the base course is constructed directly above sub base.

Otherwise, it is built directly on top of the

subgrade. Typical base course thickness ranges from 4 to 6 inches and is governed by underlying
layer properties. Generally consisting of a specific type of construction aggregate, it is placed by
means of attentive spreading and compacting to a minimum of 95% relative compaction, thus
providing the stable foundation needed to support either additional layers of aggregates or the
placement of an asphalt concrete wearing course which is applied directly on top of the base
course.
Aggregate base (AB) is typically made of a recipe of mixing different sizes of crushed rock
together forming the aggregate which has certain desirable properties. 3/4 inch Aggregate Base,
Class 2, is used in roadways and is an aggregate made of a specific recipe of different sizes and
quality of rock inclusive of 34 in (19.05 mm) to fine dust. An aggregate is normally made from
newly quarried rock, or it is sometimes allowed to be made from recycled asphalt concrete
and/or Portland cement concrete.

Plastic limit
The plastic limit (PL) is determined by rolling out a thread of the fine portion of a soil on a flat,
non-porous surface. The procedure is defined in ASTM Standard D 4318. If the soil is at a
moisture content where its behavior is plastic, this thread will retain its shape down to a very
narrow diameter. The sample can then be remoulded and the test repeated. As the moisture
content falls due to evaporation, the thread will begin to break apart at larger diameters. The
plastic limit is defined as the moisture content where the thread breaks apart at a diameter of 3.2
mm (about 1/8 inch). A soil is considered non-plastic if a thread cannot be rolled out down to 3.2
mm at any moisture possible.

Liquid limit
Casagrande cup in action
The liquid limit (LL) is conceptually defined as the water content at which the behavior of a
clayey soil changes from plastic to liquid. However, the transition from plastic to liquid behavior
is gradual over a range of water contents, and the shear strength of the soil is not actually zero at
the liquid limit. The precise definition of the liquid limit is based on standard test procedures
described below.
Slag is the glass-like by-product left over after a desired metal has been separated
(i.e., smelted) from its raw ore. Slag is usually a mixture of metal oxides and silicon
dioxide. However, slags can contain metal sulfides and elemental metals. While
slags are generally used to remove waste in metal smelting, they can also serve
other purposes, such as assisting in the temperature control of the smelting, and

minimizing any re-oxidation of the final liquid metal product before the molten
metal is removed from the furnace and used to make solid metal.