ROAD MATERIALS

BY: SAID A. SAYRE JR

Aggregates
Aggregates shall consist of hard durable particles or fragments of crushed stone,
crushed slag, or crushed rock or natural gravel.

Various Test
1.) Test for strength
2.) Test for soundness
3.) Test for affinity and swell
4.) Test for shape and texture
5.) Test for resistance to polishing
6.) Degradation test
Test for Strength
The criterion for aggregates strength test is the Los Angeles Rattler
Test (AASHTO T-96) briefly conducted as follows.
1.) Rattler test is done in a hollow cylinder closed at both ends.
2.) Rotated 500 rev at speed of 30 to 33 rounds per minute.
3.) After testing, the sample is passed on the No. 12 sieve.
4.) 50 or less coefficient of wear.
5.) Open graded mixture, 40 or less.
Test for Soundness
Soundness refers to the resistance of materials to deterioration from
the effect of action like freezing, and thawing. The common test for
soundness is the application with sodium or magnesium sulfate.
1.) Dried sample.
2.) Liquid solution will cause splitting.
3.) Examine carefully.
Test for Affinity and Swell
Strong and durable pavement must have binder that adhere or stick firmly to
the aggregate particles. If the binder separates or strips off from the
aggregate, the pavement with disintegrate under traffic.
Another reaction of the pavement is to pit when aggregates are pulled-off
caused by running wheels.
1.) Hydrophilic when aggregates has greater affinity for water than asphalt.
2.) Chemical bond between aggregate and water is stronger than between
aggregate and asphalt.
3.) Aggregate interferences may develop.
4.) Immersion compression test.
Test for Shape and Texture
A relatively rounded smooth aggregate particles like natural gravel is
recommended for Portland cement concrete pavement because the
mixture is workable. Meaning, easily managed and consolidated
inside the forms.
1.) Strong interlocking action
2.) Standard specification
Test for Resistance to Polishing
One good criterion for pavement design is the high coefficient of
friction between the tire and the road surface.
A good asphalt or concrete road design is when the rubber tire is in
direct contact with the aggregate and not with the binder.
1.) Short time.
2.) Skid resistance.
3.) Aggregates produce from limestone.
4.) Limestone coarse aggregate.
5.) Friction factor.
Degradation Test
Some aggregates degrade in the presence of the water. This is
measured through mechanical agitation in water under designation
test T-210 of ASSHTO.
1.) 2.5 kg of coarse aggregate that is retained on No. 4 sieve.
2.) Sedimentation test.
3.) For fine aggregate that passes the No. 4 sieve.
4.) Sand equivalent test.
Particle Size
Dense graded pavement ranges from coarse to dust.
Open graded pavement one or more layer of coarse rock of uniform
size is used.
Sheet asphalt mineral aggregate is a carefully graded sand and
mineral dust.
Aggregate for Bituminous Pavement
Aggregate shall consist of hard, durable particles of fragments of stone or
gravel and sand or other fine mineral particles free from vegetable matter and
lumps or balls of clay and of such nature that it can be compacted readily to
form a firm, stable layer. It shall conform to the grading requirements.
1.) Coarse aggregate materials retained on 2mm No. 10 sieve shall have a mass
percent of wear.
2.) Crushed aggregate is specified.
3.) Fraction passing the No. 200 sieve should not be greater than 2/3 of the
fraction.
4.) Fraction passing No. 40 sieve shall have a liquid limit not greater than 35.
Aggregate for Portland Cement
Concrete Pavement
In order to obtain high quality concrete, road agencies have imposed
almost without exception that all aggregates shall pass appropriate
test for strength, soundness, wear or the combination of these three.
1.) Presence of organic impurities may cause slow or non-hardening of
the concrete.
2.) Strength of fine aggregate is measured by the compression test.
3.) Soundness of fine aggregate is measured by the resistance to
deterioration.
4.) Coarse aggregate requirement.
 END