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Transportation-II Lab
Assignment
Department of Civil Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar

NAME IMAD UR RAHMAN

Class No. 49

Section : E

Registeration No. 19pwciv5307

Submitted To: Sir Faheem

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Question Number: 01
Tabulate the entire lab we performed along with ASTM and AASHTO
coding.

Answer:
The entire lab we performed so far with the ASTM and ASSHTO coding are
tabulated as below.

S.No. Experiment Title AASHTO CODING ASTM CODING

1 Modified proctor test D 1557-07

T180
2 Sand cone method D 1556-15
T191 
3 California bearing ratio (CBR) D4429 T193-93
California(Los Angeles)
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abrasion test  C131  T96
5 Soundness test on aggregates
 C88 T104 
Impact value test on
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aggregates  D5874-16  T96
7 Aggregate crushing value
 IS2386(IV) IS2386 
8 Sand Equivalent test
 D2419  T176
Penetration test on
9 T-49 D5/DSM-20
bituminous material
Flash and Fire point of
10 T-48 D92
bituminous material
11 Softening point of bitumen D92 T48

12 Ductility test on bitumen T 51 D 113

Question Number: 02
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Enlist all the equipment use for compaction of subgrade, base and sub base along
with its efficiencies?

Answer:
Following are the equipment use for compaction of subgrade, base, sub base
along with its efficiencies is as under.

S.No. Equipment name Efficiency of Equipment

1 Rammers (4400 to 6600 lbs)
2 Vibrating plate compactors (100 kg to 2 tone)
3 Vibro tamper (100 t0 220 lbs)
4 Smooth wheel roller (18000 to 22000 lbs)
5 vibrating smooth wheeled roller  100kg-2tonnes
6 Sheepsfoot roller 50-100kg 
7 Pneumatic tired roller 11-25tonnes 
8 Pad foot/tamping roller (15 to 40 tones)

Question Number: 03

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Proctor compaction test was conducted on a soil sample, and the

following observations were made:

Find the
 OMC
 Maximum dry unit weight
 Void ratio
 If the volume of the moulds used was 950 cc and the specific gravity of soil
grains was 2.65, make necessary calculations and draw, (i) 80 % saturation
lines.
 What is zero air void line?

Answer:
Table to draw compaction curve:

Water Bulk Unit

Mass of Wet Volume of Wet Dry Unit
Content Weight
Soil(kg) Mold(m3) Weight(N) Weight(N/m3)
(%) (N/m3)
7.7 1.7 0.00095 16.677 17554.73684 16299.66281

11.5 1.89 0.00095 18.5409 19516.73684 17503.79986

14.6 2.03 0.00095 19.9143 20962.42105 18291.81593

17.5 1.99 0.00095 19.5219 20549.36842 17488.82419

19.5 1.96 0.00095 19.2276 20239.57895 16936.88615

21.2 1.92 0.00095 18.8352 19826.52632 16358.52006

Compaction Curve:

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(i)OMC = 14.6%
(ii)Maximum dry unit weight=18291.81593 N/m3
(iii) void ratio when saturation 80 %( S=0.80) and 100 % (S=1) are

Formulas:
S*e=w*Gs
When S=80 %( 0.8)
e=0.483
And when S=100% (1)  e=0.387
 If the volume of the moulds used was 950 cc and the specific gravity of soil
grains was 2.65, make necessary calculations and draw, (i) 80 % saturation
lines.
Theoretical Dry unit weight:

Water
Gs Saturation Saturation (N/m3)
Content
0.077 2.64 0.8 1 9810
0.115 2.64 0.8 1 9810
0.146 2.64 0.8 1 9810

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0.175 2.64 0.8 1 9810

0.195 2.64 0.8 1 9810
0.212 2.64 0.8 1 9810

S=80%

Theoretical Dry unit

Water content(%)
weight(N/m3)

7.7 1517.863841

11.5 1032.302296

14.6 818.6576978

17.5 685.8686441

19.5 616.8635671

21.2 568.2663952

S=100% (Zero Air void line)

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Theoretical Dry unit

Water content (%)
weight(N/m3)

7.7 21523.17

11.5 19866.83032

14.6 18693.26712

17.5 17714.36389

19.5 17096.91048

21.2 16604.9446

What is zero air void line?

It means the soil is fully saturated, with the air is not
present in the pores of the soil mass. It is obtained from the compaction test. The graph is

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plotted for dry density versus water content. To draw the zero-air void line, the dry
density is to be calculated and that is expressed as below.

Here, the term Gs is specific gravity of soil, g w specific weight and w is water
content. The zero-air void line drawn with the results, obtained from the compaction test
as shown below.

Compaction test is carried out using the mold attached with the base plate and
hammer. The soil sample is mixed with the water to the varying amount, and then the soil
layer will be compacted as three equal parts. This is done with the use of the hammer, by
delivering the 25 blows in each layer. The hammer weight of 2.5 kg must be dropped
from the height of 304.8mm. First two layers of soil is compacted without the collar
attached to it. While doing tamping for third layer, the collar must be attached. After
tamping the third layer, the collar must be detached. Then, soil is trimmed using the
straight edge. Take the weight of the compacted soil with mold. Take the compacted
sample from the center of the mold to determine the moisture content. The moist unit
weight of the soil after compaction is computed using the relation.

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Here, the term W is compacted soil weight within mold and V is mold volume.
Find the dry unit weight of compacted soil using below relation.

Here, w refers to moisture content present in soil sample after compaction, g

refers to moist unit weight of compacted soil and g d is dry unit weight for compacted
soil.

Question Number: 04
The following observations were recorded, when a sand
replacement test was conducted for finding the density of a natural soil:
Bulk density of sand used in the test = 1.7gm/cc
 Mass of the soil excavated from pit = 1050gm
 Mass of sand filling the pit = 800gm

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 Water content of the natural soil = 13%

 Specific gravity of soil grains = 2.5
Calculate (i) wet density of the soil (ii) Dry density (iii) Void ratio (iv) Degree of
saturation.

Question Number: 05
What sort of test you have to perform for the quality of
aggregate
material.Mention the maximum and minimum size of aggregate used in road construction
with authentic reference?

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Answer:
Aggregate plays an important role in pavement construction. Aggregates
influence, to a great extent, the load transfer capability of pavements. Hence it is essential
that they should be thoroughly tested before using for construction. Not only that
aggregates should be strong and durable, they should also possess proper shape and size
to make the pavement act monolithically. Aggregates are tested for strength, toughness,
hardness, shape, and water absorption. In order to decide the suitability of the aggregate
for use in pavement construction, following tests are carried out:

1. Crushing test
2. Abrasion test
3. Impact test
4. Soundness test
5. Shape test
6. Specific gravity and water absorption test
7. Bitumen adhesion test

Maximum and minimum size of aggregate used in road construction:

According to AASHTO M43 and ASTM D448 the maximum size of coarse
aggregate
used in road construction will be 90mm and the minimum size will be 0.075mm as shown
in below figure from AASHTO M43 standard.

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Question Number: 06
How to check the compaction of base and sub base layer at
site?
Ans: To check the compaction of base and sub base at site we use the method the “Field
density test by sand cone method”. The sand cone method is one of the most common
methods that are used for FDT or field density test in highway construction. The dry
density test is carried out in the field to check the compaction of the layers. In field
compaction, the compacting moisture content should be controlled first and the adequacy
of rolling should be controlled by checking the achieved dry density and comparing it
with the maximum dry density.

Base layer – 98%

Sub base layer – 98%
Type 1 layer – 95 %
ABC layer – 100%

Procedure:
Following are the steps:

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1. First, take the weight of the empty sand cone and then fill it with dry sand and then
weigh
again.
2. Collect the excavated soil from the hole and measure the weight.
3. After weighting, collect the specimen of soil to determine the water content in it.
4. Now place the sand cone on the test hole with the help of the base plate and allow the
sand
to run by opening the control valve.
5. When the sand stops running, close the valve and weight the cone with the existing
sand.
Finally, calculate the dry density of the soil by given the below formula. If the test fails,
compact, and perform the test again.

Calculation for FDT Test:

The volume of the hole = Mass of sand in hole/Density of used sand.

Wet density = Mass of wet excavated soil/Volume of hole
Dry density = Wet density × 100%/ Moisture content of soil + 100

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Question Number: 07
Enlist all the classification of bitumen based on its different
properties. As a transportation engineer which type of bitumen will you prefer for
Peshawar and chitral region?

Answer:
There are different types of bitumen available with different properties,
specifications and uses based on requirements of consuming industry. The specification
of bitumen also shows variation with the safety, solubility, physical properties, and the
durability. To understand the performance of the bitumen when it is on service, the design
of physical properties of the material is highly essential. The standard testing methods are
carried out to grade bitumen.

Types of Bitumen and their Properties and Uses

The bitumen can be classified into the following grade types:

 Penetration Grade Bitumen

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 Oxidized Bitumen Grades

 Cut Back Bitumen
 Bitumen Emulsion
 Polymer Modified Bitumen

Penetration Grade Bitumen:

The penetration grade bitumen is refinery bitumen that is
manufactured at different viscosities. The penetration test is carried out to characterize the
bitumen, based on the hardness. Thus, it has the name penetration bitumen. The
penetration bitumen grades range from 15 to 450 for road bitumen. But the most
commonly used range is 25 to 200. This is acquired by controlling the test carried out i.e.
the distillation process. The partial control of fluxing the residual bitumen with the oils
can help in bringing the required hardness.

Oxidized Bitumen Grades:

The refinery bitumen is further treated by the
introduction of processed air. This will give us oxidized bitumen. By maintaining a
controlled temperature, the air is introduced under pressure into soft bitumen. Compounds
of higher molecular weight are formed by the reaction of this introduced oxygen and
bitumen components. Thus, the Asphaltenes and the Maltenes content increases resulting
in a harder mix. This harder mix has a lower ductility and temperature susceptibility.The
oxidized bitumen is used in industrial applications such as roofing and coating for pipes.
By this method of processing, the bitumen that has a lower penetration can be
manufactured, which can be employed for paving roads.

Cut Back Bitumen:

These are a grade of bitumen that comes under penetration grade
bitumen. This type of bitumen has a temporarily reduced viscosity by the introduction of
a volatile oil. Once after the application, the volatile material is evaporated and bitumen
gain its original viscosity. The penetration grade bitumen is a thermoplastic material. It
shows the different value of viscosity for different temperature. In areas of road
construction, it is necessary for the material to be fluid in nature at the time of lying i.e.
during surface dressing. It is also essential for the material to regain back to its original
hardness and property after setting. This is ensured by cutback bitumen. The fluidity is
obtained for any bitumen by raising the temperature. But when it is necessary to have
fluidity at lower temperatures during surface dressing, cutback bitumen is employed. The
time for curing and the viscosity of cutback bitumen can be varied and controlled by the

1. dilution of volatile oil, and

2. The volatility of the oil added.

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70/100 or 160/220 pen bitumen that is diluted with kerosene is the main
composition of bitumen in the construction of roads in the UK. The standard tar
viscometer is used to test the standard viscosity.

Bitumen Emulsion:
This type of bitumen forms a two-phase system with two
immiscible liquids. One of them is dispersed as fine globules within the other liquid.
When discrete globules of bitumen are dispersed in a continuous form of water, bitumen
emulsion is formed. This is a Form of penetration grade bitumen that is mixed and used
for laying purposes. An emulsifier having a long hydrocarbon chain with either a cationic
or anionic ending is used for dispersing the bitumen globules. This emulsifier provides an
electrochemical environment. The ionic part of the chain has an affinity towards water
and the bitumen is attracted by hydrocarbon part. The stability of emulsions is dependent
on the following factors:

 Types of bitumen emulsifier and its quantity

 Water evaporation rate
 Bitumen quantity
 Bitumen globules size
 Mechanical forces

Polymer Modified Bitumen:

Polymer modified bitumen is the type of bitumen obtained
by the modification of strength and the rheological properties of the penetration graded
bitumen.
Here for this 2 to 8% of polymer is added. The polymer used can be either plastic or
rubber. These polymers vary the strength and the viscoelastic properties of the bitumen.
This is achieved by:

1. Elastic response increase

2. Improvement in cohesive property
3. Improvement in Fracture strength
4. Providing ductility

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AS A TRANPORTATION ENGINEER
Depending upon the climatic conditions
and type of construction, bitumen of different penetration grade are used. Commonly used
grades are 30/40, 60/70 and 80/100. In warmer regions, lower penetration grades are
preferred (these are hard in nature and are used in hot weather conditions, like in
Peshawar, Jacobabad,Multan, Sibbi etc.) And higher penetration grades bitumen are used
in cold regions (these are soft and are mostly used in cold areas i.e., chitral, Gilgit, etc.).

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Question Number : 08
Assume you are pointed as lab engineer for road
construction project at site laboratory, so during handling bitumen what safety precaution
will you
follow?

Answer:
Bitumen is handled at high temperatures, typically between 165 and 190
degrees
centigrade so adequate controls need to be put in place to manage the risks associated
with the taking. There are specific and strict requirements for the lab Engineer and
associated staff who must wear

I. Safety boots.

II. Full length cotton and fire resistant overalls.

III. Heat resistant gauntlet style gloves.

IV. Balaclava or neck apron.

V. Full face visor.

VI. Safety helmet.

Question Number : 09
During inspection of fresh flexible road, you are doubtful
about the quality of asphalt material and layer compaction, so how will you check the
material to know about quality?

Answer:

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During inspection of fresh flexible road when I am doubtful about quality of

asphalt material and layer compaction, I will check the material quality by collecting
some samples from sides and center of road, and then I will perform some tests on that
samples, like bitumen content test, stripping value of road aggregate tests, and also some
tests for the aggregate will also be performed and then the result will be compared to that
of the designed values and will check that the quality of the road material is good or not.
For layer compaction I will perform the sand cone test or other in field density test to find
the compaction of the layer that it reaches to the required compaction or not.

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