CONFIDENTIAL

DCH 3023
HIGHWAY MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
JULY-DEC 20010

QUESTION 1

a) Time and location is an important issue in sampling of aggregate for particle size
distribution. It is widely understood that the aggregate gradation may be distorted
during the handling process.

i. State four (4) suitable locations for sampling of particle size distribution.
(4 Marks)
ii. Name and describe four (4) types of aggregate gradation.
(8 Marks)

b) Compaction is a process to pack soil solids or aggregate particles through

mechanical means so that unbound granular base material will be sufficiently
dense and strong to support the load imposed by traffic.

Discuss three (3) factors that influence the degree of compaction at site. (6)

(6 Marks)

c) In the field density test using sand replacement method, the following results
were recorded:
Mass of sand required to fill the test hole 2535 g
Mass of soil from test hole 3750 g
Moisture content sample of this soil (original mass) 288.3 g
(final mass) 255.4 g

Knowing the density of sand is 1255 kg/m³ and the maximum dry density (MDD)
of soil from laboratory compaction is 1765 kg/m³, determine the relative
compaction (DOC) of the soil.

(7 Marks)
CONFIDENTIAL
DCH 3023
HIGHWAY MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
JULY-DEC 20010

QUESTION 2

a) JKR Standard Specification for Road Work required that prime coat and tack coat
material shall be either cutback bitumen or bitumen emulsion.

i. List three (3) other applications of liquid bitumen.

(3 Marks)

ii. Define the difference between production of cutback bitumen and bitumen
emulsion.
(2 Marks)

iii. Discuss the advantages bitumen emulsions have over cutback bitumen.
(8 Marks)

b) Bituminous mixture is a combination of aggregates and bitumen to form a strong

construction material that is commonly used in road surface layer. The most used
method for bituminous mixture design is the Marshall Method.

i. Describe the objectives of Marshall mix design.

(2 Marks)

ii. Explain five (5) characteristics of good bituminous mixtures.

(10 Marks)

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