ZERO AZANIA

(Pty) Ltd
Reg.No. 2012/033424/07 Telephone 011 902 7941 Portal www.zero-azania.co.za

Leaders in super-basement and bulk platform construction

Information sheet on the classification of

INFORMATION SHEET 2a GRAVEL natural materials as used in earthworks.

Types of classification used in South Africa:

INTRODUCTION
1. TRH 14 (1985) Road Construction Materials
Zero Group Of importance are the following test methods and
has successfully specifications:
• GRADING ANALYSIS
completed numerous (Test Method TMH1; A1(a) and A1(b))
high profile Bulk
Excavation &
Platform contracts
across Gauteng
and has gained
extensive insight Soaking of samples from the Modified AASHTO test in
and experience on order to execute the CBR test
the various Gravel Material G5 should have a CBR after soaking of not
less than 45 percent at 95 percent of Mod AASHTO
types encountered
density and a maximum swell of 0.5 percent at 100
and most commonly percent Mod AASHTO density.
required in fill Sieves utilised in grading analysis CBR and swell requirements for gravel and
operations. The Natural Gravel (G5 and G6) should have a maximum gravel-soil (G6, G7, G8, G9 and G10)
aggregate size of 63mm or two-thirds of the
objective of this MATERIAL TYPE
compacted layer thickness, whichever is smaller. A
PROPERTY
information sheet minimum grading modulus of 1.5 (G5) or 1.2 (G6) G6 G7 G8 G9 G10
is to provide should be obtained.
Minimum CBR
clarity regarding Gravel-soil (G7) should have a maximum size, in at 93 percent
25 15
place, after compaction, not greater than two-thirds Mod AASHTO
gravel material of the compacted thickness of the layer. A minimum density (%)
classification. grading modulus of 0.75 should be obtained.
Minimum CBR
Materials Gravel-soil (G8, G9 and G10): no grading at in-situ density 10 7 3
requirements. (%)
classification
The Grading Modulus or GM is given by Maximum Swell
The classification of GM = (P2,00 mm + P0,425 mm + P0,075 mm) / at 100 percent
1.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
construction materials is a 100 where P2,00 mm, etc., denote the percentage Mod AASHTO
density (%)
complicated field. In this retained on the indicated sieve size.
article the classification • BEARING STRENGTH AND SWELL • ATTERBERG LIMITS
of natural materials as (Test Method TMH1; A8) (Test Method TMH1; A2 and A3)
used in earthworks will
be discussed. The general
classification is done in
terms of a “G” notification,
like G5, G6, G7, G8, G9
and G10. Generally a G5
and G6 type of material is
classified as natural gravel
and the G7 to G10 type of
material as a gravel-soil.
The lower the number
(5 for example) the better
Execution of Modified AASHTO density test in order Apparatus utilised to determine the Atterberg limits
quality material it is.
to determine Maximum dry density (MDD) and The Atterberg limits apply to the soil fines (<0.425mm)
Optimum moisture content (OMC)

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 Atterberg Limits for natural gravel and gravel-soil
INFORMATION SHEET 2b MATERIAL TYPE
PROPERTY
COMPILED BY: G5 G6 G7
P. Hoffmann Liquid limit (max) 30
Geoplan
082 374 7052 12 or 3 GM** 12 or 3 GM**
Plasticity index (max) 10
+10 +10
philip@geoplan.co.za
Linear shrinkage (%)(max) 5

Linear shrinkage x (%) passing the 0,425mm sieve (max)* 170

K. Vlok
*Only applicable to nodular calcrete / ** GM = Grading Modulus
Zero Azania
kobus@zero-azania.co.za 2. Colto Standard Specifications for Road and Bridgeworks
082 094 3818 The following is a shortened version of the Colto specification. Properties like additional fines, durability and
soluble salts are not discussed and can be found in the specification.
J. Smit
Zero Azania TYPE OF MATERIAL
jaco@zero-azania.co.za PROPERTY
072 262 1260 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9

Description Natural Gravel Natural Gravel Natural material Natural material Natural material
of material or natural gravel or natural gravel (soil, sand (soil, sand (soil, sand
boulders which boulders which or gravel) or gravel) or gravel)
might require might require
crushing or crushing or
crushed rock crushed rock

Nominal (i) Uncrushed (i) Uncrushed (i) Uncrushed Two thirds of Two thirds of
maximum size material – material – two material – two the compacted the compacted
63mm thirds of the thirds of the layer thickness layer thickness
(ii) Crushed compacted compacted
material – layer thickness layer thickness
53mm (ii) Crushed (ii) Crushed
material – material –
63mm before 75mm
compaction

Grading Modulus
2,5 ≥ GM ≥ 1,5 2,6 ≥ GM ≥ 1,2 2,7 ≥ GM ≥ 0,75 2,7 ≥ GM ≥ 0,75 2,7 ≥ GM ≥ 0,75
(GM)

Atterberg limits LL shall not PI shall not PI shall not PI shall not PI shall not
exceed 30 exceed 12 or exceed 12 or exceed 12 or exceed 12 or
PI shall not 2 x GM + 10, 3 x GM + 10, 3 x GM + 10, 3 x GM + 10,
exceed 10 whichever is the whichever is the whichever is the whichever is the
higher value higher value higher value higher value
LS shall not
exceed 5%

Strength (CBR) CBR at 95% CBR at 95% CBR at 93% CBR at 93% CBR at 93%
of Modified of Modified of Modified of Modified of Modified
AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density
shall not be less shall not be less shall not be less shall not be less shall not be less
than 45% than 25% than 15% than 10% than 7%

Swell (maximum) Swell at 100% Swell at 100% Swell at 100% Swell at 100% Swell at 100%
of Modified of Modified of Modified of Modified of Modified
AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density AASHTO density
shall not shall not shall not shall not shall not
exceed 0,5% exceed 1,0% exceed 1,5% exceed 1,5% exceed 1,5%

Conclusion
In general fill material only have a CBR specification of at least 3% at 93% of
Modified AASHTO density. The higher quality the material used the easier it will
compact, the higher the bearing strength will be and there will be less swell and it
will be less prone to cracking. If one has to choose a material utilised in earthworks
and there is a small price difference in choosing a better quality material it is well
worth the additional outlay.

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