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Effect of gradation and compactive effort on the properties of dense bituminous

macadam mixes

Article  in  Journal of scientific and industrial research · February 2007

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Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research
Vol. 66, January 2007, pp. 56-59

Effect of gradation and compactive effort on the properties of

dense bituminous macadam mixes
R Sridhar1, C Kamaraj1,*, Sunil Bose1, P K Nanda1 and Manvinder Singh2
1
Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi 110 020
2
IRCON International Ltd, Vadodara
Received 17 November 2005; revised 10 August 2006; accepted, 15 September 2006

Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) is a binder course used for roads with more number of heavy commercial
vehicles. In DBM mix, there is a wide scope for varying the gradation to obtain a good mix without affecting the durability
of pavement. Achieving adequate compaction in the bituminous concrete is crucial to the performance of flexible
pavements. Normally, Marshall Mix Design method (ASTM-D-5581) is adopted for mix design. In the recent past, Marshall
method has been observed not to simulate the field conditions. Present study attempts to simulate the filed compaction in the
laboratory by using Hugo hammer for laboratory compaction of DBM mix.

Keywords: Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM), Hugo hammer, Marshall mix design

Introduction expected in the pavement. Higher the percent of fines

Effective compaction is an essential pre-requisite
for obtaining the best performance bituminous mixes
for greater load spreading ability and improved
resistance to deformation and fatigue cracking.
Material compaction includes interlocking of the
aggregate framework, displacement of the binder
from the aggregate particles to the air voids within the
aggregate frame work and reduction in air voids
within the material. Hugo hammer1 has a rotation base
of 150 mm diameter with indents on the face of
hammer (Fig. 1). Indents that are 6.0 mm in depth
with an angle measuring 30° each provide shearing
action to the mix, thereby providing enough room for
re-orientation of aggregates and simulating the field
condition. Marshall samples prepared using Hugo
hammer has shown higher densities that are closer to
the field compaction2. Modified compaction showed
lower levels of permanent deformation because of
better re-orientation of aggregates attained due to
kneading action achieved in Hugo hammer method.
Resistances to compaction of asphalt mixes3 are
affected by mix variables (filler content, binder
content and type of asphalt binder). Higher the
resistance of the mix to compaction, higher it’s
measured stiffness value and consequently better
resistance to permanent deformation performance is
______________
*Author for correspondence
E-mail: kamaraj.crri@nic.in
in the mix, higher is the measured stiffness of mix at a
lower value of resistance to compaction.
Rotating base Marshall compactor2 with slanted
foot gives near maximum potential densities, which
are likely to be achieved in heavy duty pavements.
Large stone specimens for the laboratory testing could
be prepared using either Marshall hammer with 112
blows or kneading compactor without significant
difference in stability values. Permanent strain
decreased with increased aggregate size in large stone
mixes. Large size aggregate has led to lower binder
content, high density, satisfying voids in mineral
aggregate4,5.
In present study, two compaction efforts (Marshall
hammer6 and Hugo hammer1) and three types of
aggregate grading were used for designing Dense
Bituminous Macadam (DBM) mix. Volumetric
properties and performance evaluation of the
bituminous mixes using both compaction efforts were
analyzed. Samples prepared using Hugo hammer
compaction effort provide the kneading and shearing
action to the specimen simulating the field conditions.
Materials and Methods
Bitumen, obtained from Mathura refinery, had
following properties7: sp gr, 1.0; viscosity @ 60°C,
1980 poise; ductility value, 75+ cm; penetration
value, 64 mm; softening point, 48°C; and Flash &
Fire Point, 245/270°C. Properties of aggregates8,9,
 SRIDHAR et al.: GRADATION AND COMPACTION EFFECTS ON DENSE BITUMINOUS MACADAM MIXES 57

Fig. 1 Hammer face of Hugo compaction method Fig. 2 Relation between density and binder content of the mixes

Table 1 Properties of aggregates

Properties Method of test Test value
Combined flakiness and MORTH 30
elongation indices, %
Aggregate impact value, % IS:2386 22
Bulk specific gravity IS:2386 2.65
Stripping value, % IS:6241 Traces
Water absorption, % IS:2386 0.5
Table 2 Combined gradation of aggregates
Percent passing
Sieve size Kandhal Maximum density MoRTH mid
mm grading (K) grading (MD) grading (M)
45 100 100 100
37.5 97 100 97
26.5 79 83 79
13.2 50 61 64
4.75 30 34 41 Fig. 3 Relation between stability and binder content
2.36 28 31 37
300µ 11 12 15 At each gradation, Marshall samples were prepared
75µ 5 5 6
as per ASTM D 5581 by varying binder content and
obtained from Delhi, are shown in Table 1. Three tested for volumetric properties. For determination of
types (Table 2) of aggregate gradations [Kandhal optimum binder content (OBC), bulk density (Fig. 2),
grading10, Maximum density grading11 (Power 0.45 stability (Fig. 3) and air voids (Fig. 4) values were
grading) and MoRTH mid grading12] used in present plotted. OBC (by wt. of mix) for different gradations
study were designated as K, MD and M, when were found as follows: K, 4.20; MD, 4.50; and M,
designed using Marshall compaction efforts and MK, 4.50%. At OBC, samples were compacted and the
MMD and MM when designed using Hugo hammer properties13 were determined (Table 3).
compaction efforts respectively.
Hugo Method of Mix Design (Using Hugo Hammer
Compaction Effort)
Results and Discussion
Determination of Optimum Binder Content
At each gradation, samples were prepared using
Marshall Mix Design (Using Marshall Hammer Compaction 10 kg Hugo hammer by varying binder content and
Effort) tested for volumetric properties. Compaction process
58 J SCI IND RES VOL 66 JANUARY 2007

Table 3 Properties of mixes at optimum bitumen content

Properties K MD M MK MMD MM
Bitumen content, 4.20 4.49 4.50 3.94 4.21 3.80
%(mix)
Bulk sp gr of 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.65
aggregate, Gsb
Effective sp gr of 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.67
aggregate, Gse
Average sp gr of 2.66 2.66 2.66 2.66 2.66 2.66
aggregate
Absorbed binder, % 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28
Air voids, % 4.30 3.80 4.00 4.10 3.80 3.60
VMA, % 14.19 14.45 14.65 13.47 12.91 13.61
VFB, % 69.70 73.93 72.55 69.78 70.61 73.93
Marshall stability, kg 2100 2300 2050 2300 2550 2250
Fig. 4 Relation between air voids and binder content Marshall flow, mm 7.00 5.50 6.40 5.10 3.50 4.50
Surface area factor 5.87 7.60 6.17 5.87 7.60 6.17
Film thickness, 7.48 6.19 7.63 6.99 5.78 6.40
micron
Effective B/C, wt of 4.11 4.42 4.43 3.82 4.12 3.67
aggregate
Effective B/C, wt of 3.95 4.23 4.24 3.68 3.95 3.54
mix
Filler/Binder ratio 1.10 1.30 1.10 1.20 1.40 1.30
Table 4 Stiffness modulus of mixes at varying temperatures
Temp°C Stiffness modulus (Mpa) at 5 blows ITS
K MD M MK MMD MM
25 2673 3166 2241 4104 4144 3161
35 1417 2068 1263 2795 2860 2014
40 411 498 312 989 956 512

unconditional test (kept at 25°C for 2 h). All samples

Fig. 5 Stiffness modulus with respect to temperature
consists of turning the hammer face by about 30° after
every 8 blows for the first 96 blows. Final 16 blows
are applied with a standard Marshall hammer for
providing an even surface on Marshall specimen.
Process is repeated on the other face of specimen. For
determination of OBC, bulk density (Fig. 2), stability
(Fig. 3) and air voids (Fig. 4) values were plotted.
OBC (by wt. of mix) for different gradations were
found as follows: MK, 3.94; MMD, 3.80; and MM,
4.21%. At OBC, samples were compacted and the
properties13 were determined (Table 3).
Computation of Moisture Sensitivity
Two sets of three samples were prepared using
Marshall hammer and Hugo hammer compaction
efforts at OBC to evaluate the moisture sensitivity14 of
the mix. One set was considered for conditional test
(soaking in water at 60°C for 24 h and kept at 25°C
for 2 h) and other set was considered for
were tested for indirect tensile strengths and the
moisture sensitivity is determined as the ratio of the
average tensile strength of the conditioned set of
samples to the average tensile strength of the
unconditioned set of samples. Tensile strength ratio
(TSR) at OBC were found as: K, 82; M, 84; MD, 88;
MK, 85; MM, 87; and MMD, 92 %.
Indirect Tensile Stiffness Modulus
Mix quality with respect to increase in large size
aggregate in gradation increased the modulus while
indirect tensile strength (ITS) remained unchanged7.
Indirect tensile stiffness modulus test was conducted
using UTM-5 equipment at 25, 35 and 40°C at a pulse
width of 100 ms and peak load of 1600 N
(Table 4, Fig. 5).
Creep Test
The open graded large stone asphalt mixture
showed significantly better performance in axial
creep15. Creep tests were conducted on all the three
types of gradation and two types of compaction
efforts. The peak load of 100 kPa was applied with
 SRIDHAR et al.: GRADATION AND COMPACTION EFFECTS ON DENSE BITUMINOUS MACADAM MIXES
Fig. 6 Accumulated strain with respect to temperature
Table 5 Accumulated strains at varying temperatures
Temp°C Accumulated strain (µE) at 1000 cycles
K MD M MK MMD
40 0.2094 0.2245 0.2524 0.5812 0.2456 0.1831
50 0.4851 0.5094 0.6191 0.8318 0.6911 0.1930
60 0.9409 0.8049 0.9805 1.3881 1.5297 1.577
loading time of 0.1 sec and the rest period of 0.9 sec
under repetitive unconfined compressive test, using
UTM 5 equipment. The samples were tested at 40, 50
and 60°C for 1000 cycles (Table 5, Fig. 6).
Conclusions
Hugo hammer gave lesser binder content compared
to Marshall compaction. Hugo hammer with
indentation on the face of the hammer will better
simulate the field conditions than Marshall hammer.
Maximum density gradation compacted with Hugo
hammer satisfies all the mix criteria but fails to fulfill
the minimum film thickness of 8 to 6 micron.
Maximum density grading can be adopted as the best
grading with Hugo hammer compaction simulating
the field conditions by increasing the binder content,
which fulfills the film thickness and durability criteria
of the DBM mix. Kandhal grading and maximum
density grading using Hugo hammer compaction
efforts gives rise to a stiff mix, for better life of the
pavement. MoRTH mid grading, which gives rise a
mix resistant to permanent deformation even at higher
temperatures, can be used for roads where heavy
commercial vehicles are more in number to avoid
rutting of the mix. Hugo hammer with rotating base
can be used for design of bituminous mixes using
coarser gradation simulating the field condition.
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59
Acknowledgements
Authors thank Mr P V Pradeep Kumar, Mr M K
Roy, and Mr Naresh Kumar, CRRI, for their active
contribution in fabrication of the hammer.
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