PARAMOUNT CONSTRUCTION

COMPANY Ltd.
Hincon house, Vikhroli (west),
LBS Marg., Mumbai 400 083
KUMUD SHASHIKA SENEVIRATNE
B.Tech (CIVL)


To understand
Properties of bituminous mix ingredients
Mix design as per Marshall method
The limitations of Marshall method
Importance of other methods of mix design
OBJECTIVES

Bitumen
Aggregate
Filler (R/filler or External filler)
Modifiers
Ingredients

Hydraulic binders
Lime
Cement
Gypsum
Bitumen
Tar
Hydrocarbon binders
Tar
Bitumen
Binders
Bitumen
What is Bitumen ?

TAR
It is a by-product in the
process of destructive
distillation of coal for procuring
coke
Maximum use was up to 1955
More adhesive with aggregate
More susceptible to the temp.
variations
Get oxidized and become brittle
much quicker
Life of surface is very less
Bitumen
It is residue obtained in
the process of distillation
of petroleum crude at
the refineries
Availability is very much
higher than tar
Less susceptible to the
temp. variations
Life of surface is better
than tar
Bitumen

Bitumen Constitution :
Bitumen is a complex chemical mixture of
molecules that are predominantly hydrocarbons
with a small amount of structurally analogous
heterocyclic species and functional groups
containing sulphur, nitrogen, and Oxygen atoms.
Typical elemental analysis:
Bitumen

Bitumen

Bitumen
Bitumen is broadly divided into two
chemical groups
1. Asphaltenes
2. Maltenes
a. Saturates
b. Aromatics
c. Resins

Elution with toluene
/ methonol
Resine Aromatics Saturates
Filiter
Silica gel /
Alumina,
Chromotography
Elution with
toluene
Precipitate of
Asphaltenes
Solubles In-solubles
Bitumen
n-heptane precipitation
Bitumen

Bitumen
Asphaltenes :
Insoluble in n-heptanes and black or brown in
colour
Contains mainly carbon and hydrozen, and some
nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen
Molecular weight is very high ranging from 600
to 3000000
It plays a major role in rheological properties of
the bitumen
Solids in state

Bitumen
Resins :
Largely composed of hydrogen and carbon and
contain small amounts of oxygen, suphur and
nitrogen.
Dark brown in colour and solid / semisolid
These are dispersing agents or peptisers for the
asphaltenes.
Polar in nature and hence highly adhesive.

Bitumen
Aromatics :
Contains lowest molecular weight naphthenic
aromatic compounds in the bitumen and
represent the major portion of the dispersion
medium for the peptized asphaltenes
Constitute 40 65% of total bitumen
Consists non-polar carbon chains and high
dissolving ability
Average molecular weight 300 to 2000

Bitumen
Saturates :
Non-polar viscous oils
White in colour
Average molecular weight is similar to that of
aromatics.
This fraction forms 5-20 % of the bitumen.


Bitumen
Asphaltenes :
Increase the asphaltenes:
More harder bitumen
More viscous
Lower penetration
Higher softening point
Higher viscosity
Asphaltenes varies from 5 25 % in the
bitumen

Bitumen
Increasing aromatic: little effect on rheological
properties
Increasing the saturates: softens the bitumen
Addition of resins: harden the bitumen, increasing
the viscosity, reduce the penetration index

Bitumen
Durability :
It is an ability of the bitumen to maintain
satisfactory rheology, cohesion and adhesion in
long-term service.
Ageing : because of oxidation bitumen gets
harden
Aging Index

Bitumen
Tests on Bitumen :
Parameter Range
Specific Gravity IS:1202 Min = 0.99
Penetration IS:1203 Pen 60-70
Ductility IS:1208 cm min. 75
Softening Point IS:1205
o
C 40-55
Water IS:1211 % by mass max. 0.2
Flash Point
IS:1209, IS
1448
o
C Min 175
Paraffin wax Content IS:10512 % by mass max. 4.5
Loss on Heating, TFOT IS:1212 % by mass max.1
Matter soluble in
trichloroethylene
IS:1216 % by mass min. 99
Frass Breaking Point IS:9381 Depend on grade
Penetration Ratio % min. 35
Absolute Viscocity at 60
o
C IS 1206 Part 2 Poises 1000+200
Kinematic Viscocity at 135
o
C IS 1206 Part 3
centistokes
(cst)
Min 150
Retained penetration after TFOT IS 9382 % Min 52
Test Standard
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA, PAVING BITUMEN -TYPE 1, GRADE S65 *
Specification
* As per MOST and IS:73


Bitumen

Mix design Methods
Marshall Method
Hveem Method
Refusal Density Method
Superpave method
Film Thickness Method
Etc.

Most commonly used method and Why?
Marshall Method
Simple technique
Simple, inexpensive, and portable equipment
Less time consumable


Mix design Methods

Characteristics of Marshall method:
Unconfined test and maximum failure load in the
test is recorded as stability.
Shortfalls in Mrashall method:
It measures merely the adhesive strength of
bitumen-filler mortar. Ex: sand heap, M20 vs M80
Strength due to angel of internal friction is not
reflected in this test
It can not predict the fatigue behavior of the
bitumen.
Irrespective of traffic its design blows are 75 only
Mix design Methods

Shortfalls in Mrashall method:
It is unconfined but at field it is not so
Empirical and parameters are not directly related
to field performance (Deformation, Fatigue
resistance etc.)
Wide range of grading limits
It doesn't explain about easily compactable mixes
Compaction (Impact method)
It doesnt guarantee the minimum air voids
Mix design Methods

SUPERPAVE MIX
Due to above said limitations there has a
growing feeling among the Highway
engineers, Which led them to this
Superpave mix
This method can measure the fundamental
properties like fatigue, rutting and low
temperature resistance.

Developed by Strategic Highway Research
Program (SHRP) , USA
This is also recommended by Federal
Highway Administration(FHWA).
This method consists of
1. Selection of material
2. Selection of design aggregate structure
3. Selection of design asphalt binder content, and
4. Evaluation of moisture susceptibility
SUPERPAVE MIX

Notes for Design :
Filler to binder ration : 0.6 to 1.2
Air voids : 3 to 5 %
Min. VMA w.r.t. nominal maximum size
VFB w.r.t. traffic volume
Asphalt film thickness : 6 to 8 mic.

Superpave Mix Design Criteria.doc
SUPERPAVE MIX

1. Selection of materials:
Binder : PG64-22
Aggregate:
Restricted zone in aggregate grading.

SUPERPAVE MIX

It specifies the detailed grading limits which gives
better quality mixes. Restricted zones of
gradation is specified based on the maximum
nominal size of the aggregate in the mix.
The mix design which by-pass this restricted zone
shall always gives better results with respect to
workability stability and surface texture etc.
Restricted zone

Sieve size
in mm
For 37.5 mm nomi.
Size(% passing)
For 25.0 mm nomi.
size(% passing)
For 19.0 mm nomi.
size(% passing)
4.75 34.7 34.7 39.5 39.5
2.36 23.3 27.3 26.8 30.8 34.6 34.6
1.18 15.5 21.5 18.1 24.1 22.3 28.3
0.600 11.7 15.7 13.6 17.6 16.7 20.7
0.300 10.0 10.0 11.4 11.4 13.7 13.7
Restricted zones for diff. Nominal max. sizes
Restricted zone Contd

Importance of restricted zone:
The restricted zone has been specified to
ensure adequate aggregate structure is
developed in the mixture.
Gradation requirements specify that mixes
must plot either above the restricted zone or
below the restricted zone.
Gradation control points on the 2.36 mm
sieve control the amount of sand sized
particles in the mixture.
Restricted zone Contd

Importance of restricted zone:
The upper control point limits the sand, in
the mixture to exclude sand-asphalt mixes
which are quite difficult to compact.
The lower control point ensures adequate
sand in contained in the mix to ensure a
dense graded mixture.
Mixes which passes above the restricted
zone will tend to be sandier and have a
weaker aggregate structure than mixes
which pass below the restricted zone.
Restricted zone Contd

Importance of restricted zone:
Mixes which pass below the restricted zone are gap
graded.
They develop an aggregate structure with the load
carrying capacity provided by the large aggregate
particles.
Sand size particles play more passive role.
If additional sand is added, then the gradation will
enter into the restricted zone, and sand particle
would begin to separate the coarse aggregate
particles reducing the load carrying capability of the
mixture.
Restricted zone Contd

Importance of restricted zone:
Which structure can bear more load?


Below the
restricted zone
Through & above
the restricted zone
Gap graded
Dense graded
Restricted zone Contd

Maximum density line :
Maximum density
P = 100X(d/D)
0.45
where P = Total % passing given sieve
d = Size of sieve opening
D =Max. size of aggregate
(mentioned in sieve size)
See Sheet restricted zone in
BC-ID 9 for presentation.xls

Maximum density line

0.45 power chart
Nijboer, a person working for Bureau of Public Roads
in Netherlans was done lots of investigation and found
that the densest configuration occurs for a straight
line gradation plotted on a 0.45 power chart.
This is also recommended by Federal Highway
Administration(F HWA).

It is a graphical representation of sieve sizes raised
to power 0.45 in x-axis and % passing in y-axis.
This curves are helpful in making necessary
adjustments in mix designs.
The grading line matching with this line gives the
mix, which is having maximum density and min.
VMA.
The air voids of the mix shall become very low that
is why this type of mix can not be used.
0.45 power chart contd..

The line deviates from this either finer side or
coarser side shall make a mix having more air voids
and adjustment can be done based on the
requirements.
To determine the line easily just draw a line from
% passing the 0.075mm sieve to the sieve first
passing 100%
It is always advisable to avoid the design grading
which matches the maximum density grading line.
0.45 power chart contd..







Grading chart with all details
0
20
40
60
80
100
0.01 2.01 4.01
Sieve sizes raised to 0.45 power
%

a
g
e

p
a
s
s
i
n
g
spec LL
spec UL
max density
restric LL
restric UL
BC9
BC 7

It places consensus requirements on CA and FA
angularity, flat and elongated particles, and clay
content
Aggregate Requirements.doc
SUPERPAVE MIX

2. Selection of design aggregate
structure :
Determine few trials blending proportions
With approximate OBC prepare moulds with
superpave Gyrator Compactor
Check for air voids
Prepare two loose specimens for Gmm.
Check the design criteria
Superpave Mix Design Criteria.doc

SUPERPAVE MIX

3. Selection of design asphalt binder content
:
Using the above selected blending
proportions prepare specimens at at-least
four different asphlat contents and check for
OBC.
OBC is the binder content at which the air
voids become 4% at the design number of
gyrations.
4. Evaluation of moisture susceptibility:
SUPERPAVE MIX

SUPERPAVE MIX

Film Thickness
Bitumen content:
which project consumes more bitumen per cu.m.?

PROJECT A
% bitumen in
DBM 4.2%

PROJECT B
% bitumen in
DBM 4.0%

Density : 2.450 g/cc Density : 2.680 g/cc
102.9 kg/ cu.m
107.2 kg/ cu.m

Film Thickness contd..


WHY SO MUCH DIFFERENCE
IN DENSITY???

Film Thickness contd..
Right or wrong???
Binder content in DBM:
Min. 4.0% by wt. Of total mix.
Rock
A













Rock
A
Rock
B
Volume : 1 cu.m. Volume : 1 cu.m.
Specific gravity : 2.45 Specific gravity : 2.95
Bitumen required =
2.45X4/100 = 98 kg/cu.m
Bitumen required =
2.95X4/100 = 118 kg/cu.m

Coating thickness??




Bitumen is not to increase the volume
It may require to give adequate coat to the
aggregate.
Rock
A
Rock
B
Film Thickness contd..

Conclusions:
It may be wrong perception to express the
bitumen content based on the total weight
of mix.
Another method to arrive at optimum
bitumen content Asphalt film coating
thickness

Film Thickness contd..

OBC based on Asphalt film thickness:
% binder content = 100 x A x t x r
b

where
A = surface area of the aggregate,
m2/kg
t = Asphalt film coating thickness, m
r
b
= Unit weight of asphalt, kg/m3
Calculation of A :
BC-ID 9 for presentation.xls
Film Thickness contd..

Film thickness at OBC
for SGC = 7.5 mic.
For Marshal specimen = 9.5 mic
Super pave gives
0.7% less bitumen than that of Marshall OBC
60% higher fatigue life
25% higher rutting resistance
As considerable asphalt is saving it is also cost
effective.
Conclusions

SGC is non-portable
Requires well trained laboratory people
Super pave compaction at lab can not be
achieved at lab manually.
However, as it is simulating the site
conditions and performance of the mix is
very much better with respect to field
performance parameters, It is advisable to
follow this design criteria.
Limitations

Any Questions ????

**********
Thank you