Maximum stability at 5.5% bitumen

Maximum bulk density at 5.5% bitumen &
Maximum flow at 5.3% bitumen.

Therefore, the obtained optimum binder content (OBC) is the average of the above three values.
OBC = 5.43%

3.3 Marshall Test with GGBS as Filler:

As the optimum bitumen content is selected as 5.43% the test mix is prepared by replacing stone
dust with GGBS in the order of 10%, 20%, 30% & 40% to find optimum GGBS content. The test
results are tabulated below in table-5. The variations of Marshall Properties are shown from
figures 8 to 13.

5.4

5.35

5.3

OBC
5.25

5.2

5.15
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 8: Relation b/w percentage of GGBS and OBC.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Stability
1450
1400
1350
1300
Stability 1250

1200
1150
1100
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 9: Relation b/w percentage of GGBS and stability (kg).

Flow
5.3

5.1

4.9

FLOW 4.7
4.5

4.3

4.1
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 10: Relation b/w percentage of GGBS and flow (mm).

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Density

Density

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 11: Relation b/w percentage of GGBS and density (g/cc).

VFB
95
90
85
80

VFB 75
70
65
60
55
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 12: Relation b/w percentage and voids filled with bitumen (%).

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

Air Voids
8
7
6
5

VOIDS 4
3
2
1
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

% of GGBS

Figure 13: Relation b/w percentage of GGBS and air voids (%).

CHAPTER-4
RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Stability reaches maximum at 30% GGBS content due to decrease of compressive stress
subsequently. Flow value reaches minimum at 10% and then increases. Density increases and
then decreases with GGBS content, at the range of 20%-30% voids are filled to maximum extent.
For a desirable pavement, voids should be minimum. At 20%-30% range of GGBS % total voids
are minimum. With increase of GGBS, requirement of bitumen is more from figure-12, but it is
not desirable. Hence, we can say 30% GGBS content is optimum.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

CHAPTER-5
CONCLUSION

From the above study we adopt 5.23% of bitumen content as optimum for BC-I. Marshall
Properties of 20-30% of GGBS content are within desirable limits for 5.23% of bitumen content.
30% of GGBS content gives best results. So we can adopt 30% of replacement of GGBS as
optimum.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

REFERENCES

[1] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Specifications for Road and Bridge works.
Indian Road Congress, New Delhi, 5th edition.
[2] B.Durga Priyanka, P.V.Ajay Kumar, K.Dedeepya, A.Shabuddin and S.Krishna Rao, Use of
fly ash as mineral filler for bituminous paving mixes, IJRET: International Journal of
Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308.

[3] Ajay Kumar and Anil Kumar Chhotu, Experimental Investigation of Bituminous Mixes
Using Fly Ash as Filler Material, Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental
Technology
Print ISSN: 2349-8404; Online ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 1, Number 6;
August, 2014.

[4] Ravindra Tomar, R K Jain and M K Kostha, Effect of fillers on bituminous paving
mixes, international journal of engineering research and science & technology, ISSN 2319-
5991 www.ijerst.com Vol. 2, No. 4, November 2013.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.

STUDY ON USE OF GGBS AS FILLER MATERIAL IN BC-I MIX

[5] Debashish Kar, Mahabir Panda and Jyoti Prakash Giri, influence of fly-ash as a filler in
bituminous mixes, ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, VOL. 9, NO. 6, JUNE
2014 ISSN 1819-6608.

[6] Highway Materials and pavement testing laboratory manual by Dr.S.K. Khanna , Dr.
C.E.G. Justo and Dr. A. Veeraragavan.

BMSCE, Dept. of Civil Engg.