1

HIGHWAY
MATERIAL
CHARACTERIZATION
One Day Workshop
On
Bituminous Mix Technologies
30th August-2014

29-Aug-14

Department of Civil Engineering,

Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology-Rajkot

Flexible Pavement- Structure

2

Our Focus on these two layer

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Flexible Pavement Materials

3

Materials used in Highway/Road

Construction
1. Subgrade Soil- Borrowed Compacted/Existing soil
2. Selected granular soil or crushed
aggregates.- Sub Base course
3. Granular
base
course
stone
aggregates and fine aggregates
4. Coarse agg. Fine aggregates and Bituminous
Binder in the binder course and surface course
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or wearing course

Flexible Pavement Materials

4

Materials used in Highway/Road

Construction- for selection
1.

Characterization of Aggregates and

2.

Characterization of Bitumen (binder)

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Stone aggregate
5

Aggregate is the major component of

all
materials
used
in
road
construction
It is used in granular bases and subbase, bituminous binder courses and
in surface courses.

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Functions as a Pavement Materials

6

Have to bear different magnitudes of

stresses due to wheel load.
Have to resist
Wear due to abrasive action of traffic.
2. Deterioration due to weathering.
3. Highest magnitude of wheel load
stresses.
1.

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Manufacturing of Aggregates
7

Prepared by crushing the natural

rocks
Based on origin natural rocks are
classified as
Igneous rock
Sedimentary rock
Metamorophic rock
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Manufacturing of Aggregates
8

Fine aggregates river bad.

Manufacturing sand-MSand-as a
aggregates.
Aggregates are specified based on

Fine

Grain size- Sieving through square sieve

Shape,
Texture and

Grading, Tests and specification for

different road making purpose specified by
IRC,MORTH,IS, ASTM.
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Desirable Properties of Road Aggregates

9

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.

6.

Strength
Hardness
Toughness
Durability
Shape of Aggregate.
Adhesion with bitumen

REQUIRED TESTING TO CHECK ITS SUITABILITY

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Tests on road aggregates

10

1. Sieve analysis.
2. Aggregate crushing test.
3. Aggregate impact test.(AIV)
4. Abrasion Test
5. Shape test (FI, EI).
6. Soundness Test.
7. Specific gravity and Water absorption test
8. Stripping value test.
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Tests on road aggregates

11

1.

Sieve analysis.
Each type of aggregate test
requires a specified aggregate
size -e.g. 10-12.5 mm for
crushing test)
Each bituminous mix type has a
recommended
aggregate
gradation (% passing 26.5 mm
in 55-90 for GSB1)

So aggregate is passed
through a set of sieves to
get material of various
sizes
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1. Sieve analysis.
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Observation Table
Sieve size

Weight
Retain

Cumulative
weight retain

Weight
passing

26.5 mm
19 mm
13.2 mm
9.5 mm
4.75 mm
2.36 mm
1.18 mm
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% Passing

2. Aggregate crushing test.

(IS-2386 PART-IV)
13

Strength assessment.
Provides a relative measure of
resistance to crushing under a
gradually applied compressive
load.
Low aggregate crushing value are
preferred.
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2. Aggregate crushing test.

(IS-2386 PART-IV)
14

Surface dry aggregates

passing 12.5 mm and
retained
on
10
mm
selected.
3.25 kg aggregate required
for one test sample
Cylindrical measure filled
with aggregates in 3
layers, tamping each layer
25 times
After
leveling
the
aggregates at the top

surface the test sample is

weighed
The cylinder is now placed
on the base plate

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2. Aggregate crushing test.

(IS-2386 PART-IV)
15

Sample
being
loaded
in
the
compression machine at 4 T per minute
for 10 minutes (up to 40 T)
Indirect measure of crushing strength
Low value indicate strong aggregates
Surface course need more strength
than base course
Should not exceed 30% for cement
concrete surface ,and 45% for others

Observations

Trials
1

Wt. of Aggregate Sample Filling in The

Cylinder= W1(gms)
Wt. of Aggregate Sample Passing 2.36
mm Sieve After the Test= W2(gms)
Aggregate Crushing Value=W2/W1*100

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Average
%

3. Impact Test (IS-2386 PART-IV)

16

Evaluate
the
toughness of stone.
Measure resistance
fracture
under
repeated impact.
Lower
value
is
preferred

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3. Impact Test (IS-2386 PART-IV)

17

After subjecting the test specimen to 15

blows, the crushed aggregate is sieved
through IS 2.36 mm sieve. Weigh the
fraction passing through IS 2.36 mm
sieve(W2)
Aggregate impact value = W2/W1*100
W2 = Weight of fines passing 2.36 mm
W1 = Weight of sample
Mean of the three values reported
Observations

Trials
1

Wt. of Aggregate Sample Filling in The

Cylinder= W1(gms)
Wt. of Aggregate Sample Passing 2.36
mm Sieve After the Test= W2(gms)

Aggregate Impact Value=W2/W1*100

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Average
%

4. Abrasion Test (IS-2386 PART-IV)

18

Evaluate
the
hardness of stone
Measure
the
resistance to wearing
action.
Los Angeles abrasion
and
Deval Attrition test.
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4. Abrasion Test (IS-2386 PART-IV)

19

Aggregates dried in oven at 105 -110 C. to

constant weight conforming to any one of the
grading's 1250 gm of 40-25 mm, 1250 gm of
25-20 mm,
1250 gm of 20-12.5 mm, 1250 gm of 12.5-10
mm, with 12 steel balls
Aggregate weighing 5 kg or 10 kg is placed in
cylinder of the machine(W1gms)

Machine is rotated at 30-33 rpm for 500

revolutions
Machine is stopped and complete material is
taken out including dust
Observations

Trials

1
Wt. of Aggregate
Cylinder= W1(gms)

Sample Filling

in The

Wt. of Aggregate Sample Passing 1.70 mm

Sieve After the Test= W2(gms)

Aggregate Abrasion Value=W2/W1*100

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Average
%

5. Flakiness & Elongation Index

IS-2386 PART-I
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Shape of crushed aggregates

determined
by
the
percentage of flaky and
elongated particles
Flaky
and
elongated
aggregate particles tends
to break under heavy traffic
loads

Thickness Gauge for Flakiness Index

Less workable

Length Gauge
for Elongation Index
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5. Flakiness Index -IS-2386 PART-I

21

Flakiness Index: The flakiness index of

aggregates is the percentage by weight of
particles whose least dimension is less than
three-fifths (0.6) of their mean dimension.
Applicable to sizes>= 6.3 mm

The sample is sieved through IS sieve sizes

63, 50, 40, 31.5, 25,20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3
mm
Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be
tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm)
e. g. 25-20 mm = average size 22.5
22.5 * 3/5 = 13.5

so aggregate thickness should not less

Thickness
Gauge for Flakiness Index
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than 13.5 mm

5. Elongation Index -IS-2386 PART-I

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The percentage by weight of particles whose

greatest dimension is greater than one and four
fifth times (1.8 times) their mean dimension.
Applicable to sizes >=6.3 mm
The sample is sieved through sieve sizes, 50,
40, 25, 20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3
Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be
tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm)
Separate the elongated material by using the
standard length gauge
e. g. 25-20 mm = average size 22.5
22.5 * 9/5 = 40.5
so aggregate length should not more than
40.5 mm

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5.Combined FI + EI (CI)-IS-2386PART-I
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As per Ministry of Road Transport and

Highways (MORTH) specified permissible limit of
combined Flakiness and Elongation index.(CI)
Procedure: Flaky particles passing through
respective slots are removed, Find FI and the
elongation index test carried out on remaining non
flaky particles, let the value of EI is determined.
The combined index is known as FI + EI.
MORTH has specified max. permissible limit
FI + EI- 35% for WMM, DBM and 30% for BC.
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6. Soundness Test* IS -2386-PART-5

*

(Required only if W.A > 2% as per MORTH)

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Measure the resistance to weathering action.

Test conducted by accelerated weathering test
cycles.
Specified size range is weighed, sample is immersed in
saturated solution of sodium sulphate (Na2 SO4 ) or
Magnesium sulphate (Mg SO4 ) for 16 to 18 hours.
Then specimen is dried in an oven at 105 to 110 -1
cycle.
Maximum permissible limit after 10 cycles of soaking
and drying of aggregate sample in sodium and
magnesium solution are 12% and 18% respectively.
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7. Specific Gravity and Water absorption

25

Specific gravity
It is measure of strength or quality of stone.
Low specific gravity weaker aggregates.
Higher water absorption porous and thus weak.
Specific gravity measured by wire
basket immersed in

water, Specific gravity = =
Range : 2.6 to 2.9

Water absorption:

% water absorbed in terms of oven

dried weight of aggregates

W.A

=
100

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8. Stripping value -IS: 6241-1971.

26

Bitumen adhesion test

Largely controlled by Viscosity of binder
Problem observed due to presence of water
The aggregate which are elctronegative are water liking
and are called hydrophilic.
Basic aggregates like lime stone dislike for waterhydrophobic aggregates

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8. Stripping value -IS: 6241-1971.

27

PROCEDURE

Take 200 grams of dry passing 20mm and retained on

12.5mm sieves and heat up to 150C.
Take 5% by weight of bitumen binder and heat up to
160C.
Mix the aggregates and the binder till they are
completely coated and transfer the mixture in to a 500ml
beaker and allow to cool at room temperature for
about 2 hours.
Add distilled water to immerse the coated aggregates.
Cover the beaker and keep in a water bath maintained
at 40C taking care that the level of water
in the water
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bath is at least half the height of the beaker.

8. Stripping value
28

After 24hours take the beaker out, cool at room temperature

and estimate the extent of stripping visually while the
specimen is still under the water.

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BITUMEN

29

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BITUMEN
30

Hydrocarbon binder obtained as residue in

distillation of petroleum crude oil.
Term bitumen is originated from the word jatu
krit ( Sanskrit word)
Contains 82-88% carbon, 8-11% hydrogen, 06% sulphar, 0-1.5% oxygen and 0-1%
nitrogen.
Key constituents of bitumen are asphaltenes
(8-16%), resins (20-30%), aromatics (40-60%),
and saturates (2-10%)
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BITUMEN
31

Natural product
(lake asphalt, rock asphalt)

2.

Fractional distillation of petroleum

1.
2.
3.

3
4

a. Asphalt cement (Penetration grade)

b. Oxidized asphalt (softening point grade)
c. Liquid asphalt

Tar: destructive distillation of coal.

Modified Binder
PMB, CRMB,NRMB
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BITUMEN
32

Cutback:
The viscosity of bitumen reduced
volatile diluents: slow, medium, rapid curing.

by

Emulsion:
Bitumen is suspended in finely divided condition
in an aqueous medium and stabilized with an
emulsifier : slow, medium, rapid setting.
Used in prime coat and tack coat.
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DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF BITUMEN

33

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

7.

It should be fluid enough at the time of mixing

to coat the aggregate evenly by a thin film.
It should have low temperature susceptibility
It should show uniform viscosity characteristics
Bitumen should have good amount of volatiles
in it.
The bitumen should be ductile and not brittle.
The bitumen should be capable of being
heated to the temperature at which it can be
easily mixed without any fire hazards.
The bitumen should have good affinity to the
aggregate and should not be stripped off in the
continued presence off water
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TESTING OF BITUMEN
34

REQUIRED TESTING TO CHECK

SUITABILITY (As per IS/ASTM/IRC)
1 Penetration test
2 Ductility test
3 Viscosity Test
4 Softening point test
5 Specific Gravity test
6 Flash and Fire Point test
7 Loss on heating test
8 Solubility test
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ITS

1 Penetration test(old grading)

35

It measures the hardness or softness of

bitumen by measuring the depth in tenths of a
millimeter to which a standard loaded needle
will penetrate vertically in 5 seconds.
The penetrometer consists of a needle
assembly with a total weight of 100g.
The test should be conducted at a specified
temperature of 25C.
A grade of 60/70 bitumen means the
penetration value is in the range 60 to 70 at
standard test conditions.
In hot climates, a lower penetration grade is
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preferred.

2 DUCTILITY TEST
36

Bitumen forms ductile thin films around the

aggregates.
The ductility of bitumen improves the physical
interlocking of the aggregate bitumen mixes.
Under traffic loads subjected to repeated
deformation and recoveries.
Low ductility would crack and thus provide
pervious pavement surface
Measure the adhesive property of bitumen
and its ability to stretch.
Ductility is the distance in cm to which a
standard briquette of bitumen can be
stretched before the thread breaks
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3. Viscosity Test(New Grading system-VG)

37

Viscosity is defined as inverse of fluidity.

It is the fluid property of bituminous
material
Low or high viscosity during compaction
or mixing -result in lower stability values.
Optimum value of viscosity for each
gradation of the mix and bitumen grade.
Degree of fluidity of binder affect Strength
of paving mix.
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Viscometer apparatus
38

The basic unit of viscosity

is the Pascal seconds (Pa
s).
The absolute or dynamic
viscosity
of
bitumen
measured
in
Pascal
seconds
It is the shear stress
applied to a sample of
bitumen in Pascal divided
by the shear rate per
second;
1Pa s = 10 p (Poise).
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Viscometer apparatus
39

Orifice type
viscometer

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3 SOFTENING POINT TEST

40

Softening point denotes the temperature at

which the bitumen attains a particular degree
of softening under the specifications of test.
The test is conducted by using Ring and
Ball apparatus. A brass ring containing test
sample of bitumen is suspended in liquid like
water or glycerin at a given temperature.
A steel ball is placed upon the bitumen
sample and the liquid medium is heated at a
rate of 5C per minute. Temperature is noted
when the softened bitumen touches the
metal plate which is at a specified distance
below.
Generally, higher softening point indicates
lower temperature susceptibility and is
preferred in hot climates.

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5 Specific gravity test

41

The density of bitumen is greatly influenced by its

chemical composition.
The specific gravity of bitumen is defined as the
ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen of known
content to the mass of equal volume of water at
27C.
The specific gravity can be measured using either
pycnometer or preparing a cube specimen of
bitumen in semi solid or solid state.
The specific gravity of bitumen varies from 0.97 to
1.02.
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6 Flash and Fire Point test

42

At high temperatures depending upon the grades of bitumen

materials leave out volatiles and these volatiles catch fire
causing a flash.
This condition is very hazardous and therefore it is essential
to qualify this temperature for each bitumen grade.

BIS defined the flash point as the lowest temperature at

which the vapour of bitumen momentarily catches fire in the
form of flash under specified test conditions.
The fire point is defined as the lowest temperature under
specified test conditions at which the bituminous material
gets ignited and burns.
Pensky martens closed cup apparatus or open cup used
for testing.
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Selection criteria for VG paving Bitumen

based on climatic conditions
43

Sr.
No

Lowest Daily
Mean Air
Temperature
(0C)

< 250C 20 to 300C > 300C

1.

More than 100C VG-10

VG-20

VG-30

2.

100C or lower

VG-10

VG-20

VG-10

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Temperature for Construction Operations

44

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Suitability of Penetration grade with

viscosity grade
45

Viscosity Penetration Atmospheric

Grade
Grade
Temp (oC)
VG-10
30/40
15 to 55
VG-20
50/60
10 to 55
VG-30
60/70
0 to 40
VG-40
80/100
-10 to 30
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Requirement of Paving grade Bitumen

(IS:73-2006)
46

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47

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48

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