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Investigation of the Effect of Adding Silica Fume on Asphalt Concrete

Properties

Article  in  International Journal of Engineering Research · April 2018

DOI: 10.5958/2319-6890.2018.00095.8

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online), 2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

Investigation of the Effect of Adding Silica Fume on Asphalt Concrete

Properties
Metwally G. Al-Taher1, Hassan D. Hassanin2, Mokhtar F. Ibrahim3 and Ahmed M. Sawan4
1
Prof. Highways Engineering, Construction Eng. & Utilities Dept., Zagazig University, Egypt,
2
Lecturer Highways Engineering, Construction Eng. & Utilities Dept., Zagazig University, Egypt,
3
Lecture Highways Engineering, Civil Engineering, the Higher Institute of Engineering, El-Shorouk
City, Cairo, Egypt,
4
Teaching Assistant Highways Engineering, Civil Engineering, the Higher Institute of Engineering,
El-Shorouk City, Cairo, Egypt and Currently Pursuing M.Sc. degree program in Civil Engineering,
Zagazig University, Egypt,
E-mail:altaher60@hotmail.com, hnaam2@yahoo.com, mokhtargendy91@gmail.com,
Corresponding E-mail: ahmedsawan1991@gmail.com

ABSTRACT : Practical experience of highway networks
showed that high percentage of road pavements are suffering
from cracking and rutting. This problem had often occurred
due to the shortage in asphalt mix properties as well as the
increase in traffic loading. Fatigue, creep and rutting of
asphalt mix in long term may be occurred due to the shortage
in the mechanistic properties of either of the binder and/or the
asphalt mix. This study investigates the effect of using silica
fume (SF) as an additive to the binder on the behavior of
asphalt mixes. The scope of the study includes the investigation
of the properties of the asphalt mixes using different
percentages of SF (2, 4, 6 and 8% by bitumen weight).
Marshall, Direct Compression (DC), Indirect Tensile Strength
(ITS) tests are used to examine the mixes properties whereas
the wheel tracking (WT) test is carried out to investigate the
rutting properties of the modified mixes. Results indicate that,
the optimum SF percentage is 6% by weight of bitumen which
achieve the best results in Marshall, DC, ITS and WT tests.
Marshall Stability and flow are increased by about 23.61% and
4.67%, respectively. The unit weight increases, while the air
voids percentage (AV %) is kept within the accepted limits.
Adding SF reduces rutting depth by about 35.82%. The DC
value increases by about 25% while the ITS value increases by
about 3.83%. Finally, adding SF to the asphalt cement success
in enhancing the properties of hot mix asphalt.
Keywords: Silica Fume (SF), Asphalt Mixes, Marshall
Stability, Flow, Rutting Depth
1. INTRODUCTION
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a mixture of coarse
aggregate, fine aggregate, mineral filler and a relatively
small amount of asphalt binder. HMA is a solid mineral
matrix with elements of various sizes connected to each
other by an asphalt binder. It is interested that a small
amount of binder (about 5% by mass) has a strong impact
on the mechanical properties of the paving mix [1]. The
previous researches showed that asphalt binder is quite
often modified by various additives (polymers, fibres,
rubber, nano materials, lime, combinations of fibres and
polymers …. etc.) which may enhance the properties of
bitumen and mix [1, 2, 3].
Recently, modern techniques used waste tire
rubber and mineral fibre in modifying the HMA. They
succeeded in improving the resistance of asphalt mixtures
against cracks and rutting, respectively [4, 5].
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) defines
SF as very fine non-crystalline silica produced in electric
arc furnaces as a byproduct of production of elemental
silicon or alloys containing silicon. It can exhibit both
pozzolanic and cementitious properties and produced by
reduction of high purity quartz with coal in the production
of ferrosilicon alloys. SF has been used in improvement of
the cement concrete compressive strength, bond strength,
abrasion resistance and reducing permeability.
Yazan Issa (2016) studied the effect of using
rubber on the pavement properties. Waste tires rubber can
be used in asphalt pavement with optimum replacement
ratio 10% by weight. Also, adding polyethylene leads to
increase mixture workability and efficiency of compaction
for modified mixes [4].
Ahmed A. L. (2007) studied the effect of using
polyethylene on the change of asphalt mixes properties. It
was found that adding polyethylene to asphalt mixes
increased mixture workability and enhanced the
compaction of the modified mixes [1].
Sheelan A. Ahmed et al. (2015) found that using
fiber in asphalt mixes improved the mix properties. The
study investigated that the optimum fiber content was
1.5% by the total weight of the mixture in which the
Marshall stability increased by 14% [5].
Negi et al.(2013) studied the change of properties
of clayey soil using SF. It was concluded that the addition
of 20% SF to the soil decreased the potential swelling
from 50% to 7% while the California bearing ratio (CBR)
value increased by about 72% [6].
Priti Chauhan et al. (2016) studied the effect of
using micro silica, lime and fly ash on the stabilization of
black cotton soil. It was found that the optimum
percentages of micro silica, lime and fly ash for
stabilization black cotton soil were 5%, 3%, and 3%
respectively. Black cotton soil stabilized with lime, fly
ash, micro silica and their combination improved the
soaked CBR to about 6.5 times and the un-soaked CBR to
about 1.8 times of the un-stabilized soil [7].
Abd El-Aziz et al. (2004) studied the change in the
properties of clayey soil after mixing with lime and SF.
Laboratory experiments were carried out for several
samples by lime contents of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 9% and
11% and SF contents were 5%, 10% and 15%. The results
of combination of L-SF soil indicated that the swelling
potential was reduced from 19% to 0.016%, while the
plasticity index (PI) decreased from 40.25% to 0.98% at

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online), 2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

percentages of L-SF mixture of 11-15% [8]. 2-2 Asphalt Binder

Naresh Kumar (2014) studied the effect of using The asphalt cement used in this research is
pozzolanic material (Metakaolin and SF) on the obtained from Suez City. Asphalt cement grade is 60/70
compressive and flexure strength of the cement concrete. with specific gravity 1.02 which is used in roads
Metakaolin and SF were used as cement replacement construction in Egypt. The consistency property tests of
materials at 5%, 10% and 15% by weight, keeping water– asphalt are carried out and the results are shown in Table
cement ratio at 0.42. Compressive and flexural strengths (3).
were observed after 7 and 28 days of curing. It was Table (3): Asphalt Cement Properties
observed that, the optimum dose of Metakaolin is 10% by
weight of cement which achieved the maximum AASHTO
Specification
compressive strength in the cement concrete [9]. Property Designation Result
Limits
Farag Khodary (2016) studied the effect of No.
adding SF on the soil properties for base course in
Penetration at 25
highway construction. Results indicated that adding SF o T-49 65 60-70
c, 0.1mm
improved both the strength and stability of the modified
soil. Adding SF to the base course material increased CBR
from 54% to 94.5% [10]. Rotation Viscosity
T-201 378 ≥ 320
The state of art showed that SF was used in the at 135 oc, Cst.
improvement of engineering properties of subgrade soils,
highway base courses and cement concrete. Using SF in Flash point, oc T-48 268 ≤ 250
the improvement of hot mix asphalt concrete (HMA) is
still a research issue. This study is focused on the Softening point, oc T-53 52 45-55
investigation of the effect of using SF on the
characteristics of the HMA for pavement wearing
2-3 Aggregates
surfaces.
Coarse and fine aggregates used in this study are
dolomites crushed stones. The physical properties of the
2. MATERIALS AND TESTING
used aggregates are shown in Table (4). Table (5) shows
2-1 Silica Fume (SF)
the aggregate gradation used in asphalt mixtures. The
SF is obtained from Sika Company - 1st Industrial
gradation blending achieves the specs of HMA type (4C)
Zone (A) - El Obour City - Cairo – Egypt. The properties
according to Egyptian code for highways.
of the used SF minerals are shown in Tables (1) and (2).
Figure (1) shows SF shape. Table (4): Aggregates Properties

Table (1): Chemical Properties of SF, [6] AASHTO Coarse Coarse

Fine AASHTO
No. Parameters Test Value Property Designation Aggregate Aggregate
Aggregate Limits
No. Size (1) Size (2)
1 Silica as SiO2, % by mass 89.90
Total Sulphur Content as SO3, %
2 0.58 Los
by mass
Angeles AASHTO T 96 35.20% 31.4% --- 40 Max
3 Lime as CaO, % by mass 7.85 Abrasion
4 Magnesia as MgO, % by mass 4.03
5 Alumina as AL2O3, % by mass Nil Bulk
AASHTO (85-
6 Iron Oxide as Fe2O3, % by mass Nil Secific
77)
2.495 2.505 2.640 ---
Gravity
Table (2): Physical Properties of SF, [6] Saturated
No. Parameters Test Value and Dry
AASHTO (85-
1 Density (gm/cm3) 2.07 Surface
77)
2.555 2.562 --- ---
Specific
Clear grey Gravity
2 Physical state
powder
3 Practical Size Distribution (%) 59 Apparent
AASHTO (85-
Specific 2.650 2.655 --- ---
77)
Gravity

% Water AASHTO (85-

2.00% 2.25% --- 5 Max
Absorption 77)

Figure (1): SF Shape

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online), 2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

Table (5): Aggregate gradation

Type Coarse Aggregate Fine aggregate Mineral Design Specification

(Natural sand+ Filler Mix Limits
Aggregate (1) Aggregate (2)
crushed stone) gradation
Sieve Sieve Passing 25% Passing 26% Passing% 45% Passing 4%
Size Size % % %
(inch) (mm)
1 26.5 100 25 100 26 100 44 100 4 100 100
3/4 19 95 23.75 100 26 100 44 100 4 98.75 80-100
1/2 13.2 38 9.5 100 26 100 44 100 4 84.5 ---------
3/8 9.52 8 2 80 20.8 100 44 100 4 71.8 60-80
No 4 4.75 ----- ---- 8.4 2.184 95 42.75 100 4 48.93 48-65
No 8 2.36 ----- ---- ----- ---- 71.8 32.31 100 4 36.31 35-50
No 30 0.6 ----- ---- ----- ---- 44.3 19.49 100 4 23.94 19-30
No 50 0.3 ----- ---- ----- ---- 26.2 11.79 100 4 15.79 13-23
No 100 0.15 ----- ---- ----- ---- 8 3.6 90 3.6 7.2 7-15
No 200 0.075 ----- ----- ----- ---- ----- ---- 75 3 3 3-8

2-4 Binder Modification 2-7 Direct Compression (DC) Test

To prepare the modified binder, asphalt cement is
heated in an oven at a temperature of 150 oc. The required
amount of asphalt is weighted into a steel beaker. Then the
amount of SF, from (2 to 8% by weight of asphalt) is
added to Bitumen. The beaker is placed on a hot plate to
maintain the mixing temperature at least 150oc and the
bitumen and SF are mixed carefully.
2-5 Consistency Tests
Consistency tests are carried out on both control
and the modified binder to obtain penetration value,
softening point, flash point and rotation viscosity values.
2-6 Marshall Tests
Marshall test method as per ASTM D 6927-06 is
used in this study to determine the characteristics of
asphalt mixes. The aggregates (coarse, fine and mineral
filler) are prepared and the required asphalt cement
(60/70) is estimated. Four sets of unmodified test
specimens are prepared with various asphalt contents.
Three specimens are prepared for each set. Each of the
prepared specimens is tested to find/measure mix stability,
flow, density, air voids percentage (AV%) and voids in
mineral aggregates percentage (VMA%). The relations
between the asphalt cement contents (AC %) and the five
mentioned mix properties are plotted. The optimum
asphalt content (OAC) that achieves maximum stability,
maximum density, and 3% AV is obtained from the
plotted graphs as per Marshall test procedure. Similar sets
of modified test specimens are prepared by using the
modified asphalt with the determined (OAC) and adding
different percentages of SF (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8% by
weight of asphalt). The modified mix properties are
obtained by conducting Marshall test on the modified mix
specimens.
DC as per ASTM (D-1074) is conducted on the modified
asphalt concrete mix specimens to investigate the behavior
of the mix under crushing loads. The specimen is placed
under compression force with various values of loads.
Marshall test specimens, 100mm diameter and 62 to
69mm height, are used for this test. The specimens are
compacted as explained in Marshall test procedure. Six
specimens are prepared for this test, three specimens for
control mix with unmodified binder and the other three
specimens are with the modified binder with SF.
The DC values (Sc) are calculated by using the following
equation: Sc = 4P/(πD2), [kg/cm2], where: P is the applied
load in kg, D is the specimen diameter in cm.
2-8 Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) Test
The ITS test as per AASHTO (T322-03) involves
loading a cylindrical specimen with compressive load
which acts parallel to and along the vertical diametrical
plane. This loading configuration develops a relatively
uniform tensile stress perpendicular to the direction of the
applied load. This tensile strength causes the specimen to
fail by splitting or rupturing along the vertical diameter.
ITS values (St) are determined by using the following
equation: St = 2P/(πHD), (kg/cm2), where: P is the applied
load in kg, H is the specimen height in cm, and D is the
specimen diameter in cm.
2-9 Wheel Tracking (WT) Test
This test method describes a procedure for
determining the rutting depth of HMA pavement
specimens in the WT device as per AASHTO (T324-04).
The test is conducted at the laboratory of the General
Authority of Roads and Bridges and Land Transport
(GRBLT). The method describes the compaction
procedure of HMA in a reciprocating rolling-wheel
device. This test provides information about the rate of

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Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

permanent deformation from a moving concentrated load. 3900

A laboratory compactor has been designed to prepare slab 3700
specimens. The test used to determine the premature 3500
failure susceptibility of HMA due to weakness in the 3300
aggregate structure, inadequate binder stiffness, or 3100
moisture damage. This test measures the rutting depth and 2900

Stability(Ib)
number of passes or time to the final rutting depth. The 2700

test is conducted on both of the control and modified 2500

2300
specimens with SF.
2100
1900
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
1700
4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
Asphalt Content %
3-1 Effect of Adding SF on Asphalt Cement Properties Poly. (S F= 0%) Poly. (S F=2% ) Poly. (S F=3% )
By adding SF to the asphalt, the properties of Poly. (S F=4% ) Poly. (S F=5% ) Poly. (S F=6% )
asphalt change as shown in Figure (2). Adding SF to Poly. (S F=7% ) Poly. (S F=8% )
bitumen decreases penetration value from 6.50mm to Figure (4): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stability
3.50mm which represents about 46.15%. This change is 3600 3460
due to the presence of micro material (SF) which increases 3560
3500
asphalt viscosity. This leads to enable the modified asphalt 3400
to resist the penetration of the needle into the specimen. 3400

Stability (Ib)
3300 3280
3200 3140

3100
2880
3000
y = -8E+06x3 + 581490x2 + 2387.4x + 2888.5
2900 R² = 0.9
2900
2800
0% 2% 4% 6% 8%
Silica Fume %
points Poly. ( points)
Figure (2): Effect of Adding SF on Penetration Value. Figure (5): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stability at OAC

By adding SF to asphalt cement, the viscosity 3-3 Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Flow
increases from 378 to 492 centistokes which represents Figures (6) and (7) show the relationships between
about 30.16% as shown in Figure (3). the flow and AC for different SF contents and also with SF
content at OAC. Figure (6) shows that the mix flow is firstly
decreases with an increase in SF contents up to 2% and then it
600 increases with the increase in SF accordingly. The maximum
492
500 flow value is obtained at 8% SF. The high flow values
ViScosity,(Cst)

378 indicate high flexibility which increases the ability of HMA

400 pavement to deform without cracking.
300
200
0.200
100
0 0.180
Control mix Control Mix +6% Silica Fume
Flow (inch)

Figure (3): Effect of Adding SF on Bitumen Viscosity. 0.160

3-2 Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stability

0.140
Figure (4) shows the relationships between the
obtained Marshall stability and the AC% for different SF
contents. While Figure (5) shows the relationship between 0.120

the obtained stability and the SF contents at the OAC.

Figure (4) shows that Marshall stability increases as the 0.100
4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
percentages of SF increase up to 6% and then it decreases. Asphalt Content%
Figure (5) shows that the maximum stability occurs at 6% Poly. (SF=0%) Poly. (SF=2%) Poly. (SF=3%)
Poly. (SF=4%) Poly. (SF=5%) Poly. (SF=6%)
SF, the stability increases from 2880 to 3560 Ib which Poly. (SF=7%) Poly. (SF=8%)
represents about 23.60%. Figure (6): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Flow Values

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 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online), 2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

0.180 0.177 can be obtained at either 0.5% or 5% SF contents. Also, it

0.175 y = -55.024x3 + 15.56x2 - 0.5774x + 0.1509
is found that the recorded value of AV% at 6% SF is
0.168 3.30%.
0.170 R² = 0.9316
0.165
0.157
0.160 0.154
Flow (inch)

0.155 0.152
0.150
0.145 0.153
0.140
0.135 0.140
0.130
0% 2% 4% 6% 8%
Silica Fume %
points Poly. (points)

Figure (7): Effect of Adding SF on Flow Values (at OAC)

3-4 Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Unit Weight ()

The relationships of unit weight versus asphalt
content at various percentages of SF are shown in Figures
(8) and (9). Figure (9) shows that, the unit weight values Figure (10): Effect of Adding SF on %AV
increase as the SF increases up to 2% and then it
3.80 3.60
decreases. It should be mentioned that, all values of unit y = -11536x3 + 1825.9x2 - 65.745x + 3.1856
weight of the modified mixtures are greater than the value 3.60 R² = 0.9734
3.30 3.70
of control mix except of SF 7 and 8%. This increase in 3.40
unit weight is due to the presence of micro fine particles 3.20 3.20
3.00
Air Voids %

(SF) in the HMA that makes the mix denser than the 3.00
control mix. 2.80
2.70

2.60 2.40
2.340
2.40
2.330
2.320 2.20
Unit Weight (gm/cm3)

2.310 2.00
2.300 0% 2% 4% 6% 8%
Silica Fume %
2.290 connect point Poly. (connect point)
2.280 Figure (11): Effect of Adding SF on AV% at (OAC)
2.270
2.260 3-6 Effect of Adding SF on VMA %
2.250 Figures (12) and (13) show that the VMA%
2.240 decreases as the SF increases up to 2% and then it
2.230
4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
increases accordingly. The maximum value of VMA% is
Poly. (SF=0%)
Asphalt Content %
Poly. (SF=2%)
obtained at 8% SF, while the minimum value occurs at
Poly. (SF=3%) Poly. (SF=4%) 2%. Also, it is observed that the values of VMA% of the
Poly. (SF=5%) Poly. (SF=6%)
Poly. (SF=7%) Poly. (SF=8%) modified mixes are lower than the value of the control mix
Figure (8): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Unit Weight except of at SF 7 and 8%.

2.335
2.329
2.330
2.325 2.320
Unit Weight (gm/cm3)

2.320 2.314
2.315
2.310 2.304 2.305
2.305
2.298
2.300 y = 325.89x3 - 51.648x2 + 1.9279x + 2.3046 2.295
2.295 R² = 0.96
2.290
0% 2% 4% 6% 8%
Silica Fume%
points Poly. ( points)

Figure (9): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Unit Weight at

(OAC)

3-5 Effect of Adding SF on AV % Figure (12): Effect of Adding SF on VMA%

Figures (10) and (11) show that the AV%
decreases as the SF content increases up to 2% and then it
increases accordingly. Figure (11) shows that AV % of 3%

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Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

15.60 stiffness increases as the SF content increases up to 6%

15.40
y = -14890x3 + 2385.9x2 - 91.198x + 15.161 15.26 15.56 and after that it decreases. The firstly increase in stiffness
R² = 0.9799
15.10 is due to the gained stability while the flow is still low;
15.20 15.18 after that the increase in SF increases the flow gradually
15.00 making the overall stiffness to be decrease. The figure also
VMA %

14.67
14.80 shows that the stiffness values for the modified mixes are
14.60 14.48 greater than those of the unmodified mix for the range of
14.40
SF contents from greater than 0.0% and less than 7.20%.
14.20 28000
14.10
14.00
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 24000
Silica Fume %
Con nect Poin t Poly. (Connect Point)

Stability /Flow (Ib/inch)

20000
Figure (13): Effect of Adding SF on VMA% at OAC

3-7 Effect of Adding SF on VFB % 16000

Figures (14) and (15) show the variation in
VFB% after adding SF to asphalt mixes. As shown in 12000
Figure (15), the maximum value of VFB% is obtained at
2% SF. On the other hand, the minimum value of VFB 8000
occurs at 8% SF. The Figure shows also that the values of 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
Asphalt Content %
VFB% are greater than those of the unmodified mix for Poly. (SF=0%) Poly. (SF=2%)
the range of silica fume content from greater than 0.0% to Poly. (SF=3%) Poly. (SF=4%)
Poly. (SF=5%) Poly. (SF=6%)
less than 6%. Poly. (SF=7%) Poly. (SF=8%)

Figure (16): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stiffness

24000.00
22428.57 22467.53
23000.00 22675.16
Stability/Flow (Ib/inch)

22000.00
22222.22
21000.00

20000.00
19523.81
19000.00
18947.37
18000.00

17000.00 y = -3E+07x3 + 83569x2 + 137770x + 19121 16384.18

R² = 0.940
16000.00
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Silica Fume%
points Poly. (points)
Figure (14): Effect of Adding SF on VFB% Figure (17): Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stiffness

84.00
3-9 Effect of Adding SF on DC Value
83.00 The DC test value defines as the maximum
83.00 81.00
82.00
vertical compression load affecting on a specimen until its
81.00
damage. Two sets of specimens, three samples in each set,
80.00
80.00 79.00
are examined in this test. The first set is for control mix
VFB%

79.00 78.00
without SF, while the second set is for the modified mix
78.00 with 6% SF (the obtained optimum SF% from Marshall
77.00 76.20 76.00 test). Results indicate that adding 6% SF changes the DC
76.00 y = 57709x3 - 9107.3x2 + 319.04x + 79.085 value from 30.134 to 37.773 kg/cm2 as shown in Figure
R² = 0.952
75.00 (18). This value of SF enhances DC value by about
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 25.35% which means increasing in load carrying capacity
Silica Fume %
Connect points Poly. (Connect points) by about 25%.
Figure (15): Effect of Adding SF on VFB% at OAC

3-8 Effect of Adding SF on Marshall Stiffness

Mix stiffness is defined as the Marshall Stability
divided by the flow in lb/in. The relationships between the
stiffness and asphalt contents for different SF contents are
shown in Figure (16), while Figure (17) shows the
stiffness-SF relationship at OAC. It shows that the mix

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Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

40 37.773
30.134 10.000
y = -0.0029x2 + 0.2918x + 1.1199
30 R² = 0.991
DC, (kg/cm2)

9.000 8.382 8.509

8.001
7.874
20 8.000 7.620 8.255
8.128
7.000 6.731
10

Rutting Depth (mm)

6.000 5.715 5.461
5.207
0 4.953
Control Specimen Control Specimen +6% SF 5.000 4.953 4.572
4.191 5.334
3.683 3.810
Figure (18): Effect of Adding SF on DC value 4.000 3.429
3.175
2.921
3-10 Effect of Adding SF on ITS Value 3.000 2.413
Figure (19) shows the results of ITS test for y = -0.0006x2 + 0.1078x + 1.2296
2.000 R² = 0.993
control and modified specimens. The presence of SF in the 2.286
1.651
modified mix makes it to be denser and resists load. The 1.000

cementation effect of the modified specimen increases the 0.000

ITS value. It is found that the value of ITS increases from 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Time (minutes)
9.91 kg/cm2 to 10.29 kg/cm2 which represents about Control Specimen
Control Specimen + Silica Fume
3.83% improvement by adding 6% SF to the asphalt mix. Poly. (Control Specimen)

10.40 Figure (20): Effect of Adding SF on Rutting Depth

10.29
10.30
4- CONCLUSIONS
10.20
ITS, (kg/cm2)

The conclusions of this study can be summarized as

10.10 follows:
10.00 9.91 1. Using SF in modifying the HMA has a major effect in
9.90
improving the bitumen properties. It decreases the
9.80 penetration value by 46.15%, and increases the
9.70 viscosity by about 30.16%,
Control Specimen Control Specimen +6% SF 2. Adding SF to the HMA increases Marshall stability
Figure (19): Effect of Adding SF on ITS Value by about 23.61% and the Flow by 4.67%; and thus the
Marshall stiffness increases by about 18.58%.
3-11 Effect of Adding SF on Rutting Depth 3. Adding SF to the control mix increases the unit
Figure (20) shows the results of WT test for both weight of modified mix and keeps the AV% within
control and 6% SF modified specimens. The results of the acceptable limits.
rutting test are taken every 5 minutes along 60 minutes as 4. The optimum SF content that achieves optimum mix
a total measuring period. The observed results indicate that properties is 6% by weight of bitumen.
the rutting depth of the modified specimen reduces by 5. The DC value increases by about 25% by adding 6%
about 35.82%. This indicates that adding 6% SF to the SF to the control mix which enhances the load
asphalt mix improves the rutting resistance and reduces carrying capacity by about 25%.
rutting depth by 35.82%. 6. Adding 6% SF to the control mix increases the ITS
value from 9.91 to 10.29 kg/cm2, with an
improvement of 3.83%.
7. Modifying the asphalt mix by 6% SF improves the
rutting resistance and reduces rutting depth by about
36%.

DOI : 10.5958/2319-6890.2018.00095.8 Page 54

 International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN:2319-6890 (online), 2347-5013(print)
Volume No.7, Issue No.4, pp : 48-55 1 April 2018

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