Effectiveness of Fibers in Stabilizing and Reinforcing Bituminous Mixtures: A review

University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Effectiveness of Fibers in Stabilizing and Reinforcing Bituminous Mixtures: A review

By

Juzer Naushad Moosajee

December 2013

A Literature Review submitted in part consideration of the degree of MSc in Civil Engineering Module H24PLR

Juzer Naushad Moosajee, 14070

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Effectiveness of Fibers in Stabilizing and Reinforcing Bituminous Mixtures: A review

Literature Review
2.1 Introduction:
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) refers to bound layers of flexible road pavements made from a mixture of aggregate, asphalt binder and mineral filler produced (mixed), placed and compacted at elevated temperatures. HMA is a very complex material that can be used as a surface course for providing good ride quality and/or as a base course for load bearing applications. As a surface course, it should also provide excellent drainage to avoid surface spray, as well as be fracture and rut resistant under heavy impact loadings. As a base course, it should provide excellent load spreading in order to reduce concentrated stresses to weaker underlying sub-base and/or subgrade layers. All this puts numerous conflicting performance demands on the material. Improving properties of HMA is necessary for better long lasting pavements in each particular application. The concept of modifying HMA mixes for better performance is not new. Various methods have been adopted to improve performance of bituminous mixtures. Changing individual constituents i.e. aggregate, binder or filler of the HMA is the most widely used avenue used to improve performance or reduce costs of bituminous mixtures.

2.2 Aggregate

Many researchers have shown how variations in aggregate properties e.g. aggregate type, gradation; shape, durability etc have a direct impact on the performance of HMA mixes. Stephens (1974) showed that presence of 30% or higher flat/elongated aggregate particles in dense-graded asphalt concrete caused higher VTM, resulting in a poor quality mix. Open-graded Base Mix is a specialty mix containing very little or no fine aggregate, high VTM and a low OAC ranging from 1.5%-2.5%. Its large angular coarse aggregate content creates good interlock providing high resistance to deformation. The mix is highly permeable and provides good drainage thanks to its high VTM. It effectively minimizes reflective cracking when interlaid between a concrete base and a dense HMA surface layer (Roberts et al. 1991). Research in Yemen (Naji & Asi, 2008) has shown improved properties of asphalt mixtures when volcanic ash (an abundant material) is incorporated as granular aggregate in their HMA mixes. Su, Hachiya & Maekawa (2009) showed that asphalt concrete containing 40% RAP exhibits similar performance as mix Juzer Naushad Moosajee, 14070 Page 2