Bituminous Mix Design

Archana M R
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore
28th January 2016
 Bituminous Mix Design
Objective:
Develop an economical blend of aggregates and asphalt
that meet design requirements
Requirements:
Sufficient asphalt to ensure a durable pavement
Sufficient stability under traffic loads
Sufficient air voids
Upper limit to prevent excessive environmental damage
Lower limit to allow room for initial densification due to
traffic
Sufficient workability
 Marshall mix design
Developed by Bruce
Marshall for the Mississippi
Highway Department
Steps involved:
Select and test aggregate
Select and test asphalt
cement
Establish mixing and
compaction temperatures
Develop trial blends
Heat and mix asphalt
cement and aggregates
Compact specimen (100
mm diameter)
Marshall mix design - Procedure

Video
 Marshall mix design criteria
Sl. Parameter Test Method Specifications as per
No. MoRT&H V Revision

1 Compaction Level 75 Blows on each side of the sample

2 Marshall stability at AASHTO T 245 9, 12*, 10**
600C, kN
3 Marshall flow, mm AASHTO T 245 2-4, 2.5-4*, 3.5-5**

4 % Air voids 3-5

5 % Voids filled with 65-75
Asphalt
Tensile strength ratio AASHTO T 283 80% minimum
*Modified Asphalt under hot climate
** Modified asphalt under cold climate
Source: Table 500.11, MoRT&H V Revision
 Mix design - Calculations
1. Theoretical Maximum Density

2. Bulk Specific Gravity of the mix

3. Percent Air voids

4. Voids in Mineral aggregate

5. Voids filled with bitumen

Marshall Properties for OBC
 Marshall properties at OBC
Laboratory and field results cannot be
matched
Marshall Stability If stability is a problem, it necessitates
comprehensive study
Helps in determining the consistency of
plant produced HMA

High flow value Indicates plastic mix

Low Flow value Indicates mix with
Flow value higher than normal voids/ insufficient
asphalt
 Marshall properties
Magnitude of density achieved in lab
not very important
Field density requirement expressed
Unit weight as a percent of theoretical density so
that the density is achieved by increased
compaction, asphalt content, filler
content or any other methods
Satisfactory compaction effort on
properly designed mixture produces
high shear strength and reduces
permanent deformation

Higher air voids must ensure air and

water permeability are quite low
Air voids isolated and not inter-
Percent Air voids connected
Low air voids minimize aging of
asphalt
Ultimate density in situ should be 3-
5% air voids
 Marshall properties

Maximum aggregate size increases VMA

reduces
Voids filled with Large VFB Permanent deformation
bitumen Low VFB Inadequate film thickness
oxidation faster, tensile strength greatly
affected
Thank you