GUIDELINESFORLONGLASTINGBITUMINOUSPAVEMENTS ININDIA By PROF.PRITHVISINGHKANDHAL*, PROF.A.VEERARAGAVAN**&R.K.JAIN*** [ThispaperwaspublishedasPaperNo.564intheJournaloftheIndianRoads Congress,Volume71-3,October-December2010.Authors’responsesto commentsreceivedonthispaperarealsogivenattheend.] ABSTRACT TheMORTHSpecifications(2001)forproducingandplacingdense-graded bituminouspavingmixeshavebeenreviewedindetailandrecommendations made.Therecommendationsbasedonthecurrentstate-of-the-arttechnologies pertainto:selectionofviscositygradebitumen;amountofnaturalsandinfine aggregate;MarshallmixdesignproceduresinthelatestAsphaltInstituteMS-2; mixingandcompactiontemperaturesbasedonviscositygradedbitumen; minimummatcompactiondensitybasedontheoreticalmaximumspecific gravityofloosemix;andqualityacceptancecriteria.Ithasbeenrecommended tohaveonlyonespecificationeachforalldensegradedbituminousmixesusedin basecourse,bindercourse,andwearingcourse.Together,allrecommendations formguidelinesforobtaininglonglastingpavementsinIndia. 1.INTRODUCTIONANDBACKGROUND Atthepresenttimebituminouspavingmixesaregenerallyproducedandplaced inIndiaasspecifiedinMORTHPublication,“SpecificationsforRoadand 30 BridgeWorks”,FourthEdition2001 .Thereisaproliferationofbituminous pavingmixesinIndia.Eightmixes(twogradingseachofBM,DBM,SDBCand BC)arespecifiedintheMORTHspecifications.Acasewasmadeondetailed 10 technicalgroundsinarecentIndianRoadsCongresspaper byKandhal,Sinha andVeeraragavantoessentiallyhaveonlyfourdensegradedmixesofdifferent nominalmaximumaggregatesize(NMAS)inthespecifications,asisthecasein mostcountriesoftheworld.Thefollowingfourdensegradedmixeswere proposedalongwiththeirrecommendedrutresistantgradationsasgivenin Table1: 25mmNMASDenseBituminousMacadam(DBM)BaseCourse 19mmNMASBituminousConcrete(BC)BinderCourse 12.5mmNMASBituminousConcrete(BC)WearingCourseGrading1 (forheavytraffic) 9.5mmNMASBituminousConcrete(BC)WearingCourseGrading2 (forlighttomediumtraffic,urbanareas,andthinapplication) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *AssociateDirectorEmeritus,NationalCenterforAsphaltTechnology(NCAT),Auburn University,USA(currentlyJaipur)<
[email protected]> **ProfessorofCivilEngineering,IndianInstituteofTechnology,Chennai
***FormerChiefEngineer,HaryanaPWD 1
TABLE1.PROPOSEDFOURDENSEGRADEDMIXESFORINDIA Grading Proposed ProposedBC ProposedBC DBMBase BinderCourse WearingCourse Course Grading1 →
ProposedBC WearingCourse Grading2
Nominal Aggregate Size
25mm
19mm
12.5mm
9.5mm
Lift Thickness
75-100mm
50-75mm
30-50mm
25-40mm
SieveSize, mm
Percent Passing -
-
37.5
100
-
26.5
90-100
100
-
-
19
71-95
90-100
100
-
13.2
56-80
66-86
90-100
100
9.5
-
55-75
70-88
90-100
4.75
38-54
35-55
53-71
55-75
2.36
28-42
28-44
38-54
40-55
1.18
-
20-34
24-38
29-44
0.6
-
15-27
17-29
21-33
0.3
7-21
10-20
12-22
14-25
0.15
-
5-13
7-15
7-15
0.075
4-7
4-7
4-7
4-7
Bitumen Content
4.0-5.5
4.0-5.5
5.0-7.0
5.2-7.5
Note:Wearingcoursegrading1isrecommendedforheavytrafficroads(morethan1500 commercialvehiclesperday).Wearingcoursegrading2isrecommendedforlighttomedium trafficroads,inurbanareas,andforthin(25mm)applications
Itwasalsorecommendedtodeletetheopengraded,highlyporousBituminous Macadam(BM)andtheSemiDenseBituminousConcrete(SDBC)mixesfrom theMORTHspecificationsbecausebothofthesemixeshaveserioustechnical flawsandarenotcosteffective.Adetailedtechnicalandeconomicalcomparison 10 ofBMwithDBMwasmadeinthepaper intermsofpermeability,structural strength,useasPCC(profilecorrectivecourse),costconsiderations,traffic conditions,andgeneralstatements.Itwasconcludedwithtechnicaljustifications thatdensegradedDBMshouldbeusedinlieuofhighlyporous,opengraded, undrainedBMespeciallytoobtainlonglastingpavements.However,despite manyfundamental,technicalflawsassociatedwithBMasmentionedinthe paper,someengineersstilladvocatetoretainitinthespecifications.Thisis probablyduetothefollowingmisconceptions:
2
•
•
DensegradedDBMisnotflexiblee DensegradedDBMisnotflexibleenoughtobeplace noughtobeplaceddirectlyonWMM ddirectlyonWMM andthereforea“flexible”BMcours andthereforea“flexible”BMcourseisnecessa eisnecessarybetweenthe rybetweentheWMMand WMMand DBM.IftheDBMwasnotflexibleitwouldnotrutatall.Butthatisnot thecase.Ifthereisunevensettlement/consolidationofWMM,theDBM isflexibleenoughtodeformandadjustsimilartoBMifthatiswhatis desired.Itisacommonpracticeinmostcountriesoftheworldtoplace DBMtypebituminousbasecoursedirectlyoncrushedstonebasecourse (wecallitWMM).Thatpracticehasresultedindurablelonglasting pavementswithoutanyproblems. BMischeaperthanDBMandthatiswhy BMischeaperthanDBMandthatiswhyitisgoodfora itisgoodforadevelopingco developingcountry untry likeIndia.Adetailed,comparativecostanalysisgiveninthepapershows thattheDBMischeaperthantheBMby15to21%iftherelative structuralstrengthsareconsidered.OnlywhentheBMisusedasPCCto correctcamber/superelevationitischeaperthantheDBM.Butthe problemstillremainsthattheundrainedBMPCCwouldtrap moisture/watercreatinga“bathtub”withinthepavementandthuswill bepotentiallydetrimentaltothepavement.
SomeengineershavesuggestedretainingtheBMbutprovidingoutletforthe watertrappedintheopengradedBM.Todothis,theBMhastobeextendedall thewaytotheedgeoftheembankment(thatis,daylighted)orpavementedge drainshavetobeconstructedtodraintheBM.Bothofthesesolutionsarevery expensivepropositions. IfBMisusedasPCCforcorrectingcamber,itmaynotbepossibletodrainthe BMwedge(triangle)especiallyifitistowardsaraisedmedian.Moreover, rainwaterfallingintheraisedmedianmayalsoentersidewaysintotheporous BMwedgeandcausestrippingandpotholes.Suchacasehasbeenobservedona nationalhighwayinIndia. Asmentionedinthatpaper,itistimetomoveonfromopengraded“cheaper” mixestodensegraded,durablemixesiftheobjectiveistohavelonglasting pavementsbothforlow-volumeandhigh-volumeroads. Ifthedensegraded9.5mmNMASwearingcourseasrecommendedinTable1is adopted,thereisnoneedforthe“semi-dense”SDBC,whichistechnicallyflawed duetopessimumvoidsasexplainedintheIRCpaper.Therecommendeddense gradedmix(whichcanalsobeusedinthin25mmapplications)willbemore durableandcosteffectivethantheSDBC,becausetheformerisonlyabout5% costlierthanthelatter. Somediscussionofhowtherecommendedbasecourse,bindercourse,and wearingcoursemixes(Table1)shouldbeusedinnewpavementsaswellasin overlaysfollows. Basecoursemixes,whichuserelativelylargersizeaggregate,arenotonly stiff/stablebutalsoareeconomicalbecausetheyuserelativelylowerbitumen contents.Surfaceorwearingcoursemixeswithsmalleraggregateontheother handhaverelativelyhigherbitumencontents,whichnotonlyimparthigh 3
flexibilitybutalsoincreasetheirdurability.Thebinder(intermediate)course mixservesasatransitionbetweenthebasecourseandwearingcourse.Several 3,30,34 studies haveshownthatpermanentdeformation(rutting)withinflexible pavementisusuallyconfinedtothetop100to150mmofthepavement.This meansboththebinderandwearingcoursemixesshouldbedesignedtobe resistanttorutting.Thatiswhyinextremecasesofheavytrafficloadsandhigh tyrepressures,itisconsideredprudenttouseStoneMatrixAsphalt(SMA)mix inwhichduetostone-on-stonecontacttheloadiscarrieddirectlybythecoarse aggregateskeleton. Itisnotnecessarytouseallthreebituminouscourses(base,binder,andwearing) in a new new flex flexib ible le pave paveme ment nt un unle less ss the the traf traffi fic c is very very high high. . For For exam exampl ple, e, the the followin following g combin combinatio ations ns can be used used depend depending ing upon upon the total total thickne thickness ss of the bituminouscourse(s)requiredasperstructuraldesignbasedonIRC:37. • • •
WMM+DBMBaseCourse+BCBindercourse+BCWearingCourse WMM+BCBinderCourse+BCWearingCourse WMM+BCWearingCourseonly
For low-volu low-volume me roads roads only a granula granular r base and a bitumin bituminous ous wearing wearing course course maysufficebasedonstructuralrequirements. Some Some exam exampl ples es are are give given n belo below w for for sugg sugges este ted d bitu bitum minou inous s cour course ses s for for tota total l required bituminous ous laye ayer thick ickness cons onside idering ing the recomm ommended lift ift thicknessesforthefourmixes(giveninTable1): Required Total Bituminous LayerThickness Less than 50 mm 75 mm – 125 mm 150 mm or more
Use BC Wearing Course only (Grading 1 or 2) BC Binder Course + BC Wearing course DBM Base Course + BC Binder Course + BC WearingCourse
Ifthetotaldesignbituminouslayerthicknessfallsbetween50mmand75mm,or between125mmand150mm,usethehigherthickness. IthasbeensurmisedbysomethataBCwearingcourseistoostiffandwillcrack ifplaceddirectlyover ifplaceddirectlyoverWMM.Thisisnotcor WMM.Thisisnotcorrectbecau rectbecausetheBCwearin setheBCwearingcourse gcourse hasrelative hasrelativelylowerstiff lylowerstiffnes nessdueto sdueto itslowerNMAS(12. itslowerNMAS(12.5or 5or 9.5mm)andhigh bitume bitumen n conten content. t. This This combin combinatio ation n is being being used used in other other countr countries ies includi including ng Austr ustral alia ia and and Sout South h Afric frica. a. Sim Similar ilarly ly, , a bitum itumin inou ous s over overla lay y requ requir ired ed for for strengtheningflexib strengtheningflexiblepavemen lepavementcanconsistofthefollowingdependi tcanconsistofthefollowingdependinguponthe nguponthe requiredthicknessasperIRC:81: BCBinderCourse+BCWearingCourse • BCWearingCourseonly • Unlike Unlike most most develop developed edcoun countri tries, es, overload overloading ing is a major major concern concern in India. India. On veryheavilytraffickedroadwithsevereoverloadingproblem,itisrecommended 4
tomodifytheBCwearingcourseandBCbindercourse(th tomodifytheBCwearingcourseandBCbin dercourse(thatis,thetop100mm atis,thetop100mm ofthepavementonly,whichislikelytorut)asfollows: •
• •
Ensure Ensu re to use use visc viscos osit ity y grad graded ed VG-30 -30 grad grade e bitu bitum men as per per late latest st 4 IS73:2006 , which which is signi signific fican antl tly y more more rut rut resist resistan ant t than than the the old 60/70 60/70 penetrationbitumen. Usepolymermodifiedbitumen(PMB) Use Use Stone Stone Matri Matrix x Asph Asphalt alt (SMA (SMA) ) as per per IRC Sp Spec ecifi ifica catio tions ns appro approved ved recently
Criticalreviewofthebituminouspavingmixesandtheirspecificationsis warrantedconsideringlessthanexpecteddurabilityofbituminousmixesin Indiaespeciallyaftermonsoonrains.Thispapercanbeconsideredasa continuationoftheIRCpaperreferredabove,whichreviewedtheproliferation ofbituminousmixesinIndiaandrecommendeddesirablemixesalongwiththeir gradations.Thispaperreviewsthespecificationsforproducingandplacingthe selectedfourdensegradedbituminousmixestoobtainlonglastingbituminous pavements.Bothreviewsareexpectedtobehelpfultothecontractorswhoare currentlydesigningtheirownprojects(includingbituminousmixselection) underthePublic-Private-Partnership(PPP)programme. RevisionstothecurrentMORTHspecificationshavebeensuggestedasfollows intermsofmaterials;designofmix;constructionoperations;andqualitycontrol andacceptance.OnlythesuggestedchangestotheMORTHspecificationshave beengiveninthispaper.Ithasbeenrecommendedtohaveonlyonespecification foralldensegradedbituminousmixesusedinbasecourse,bindercourse,and wearingcourse.
2.MATERIALS 2.1Bitumen 3 IndianStandardSpecificationforPavingBitumenIS:73:2006 mustnowbe usedforallbituminousmixes.ThisrevisedstandardissuedinJuly2006specifies viscositygradedbitumenonlysuchasVG-30andVG-10.Itreplacedpenetration gradedbitumensuchas60/70and80/100.Thenewviscositygraded(VG) bitumens,whichwillprovideconsistentresistancetoruttingathighpavement temperaturesmustbespecifiedinMORTHspecificationbyissuinga corrigendum,andimplementedassoonaspossiblesothattheuseofsubstandard penetrationgradedbitumenisdiscontinued. Tables2,3,and4givethestandardviscositygrades(VG),theirgeneral applications,andselectioncriteria.Theviscositygradesarereadilyavailable nowinIndiawithnoextracost.ThecontractorsespeciallythosewithPPPor BOTprojectsmustuseVGgradesonlytoensureadequaterutresistanceand durabilityoftheirprojects. Sincealltypesofmodifiedbitumen(Table4)arenotconsideredequalin performance,thetypeofmodifiershouldbespecifiedforeachcontract.Polymer 5
modifiedbitumenissuitableforhighly-traffickedroads.Testingofmodified bitumenatthepointofdeliveryshouldbespecifiedinthecontractsincephase separationduringtransportisquitecommon.Polymercanalsobeaddedatthe hotmixplantsitetoavoidphaseseparationand/ordegradation.However,itis necessarytohaveappropriateblendingequipmentandatestinglaboratoryto conductalltestsrequiredinthespecification. TABLE2.VISCOSITYGRADED(VG)BITUMENSANDTHEIRGENERAL APPLICATIONS
ViscosityGradeGeneralApplications (VG)
VG-40Useinhighlystressedareassuchasthoseinintersections,neartoll (40-60penetration)booths,andtruckparkinglotsinlieuofold30/40penetrationgrade
VG-3 VG-30 0 Us Usef efor orp pavi aving ngi inm nmos ost tof ofIn Indi dia ain inl lieu ieuof ofo old ld6 60/7 0/70 0pen penetr etrati ation ong grad rade e (50-70penetration)
VG-2 VG-20 0 Us Use efo for rpa pavi ving ngi in nco cold ldc cli lim matic atic, ,hi high gha alt ltit itud ude ere regi gion ons sof ofN Nor orth thI Ind ndia ia (60-80penetration)
VG-10Useinsprayingapplicationsandforpavinginverycoldclimatein (80-100penetration)lieuofold80/100penetrationgrade
TABLE3.SELECTIONCRITERIAFORVISCOSITY-GRADED(VG)PAVINGBITUMENS BASEDONCLIMATICCONDITIONS 0 Hig Highest hestDa Daily ilyMea MeanA nAirT irTemp emperat erature, ure, C 0 0 0 LowestDailyMean Lessthan20 C 20to30 C Morethan30 C AirTemperature,C 0
Morethan–10 C 0
-10 Corlower
VG-10
VG-20
VG-30
VG-10
VG-10
VG-20
TABLE4.SELECTIONCRITERIAFORGRADEOFMODIFIEDBITUMEN 0
Highest Daily Mean Air Temperature, C 0 0 0 Lessthan20 C 20to30 C Morethan30 C LowestDaily MeanAir 0 Temperature, C
GradeofModified Bitumen
GradeofModified Bitumen
6
GradeofModified Bitumen
Morethan-10 C 0
0
-10 Corlower
PMB/NRMB120 CRMB50
PMB/NRMB70 CRMB55
PMB/NRMB40 CRMB60
PMB/NRMB120 CRMB50
PMB/NRMB120 CRMB50
PMB/NRMB70 CRMB55
PMB=PolymermodifiedbitumenNRMB=Naturalrubbermodifiedbitumen CRMB=Crumbrubbermodifiedbitumen
2.2CoarseAggregate ThestrippingtestIS:6241hasbeenspecifiedforcoarseaggregateinthepresent MORTHspecifications.Thistest,whichisconductedoncoarseaggregate only, only,is antiquatedandproventobeinadequatebasedonresearchconductedinthepast. Mostmixturespassthiseasystatic-immersiontestand,thereforeantistripping agentsarenotusedwhenactuallyneededresultinginstrippingproblems.In manycases,thefineaggregateishydrophilicandcausesstripping,whichcanbe worsethanthatfromthecoarseaggregate.Manyofthestrippingproblems (especiallypotholesaftermonsoons)inIndiaarepotentiallyduetorelianceon thisantiquatedtest.ThereisaneedtousetheWaterSensitivityorMoisture SusceptibilityTestAASHTOT283,whichisconductedonthewholebituminous mix.Thistest,whichismostcommonlycalledMoistureSusceptibilityTest,is alsousedintheSuperpavemixdesign.ThistestisalreadyintheMORTH specificationsSection800asa“watersensitivity”testandthereforeitis recommendedtomakeitmandatorytobeconductedonallbituminousmixesat thetimeofmixdesignandonceaweekduringmixproduction.IS6241canbe retainedonlyasascreeningtestforthecoarseaggregate. Therecommendedrevisedphysicalpropertiesofcoarseaggregatearegivenin Table5. TABLE5.PHYSICALPROPERTIESOFCOARSEAGGREGATE Property
Test
Requirement
Testmethod
Cleanliness
Grainsizeanalysis
Max.5%passing0.075mm
IS2386PartI
Particle Shape
FlakinessandElongation Index(combined) Heavytraffic(morethan 1500commercial vehicles/day) Lighttraffic(lessthan 1500commercial vehicles/day)
Strength*
LosAngelesAbrasion Value
IS2386PartI
Max.35% Max.40%
Binderandwearingcourse: Max.30%
IS2386PartIV
Basecourse:35% AggregateImpactValue
Binderandwearingcourse: Max.24% 7
IS2386PartIV
Basecourse:27%
Polishing**
PolishedStoneValue
Min.55
IS2386PartIV
Durability
Soundness(eitherSodium orMagnesiumSulphate)– 5cycles Max.12%
IS2386PartV
Max.18%
IS2386PartV
WaterAbsorption
Max.2%
IS2386PartIII
CoatingandStrippingof BitumenAggregate Mixtures
Min.RetainedCoating95%
IS:6241
SodiumSulphate
MagnesiumSulphate Water Absorption Stripping***
Notes: *Theaggregatemaysatisfyeitherofthetwotests. **Onlyforwearingcourses ***Thistestshallbeconductedasascreeningtestforcoarseaggregateonly.Itismandatoryto conductAASHTOT283(AnnexureI),whichisconductedonthewholebituminousmixas specifiedinTable6.
ConsiderationshouldbegiventoincreasethemaximumLosAnglesabrasion valuesby5%becausethepresentlyspecifiedvaluesaretoostringentandmay necessitatetransportofaggregatesoverlongdistancesathighcosts.TheStateof GeorgiaintheUShasthebestroadsintheUS.Ithasgraniteasthepredominant 6 aggregatetypewithhighLAabrasionvalues.Georgiaspecifies maximumLA abrasionof50%forgraniteaggregate.Whereas,veryhighLAvaluesbeyonda thresholdvaluearenotdesirable,verylowvaluesdonotnecessarilymeanitisa 16 betteraggregate . ConsiderationshouldalsobegiventodeletetheAggregateImpactValue(AIV) testbecausetheLAAbrasiontestsubjectstheaggregatetobothimpactand abrasion(fromsteelballsandaggregatetoaggregatecontactwhenthedrumis rotated).UnlikeAIV,LAAbrasionsimulatestheprocessingofaggregateina drierdrum.MostcountriesintheworldincludingtheUSspecifyLAAbrasion testonly. NotalltestsspecifiedinTable5needtobeconductedveryfrequently.Testssuch asPolishedStoneValueandSoundnessneedtobeconductedatthetimeof source(quarry)approvalandlessfrequentlythereafter. 16,17,23
7
Kandhaletal andothers haveconductedresearchandreportedonseveral newtestmethodsfortestingandcharacterizingcoarseaggregatesfor bituminousmixes.Thenewtestmethodspertaintoparticleshape,angularity 8
andsurfacetexture(suchasuncompactedvoidcontent)andsoundness& durability(suchasMicro-Devaltest).Thenewimprovedtestmethodshavebeen adoptedbyAASHTOandneedtobeconsideredbytheBureauofIndian Standards(BIS),IRC,andMORTHtoenhancethequalityofbituminousmixes inIndia. 2.3FineAggregate Fineaggregateisdefinedasmaterialpassingeither4.75mmor2.36mmsieve. Rightnow,theMORTHspecificationisnotclearintermsofcrushedsand versusnaturalsandusedasafineaggregate.Onecanuse100percentnatural sand(whichtendstocontainroundedparticles)inallbituminouscourses,which increasesthepotentialforruttingproblems.Manyagenciesintheworldlimitthe amountofnaturalsandto50percentintheDBMtypebasecoursesand10 percentintheBCbinderandwearingcourses(layerswithin100mmoftheroad surface)tominimizeruttingproblem.Thisrequirementshouldalsobeincluded intheMORTHspecifications. 15,16,17,21,25
8
Kandhaletal andothers havealsoresearchedandreportedonnew improvedtestmethodsfortestingandcharacterizingfineaggregatesfor bituminousmixes.Thenewtestmethodspertaintoparticleshape(suchasfine aggregateangularityorFAAtest)andplasticfines(suchasMethyleneBluetest). ThesenewtestmethodshavebeenadoptedbyAASHTOandneedtobe consideredbyBIS,IRCandMORTH. 2.4Filler ManyhighwayengineersinIndialiketospecifyaddingmineralfillertothe bituminousmixevenifthereisnodeficiencyoffinesintheaggregatesused.This isnotjustified.AllasphaltplantsinIndiaarerequiredtohavebaghousesto collectthefinesfromthedryer.These“baghousefines”shouldbeincorporated backintothemixinacontrolledmannerthroughascrewconveyer.Many 9,16 studies intheUShaveshownthatthebaghousefines(whicharesameasstone dustormineraldustresultingfromtheaggregatecrushingoperation)aregood mineralfillers.Portlandcementdoesnothaveanyadvantageoverstonedust andthereforeitsuseisnotcosteffective.However,ifthedesignedmixfailsthe MoistureSusceptibilitytest(AASHTOT283)thenadditionof1-2%hydrated limeisdesirable.Hydratedlimeisnotonlyagood antistrippingagent,itcanalsoretardtheoxidationoragingofthebitumen duringservice. InregionsofIndiawherehydrophilicaggregatessuchasquartziteandgranite areusedinmixes,itshouldbemademandatorytoaddhydratedlimeinevery tonofhotmixproducedinthewholeregion.Forexample,inandaroundJaipur onlyquartziteaggregateisusedinbituminousmixesand,therefore,this requirementifimplementedwillbeveryhelpful. Unfortunately,thereisnoIndianstandardforhydratedlimetobeusedin bituminousmix(thereisforbuildinglime).Therefore,areferenceneedstobe madetoAASHTOM303,“LimeforAsphaltMixtures”,whichspecifiesactive limecontent(CaOH2+CaO)above90percent. 9
14,16
Kandhaletal havereportedonnewtestmethods(suchasRigdenvoids)for testingandcharacterizingmineralfillers,stonedust,andbaghousefines.BIS, IRCandMORTHshouldconsiderthesetestmethods. 2.5AggregateGradation AggregategradationsforDBMbasecourse,BCbindercourse,andtwoBC wearingcourseswerediscussedearlier.Thefinalrecommendedgradationsfor useinIndiaaregiveninTable1.Justificationforadoptingthesemixesandtheir 10 respectiverevisedgradationsisgivenindetailintheIRCpaper mentioned earlier. 3.DESIGNOFMIX Atthepresenttime,allbituminousmixesaredesignedwithMarshallMethod using75blowsregardlessoftraffic.MORTHspecificationshouldbeabletobe usedonalltypesofroads:NH,SH,MDR,andODR.So50-blowMarshall DesignmustbeusedforlowtomediumtrafficroadssuchasODR.Itisneither technicallycorrectnordesirabletodesignallroadswith75blowsasstipulatedin thepresentMORTHspecificationsbecauseitwillgiveundesirablylowbitumen contentsforlowtomediumtrafficroads,whichwillreducethedurabilityof suchroads.LowroaddurabilityisasevereprobleminIndia.Onlyhigh-volume roads(carryingmorethan1500commercialvehiclesperday)shoulduse75-blow 33 MarshallDesignlikeitisdoneinmostcountriesoftheworld .Eveninthe Superpavemixdesignthereare4levelsoflabcompactiondependingontraffic. InSuperpave,thereisacompactionlevelintermsofgyrations,whichis equivalentto50-blowMarshallandisusedonmostroadswithlighttomedium traffic.Continuingtouse75blowsforallroadsinIndiawillreducethedesign bitumencontentofroadswithlighttomediumtrafficbyasmuchas0.5percent resultinginlowerservicelife. Quiteoften,itisarguedthatthetrafficwillincreaseonexistinglowtomedium traffickedroadsinafewyears.However,bythattimethebitumenwouldget oxidizedandthereforegetstiffenedtocounteracttheeffectofslightlyhigher bitumencontent. MORTHmixdesignrequirementsforalldensegradedmixesneedtoberevised asshowninTable6.Theminimumstability,rangeofflow,andVFBvaluesfor both50and75blowMarshalldesignshavebeentakenfromthelatestsixth 2 edition oftheAsphaltInstituteMS-2,whichiswidelyusedsuccessfully worldwideandhasbeenreferredtoinMORTHspecificationatseveralplaces. ThesevalueshavebeenusedinveryhotclimateareassuchasinArizonainthe USandotherhot,tropicalcountriessuccessfully. Itshouldalsobeensuredthattheratiobyweightoffines(materialpassing0.075 mmsieve)andeffectivebitumencontent(fines/bitumenratio)inthebituminous mixisbetween0.6to1.2asincludedinTable6.Thiswaytherearesome minimumfinestostiffenthebitumenandnottoomuchfineswhichwillmakethe mortartoobrittle(dull)andlesscohesiveandwillalsoreducetheVMAmore thandesired. 10
SomevaluesinTable6arebasedonsomeresearchdoneinIndia.Ithadalso includedcriteriaforheavyrainfallareas.Thereisnosoundtechnicalreason whatsoeverforhavingadifferentMarshallstabilityandflowcriteriaforheavy rainfallareas.Itisthepavementtemperatureandnottheamountofrainfall, whichaffectstheseproperties.Therefore,rainfallhasnotbeenconsideredin Table6.Highrainfallcanpotentiallyincreasethemoisturedamageinthemix. ForthatAASHTOT283isenoughwith80%minimumretainedtensilestrength requirement.IthasworkedverywellinhotandheavyrainfallareaoftheUS (rainfallsignificantlymorethanIndia).SincethereisAASHTOT283whichhas beenspecifiednowanditrequires60Cwater-bathconditioning,thereisnoneed 0 tohaveRetainedMarshallstabilityafter24hoursinwaterat60 C,whichisless severethanAASHTOT283.
Extensiveresearchhasshownthattheairvoidrangeof3to5percentappliesto 2 allcourses,whichisalsoreflectedinthelatestAsphaltInstituteMS-2 .Infact somestatesintheUSspecifyevenlowerairvoids2to4percentforthebase courses,whichdonotgetfurthercompactionfromtraffic.Thisisunlikepast practicewhenhigherairvoidswerespecifiedforbasecoursescomparedto binderandwearingcourses. TABLE6.REQUIREMENTOFTHEDENSEGRADEDBITUMINOUSMIX WHENUSINGUNMODIFIEDBITUMEN Specification Compactionlevel(Numberof blows) o
Minimumstability(kNat60 C) AASHTOT245
Requirements 75blowsoneachfaceofthespecimenforheavy trafficand50blowsoneachfaceforlightto mediumtraffic 9.0forheavytrafficroads*(75-blowMarshall specimen) 5.3forlighttomediumtrafficroads(50-blow Marshallspecimen) 2
Minimumflow(mm) AASHTOT245 Maximumflow(mm) 4 AASHTOT245 Ratiooffinestoeffectivebitumen 0.6–1.2 content %AirVoids(MS-2andASTM 3–5 D2041) %Voidsfilledwithbitumen 65–75forheavytraffic*(75-blowMarshall (VFB)AsphaltInstituteMS-2 specimen) 65-78forlighttomediumtraffic(50-blow Marshallspecimen) MarshallQuotient.kN/mm 2to5 (stability/flow) TensileStrengthRatio (minimum),%,AASHTOT283
80 11
(withfreeze&thawoption)(see AnnexureIfortheoutlineofthis testmethod)
%VoidsinMineralaggregateVMA
NominalMaximum Particlesize(mm)**
Min%VMArelatedtodesigned%airvoids***
9. 5
3 14
4 15
5 16
13.2
13
14
15
19.0
12
13
14
26.5 37.5
11 10
12 11
13 12
*Heavytrafficroadsarethoseroadscarryingmorethan1500commercial vehiclesperday(CVD). **Thenominalmaximumparticlesizeisonesizelargerthanthefirstsieve, whichretainsmorethan10%material. ***ForintermediatevalueofdesignedpercentageairvoidsinterpolatetheVMA.
AlthoughthelatestMS-2(sixtheditionatthepresenttime)shouldbeusedfor MarshallDesign,manycontractorsdonotfollowitcompletely.Forexample,the maximumspecificgravityofthebituminousmix(Gmm)shouldnotbecalculated byaformulafromthespecificgravityvaluesofindividualaggregatesand 39 bitumen.Rather,itshouldbemeasureddirectly byusingASTMD2041,which determinestheweightandvolumeofloose,voidlessmixtocalculatethe maximumspecificgravityofthemix.Volumeofthevoidlessmixisdetermined aftersubmergingitinwaterandremovingallairbubblesbyapplyingvacuum. AnoutlineofASTMD2041isgiveninAnnexureII.Also,thebulkspecific gravityofthecoarseaggregateandthefineaggregateshouldbemeasuredby usingASTMC127andASTMC128,respectively,ratherthantheIndian StandardsIS:2386(PartIII),whichareoutdatedandsuitableforconcrete mixturesonlyandnotforbituminousmixes.Theproceduresforobtainingthe saturatedsurfacedry(SSD)conditionofcoarseandfineaggregatesintheIndian Standardsarenotcorrectforbituminousmixes.BothASTMtestsgivespecific instructionstoobtainSSDconditionoftheaggregate.Forexample,incaseof fineaggregate(ASTMC128)sandconemethodshouldbeusedtoobtainSSD condition.Unlessthesethreetestmethods:ASTMD2041,C127andC128are used,thecalculatedvaluesofairvoidsandVMAcanbehighlyerroneous becausetheactualamountofbitumenabsorbedbytheaggregatewillnotbe obtainedandconsideredThesethreeASTMstandardsshouldbeincorporated intheMORTHspecifications. Inaccordancewiththelatest(sixthedition)oftheAsphaltInstituteManualMS12
2aswellasSuperpavemixdesignmethod,thedesignbitumencontentshouldbe selectedtocorrespondwith4.0percentairvoidsforalltypesofmixtures.The selectedbindercontentmustsatisfyallotherMarshallandvoidproperties.The currentpracticeofdeterminingtheoptimumbitumencontentbyaveragingthe bitumencontentscorrespondingtohigheststability,highestdensity,4%air voids,etc.shouldbediscontinued.Thisisbecause(a)someofthecurvesarenot welldefinedintermsoftheirpeakand(b)airvoidcontentisthemostimportant parameterforselectingthedesignbitumencontentasitaffectsbothrutand fatigueresistanceofthebituminousmixes. MinimumtensilestrengthratiousingAASHTOT283hasbeenspecifiedin Table6totestthedesignedmixformoisturesusceptibility.TheAASHTOT283 testmethodinvolves:preparationoftwosubsetsofMarshallspecimenswith6to 8%airvoids;testingonesubsetindryconditionforindirecttensilestrength (Marshalltestingmachinecanbeusedforthisinconjunctionwith12.5mmwide steelstripattopandbottom);conditioningtheothersubsetbyvacuum 0 saturatingwithwater,onefreeze&onethawcycle(in60 Cwaterbath)tocause potentialstrippingandthentestingforindirecttensilestrength;andcalculating theretainedtensilestrengthfromtestdataondryandconditionedsubsets. AASHTOT283hasworkedverywellinhotandheavyrainfallareasoftheUS (rainfallsignificantlymorethanIndia).ItisalsousedintheSuperpavemix design.AASHTOT283shouldreplacethepresentlyspecifiedASTMD1075, whichdeterminesretainedMarshallstability.AnoutlineofAASHTOT283is giveninAnnexureI. Wheremaximumnominalsizeoftheaggregateismorethan25mm,modified 19,26 MarshallmethoddevelopedbyKandhal using6-inchdiameterspecimenas describedintheAsphaltInstituteManualMS-2(SixthEdition)andASTMD 5581shouldbeused.Thistestmethodrequiresmodifiedequipment(whichis commerciallyavailable)andmodifiedprocedure.WhenthemodifiedMarshall testisused,thespecifiedminimumstabilityvaluesandthespecifiedflowvalues giveninTable6shouldbemultipliedby2.25and1.5,respectively. 20,22
Kandhaletal andothersobservedthatthebituminouspavementsintheUS wereachievingdensitiesunderheavytrucktrafficwithhightyrepressures significantlyhigherthanthoseobtainedinthelaboratoryusing75-blow Marshallcompactor.Inotherwords,thepavementdensityafter2-3years’ trafficwasgreaterthan75-blowMarshalllaboratorydesigndensity.Increasing thenumberofblowsabove75didnothelpbecauseitsimplycausedaggregate breakdown(degradation)undertheimpacttypeMarshallhammercompaction. Thatiswhy;Superpavegyratorycompactor(SGC)wasdevelopedandmade partoftheSuperpavemixdesignmethod. WhenabituminousmixneedstobedesignedinIndiaforveryheavytruck traffic,thefollowingoptionshouldbeconsideredinadecreasingorderof preferenceformixdesign/adjustments: 1.Superpavemixdesign.ThismixdesignmethodisfullydevelopedintheUS andmanualssimilartoMS-2areavailableforSuperpave.Superpavemix designmethodcanbeadoptedinIndiaoratleastallowedformajor 13
projectswithminoradjustments.Itusesagyratorycompactor,whichcan providetheneededcompactioneffortbasedondesigntrafficwithout significantaggregatedegradation.Optimumbitumencontentisselected at4.0percentairvoidcontent. 2.UseaRotatingBase,SlantedFootMarshallHammer.Thisautomated, 20,22 mechanicalMarshallcompactorhasbeenusedintheUSeffectively to achievehighlaboratorydensityusing75blows.Itsfoothasa1-degree bevelorslant.Everytimethehammerislifted,thebasesupportingthe Marshallmouldrotatesautomaticallysothattheslantedfootfallsat differentplacesinthemouldcausingakneadingaction.Thisstandard mechanicalMarshallcompactorisavailablecommerciallyfromatleast threeequipmentsuppliersintheUSandifneeded,canbefabricatedin India.Again,designbitumencontentisselectedat4.0percentairvoid content. 3.UseaMarshallHammerwithHugoFoot.Prof.HugoofSouthAfrica developedtheHugofoot.Thisfootalsocausessomekneadingaction duringcompactionbecauseithasindentsonitsfaceandisalsorotated.It isnotknownwhetheritisavailablecommercially. 4.AdjustmenttoBitumenContent.ConducttheconventionalMarshallMix designwith75blowsanddeterminethebitumencontentat4.0percentair voidcontent.Reducethisbitumencontentby0.2to0.3percentandadopt thereducedbitumencontentinthejobmixformula.Thisadjustmentis basedonthefactthatthedesignbitumencontentobtainedbythe Superpavevolumetricmixdesignisgenerallylessthanthatobtainedby conventionalMarshalldesignby0.2to0.3percent. Theprecedingchangesinthemixdesignproceduresshouldatleastbepermitted tobeusedbyPPPorBOTcontractorstoensurerutresistantbituminous pavementssubjectedtoveryheavytrucktraffic. 32
Theconceptofrefusaldensityhasbeensuggestedbysomeresearchers . However,theincreasednumberofblows(suchas300or400)oneachsideofthe specimenusedinthistestcancausesignificantbreakdownoftheaggregatein themixwhilethemixisalsocoolingfast.Thedegradedmixinthelaboratoryhas noresemblancetotheactualmixusedontheroad,whichhardlydegradesunder rollersandtraffic.AsmentionedinMORTHManualforSupervisionof 31 BituminousConstruction ,anyconclusionsdrawnfromaseverelydegraded mixinthistestmaybecomeinvalid.Moreover,theextentofdegradationvaries fromaggregatetoaggregatedependingontheirtoughness,whichisanother variable. SincetheMarshallstabilitycannotbecompletelyreliedupontoensurearut resistantbituminousmix,itisrecommendedtoconsideraloadedwheeltester suchasAsphaltPavementAnalyzerandHamburgWheelTesterto“prooftest” thefinalMarshallmixdesignasisdonebyGeorgiaDOT.Thisisespecially necessaryforveryheavytrafficand/orimportanthighwayprojects.The technologyofloadedwheeltestersandrelatedacceptancecriteriaarefully 4,5,11,12,13 developedanddocumentedbyKandhaletal andothers.Itwillbeinthe interestofPPPorBOTcontractorsto“prooftest”theirMarshalldesigned mixes. 14
4.CONSTRUCTIONOPERATIONS 4.1MixingandLaydown TheexistingMORTHtableformixing,layingandrollingtemperaturesforall densemixesneedtoberevised,sinceviscositygradebitumenshavenowreplaced penetrationgradebitumen.Table7shouldbeusednow.Formixturescontaining modifiedbitumenbinders,thesupplier’srecommendationsshouldbefollowed. Normally,themixing,layingandrollingtemperaturesformodifiedbindersare 0 increasedbyasmuchas15 Ccomparedtounmodifiedbinders.Thecontrolof 18 volumetricpropertiesofbituminousmixes duringproductionattheplant needstobemademorespecificinthespecifications. 4.2Compaction Theintialorbreakdownrollingshouldbedonewithavibratoryroller(8to10 tonnesdeadweight),unlessthemixistenderrequiringinitialtwopassesina staticmode(vibrationturnedoff).Theintermediaterollingshouldbedonewith apneumatictyredrollerof12to15tonnesweighthavingninewheelswithatyre pressureofatleast5.6kg/sqcm.Thefinishrollingshouldbedonewith6to8 tonnessmoothwheeledtandemrollers.ItisacommonpracticeintheUStouse thevibratoryrollerinvibratorymodeforinitialorbreakdownrolling.Thisway, thebestpackingofaggregatesandhighdensityisachievedwiththevibrations whilethemixisstillveryhot.Ifastaticmodeisusedfirstforinitialor breakdownrolling,itorientstheaggregateparticlesinacertainmannerbutthat orientationisdisturbedagainduetovibrationsappliedlater.Thevibratory rollershouldbeusedinstaticmode(vibrationsturnedoff)forthefirst2passes onlyifthemixistenderandunstabletosustainvibratorycompaction. Thedensityoffinishedpavinglayershouldnotbelessthanthe92%andnot morethan97%oftheaveragetheoreticalmaximumspecificgravityoftheloose mix(Gmm)obtainedonthedayofpavingfollowingASTMD2041(seeoutlinein 27,28 AnnexureII).ResearchbyKandhalandKoehler andothershasindicated thatprematuredistressofpavementcantakeplaceiftheairvoidcontentinthe constructedmatexceeds8percent(Fig.1). TABLE7.MIXING,LAYINGANDROLLINGTEMPARATURESFORDENSEMIXTURES (DEGREECELCIUS) Bitumen Viscosity Grade
Bitumen Temperature
Aggregate Temperature
Mixed Material Temperature
Laying Temperature
VG-40
160-170
160-175
160-170
150Min
100Min
VG-30
150-165
150-170
150-165
140Min
90Min
15
*Rolling Temp- erature
VG-20
145-165
145-170
145-165
135Min
85Min
VG-10
140-160
140-165
140-160
130Min
80Min
*Finishrollingmustbecompletedbeforethematcoolstotheseminimumtemperatures.
MoststatesintheUSandmanycountrieshavechangedthecompactioncriteria frompercentageofthelabdensityofthecompactedspecimentopercentageof theoreticalmaximumspecificgravity(Gmm)oftheloosebituminousmixture. Theformercriterionhascausedallkindsofproblemsincludingalargeday-todayvariation.Thelatercriteriongivesairvoidsinthepavedmatdirectly.No lessthan92%ofGmmmeansnomorethan8%airvoidsinthecompactedmat. Nomorethan97%meansnolessthan3%airvoidsinthecompactedmat,which mayinducebleedingand/orrutting.Moreandmoreagenciesaremoving towardsGmm,whichistestedanywayduringthemixdesignanddailyMarshall Test.Sononewtestisbeingintroduced.Restrictingpercentairvoidsinthemat alsoallowseasyforensicanalysisofcompactedpavementlaterinitslifewithout lookingforoldrecordsonlabcompacteddensityinfiles.Durabilityof bituminouspavementisdirectlyrelatedtoairvoidsinthematonthedayof construction,andonlyvaguelyandindirectlyrelatedtolabdensityobtainedbya technicianonthedayofconstruction.Thispointhasbeendebatedextensivelyin theUSformanyyears.SomestatesintheUSarerequiring93%minimumofthe theoreticalmaximumspecificgravity(thatisnomorethan7%airvoidsinthe matwhenconstructed),thisisalsorecommendedforIndiatoincreasethe durabilityofbituminousroads. Thereisnotechnicalreasonwhatsoevernottoallowcoringfordensity measurementsduringthefirst24hoursasstipulatedintheMORTH specifications.InfactmanyagenciesintheUSprefertakingcoresonthedayof pavingbeforethematisopenedtotraffic.150-mmdiametercoresshouldbe 0 takenaftertheentirethicknessofthemathascooledbelow60 C,whichmay takeafewhoursdependingontheliftthicknessandprevailingweather.No problemsofcoredistortionwhatsoeverhavebeenencountered.Alargecore diameterof150mmispreferredtoobtainagoodrepresentativesamplefor density.However,coreswithlessthan100mmshouldnotbepermitted.ASTM D2726shouldbeusedtomeasurethedensityoftheextractedcore.
16
Fig.1.Airvoidsversusextentofraveling(afterKandhal,Reference27)
4.3OpeningtoTraffic ThecurrentMORTHspecificationdoesnotallowtrafficfor24hoursafter compaction.Thereisnotechnicalreasonnottoallowtrafficfor24hours.It defeatsthepurposeof usinghotbituminousmix,whichlendsitselftofast openingtotraffic.Suchunreasonablerequirementof24hoursdoesnotexist anywhereintheworld.Ifthereisafearthatthetrafficwillrutthepavement,it 0 meansthemathasnotbeenrolledenough.Arequirementof60 Cmaximum mattemperatureisinsuranceenough.Inotherwords ,itshouldbeensuredthat trafficisnotallowedonthesurfaceuntilthepavedmathascooledbelowa 0 temperatureof60 Cinitsentiredepth.UnderhotIndianclimaticconditions duringsummer,itisestimatedthata50mmthickbituminouslayershouldcool 0 to60 Cinaboutonehouranda75mmthickbituminouslayershouldcoolto thistemperatureinaboutoneandhalfhour.Thetimewillbeshorterifthe weatherisrelativelycoolerinspringandautumnand/orastrongbreezeis present.
5.QUALITYCONTROLANDACCEPTANCE
Thepresent2001MORTHspecificationdoesnotadequatelyaddressthequality control/qualityassurance(QC/QA)aspectofthebituminousmixes,whichisa veryimportantelementofaspecification.Qualitycontrolistheresponsibilityof 17
32
thecontractortokeepacontrolontheprocess .Qualityassuranceor acceptanceistheresponsibilityofthespecifyingagency.Forqualitycontrol,the agencyspecifiesthetypesandminimumfrequencyoftheteststobeconducted bythecontractorduringconstruction.WhereastheMORTHspecificationshave addressedthequalitycontrolaspect,itneedstobespecificaboutquality acceptance. Thereisnoquestionthatqualityacceptanceshouldbebasedonstatistical 29 principles .Abituminouspavingprojectshouldbedividedintolotsand paymentfactorsshouldbeappliedonalotbylotbasis.Forexample,alotcanbe definedasoneday’sbituminousmixproductionoramaximumtonnageof bituminousmixsuchas400or500tonnes.Alotisfurtherdividedinto3to5 sublots,whicharesampledandtestedatrandom.Atestvaluesuchasbitumen contentisobtainedforeachsublot.Thetestvaluesofthesublotsareanalyzed statisticallytoassessthequalityofthelotanditspayfactor.Thestandardtest methodfordeterminingthebitumencontenttobeusedshouldbespecifiedsuch asASTMD2171,“StandardTestMethodsforQuantitativeExtractionof BitumenfromBituminousPavingMixtures”.Differenttestmethodsgive differenttestresults. Payfactorsaredeterminedusingthreemainsystems:percentwithinlimits (PWL)ofthespecification;differencebetweenaveragesampletestvalueand targetjob-mixformula(JMF);andprobabilitybased.Samplemeanvaluesare usedinallthreemethods,butonlythePWLandprobabilitybasedspecifications usethesamplestandarddeviationorvariance,whichtakesintoaccountmaterial variability. TheUSFederalHighwayAdministrationisencouragingthestatestoimplement aformofPWLspecification.PWLisdefinedasthepercentageoflotfalling betweenthelowerspecificationlimitandtheupperspecificationlimit.For example,iftheJMFbitumencontentis6.0+/-0.4percent,thepercentageof bituminousmixhavingbitumencontentbetween5.6and6.4percent.The conceptofPWLisbasedonanormaldistributioncurve;thepercentageofthe populationwithincertainlimitscanbecalculatedbyknowingtheareaunderthe curve.Afterthetestvaluesofthesublotsaredetermined,theiraverageand standarddeviationiscalculatedtodefinethenormaldistributionforthelot. Usingtheloweranduppertolerancevalues,thePWLiscalculatedusingasetof formulas.ThepayfactoristhenbasedonthePWLvalue.Normally,apayfactor of1.0(100%pay)isappliedifthePWLisatleast90percent.Thatis,10% materialofslightlylesserqualityisacceptable. AlthoughthePWLsystemofqualityacceptanceispreferred,itmaybetoo complexandhardtocomprehendbythecontractorsandagencyengineersin Indiaatthispointintime.BecauseofthiscomplexitysomestateslikeAlabama intheUSareusingsimplersystems.Alabamausesthearithmeticaverageofthe absolutevalues(negativeorpositive)ofthedeviationsofsublotvaluesfrom target.Forexample,thetargetJMFbitumenis6.0percentandthetestvaluesof 4sublotsare5.7,6.1,5.6,and6.2.Then,theactualdeviationsare-0.3,+0.1,-0.4 and+0.2.Theabsolutedeviationsare0.3,0.1,0.4,and0.2,averagingat0.25.The 18
1
AlabamaDepartmentofTransportationSpecifications givetablesfor determiningpayfactorscorrespondingtothenumberoftests(sublots)andthe arithmeticaverageoftheabsolutevaluesofthedeviations.Table8issuchatable forbitumencontent.Payfactorof1.02means100%plus2%addedbonus,1.00 means100%payment,andsoforth.Similartablesareavailableforvoidsinthe labcompactedMarshallspecimensandin-placematdensity.Whichevertest parametersuchasbitumencontent,voidsinlabcompactedspecimens,andinplacedensitygivesthelowestpayfactor,thatpayfactorisappliedtothebid priceofthewholelot.Thetestparametersgenerallyusedforpriceadjustments inorderofpreferenceare:in-placematdensity,voidsinlabcompacted specimens,bitumencontent,andgradation(usuallyoneortwosievessuchas 2.36mmor0.075mmareadequate,toomanysievesizeswoulddilutethe specificationsunnecessarily).
TABLE8.PAYFACTORSFORBITUMENCONTENT(AFTERALABAMA, TABLE8.PAYFACTORSFORBITUMENCONTENT(AF TERALABAMA, REF.1) ArithmeticAverageoftheAbsoluteValuesoftheDeviationsoftheLOT AcceptanceTestsfromtheJob-MixFormula Lot 1.02 1.00 0. 9 8 0.95 0.90 0.80* Pay Factor →
1 Test
-
0.000.62
0.630.68
0.690.75
0.760.88
Over 0.88
2 Tests
-
0.000.44
0.450.48
0.490.53
0.540.62
Over 0.62
3 Tests
-
0.000.36
0.370.39
0.400.43
0.440.51
Over 0.51
4 Tests
0.000.19
0.000.31
0.320.34
0.350.38
0.390.44
Over 0.44
*TheDepartmentmayrequireremovalandreplacementoftheLot.
ManystatesintheUShavedevelopedtheirownstatisticallybasedquality acceptancecriteriausingtestdatafromsomepilotprojects.Similardataneeds tobedevelopedinIndia.However,specificationssuchasthatofAlabamacanbe introducedasastartingpointsubjecttorevisionlaterbasedontestdata collectedandanalyzedinIndia.
6.CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS Thefollowinggeneralguidelineshavebeenprovidedinthepapertoobtainlong lastingbituminouspavements: 19
•
•
•
•
•
•
SpecificationforPavingBitumenIS:73:2006,whichspecifiesviscosity grades(VG)onlyshouldbeusedtoensureoptimumrutresistancein bituminouspavements.Theuseofsubstandardbitumenbasedonthe older,nowdefunctIS:73(whichspecifiedpenetrationgradedbitumen) shouldbediscontinuedimmediately.Forexample,VG-30bitumenshould beusedinlieuof60/70penetrationbitumenandVG-10shouldbeusedin lieuof80/100penetrationbitumen.Thepapergivesguidelinesfor selectionofVGgradesinIndiabasedonclimaticconditions. Thereisaneedtorestricttheamountofnaturalsand(whichtendsto haveroundedparticles)to10percentinwearingandbindercourse (withintop100mmofpavement)andto50percentinbasecourse(more than100mmfromthepavementsurface).Thiswouldreducethe potentialforruttinginbituminouscourses.Rightnow,thereisno restrictionontheamountofnaturalsandinthefineaggregateforall bituminousmixes. AsphaltInstituteMS-2(latestedition)shouldbefollowedcompletelyin designingdensegradedbituminousmixesusingtheMarshallmethod. Thisincludesselectingdesignbitumencontentcorrespondingto4.0 percentairvoids.Maximumspecificgravityofmixshouldnotbe calculatedwithaformulabutmeasuredbyusingASTMD2041.The calculatedmaximumspecificgravityusuallygiveserroneousvaluesofair voidsandVMAbecausetheactualamountofbitumenabsorbedbythe aggregateisnotconsidered.Bulkspecificgravityofcoarseaggregate and fineaggregateshouldbemeasuredinaccordancewithASTMC127and C128,respectively.ThecurrentBISstandardsshouldnotbeusedfor measuringaggregatespecificgravitysincetheyareoutdatedandwillgive erroneousresults. MORTHspecificationsshouldbeabletobeusedonalltypesofroads: NH,SH,MDR,andODR.Therefore,50-blowMarshallDesignshouldbe usedforlowtomediumtrafficroadsand75-blowMarshallDesignshould beusedforhightrafficroads(carryingmorethan1500commercial vehiclesperday).Revisedmixdesignrequirementshavebeenpresented inthepaperforbothlevelsofcompaction. Arevisedtableofmixing,laying,androllingtemperatureshasbeen presentedcorrespondingtonewbitumenviscositygrades. Rightnow,theMORTHspecificationsdonothaveadequatemat compactionrequirements.Ithasbeenrecommendedthatthedensityof thefinishedcompactedlayershouldnotbelessthan92percentnormore than97percentofthetheoreticalmaximumspecificgravityofloosemix determinedbyASTMD2041.150-mmdiametercoresshouldbeobtained tomeasurethepavementdensity.
7.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Theopinionsexpressedinthispaperarethoseoftheauthorsonly.
8.REFERENCES 20
1.AlabamaDepartmentofTransportation.StandardSpecificationsforHighwayConstruction. 2006Edition.Montgomery,Alabama,USA. 2.AsphaltInstitute.MixDesignMethodsforAsphaltConcrete.MS-2,SixthEdition,1997. 3.BureauofIndianStandards.PavingBitumen–Specification(ThirdRevision)IS73:2006,July 2006. 4.Cooley,L.A.Jr.andP.S.Kandhal.EvaluationofAsphaltPavementAnalyzerasaToolto PredictRutting.Proceedings,NinthInternationalConferenceonAsphaltPavements, Copenhagen,Denmark,August17-22,2002. 5.Cooley,L.A.Jr.,andP.S.Kandhal.LoadedWheelTestersintheUnitedStates:Stateof Practice.TransportationResearchBoard,TransportationResearchCircularNumberE-C016, July2000. 6.GeorgiaDepartmentofTransportation.SpecificationsforHighwayConstruction,2001 Edition.Atlanta,Georgia,USA. 7.Hossain,M.S.,F.Parker,andP.S.Kandhal.UncompactedVoidsandParticleIndexTestsfor EvaluatingCoarseAggregates.TransportationResearchBoard,TransportationResearch Record1721,2000. 8.Hossain,M.S.,F.Parker,andP.S.Kandhal.TestsforEvaluatingFineAggregateParticle Shape,Angularity,andSurfaceTexture.TransportationResearchBoard,Transportation ResearchRecord1673,1999. 9.Kandhal,P.S.EvaluationofBaghouseFinesinHotMixAsphalt.NationalAsphaltPavement Association,InformationManual127,1999. 10.Kandhal,P.S.,V.K.SinhaandA.Veeraragavan.ACriticalReviewofBituminousPaving MixesUsedinIndia.JournaloftheIndianRoadsCongress,Vol.69-2,July-September2008. 11.Kandhal,P.S.andL.A.Cooley,Jr.SimulativePerformanceTestforHotMixAsphaltUsing AsphaltPavementAnalyzer.JournalofASTMInternational,Vol.3,No.5,2006 12.Kandhal,P.S.andL.A.CooleyJr.AcceleratedLaboratoryRuttingTests:Evaluationofthe AsphaltPavementAnalyzer.TransportationResearchBoard,NationalCooperativeHighway ResearchProgramReport508,2003. 13.Kandhal,P.S.andR.B.Mallick.PotentialofAsphaltPavementAnalyzer(APA)toPredict RuttingofHotMixAsphalt.Proceedings,1999InternationalConferenceonAccelerated PavementTesting,Reno,Nevada,October18-20,1999. 14.Kandhal,P.S.,C.Y.Lynn,andF.Parker.CharacterizationTestsforMineralFillersRelated toPerformanceofAsphaltPavingMixtures.TransportationResearchBoard,Transportation ResearchRecord1638,1998. 15.Kandhal,P.S.,C.Y.Lynn,andF.Parker.TestsforPlasticFinesinAggregatesRelatedto StrippinginAsphaltPavingMixtures.AsphaltPavingTechnology,Vol.67,1998. 16.Kandhal,P.S.andF.Parker.AggregateTestsRelatedtoAsphaltConcretePerformancein Pavements.TransportationResearchBoard,NationalCooperativeHighwayResearchProgram Report405,1998. 17.Kandhal,P.S.AggregateTestsforHotMixAsphalt:StateofthePractice.Transportation ResearchBoardCircularNo.479,December,1997.
21
18.Kandhal,P.S.,K.Y.Foo,andJ.A.D’Angelo.ControlofVolumetricPropertiesofHot-Mix AsphaltbyFieldManagement.TransportationResearchBoard,TransportationResearch Record1543,1996. 19.Kandhal,P.S.andT.Wu.PrecisionofMarshallStabilityandFlowTestUsing6-inch(152.4mm)DiameterSpecimens.ASTM.JournalofTestingandEvaluation,Vol.24,No.1,January, 1996. 20.Kandhal,P.S.,S.A.Cross,andE.R.Brown.HeavyDutyAsphaltPavementsinPennsylvania: AnEvaluationforRutting.TransportationResearchBoard,TransportationResearchRecord 1384,1993. 21.Kandhal,P.S.EvaluationofFineAggregateParticleShapeandTextureandItsEffecton PermanentDeformationofAsphaltPavingMixtures.ASCE,Materials:Performanceand PreventionofDeficienciesandFailures,1992. 22.Kandhal,P.S.,S.A.Cross,andE.R.Brown.EvaluationofHeavyDutyAsphaltPavementsfor Rutting.Proceedings,SeventhInternationalConferenceonAsphaltPavements,Nottingham, U.K.,Vol.4(Construction),1992. 23.Kandhal,P.S.,J.B.Motter,andM.A.Khatri.EvaluationofParticleShapeandTextureof MineralAggregatesandTheirBlends.AsphaltPavingTechnology,Vol.61,1992. 24.Kandhal,P.S.andM.A.Khatri.ImprovedRiceMethodforDeterminingTheoretical MaximumSpecificGravityofAsphaltPavingMixtures.TransportationResearchBoard, TransportationResearchRecord1353,1992. 25.Kandhal,P.S.,J.B.Motter,andM.A.Khatri.EvaluationofParticleShapeandTexture: ManufacturedVersusNaturalSands.TransportationResearchBoard,TransportationResearch Record1301,1991. 26.Kandhal,P.S.LargeStoneAsphaltMixes:DesignandConstruction.Proceedings, AssociationofAsphaltPavingTechnologists,Vol.59,1990. 27.Kandhal,P.S.Pennsylvania'sExperienceinCompactionofAsphaltPavements.American SocietyforTestingandMaterials.SpecialTechnicalPublicationNo.829,1984. 28.Kandhal,P.S.SpecificationsforCompactionofAsphaltPavements.Proceedings,Association ofAsphaltPavingTechnologists,Vol52,1983. 29.Kandhal,P.S.,R.CominskyandJ.A.Motter.DevelopmentandImplementationof StatisticallyBasedSpecificationsforHotMixAsphaltinPennsylvania.TransportationResearch Board,TransportationResearchRecord1389,1993. 30.MinistryofRoadTransport&Highways.SpecificationsforRoadandBridgeWorks,Section 500,FourthRevision,2001,IndianRoadsCongress,NewDelhi. 31.MinistryofRoadTransport&Highways.ManualforConstructionandSupervisionof BituminousWorks.IndianRoadsCongress,NewDelhi,November2001. 32.Rao,S.K.,J.K.DasandP.R.Chowdhury.AsphaltMixDesign–RefusalDensityApproach forHeavilyTraffickedRoads.JournaloftheIndianRoadsCongress,Vol.68-1,April-June2007. 33.Roberts,F.L.,P.S.Kandhal,E.R.Brown,D.Y.Lee,andT.W.Kennedy.HotMixAsphalt Materials,MixtureDesignandConstruction.NCATTextbook,NAPAEducationFoundation, Lanham,Maryland,SecondEdition,1996.
ANNEXURES 22
AnnexureI OutlineofAASHTOT283,“ResistanceofCompactedAsphaltMixturesto Moisture-InducedDamage” ScopeandSummaryofTestMethod Thismethodcoverspreparationofcompactedbituminousmixturesandthe measurementofthechangeofdiametraltensilestrengthresultingfromthe effectsofwatersaturationandlaboratoryacceleratedstrippingphenomenon withafreeze-thawcycle.Theresultmaybeusedtopredictlong-termstripping susceptibilityofbituminousmixturesandevaluateliquidanti-strippingadditives thatareaddedtobitumenorpulverizedmineralmaterialssuchashydrated lime,whichareaddedtothemineralaggregate. Eachsetof6compactedspecimensisdividedintotwoequalsubsets.Onesubset istestedindryconditionforindirecttensilestrength.Theothersubsetis subjectedtovacuumsaturationandafreeze-thawcycle(thawinginahotwater bath)beforetestingforindirecttensilestrength.Numericalindicesofretained indirecttensilestrengthpropertiesarecalculatedfromthetestdataobtainedby testingthetwosubsets:dryandconditioned.
TestingEquipment 1.Vacuumcontainer,vacuumpump,manometer,andotheraccessoriesas specifiedinASTMD2041,“TheoreticalMaximumSpecificGravityand DensityofBituminousPavingMixtures”. 2.Balanceorscaleaccurateto0.1percentofthetestload 3.Twowaterbathscapableofmaintainingtemperaturesof60C+/-1Cand 25C+/-0.5C 4.Freezermaintainedat–18C+/-3C 5.10-mlgraduatecylinder 6.Loadingjackandringdynamometer(Marshallstabilitytestingmachine canbeused)toprovideaverticalrateofdeformationof50mm(2inches) perminuteandcapableofreadingthemaximumfailureload 7.Steelloadingstripswithaconcavesurfacehavingaradiusequaltothe normalradiusofthetestspecimen.Theloadingstripsshallbe12.7mm (0.5inch)wideforspecimens100mm(4inches)indiameter.Theloading stripsfor150mm(6inches)diameterspecimensshallbe19.05mm(0.75 inch)wide.Thelengthoftheloadingstripsshallexceedthethicknessof thespecimens.Steelstripareprovidedatthetopandbottomofspecimens duringindirecttensiletesting. TestProcedure 1.Makeatleast6compactedspecimensforeachmixture,3tobetesteddry and3tobetestedafterpartialsaturationandmoistureconditioningwith afreeze-thawcycle.Someextraspecimenswillneedtobemadeto establishcompactionproceduresinordertoobtainspecifiedairvoid 23
contentsinthetestspecimensbytrialanderror. 2.Compactthe6specimenswithaMarshallcompactorsothatthe compactedspecimenshaveairvoidsof7.0+/-0.5percent.Thislevelof highairvoidscanbeobtainedbyadjustingthenumberofMarshallblows appliedoneachsideofthespecimenbytrialanderror(startatabout10 blowsasastartingpoint).Airvoidcontentmustbecalculatedfromthe bulkspecificgravityofthecompactedspecimen(determinedbysaturated surfacedrymethodasperproceduregivenintheAsphaltInstituteMS-2) andthemaximumtheoreticalspecificgravityoftheloosebituminous mixtureobtainedbyASTMD2041. 3.Separatethe6specimensinto2subsetssothattheaverageairvoidsofthe twosubsetsareapproximatelyequal.Onesetwillbetesteddry.Keepitat roomtemperatureandthenplaceina25C+/-0.5Cwaterbathfor2 hourspriortodeterminingtheirindirecttensilestrength.Theother subsetwillbeconditionedasfollows: (a).Placeandsubmergethe3specimensinthevacuumcontainer filledwithwateratroomtemperature.Applyavacuumof13-67 kPaabsolutepressure(10-26inchesHgpartialpressure)for30 minutes.Removethevacuumandleavethespecimenssubmerged inwaterfor5to10minutes.[Note:Thewatersaturation procedurenotedabovedeviatesfromAASHTOT283,which obtainsaspecifieddegreeofsaturation.Theaboveprocedure keepsthetimeofsaturationconstant.] (b).Wrapaplasticfilmaroundeachsaturatedspecimenandplace thewrappedspecimeninaplasticbagcontaining10mlofwater andsealtheplasticbag.Placetheplasticbaginafreezerat temperatureof–18C+/-3Cforaminimumof16hours.Remove thespecimensfromthefreezer. (c).Placethespecimensinawaterbathmaintainedat60C+/-1C for24hours.Removetheplasticbagandtheplasticfilmfromeach specimenafterplacingthespecimensunderwater. (d).Removethespecimensfromhotwaterbathandplaceina waterbathmaintainedat25C+/-0.5Cfor2hours. (e).Removetheconditionedspecimensandtestforindirecttensile strength. 4.Determinetheindirecttensilestrengthofthe3dryand3 conditionedspecimensat25C+/-0.5Cafterremovingfromwater bath.First,measuretheirmeanthicknesses(t).Thenplacethetwo steelloadingstripsonthebottomandtopofthespecimensacross diameterandplaceintheMarshalltestingmachineora compression-testingmachine.Applyloadtothespecimens diametrallyataverticalrateof50mm(2inches)perminute. 5.Recordthemaximumcompressivestrengthnotedonthetesting machineandcontinueloadinguntilaverticalcrackappearsinthe specimen.Removethecrackedspecimenfromthemachineand visuallyestimatetheapproximatedegreeofmoisturedamage (extentofstrippedorbareaggregate)onthefracturedfacesofthe 24
specimenonascaleof0to5(5beingthemoststripping). 6.CalculatethetensilestrengthofeachspecimenasfollowsinSI units:
St=2000P/πtd Where,St=tensilestrength,kPa P P= =m max axim imum uml loa oads ds, ,N N t=specimenthickness,mm d=specimendiameter,mm 7.Expressthenumericalindexofresistanceofbituminousmixtureto thedetrimentaleffectsofwaterastheratiooftheoriginalstrength thatisretainedafteracceleratedmoistureandfreeze-thaw conditioning. 8.Calculatethetensilestrengthratio(TSR)asfollows: Tensilestrengthratio(TSR)=S 2/S1 Where, S1=averagetensilestrengthofthedrysubset,kPa S2=averagetensilestrengthoftheconditionedsubset,kPa
**************** AnnexureII OutlineofASTMD2041,“TheoreticalMaximumSpecificGravityandDensity ofBituminousPavingMixtures” ScopeandSummaryoftheTestMethod Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthetheoreticalmaximumspecific gravityanddensityofuncompactedbituminouspavingmixturesat25C.The theoreticalmaximumspecificgravity(Gmm)isused:(a)tocalculateairvoidsin compactedbituminousmixtures,(b)tocalculatetheamountofbitumen absorbedbytheaggregate,and(c)toprovidetargetvalueforthecompactionof pavingmixturesinthefield. Asampleofloosepavingmixtureisplacedinataredvacuumvessel.Waterat25 Cisaddedtocompletelysubmergethesample.Aspecifiedamountofvacuumis graduallyappliedtoremovetheairbubblesentrappedbetweenbituminousmix particles.Afterthevacuumisreleased,thevolumeofthesampleofthevoidless pavingmixtureisobtainedbyeitherimmersingthevacuumcontainerwiththe sampleinawaterbathandweighingorbyfillingthecalibratedvacuum containerlevelfullofwaterandweighinginair. 25
TestingEquipment 1.Container(eitheraorbbelow) (a)Vacuumbowls–Eitherametalorplasticbowlwitha diameterrangingfrom180to260mmandabowlheight ofatleast160mm.Thebowlshallbeequippedwitha stiff,transparentcoverfittedwitharubbergasketanda connectionforthevacuumline.Thehoseconnectionshall becoveredwithasmallpieceoffinewiremeshto minimizelossofanyfinematerialfromthemix. (b)Vacuumflaskforweighinginaironly–Athick-walled volumetricglassflaskwithacapacityofapprox.4000ml, fittedwitharubberstopperwithaconnectionforthe vacuumline.Thehoseconnectionshallbecoveredwitha smallpieceoffinewiremeshtominimizelossofanyfine materialfromthemix. 2.Balancecapableofbeingreadtothenearest0.1gram.If weighingistobedoneunderwater,asuitablesuspension arrangementshallbeprovidedforweighingthesamplewhile suspendedfromthecenterofthebalance 3.Vacuumpump,capableofevacuatingairfromthevacuum containertoaresidualpressureof4.0kPa(30mmofHg)or less.Provideasuitabletrapbetweenthepumpandcontainerto minimizewatervapourenteringthevacuumpump. 4.Residualpressuremanometerorcalibratedabsolutepressure gaugewithableedvalvetoadjustthevacuumlevel. 5.Waterbathcapableofmaintainingaconstanttemperatureof25 +/-1Candsuitableforimmersionofthesuspendedcontainer. CalibrationofContainers (a)Bowls–Determinethemass(B)ofthecontainerimmersedin waterat25+/-1C.Ifthebowlisusedforweighinginair,place thevolumetriclidonthebowlwhileunderwater.Removethe water-filledbowlwiththelidinplaceanddrypriortodetermining thecombinedmassofthebowl,lidandwater.Repeat3timesand averagethe3masses.DesignatetheaveragemassasD. (b)Flasks–Calibratethevolumetricflaskbyaccuratelydetermining themassoftheflaskfilledwithwaterat25+/-1C.Useaglass coverplatetoensuretheflaskiscompletelyfull. TestProcedure 1.Separatetheparticlesoftheloosepavingmixture(whileitiswarm) byhandsothattheparticlesarenotlargerthanabout6mm. Don’tfracturetheaggregate.Placethemixsampledirectlyinto thetaredbowlorflask.Weighthecontainerwiththesampleand designatethenetmassofthesampleonlyasA.[Note:The 26
minimumsamplesizeshallbe1500gformixeswithnominal maximumaggregatesizesof12.5mmorsmaller;andshallbe 2500gformixeswithnominalmaximumaggregatesizesfrom19to 25mm.] 2.Addsufficientwaterat25Ctocoverthesamplecompletely.Place thecover(bowels)orstopper(flasks)onthecontainers. 3.Placethecontainerwiththesampleandwateronamechanical agitationdeviceoragitatemanuallyatfrequentintervals(2to3 minutes).Beginremovingentrappedairbygraduallyapplying vacuumandincreasingthevacuumpressureuntiltheresidual manometerreads3.7+/-0.3kPa(27.5+/-2.5mmofHg).After achievingthislevelwithin2minutes,continuethevacuumand agitationfor15+/-2minutes.Graduallyreleasethevacuumwith thebleedvalve. 4.Weighinginwater–Suspendthebowl(withoutlid)andcontentsin waterfor10+/-1minutesandthendeterminemass.Designatethe massunderwaterofthebowlandsampleasC. 5.Weighinginair Bowl–Submergethebowlandsampleslowlyinthe25+/-1 Cwaterbath.Keepittherefor10+/-1minutes.Immerse thelidinwaterandslideitontothebowlwithout removingwaterfromthebowlsothatnoairistrapped insidethebowl.Removethebowlwiththelidinplace fromthewaterbath.Drythebowlandlidwithadry cloth.Determinethemassofthebowl,sample,andlid anddesignateitasE. Flask–Filltheflaskslowlywithwaterensuringnotto introduceanyairintothesample.Placetheflaskinwater bathfor10+/-1minutestostabilizethetemperatureat 25Cwithoutsubmergingthetopoftheflask.Completely filltheflaskwithwaterusingacoverplatewithout entrappingairbeneaththecoverplate.Wipetheexterior oftheflaskandcoverplate.Determinethemassofthe flask,plateanditscontentscompletelyfilledwithwater. DesignatethismassasE. 6.Calculations Calculatethemaximumspecificgravityofthesampleofloose pavingmixtureasfollows:
BowlsUsedUnderWaterDetermination: Gmm=A/[A-(C-B)] Where: Gmm=maximumspecificgravityofthemixture A=massofthedrysampleinair,g B=massofbowlunderwater,g C=massofbowlandsampleunderwater,g 27
BowlsinAirDetermination: Gmm=A/(A+D-E) Where: Gmm=maximumspecificgravityofthemixture A=massofdrysampleinair,g D=massoflidandbowlwithwaterat25C,g E=massoflid,bowl,sampleandwaterat25C,g FlaskDetermination Gmm=A/(A+D-E) Where; Gmm=maximumspecificgravityofthemixture A=massofdrysampleinair,g D=massofcoverplateandflaskfilledwithwaterat25C,g E=massofflask,coverplate,sample,andwaterat25C,g
CommentsonPaperNo.564,“GuidelinesforLongLastingBituminous PavementsinIndia” by Prof.P.S.Kandhal,Prof.A.Veeraragavan&R.K.Jain
B.M.Bhagabat DoesDBMhaveadvantageoverBMandSDBCinurbanroadconstruction? A.K.Sinha Ourexperiencehasshownthatpremixcarpet(PC)withsealcoatisflexiblein characterandmoresuitableforlessimportanthighwayespeciallywhereoneis notverysureaboutthebasebelow.DoyousuggestuseofPCinaforesaid situationoryousuggestdiscardingitandusingBCorsimilarwearingcourse? S.DasGupta Isitadvisabletousesealcoatoverpremixcarpet(PC)fromthelonglasting pointofviewofbituminouspavementsinhighprecipitationareas? Col.A.K.Tiwari 1. Howwilllife/performanceofbituminouspavementbeaffecteddueto reductioninelasticrecoveryintherecentlyrevisedIRC:SP:53? 2. Unlessbiddocumentsinsistonequipmentforviscosityandtorsion recoverytest,therevisedIRC:SP:53willbeuseless. 28
3. Stonematrixasphalt(SMA)mustbedonewithPMBandnotplain bitumen. ShriGhanshamDas Itisawellestablishedfactthatpolymermodifiedbitumen(SBSbased)enhances thelifeofpavementsanditsperformanceinbetterthananyothertypesof bitumen.MORTHandIRCshouldinsistonstategovernmentstousePMBin particularsectionsofroads. Dr.P.K.Jain 1. WhereSMAshouldbeused?Ifitisusedinbindercoursedoesitserve purposeoflonglastingasphaltpavements? 2. WhatisyouropinionorexperiencewiththinSMAformaintenanceof cityroads? 3. WhatisyourrecommendationforuseofPMBinbinderandbasecourse forlonglastingpavements?
Dr.(Ms)VandanaTare I have have qu ques esti tion on rega regard rdin ing g nu numb mber er of blow blows s to be give given n for for prep prepar arat atio ion n of samp ample. le. The bitu itumino inous mix undergoes oes densif sifica ication ion due to second ondary compac compaction tion, , what should should be the recommen recommended ded compac compaction tion level level for highway highways s carryingdifferenttrafficlevelsandurbanroads? ShriNarayan.C.Bagalkot For For allo allowi wing ng traf traffi fic c over over bitu bitum men/a en/asp spha halt lt surf surfac ace e it is said said that that ther there e is no technicalreasonnottoallowtrafficfor24hrs.Ifthisisthecase,underPaperno. 562, 562, co-au co-auth thor or Dr. Dr. A. Veer Veerara aragav gavan an has come come out with with inves investig tigati ative ve repor report t sayingthat‘DBM’ sayingthat‘DBM’ hasfailed due toallowingtraffi toallowingtraffic cimm immedi ediatel ately yover over it. DBM lifecomesdowndrasticallybydoingso.Canyouexplainplease? A.C.Bordoloi InnortheastIndia,wealwayshavecontinuousrainfallduringrainyseasonasa resu result lt of whic which h we face face many many prob proble lems ms in maint aintai aini ning ng our our high highwa ways ys – like like occurrenceofbigpotholes,strippingofbituminoussurface,etc. BM, SDBC,PCandSC SDBC,PCandSC layersare layersare highlyporou highlyporous,water s,water usually usually enters enters through through porescausingpotholesin2to3yearsoldsurface.Onlystonedustisusedas fillerinbituminouscourse. Now, ow, during the las last 2 - 3 year yearss, DBM and and BC laye ayers have been used in bitu bitumi minou nous s surfac surface e with with limes limeston tone e fille filler r whic which h has very very good good anti anti-s -stri tripp ppin ing g qualities.Insomecases,add qualities.Insomecases,additionalant itionalanti-strip i-strippingagen pingagenthasalsobeenuse thasalsobeenused.Itis d.Itis observedthatwiththeadoptionofthisspecification,thequalityofpavementand durabilityofsurfaceandridingqualityhasincreasedsignificantly. Iagreewiththeviewsofproposingfourdensegradedmixes.Also,useoflime stone stone filler filler in regular regular courses courses will definit definitely ely give durabil durability ity and better better riding riding qualityandalsomaintenancecostwillreducesignificantly. 29
ShriRajibChattaraj Inthispaper,theauthorshaveaddressedalmostalltheissuesrelatingtothe design,constructionandqualitycontrolofdensegradedbituminousmixeswhere th thepresent4 RevisionofMinistry’sSpecificationneedsrevision.However,let mehaveclarificationsonsomepointsasfollows: 1.Longlastingpavements–whatistheperspectiveofthedurabilityof bituminouspavementthathasbeenconsidered–20years,30years,40yearsor 50years? 2.Inpara“3:DesignofMix”aftertable6,ithasbeenmentioned:The maximumspecificgravityofthebituminousmixshouldbedeterminedbyusing ASTMD2041andnotbytheformula. Maximumspecificgravityofbituminousmixshouldbedeterminedcorrectlyfor ascertainingairvoidsofthemixwhichisveryimportantrathermostimportant feature.Heretheconceptofeffectivespecificgravityoftheaggregatescomes intoplay. TheprecisionofthetestasperASTMD2041isthebestwhentheBituminous Mixisclosetothedesignasphaltcontent.Thus,themaximumspecificgravity (Gmm)asdeterminedbythetestasperASTMD2041(withasphaltcontentclose todesignasphaltcontentfromexperience)maybeusedtodeterminethe effectivespecificgravityofaggregateGsefromtheequation– Gse=
Pmm
−
Pmn
Pb Pb
asperclause4.06ofMS-2(SixthEdition).
−
Gmm
Gb
[Gmm=Maximumspecificgravityofthepavingmix(noairvoid)determinedas perASTMD2041. Gse= Effectivespec Effectivespecificgra ificgravityofagg vityofaggregate. regate. Pmm= Percentbyw Percentbyweightof eightoftotall totalloosem oosemix(100) ix(100) Pb= Asphaltconte Asphaltcontentat ntatwhich whichASTM ASTMD204 D2041waspe 1wasperformed rformed,per ,percentby centbytotal total weightofmix.(shouldbeclosetodesignasphaltcontentfortheparticulartype ofmix,say5.3%forBC) Gb= Specifi Specificg cgravi ravity tyofa ofasph sphalt] alt]. . ThisGsevalueshouldbeusedtodetermineGmmofbituminousmixeswith differentasphaltcontent(fromdesignasphaltcontent)bytheformula– Gmm=
Pmm Ps
Pb
asperclause4.07ofMS-2(SixtyEdition)
+
Gse
[Gmm= Pmm = Ps = Pb = Gse = Gb =
Gb
Maxim aximum um spec specif ific ic grav gravit ity yof ofp pav avin ing gm mix (no (noai air rvo void ids) s) (also known as Rice density after the name of inventor) Perce ercen nt by weigh ight oft ftota otallo lloos osee mixtu xture (100) 100) Aggr ggregate gate content, percen cent byt ytota otalwe lweiight ght of mixt ixture. Asph sphalt alt cont ontent, percent by total weigh ight ofm fmixtu xture. Effective specific gravity of aggregate. Specific gravity of asphalt]. 30
Thiswillbeusefultodetermineairvoidsofbituminousmixeswithdifferent asphaltcontent(fromdesignasphaltcontent)andwillhelpinplottingthecurve airvoid-vs-bitumencontent.Withthisapproach,G mmdeterminedbyASTM D2041andthatdeterminedbytheoreticalformulashouldbeequalatdesign asphaltcontent. ItistrueifwecheckthenumericalexampleasgiveninMS-2(Table4.2) MaximumspecificgravityofpavingmixGmm,determinedasperASTMD2041= 2.535,correspondingtotheAsphaltContent=5.3%bywt.oftotalmix. WiththisGseiscalculatedas:-
100 − 5.3 100
5 .3 −
2.535
94.7 =
=
2.761
39.45 − 5.15
1.030
ThisvalueofGsemaybeusedformixwithanyasphaltcontent,todetermine Gmmtheoretically. Forexample,with4%asphaltcontent:- Gmm=
100 96
100 4.0
+
2.761
=
=
2.535
34.299 + 5.146
1.030
WhichisthesamevalueasdeterminedbyASTMD2041. Thus,boththemethodsfordeterminationofMaximumSpecificGravityofmix areuseful[fordifferentpurpose]. 3.ItisalsostatedthatasperthelatesteditionofAsphaltInstituteManualMS-2, thedesignbitumencontentshouldbeselectedtocorrespondwith4.0%airvoids foralltypesofmixtures.Butasper“5.15:Selectionoffinalmixdesign”ofMS-2 (SixthEdition)itisratherstated,“themixshouldnotbedesignedtooptimize oneparticularproperty.Thedesignasphaltcontentshouldbeacompromiseand selectedtobalanceallofthemixproperties…Differentpropertiesaremore criticalfordifferentcircumstancesdependingontraffic,structure,climate, constructionequipmentandotherfactors”. However,thecurrentpracticeofdeterminingtheoptimumbitumencontentby averagingwithequalweightageofthebitumencontentcorrespondingto(i) maximumstability(ii)maximumdensity(iii)4%airvoidhasshortcominginthe way–itisgenerallyseenthatthebitumencontentscorrespondingtomaximum stabilityandmaximumdensityarenearertoeachotherandaresomewhatmore thanthatcorrespondingto4%airvoid.Thus,thedesignbitumencontentby averagingthreebitumencontents,doesnotcorrespondsto4%airvoid. Onthatotherhand,if4%airvoidbeconsideredastheonlyguidingparameter forselectionofdesignbitumencontent,thenitwillcomedownby0.2to0.3% thatwhatitgenerallymatcheswiththecurrentpractice. Inthatcasetoo,willitbejustifiedtodecrease0.2to0.3%furtherindesign 31
bitumencontent(donewith75no.ofblowsofcompactionlevel)forheavily traffickedroad,assuggestedinpriorityno.4inthelistofalternativewaysof superiormixdesignmethods? 4.Inpara4.2:Compaction:-Itismentionedthatintermediaterollingshouldbe donewithPTRof12or15tonesweighthavingninewheels–whyninewheels,if thenumberwheelsareseventhenloadperwheelwillbemorewhichwould ratherbeadvantageforimpartingmorekneadingaction,whichinturnwillbe helpfultoachievebettershearstrength? 5.In4.2Compaction–lastpara:-fordensitymeasurement-cuttingcoresfrom thepavingmathasbeenmentioned.Well,itisagreedthattakingcoresisthe bestwaytojudge,howevernothinghasbeenmentionedhereaboutnondestructivewaysofcheckingdensity. Ifthecoresarecutfromthepavingmat,thenwhythosecoresaretestedfor checkingdensityalong,thevolumetricproperties,stability,flow,bitumen contentetc.shouldalsobechecked. 6.Inthispapercaptionedas“Guidelinesforlonglastingbituminouspavements inIndia”,allthegoodpracticeofdesignandconstructionofbituminous pavementshavebeenthoroughlycovered.Probablyitdoesnotrelatedtothe conceptofLong-lifepavement(Europeanterm)whichissameasPerpetual pavement(AmericanTerm).
RepliesbytheAuthors(Paperno RepliesbytheAuthor s(Paperno.564) .564) Theauthorsareencouragedbythenumerouscommentsreceivedonthispaper at the the tim time of pres presen enta tati tion on as well well as afte afterw rwar ards ds. . Th This is show shows s that that exis existi ting ng MORTHbituminousspecificationswhicharemorethantenyearsoldneedtobe revis revised ed to keep keep abrea abreast st of latest latest techn technolo ologie gies s as well well as to obtain obtain long long lasti lasting ng pavements. B.M.Bhagab B.M.Bhagabathasaskedwhet athasaskedwhether her DBM has advanta advantageoverBMand geoverBMand SDBCin SDBCin urba urban n road road cons constr truc ucti tion on. . Be Besi side des s othe other r disa disadv dvan anta tage ges s of BM and and SDBC SDBC as expl explai aine ned d in deta detail il in the the pape paper, r, thes these e mixe mixes s brin bring g open open or sem semi dens dense e trap trap moistu sture/ re/wat water wit within the pave avement syst ystem inc increa reasin sing the potential for for stripping.ThisisallthemorecriticalforurbanroadsinIndia,wheredrainageis usually usually lacking lacking and roads roads get flooded flooded during during monsoon monsoons. s. Both BM and SDBC SDBC shouldbedeletedfromthespecifications.Onlythefourdensegradedbituminous mixesrecommendedinthepapershouldbeused. Concer Concernin ning gA.K A.K.Sinha’ .Sinha’scommen scommentson tson the useof premixcarpet premixcarpet (PC) withseal withseal coat, coat, it can can be used used for for low volum volume e rural rural roads roads such such as PMGS PMGSY Y over over WBM, WBM, wher where e ther there e is adeq adequat uate e drain drainage age for surfa surface ce water water. . By nature nature, , PC is highl highly y porousandthereforeitswaterpermeabilityisveryhigh.Thatiswhy;wetryto sealitatsurfacewithaseal sealitatsurfacewithasealcoat.Howev coat.However,inarea er,inareaswheresealc swheresealcoathasnotbee oathasnotbeen n appliedproperlyorhasbeeneroded,watercangetintothePCeasilyandspread 32
tran transve sverse rsely ly thro through ughou out t the the PC causi causing ng strip strippi ping ng and and dete deterio riorat ration ion. . Th This is is evide evident nt in case case of secti section ons s of PMGS PMGSY Y roads roads cons constru truct cted ed with with PC, PC, whic which h fall fall with withiin vill villag ages es wher where e ther there e is no surf surfac ace e wate water r drai draina nage ge. . Th Thes ese e sect sectio ions ns deterioraterapidlyandneedtobeconstructedwithcementconcrete.A.K.Sinha is refe referr rred ed to the the foll follow owin ing g link link wher wherei ein n this this ph phen enom omen enon on of PC has has been been describedindetailwithillustrationsandphotographs. http://www.scribd.com/doc/37020149/Premix-Carpet-is-Killing-Our-Roads-inTowns-and-Cities In case case of medi medium um traf traffi fic c road roads, s, 50-m 50-mm m BC wear wearin ing g cour course se can can be plac placed ed directlyoverWBMorWMMasdescribedinthepaperbecauseBCisreasonably flexibleduetoitslowernominalmaximumaggregatesize(NMAS)andrelatively higherbitumencontent. DasGuptaisreferredtotheprecedingresponsetoShriSinha.Itisnotadvisable tousePCwithorwithoutsealinhighprecipitationareas. Col.Tiwarihasmaderefere Col.Tiwarihasmadereferencetotherecentlyrevis ncetotherecentlyrevisedIRC:SP edIRC:SP:53-2010. :53-2010.Priorto Priorto this this revised revised edition edition, , IRC:SP: IRC:SP:53-2 53-2002 002 had four separat separate e specifi specificat cation ion tables tables for diff differ eren ent t type types s of modif odifie ied d bitu bitum men: en: PMB PMB (ela (elast stom omer er); ); PMB PMB (pla (plast stom omer er); ); CRMB CRMB; ; and and NRMB NRMB. . Th These ese table tables s had diffe differe rent nt requir requirem emen ents ts for minim minimum um elast astic recov ecoveery depend ending ing on the modifi ifier type, whi which is expe xpected and and reaso reasonab nable le. . PMB PMB (elas (elastom tomer) er) had highe higher r mini minimi mium um elasti elastic c recov recovery ery of 75% 75% comparedto50%forCRMB.However,IRC:SP:53-2010hascombinedalltypes ofmodifiersanddevelopedacommonspecificationfor“modifiedbitumen”.To accommodate accommodateCRMB, CRMB, thecommon the common specification specificationwas was diluted diluted and theminim the minimum um elasticrecoverywasreducedto50-60%.Obvious elasticrecoverywasreducedto50-60%.Obviously,thiswouldlowe ly,thiswouldlowerthequality rthequality ofPMB(elastomer)andsubsequentlyadverselyaffecttheperformanceandlife ofthebituminouspavement. TheauthorsconcurwithCol TheauthorsconcurwithCol.Tiwarithatthe .Tiwarithatthemodifiedbitu modifiedbitumenshoul menshouldbetested dbetested withspecifiedtestingequipmentwhenitisdeliveredtothecontractors. Concer Concernin ning g Col. Col. Tiwari’ Tiwari’s s commen comments ts on the use of PMB in SMA the followin following g observationsaremade.WhenSMAwasimportedfromEuropeintotheUSin the late 1980s 1980s numerou numerous s SMA projects projects were constru constructed cted there there using using cellulos cellulose e fiberandunmodifiedbitumensuchasVG-30andVG-20.ThoseSMAprojects performedinanexcellentmannerwithoutanyproblemwithrutting.However, inlateryearsPMBwithelastomer(primarilyPG76-22Super inlateryearsPMBwithelastome r(primarilyPG76-22Superpaveperform paveperformance ance grade)wasincorporatedintoSMAalongwithcellulosefiber.Itisbelievedthat PMBfurtherenhancedtheperformanceandservicelifeofSMApavement. The authors authors concur concur with with Shri Shri Ghansh Ghansham am Das that that polymer polymer modifie modified d bitume bitumen n (wit (with h elas elasto tome mers rs) ) give gives s bett better er pave paveme ment nt perf perfor orm mance ance com compare pared d to othe other r modifie modified d bitume bitumen n binder binders. s. However However, , elastom elastomers ers need need not be restric restricted ted to SBS onlyaslongasotherelastomersmeetthesamespecificationrequirements. Dr.P.K.JainhasaskedabouttheuseofSMA. Dr.P.K.JainhasaskedabouttheuseofSMA.Asmentione Asmentionedinthepaper,SMA dinthepaper,SMA 33
shou should ld be used used on very ery heav heavil ily y traf traffi fick cked ed road roads s espe especi cial ally ly thos those e carr carryi ying ng overl overload oaded ed truc trucks ks. . Since Since rutt ruttin ing g is expe experi rien enced ced in bitu bitumi mino nous us layer layers s usuall usually y within100mmfromtheroadsurface,itisrecommendedtouseSMAinthe bind binder er cours course e as well well un unles less s the the BC bind binder er course course is highly highly rut rut resist resistan ant t and comparablewithSuperpavedesigneddensegradedmixasusedintheUS.IRC: SP:79SP:79-2008 2008 Specifi Specificati cation on for SMA gives gives gradatio gradation n for both both binder binder course course and wearingcourse. Thin SMA Thin SMA is not reco recom mmend mended ed for for maint ainten enan ance ce of city city road roads s at this this tim time because because city roads roads arenot subject subjectedto edto very heavyloads.Moreo heavyloads.Moreover ver, , thin thin SMA wouldrequiredesignin wouldrequiredesigningtheSMAwithlowerNMAS,whichmak gtheSMAwithlowerNMAS,whichmakesthemixvery esthemixvery sensitivetochangesingradation.IRC:SP:79-2008doesnothaveanySMAmix withlowerNMAS. Concer Concernin ning gthe the useof PMB,it PMB,it isrecommend isrecommendedto edto use itin bitumin bituminouscour ouscourses ses within100 within100 mm of the road surface, surface, which which are likelyto likelyto rut under under traffic. traffic. This This meansPMBshouldbeusedprimarilyinthewearingandbindercoursesandnot inbasecourses. In respons response e to Shri Shri S.K. S.K. Singh Singh it should should benot be noted ed that that we have switch switched ed from penetr penetratio ation n gradedbitum gradedbitumento ento viscosit viscosity y gradedbitum gradedbitumensince2006, ensince2006, whichis whichis a signific significant ant step step forward forward in getting getting better better quality quality paving paving bitume bitumen. n. If we really really need need to analyze analyze the stress/s stress/strai train n charact characteris eristics tics of bitume bitumen, n, then then India India should should move move forward forward to perform performanc ance e grading grading (PG) (PG) system system adopte adopted d in the US, which which requirescomplextestingsystemforcharacterizingbitumenbasedonengineering prin princip ciple les. s. It is not not nece necessa ssary ry for user users s to test test the the crud crude e which which is used used by the the refineriesforproducingpavingbitumensolongasthebitumenspecificationis based based on perfo perform rman ance ce obser observe ved d in the the field field throu through gh comp compreh rehen ensiv sive e rese researc arch h projects. Inresponseto InresponsetoDr.Van Dr.VandanaTare’s danaTare’squery,itistobeinforme query,itistobeinformedthatindesigning dthatindesigning a mix bythe Marshal Marshall l method method, ,itis itis “assume “assumed”thatthe d”thatthe laborato laboratory rycom compact pactive ive effortusedintermsofnumberofblowswouldobtainalaboratorydensitywhich will “approx “approxima imate” te” themat density density inthe in the field field after after 2-3yearsof densifi densificati cation on undertraffic.Obviously,thislaboratorydensitycannotbeachievedphysicallyin the field field at the time time of constru constructi ction on and further further densifi densificati cation on does take place place undertraffi undertraffic.Since c.Since more moreden densific sificatio ation n takesplacein takesplacein case ofheavily traffick trafficked ed roads roads we apply apply 75 blows blows to “approx “approxima imate” te” themat density density after after 2-3 years. years. In case of light light to medium medium traffic traffic roads roads we apply apply 50 blows blows to “appro “approxim ximate” ate” the mat density density after after 2-3years undertraffic undertraffic. . Insum In summar mary, y, the simulat simulationbetwee ionbetween n the the labor laborato atory ry compac compactiv tive e eff effort orts s and the the ultim ultimate ate mat mat dens density ity in the field field is approximateatbest. Inres In respons ponse e toShri Bagalko Bagalkot,thereis t,thereis nocontradic nocontradiction tion between between the stateme statements nts about about allowin allowing g traffic traffic on bitumi bituminou nous s pavement pavements s just after after constru construction ction in this this paper paperand and the Paper Paper No. 562presentedby 562presentedby Prof.Veerara Prof.Veeraragava gavan.If n.If a pavemen pavement t has has adeq adequa uate te thic thickn knes ess/ s/st stru ruct ctur ural al stre streng ngth th to sust sustai ain n traf traffi fic c load loads s and and it is surfaced/resurfacedwithabituminouscourse,trafficcanbeopenedassoonas theconstructedbituminouscoursehascooleddowntoambienttemperaturein 34
its its entir entire e dept depth. h. Howev However er, , if a new new pavem pavemen ent t is being being const constru ruct cted ed and all the the structuralcoursessuchasbasecoursearenotinplace,thepavementcannotbe open opened ed to full full fled fledged ged traff traffic ic becau because se it will will fail fail in fatig fatigue ue du due e to inad inadeq equat uate e pavemen pavement t thickn thickness/ ess/stru structu ctural ral strengt strength. h. This This latter latter situatio situation n was mention mentioned ed in Paper PaperNo.562. No.562. It should shouldalso also be mention mentioned edthat that if DBM is constru constructe cted d intwo in two courses,donotuseDBMGr courses,donotuseDBMGrading1inanycourse ading1inanycoursebecauseitishighly becauseitishighlypermeab permeable le towaterandwillsoakinwaterasmentionedinthispaper.UseDBMGrading2 asbasecourseandBCGrading1asbindercourseasmentionedinthispaper. The auth The author ors s are are enco encour urage aged d with with the the comme comment nts s made made by Sh Shri ri Bord Bordolo oloi. i. His His adversefieldexperiencewithhighlyporousBM,SDBCandPCinhighrainfall areasconfirmsauthors’observationsinthepaper.Healsoagreesthatthefour densegradedbituminousmixesrecommendedinthepapershouldbeused. ShriRajibChattarajhassoughtclarificationsonsomeitemsasfollows: 1. Definitionoflonglastingpavement.Thispaperdoesnotdealwiththeso called called “perpet “perpetual ual pavemen pavement”. t”. A long lasting lasting pavemen pavement t should should not have have anyproblemwithbaseandbindercourseduringthedesignperiod(for example20yearsorso).Itswearingcourseshouldlastforusuallifeof810yearsafterwhichitwouldneedtobereplacedorresurfaced. 2. Theauthorsconcurwithwhateve TheauthorsconcurwithwhateverShriChattarajhasquote rShriChattarajhasquotedfromMS-2 dfromMS-2 (Sixth (Sixth Edition Edition) ) in regard regard to determ determinin ining g the maximum maximum specific specific gravity, gravity, Gmm, of bitu itumino inous mixes xes at diffe ifferrent bitu itumen contents. He has correctlystatedthattheGmmshouldbedetermineddirectlyusingASTM D2041testincaseofatleastonemixwithknownbitumencontent..Then the Gmm for other mixes at different bitumen contents can be theoreticallycalculatedbyaformulausingtheeffectivespecificgravity, Gse,ofcombinedaggregatesinthemix. Obviously,intheprecedingprocedureGmmwasdetermineddirectlyon atleastonemixsampleofknownbitumencontent. Unfo Unfort rtun unat atel ely, y, many any cont contra ract ctor ors s in Indi India a do not not even even have have the the test test equipmentforASTMD2041and,therefore,theycannot/donotmeasure the Gmm ofany bitumi bituminous nous mix directl directly.Rathe y.Rather rthe they yjus just tcalc calculat ulate ethe the Gmm Gmm for for all all bitu bitum minou inous s mixes ixes from from a “for “form mula” ula” usin using g the the spec specif ific ic gravityof“individual”aggregatesandspecificgravityofbitumen.That “formu “formula”isnolonger la”isnolonger intheMS-2now.Asstated intheMS-2now.Asstatedby by theauthorsinthe theauthorsinthe pape paper r that that (old (old) ) form formul ula a shoul hould d not not be used sed by the the cont contra ract ctor ors s for for calculatingGmm.TheyshoulddetermineGmmdirectlywithASTMtest D2041.Obviously,the‘theoreticalformula”mentionedbyShriChattaraj inhiscommentsisdifferentthanthe“formula”mentionedinthepaper. So,thisisaclearcaseofmisunderstanding. 3. Optimumbitumen Optimumbitumencontent.MS-2recomme content.MS-2recommendsselectingtheinitialdesign ndsselectingtheinitialdesign bitumenconten bitumencontentcorrespond tcorrespondingto4.0%airvoi ingto4.0%airvoids.Thenitgoe ds.Thenitgoesontostate sontostate thatdifferentpropertiesshouldbebalanced“fordifferentcircumstances 35
depe depend ndin ing g on traff traffic ic, , stru struct ctur ure, e, clima climate te, , cons constr truc uctio tion n equi equipm pmen ent t and othe other r fact factor ors” s”. . Th That at is easi easier er said said than than done done. . Th The e late latest st US nati nation onal al researchonairvoidshasrecommendedtodesignmixeswithanarrower rangeof3.5to4.5%ratherthan3to5%forairvoidstooptimizefatigue and and rut rut resi resist stan ance ce prop proper erti ties es. . Th This is leav leaves es no choi choice ce bu but t to sele select ct the the optimumbitumencontentcorrespondingto4.0%airvoids.Thatiswhy; Superppavemixdesignalsouses4.0%airvoidsasthecriteriatoselect theoptimumbitumencontent.Thisiswhathasbeenrecommendedinthe pape paper r and and this this is what what also also has has been been inco incorp rpor orat ated ed in the the late latest st IRC IRC Spec Sp ecifi ifica catio tion n IRC: IRC:111 111-2 -2009 009 for Dens Dense e Gr Grade aded d Bitu Bitumi minou nous s Mixes Mixes. . We agree agree with Shri Shri Chattar Chattaraj aj that that there there is some confusi confusion onin inMSMS-2 2 on this this point. point. If it is desired desired to have have optimum optimum bitume bitumen n conten content t approxim approximatin ating g Supe Su perp rpave ave mix mix desig design, n, then then the the optim optimum um bitu bitume men n conte content nt selec selected ted at 4.0% 4.0% air air voids voids usin using g 75 blows blows of Marsh Marshall all hamme hammer r shoul should d be furt furthe her r reducedby0.2to0.3percent. 4. Compact Compaction. ion. Apneumatictires Apneumatictires rollermay rollermay have 7or9 7 or9 wheeldepen wheeldependin ding g on its its widt width. h. It is the the infl inflat atio ion n pres pressu sure re in the the tyre tyres s whic which h is most ost importantforeffectivecompactionofthebituminousmat.Theinflation pressurecanbeincreasedordecreaseddependingonthestrengthofthe bituminousmix. 5. Densitymeasurement.Nondestructivewayofcheckingdensityisgoodfor qualit lity control by the contract actor during ing the comp ompact action proce ocess. ss. However,theacceptanceofmatdensityinthefieldbytheusershouldbe based basedoncores.Corescannot oncores.Corescannot beused effecti effectively vely formeasuringstabil formeasuringstability ity and and flow flow of the the mix. mix. Marsh Marshall all speci specime mens ns compac compacte ted d daily daily in the the plant plant labo labora rato tory ry shou should ld be used used for for this this pu purp rpos ose. e. Howe Howeve ver, r, core cores s can can be analyzedforvolumetricpropertiessuchasairvoids. 6. Guidelinesforlonglastin Guidelinesforlonglastingpavement gpavements.Theseguidel s.Theseguidelinesshould inesshouldbeusedto beusedto revis revise e the the exist existing ing MORT MORTH H spec specifi ificat cation ions s for for bitum bitumino inous us pavem pavement ents, s, whichareover10yearsold.Thes whichareover10yearsold.Theseguideli eguidelinesarenotme nesarenotmeantforobtain antforobtaining ing “perpetualpavements”asmentionedearlier. Inclosing,theauthor Inclosing,theauthorswould swould liketo liketo state statetha that tmost most ofthese guidelin guidelineson eson long lastingpavem lastingpavement ents s relatedto relatedto specifi specificat cations ions of bitumin bituminouspavem ouspavement ents s have been been inco incorp rpor orat ated ed in the the rece recent nt IRC: IRC:11 1111-20 2009 09 Sp Spec ecif ific icat atio ions ns for for Dens Dense e Gr Grad aded ed BituminousMixes.However,itistheMORTHspecificationwhichiscommonly usedbymosthighwayagenciesinIndia.UntilMORTHspecificationisrevised alongsimilarlines,wewouldnotachieveourobjectiveoflonglastingbituminous pavements.
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