PAVEMENT

MATERIALS AND
CHARACTERIZATION
CE 342

Reference
Principles of Transportation Engineering by Partha

Chakroborty & Animesh Das (1st Edn) Chapter 10,

Pavement material and Characterization
http://training.ce.washington.edu/
Except such slides

Dont worry, only slides will

suffice
Take down notes in class to add to the referred chapter

and slides. Only slides or chapter alone will not suffice

2

SOIL

SOIL
Soils are originated from the weathering of

rocks. Roads are supported over soils and

sometimes are the ingredient of the base and
sub base layer.
Some parameters are: Resilient Modulus
Dynamic triaxial testing
Poissons Ratio
Permeability
Some tests include, shear test, triaxial, CBR, Plate load

tests.
4

STONE
AGGREGATES

INTRODUCTION TO AGGREGATES
Three types of origin igneous, sedimentary

metamorphic.
Used in bound and unbound conditions.
Sources
Natural sand and gravel deposits
Crushed rocks
Slag
Artificial and processed material
Recycled and waste material

 Terminologies
Fine aggregates. Between #4 and #200
Coarse aggregates. >#4
Pit run. Aggregate from sand/ gravel pit
with no processing
Crushed gravel. Pit gravel through crusher,
breaking to smaller size particles
Crushed rock. Aggregate from crushing of
bed rock, all particles angular.

 Screening. Chip or powder produced in

crushing.
Concrete sand. Washed to remove dust or
fines
Fines. Silt/ clay finer than #200, undesirable
impurities.

TESTS ON AGGREGATES
Philosophies are: Strength. Sufficiently strong to bear traffic loads

without crushing. Stronger in upper layers.

Hardness. Continuous wear and tear under
wheel loads and get rubbed with each other;
known as abrasion and attrition.
Toughness. Ability to sustain impact loading due
to moving vehicles during service period.
Durability. Gradual deterioration because of
exposure to environment. Aggregates should be
sound.
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Shape. Dependant on parent rocks from where

crushed angular and rounded. Angular and

rounded preferred over elongated and flakey.
Adhesion to bitumen. Aggregates show various
degrees of electrostatic attraction toward water
and bitumen. Higher affinity with water will lead
to stripping of the aggregates from bitumen
leading to failure of the mix.

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 Specific Gravity and Water

Absorption of Course Aggregates

Concept of different specific gravities
A and B and C as opposite
G Bulk = A / (B-C)
G Apparent = A / (A-C)
G SSD =B / (B-C)
G Effective (later)
WA
=(B-A) x 100 /A
(Water absorption )
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Aggregate Specific Gravities or RD

GA Apparent SG
GB Bulk SG
GSSD Saturated Surface Dry SG

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Specific Gravity of Fine Aggregates

Pycnometer (flask) is used
Mass of dry sand = A
Mass of pycnometer +water = B
Mass of pycnometer + water+ sand
Mass of moist sand = 500 g
WA%
= {(500 A) / A} x 100
G Apparent = A / (A +B C)
G Bulk = A / (500 +B C)
G SSD = 500 / (500 +B C)

=C

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 Descriptive Tests
Particle Shape Classification

Rounded
Irregular
Flaky
Angular
Elongated
Flaky and elongated

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Surface Texture

Glassy
Smooth
Granular
Rough
Crystalline
Honey combed and porous

Significance. Classify aggregates and

relative guidance to internal friction
properties.
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AGGREGATE GRADATION
How different from soil gradation?

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Sieve Designation
Metric

Traditional

75 mm

63 mm

50 mm

37.5 mm

25 mm

19 mm

12.5 mm

9.5 mm

3/8

4.75 mm

No 4

2.36 mm

No 8

1.18 mm
600 m

No 16
No 30

300 m

No 50

150 m

No 100

75 m

No200

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Specifications
Sample Speci.
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100 25mm
97
65
36
7
0

19mm

A small amount either larger or

smaller than the specified size is

allowed
12.5m Aggregate required 19mm -4.75 mm

9.5m
m

Nominal max size 19mm

Nominal minimum size 4.75mm

Max 100% & Min 90% must pass

19mm, 100% passing next higher

sieve ie 25mm
4.75m Min 0% & Max 10% passing 4.75mm

m
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 Significance of aggregate gradation

Most important in specifications, direct
influence on quality. Maximum
controversies.
Segregation problem. Remedy costly?
Dense bituminous surfacing - Stability
depends upon denseness. Power grading.
In WBM, stability depends upon interlocking.
Variation in grading affects binder quantity.
Affects uniformity and workability. E.g. Use
in PCC reduces quantity of water thus
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increasing strength.

BITUMINOUS
MATERIAL

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ASPHALT SPECIFICATIONS
Penetration graded
Viscosity Graded
Performance Graded (PG)

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Viscosity, Pa s
10
5

1
.5
.3
.2
.1

Compaction Range 2.8 0.3 poise

Mixing Range 1.70.2 poise
100

110

120

130

140

150 160

170 180 190 200

Temperature, C

Mixing/Compaction Temps
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Temperature susceptibility
Rate of change in material properties with a change in
temperature) can be estimated by determining the
penetration at two (or more) temperatures. The most
common are 4 and 25 oC
Next figure highlights one of the major problems with the

penetration grading system. For example, three sources

of asphalt can have the same penetration at 25 oC but
decidedly different properties above and below this
temperature.
This helps explain the differences in observed pavement
performances even though the same penetration grade
of asphalt is specified.
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Penetration, 0.1 mm

Medium
Low

High
25C (77F)
Temperature

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TESTS ON ASPHALTS
Lab Work in progress
Specific Gravity of Asphalt

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BITUMINOUS
MIXES

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GENERAL
We have discussed
Asphalt/ Bitumen
Aggregates
When mixed makes Mixture
Gradations are chosen depending upon

design recommendations, type of road,

experience, funds and availability of local
material
OBC (Optimum Bitumen Contents) obtained
by Mix Design Procedure, Marshall is mostly
used and we will learn in detail in class and

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MIX VOLUMETRICS
Describes the relative

volume proportions
among the various
constituents of
bituminous mix.

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Mass Volume Relationship

Gse Effective SG of
Aggregates

Gsb Bulk SG of Aggregates

Gb SG of Binder/ Bitumen

Gmb of AC Mix
Gmm Maximum SG of AC
Mix

Air Voids
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Gmm

Pb

(as% of Mmix)

Pbe

(as% of Mmix or
Magg)

Pba (as% of
VA

Mbe
Mb
Mmix

Mba

Vb
a

Magg

Magg)

(as% of Vmb)

VMA

(as% of Vmb)
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Significance of Volumetric Parameters

Bitumen holds aggregate in position.
Load is transferred through aggregate contact points
If voids filled
Load is transferred by hydrostatic pressure of bitumen
Stability starts reducing
During summer bleeding may start

Some voids necessary even after final compaction

under traffic
Excess voids make mix weak against fatigue
More chances of hardening due to aging
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43

MARSHALL MIX DESIGN

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AC must
SKID-RESISTANCE - Provide smooth, skidresistant riding surfaces.
STRONG - Be strong enough to carry the
imposed loads without rutting.
DURABLE -Maintain these properties for the
design life.
FLEXIBLE - Since they distribute loads by
deflecting slightly with each load application,
they must be flexible
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PROPERTIES OF AC MIX
Specifications take into consideration
Strength
Carry load without shear occurring between particles.
The structure must remain intact.
Main contributor is friction between the grains.
Dense-graded mixture for high friction with low binder.

Flexibility
Be able to deflect slightly under each load without

cracking.
More open-graded aggregate
Higher binder content.
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Durability
Measures the pavement's resistance to wear and aging.
Aggregates be hard and cubical.
Aggregates should also be sound, not susceptible to

disintegration.
No affinity for water than for binder.

Skid Resistance
Caused by polishing or bleeding. Aggregates resistant to
wear and polishing.
Bleeding , binder tends to seep to the surface in mixtures
with few voids
Sufficient air voids, pavement becomes denser under load.
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PROPERTIES AND MIX REQUIREMENTS FOR ASPHALT

CONCRETE
Property
Asphalt Aggregate Air
Aggregate Quality
Contents Gradation voids
Strength
Low
Dense
Low Rough faces, crush
Flexibility High
Open
High Courser size; better
Durability High
Dense
Low Hard,
cubical,
resistance to freeze
thaw, no striping
Skid
Low
Resistance

High High sand contents,

resistance
to
polishing
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Aggregates for Asphalt Concrete

These are usually classified as coarse
aggregates, fine aggregates and mineral filler.
Specifications are laid out.
Mineral filler is often used in asphalt concrete
mixtures to supply the fines (smaller than No.
200 sizes). Fines are very important for
producing dense-graded, strong material.
Limestone dust is the most common mineral
filler.
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MARSHALL
MIX
DESIGN
Concept was formulated by
Bruce Marshall of Mississippi
State Highway Department
Improved by USCE
Standardized by ASTM
HMA Max Size 1
Modified for 1 size

4
50

Outline Method
All material proposed should meet the project

specifications
Blend combinations should meet gradation
requirements of project specifications
For density and void analysis Bulk SG of all
aggregates, asphalt absorption and SG of
asphalt cement is determined
Briquettes are prepared
Main features
Stability - flow test
Density - void analysis

51

Design Steps
Selection of aggregate proportions to meet the

specifications requirements.
Conducting trial mixes at a range of asphalt
contents and measuring the resulting physical
properties of the sample.
Analyzing the results to obtain the optimum
asphalt contents and to determine if the
specifications can be met.
Repeating with the additional trial mixes using
different aggregate blends until a suitable
design is found.
52

Preparation of Test
Specimens
Planned on basis increment asphalt, min

two above and two below the expected design

asphalt value. Generally six
Based upon experience and computational
formula
1.2 Kg per specimen
Three for each asphalt value
18 specimens
23 Kg aggregates + 4 lit asphalt

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Preparation of Test Specimens

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Automatic Marshall
Hammer

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Flow

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Preparing Mixture Test

Samples
Briquette size 4 (101.6 mm) dia, 60 65 mm

(2.5) height.
Sample 1200 g aggregate, varying % of
asphalt, above or below expected %
Asphalt and Aggregate samples heated and
thoroughly mixed, all particles coated.
Placed in heated mold
Compacted with blows each side as specified.

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Test Procedure
Determine bulk specific gravity of each sample.
Specimens heated to 60 degrees C in water

bath. Damp dried, placed in Marshall apparatus

Test load applied at constant rate 2 inches per
minute. Stability value is a measurement of
load at failure.
Flow is recorded at failure. (1/100 of an inch).
Deformation is a decrease in vertical diameter
of specimen.

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Analyzing Test Results

Void and density analysis for series of test

specimens.
Six plots are drawn , Asphalt in the mix vs
Stability
Flow
Density
Air voids
VMA
VFB

67

Analyzing Test Results

Stability increases and decreases along with

asphalt content on a curve similar to that for

density, since the strength is mainly a
function of friction between grains and
therefore for density.

68

Analyzing Test Results

Flow increases along with asphalt content,

since friction between particles decreases

with thicker asphalt films.

69

Analyzing Test Results

Density initially increases with asphalt

content, since the fluid lubricates grain

movements. Eventually, however, a
maximum density is reached. Then density
decreases, since the lighter asphalt replaces
some of the aggregate, shoving the particles
apart.

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Analyzing Test Results

The percentage of air voids decreases as

asphalt content increases, since the asphalt

tends to fill all the void spaces.

71

Analyzing Test Results

The percentage of voids in mineral aggregate

is approximately opposite to the density

curve, since the mass of aggregates is the
main component of the total mass of the mix.

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Analyzing Test Results

The percentage of voids filled with asphalt

increases with increase in asphalt contents

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Analyzing Test Results

The optimum asphalt content is one that

economically and safely satisfies all

specification requirements

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Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages
Attention on voids, strength, durability
Inexpensive equipment
Easy to use in process control/acceptance
Disadvantages
Impact method of compaction
Does not consider shear strength
Load perpendicular to compaction axis
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TYPICAL MARSHALL RELATIONSHIP

76

Density initially increases with asphalt content,

since the fluid lubricates grain movements till

maximum density is reached. Then decreases,
since the lighter asphalt replaces some of the
aggregate, shoving the particles apart.
Stability increases and decreases along with
asphalt content on a curve similar to that for
density, since the strength is mainly a function
of friction between grains and therefore for
density.
77

Flow increases along with asphalt content,

since friction between particles decreases

with thicker asphalt films.
The percentage of air voids decreases as
asphalt content increases, since the asphalt
tends to fill all the void spaces.
The percentage of voids in mineral aggregate
is approximately opposite to the density
curve, since the mass of aggregates is the
main component of the total mass of the mix.
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The optimum asphalt content is one that

economically and safely satisfies all

specification requirements.

79

ASPHALT AGING
The major causes of asphalt concrete aging are

evaporation and oxidation of asphalt cement.

During mixing at high temperatures, some of the
lighter constituent of the asphalt concrete, leaving
harder cement.
After construction, air and water circulate through
the material. These lead to oxidation of the
asphalt, removing the lighter constituents and
leaving a hard, brittle material.
Once penetration drops to about 30, a level at
which there is evidence that cracking will occur.
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Cracking leads to rapid failure of the

pavement, because of reduction in load

distribution properties and allows water
lowering load-carrying capacity.
To control aging and hardening following are
often specified:
Maximum temperature during mixing, to reduce

evaporation.
Maximum percentage of air voids to reduce
permeability and movement of air and water in the
mixture, and therefore to reduce the rate of oxidation.
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Minimum percentage VMA, to ensure that

sufficient space is left for asphalt cement

The softer grades being less likely to crack in
cold weather without bleeding

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NOT THE LEAST

Aggregates serve different purposes in HMA

and PCC. In HMA, since aggregates are relied

upon to provide stiffness and strength by
interlocking with one another, cubic angularshaped particles with a rough surface texture
are best. However, in PCC, where aggregates
are used as an inexpensive high-strength
material to occupy volume, workability is the
major issue regarding particle shape.
Therefore, in PCC rounded particles are better.
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THANKS

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