VEB 3013 Highway Engineering Test 1 Question

Question 1 (25marks)

a) Describe the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test which is conducted in the laboratory
to determine the strength of the subgrade soil for highway construction.
(5 marks)
b) Describe the Marshall Mix Design used to determine the optimum bitumen content
of a bituminous mix.
(5 marks)
c) Compare and contrast the characteristic of both flexible pavements and rigid
pavements. Explain how each type of pavement differs in its load-bearing functions
to traffic loads.
(8 marks)
d) State the difference between an Asphaltic Concrete pavement (well graded material)
and a Hot-Rolled Asphalt pavement (gap-graded material) describing what constitute
to their strength and performance.
(7 marks)
Question 2 (30 marks)
Table Q2 presents the result of the sieve analysis on aggregates that will be used to produce
Asphaltic Concrete materials. Demonstrate graphical aggregate blending method to
determine aggregate composition to meet JKP specifications for AC 14 Wearing Course.
Table Q2
Course Fine Filler
BS Sieve Size (mm)
Retained (g) Retained (g) Retained (g)
28.0 0 0 0
20.0 0 0 0
14.0 200 0 0
10.0 340 0 0
5.0 360 105 0
3.35 70 110 0
1.18 30 85 0
0.425 0 90 0
0.150 0 65 0
0.075 0 20 15
PAN 0 25 85

(30 marks)
Question 3 (20 marks)
You are conducting a Marshall Mix Design analysis on an Asphaltic Concrete (AC) 10 Wearing
Course. The aggregate composition consists of coarse aggregate (36%), fine aggregate (58%),
and filler (6%). The specific gravity of the binder and mixed aggregates are 1.04 and 2.63,
respectively.

Refer to the provided data in TABLE Q3:

Binder Content Weight in Air Weight in Water Height of Specimen Measured Stability
(%) (g) (g) (cm) (kN)
4.5 1285 678 6.92 6.1
5.0 1242 679 6.45 7.5
5.5 1268 681 6.18 8.2
6.0 1210 684 5.81 9.0
6.5 1208 685 5.66 9.5

Calculate the optimum binder content for this AC 10 Wearing Course mix using the Marshall
Mix Design method. Show your calculations and provide the final recommended binder
content.

(30 marks)