Materials and Structures/Mat~riaux et Constructions,Vol.

33, August-September2000, pp 419-424

Effect of fine particles on some characteristics of granular base courses

B. Babi/, A. Pragerand T. Rukavina
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Paper received: April 2, i999; Paper accepted: February 23, 2000

A B S T R A C T R I~ S U M i~

The paper presents the results of a scientific research program focused on determining the effect of the fine particles content in granular stone materials on particular properties of the unstabilized base course. Grain-size distribution of a granular system was within the defined limits, and the percentage of fine particles (< 0.02 mm in diameter) ranged from 0 to 10% by mass. Two types of fine particles were tested, those of stone and clay origin. The specimens were compacted using five energy levels. Used lab. equipment was in compliance with the requirements of German (DIN) and Swiss (SNV) standards. The following characteristics were tested: - bearing capacity (CBR test) at optimum moisture content and after one freezing/thawing cycle - permeability (coefficient of permeability k). The obtained results were statistically analyzed and graphically presented. The most important outputs are: (a) Bearing capacity - within the research limits of 0 to 10% by mass, fine stone particles have positive effect and the bearing capacity increases, - fine clay particles content not higher than 5% by mass is acceptable; for higher percentages, the bearing capacity decreases. (b) Permeability - for fine stone particles content below 5% by mass permeability is still satisfactory; however, even a very small percentage of fine clay particles has an adverse impact on permeability. The conclusions are related to the tested materials and should be used as starting point for further investigation.

Get article pre'sente les r&ultats d'un programme de recherche scientifique dont l'objet a cons#td a ddterminer l'influence des fines dam un mat&iau gmnuld sur certaines propridt& de la couche portante non li&. La granulomdtrie des mat&iaux a dt8 fix& dam les limites prescrites et la part destines (d'un diam&tre de 0,02 mm) a varid entre 0 et 10% en masse. Deux esp&es de fines ont dtd examin&s : le filler et l' argile. Les Ochantillons ont dt8 compact& en cinq degr&. Les appareils utih'se's dam les essais en laboratoire sont conformes aux normes allemandes (DIN) et suisses ($NV). Les propri&& suivantes ont ~t~ {tudi&s : la capacit~ portante de la couche portante, d~termin& par l'essai CBR, aw'c une teneur en eau optimale et apt& un cycle gel-d~gel ; - la perm&bilit~ (coefficient de perm&bilit~ k). Les r&ultats obtenus ont ~t~ soumis hun d~pouillement statistique pour &e repre'sent& graphiquement. Les conclusions les plus importantes de ces essais sont les suivantes : a) Capacit~ portante : - lesfines pr&entent un effetfavorable (dam les limites de la recherche, c'est-a-dire entre 0 et 10% en masse) : la capacit~ portante augmente, - la part des particules d'argile est acceptable jusqu'a 5% en masse, la capacit~ portante va en diminuant avec la croissance du pourcentage. b) Perm&bilitd : - si les fines sont d'origine min&ale et tant clue leur part ne ddpasse pas 5% en masse, la perm&bilitd demeure satisfaisante ; les particules d' argile ont un effet tr& ndgatif mSme si leur proportion est minimale.
-

1. I N T R O D U C T I O N

Base course made of granular stone aggregate is an important part of pavement structure, contributing, on the one hand, to the total bearing capacity and serving, on the other hand, as a drainage layer for eventually penetrated 1359-5997/00 9 PdLEM

water. This layer must have appropriate characteristics which must be maintained during the entire road lifetime. When the base course is made of quality stone material of adequate grain distribution, without excessive content of fine particles, no problems should be expected. When the percentage of fine particles exceeds certain amount, the

41 9

Materials and Structures/Mat~riaux et Constructions, Vol.33, August-September 2000

granular bearing base course becomes sensitive to freezing (and thawing), which might imperil the pavement structure. High percentage of fine particles causes clogging of pores in granular material thus reducing permeability and preventing water drainage. For that reason, the fine particles in granular material request adequate consideration.

2.2 Bearing capacity criteria

There is a number of laboratory tests used to test granular material bearing characteristics (e.g. dynamic modulus of elasticity determined by triaxial test, ultrasonic testing, and the like). However, there are no bearing capacity criteria based on the results of these tests. Despite its shortcomings, the CBR test is still acceptable and practical for evaluation of bearing capacity ofunstabilized granular layers, so it has been used in this laboratory research. Minimum bearing capacity CBR required is 80% [4], by compacting energy as per modified Proctor.

2. CRITERIA FOR FINE PARTICLE CONTENT IN GRANULAR MATERIAL 2.1 Freezing risk criteria
The risk of subbase and granular subbase and base course freezing has for some time become related to the percentage of fine particles which might cause capillary water elevation. Already in 1931, Casagrande set the criterion according to which the materials containing more than 3% by mass of particles finer than 0.02 mm are sensltive to freezing [1]. Other authors have later set similar criteria. Based on these criteria and acquired experience, different countries determined different allowable percentages of fine particles in granular bases [2, 3], as shown in Table 1. The table shows that the allowable content of fine particles ranges between 3 and 10% by mass. Economically, the possibility to use natural materials (e.g. sandy gravel) is highly desirable. However, in that case the allowable percentage of fine particles for absolute security should be above the most strict limit (3 % by mass). This limit might prove questionable and be worth rechecking,

2.3 Permeability criteria

These criteria are relatively new and still not incorporated in standards of different countries, but under certain circumstances they may be important. After a certain period of time, the cracks form in the pavement permitting penetration of water. When there is no possibility of fast drainage, the bearing capacity decreases and the possibility of damage increases. To avoid such risks, the granular base layer should have sufficient permeability. This issue has been elaborated by several authors [5, 6] and particularly detailed study is that of Ridgway [7]. Based on measurement results obtained by him, the following minimal coefficient of permeability criteria have been set up [8]: - for lateral drainage k = I x 10-3 cm/sec - for vertical drainage k = 1 x 10.4 cm/sec.

Table 1 - Maximumallowablecontentof fine particles

in granular material according to specifications in different countries (% by mass) Country 0.075 Austria Finland France Japan Canada Hungary Norway Germany Russia USA Sweden Switzerland Great Britain Croatia 10 3 10 7-10"** 10 3-10"* 6 5 3 6 4-6 6 6 6 10 3.5 10 3-10" 3.5 3.5 Fine particle diameter (mm) 0.06 7 0.02 0.02* 4 6

3. RESEARCH PROGRAM 3.1 Materials and methods

Test specimens were made of two characteristic granular materials, i.e. natural gravel (with rounded grains) and crushed stone aggregate. To design the grain-size distribution curves, we developed a special computer program for optimization of granular mixtures. The same stone skeleton was set up for all specimens, only the percentage of < 0.02 mm particles was changed (0, 3, 5, 7 and 10 % by mass). One group of specimens contained fine particles of clayey origin, and the other contained stone filler. The next combinations were applied: 9 gravel + clay particles, 9 gravel + stone particles (filler), 9 crushed stone + clay particles, 9 crushed stone + stone particles (filler). The specimens were compacted at optimum moisture content, using automatic Proctor rammer at five compacting energy levels between 0.04 and 2.53 MNm/m 3. The following tests were performed on a large number of specimens: - optimum moisture content, - density (at different compaction energy levels), - swelling (after freezing),
420

* calculated with factor O. 6 and O. 7forparticles < O. 075 mm and < O. 06 ram, respectively * * class Il gravel * * * for area with frequent freezinyff thawing cycles during the winter season

Babi6, Prager, Rukavina

- bearing capacity prior to and after freezing and thawing, - permeability. Special equipment was used in addition to the standard one, as required for testing of granular material under the conditions of freezing and thawing. The equipment has been designed (with some modifications) according to the Swiss standard SNV 670 320a [9]. Permeability was tested with equipment as per German standard DIN 18130 [10].

300~-

250~

125o
-[
]

2639 __._----tic
~ ~ \ 2412

Compacting energy o MNm/m 3

9 O 9 0.21 MNm/m 3 0.63 MNm/ms 1.27 MNm/m3

~-----~

004

1193 1 0 0 ~

3.2 Bearing capacity testing before and after freezing/thawing

3.2.1 Testing method
Bearing capacity was tested by CBR. test, immediately after the specimens were prepared (compacted) and, enabled to absorb water from the bottom, cooled to -15 ~ and then unfrozen. The test results were presented in a diagram for mixtures with natural gravel (Figs. 1 to 4) and crushed stone (Figs. 5 to 8).

50 4 7 3 ~ 15~'~ ~ 0-t--, i ' 0 1

020"3 r ~ 5 6

~ 173 i 7 ~ 8 ' i 9

i
2

I
3

t 4

25.6 279 |234 ~23.3 11.2 10

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 3 - Effect of percentage of fine clay particles (< 0.02 mm) in gravel mix on bearing capacity (CBR) before freezing.

ts0~ |
| 350[ J
.aa0~ Compacting energy

Compacting energy
111 9 o 9 0 9 at 0 0 4 MNm/m 3 0.21 M N m / m 3 0.63 MNm/m 3 1.27 MNwdm 3 2.53 MNm/m 3

.v |

o 9 0 9

0.04 M N m / m 3 0.21 MNm/m s 0.63 MNm/m 3 127 MNm/m 3

.... ~ / ~

3442 " ] I I

/ | | 100

,~ A ~'-'~'"

2501/5n ~

~a.r,~

I
19.2

757

50

L)

08.7

t
0 0 , I 1 ' i 2 ' [ 3 ' I 4 ' i 5 , I 6 ' I 7 ' I 8 ' I 9 '

26,1
24,7 22,9 15,6 10.7 10

_____------4 57

ot
0

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass]

'

'

'

'

'

10

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 1 - Effect of percentage of fine stone particles (< 0.02 mm) in gravel mix on bearing capacity (CBR) before freezing.

Fig. 4 - Effect of percentage of fine clay particles (< 0.02 m m ) in gravel mix on bearing capacity (CBR) after freezing/thawing.

!50
....

Compacting

energy

ii t
~
150-1

O 0.04 energy Compacting MNm/m 3 9 0 9 ~. 0.21 MNm/m J 0,63 MNm/m s 1.27 MNm/m 3 2.53 MNm/m J / 263.1 ~00-j / / 199.~ t50

o 9

-- 9

0.04 MNm/m s 0.21 MNm/m s 0 6 3 MNrrt/m3 127 MNm/m 3

212.6

~.7.z__
126.4
-96 t

L00 ! ~

148 74.1 749 ~

,l r L ' I ~ ~ ' I ' I ' I ' I

115; 81.1
5 0 ~

879

100 52.1
e 37"4

50

54.7

:3 4 ~ L ) ~ . . ~ - - ~
~ l&2-.----------~23'0

353
, I ' I '

.__ 0 1 7 7

21.0

o
10 0 1

' I ~ t ' I ' I ' I ' i ' r ' I '

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 2 - Effect of percentage of free stone particles (< 0.02 ram) in gravel mix on bearing capacity (CBR) after freezing/thawing.

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 5 - Effect of percentage of fine stone particles (< 0.02 m m ) in crushed stone mix on bearing capacity (CBR) before freezing.

421

Materials and Structures/Mat4riaux et Constructions, Vol. 33, August-September 2000

50 "f

Compacting energy
^ I~g,,... r,l~"~'4 1 + ~
0

!00 ]
[
/

Compacting energy
o 9
0

'14 ~ - - ~ ' ~ L ,

l :5 0 - ' ~ 1 ~

# a"

0.04 MNm/m 3 0.21 MNrn/m3 0.63 MNm/m 3 1.27 MNm/m 3 2 5 3 MNm/m'

3 0.04 MNm/m 021 MNm/rn ~

0.63 M N m l m 3

fl546

| )0

"'~Q

--4v----

12 7 MNm/rn 3 2.53 MNm/m 3

84.8 ~1021 66,0

.2 59.2

to
>78 1

660 50

10

~33.8 35.7 ~27,5 )19.4 )7.8

~37.8 >30.2

~
0

____.~

o186 _.

o~

0 I '
0 10 6 7 8 9

I ' I ' l
I 2 3

' I ' I ' l

4 5 6

' I ' I ' I k

7 8 9 10

o I ' I ' I ' I ' I ' I ' I ' I ' I ' I '
I 2 3 4 5

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 8 - Effect o f p e r c e n t a g e o f fine clay particles (< 0.02 m m ) in c r u s h e d s t o n e m i x o n bearing capacity ( C B R ) after freezing/thawing.

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 6 - Effect o f p e r c e n t a g e o f fine stone particles (< 0.02 m m ) in c r u s h e d stone m i x o n bearing capacity ( C B R ) after freezing/thawing.

200 Compacting
0

energy MNm/m 3 MNm / m 3 MNm/m 3 MNm/m J

0.04 MNnVm }

157.9 150-~""-"------~145.2

= O 9 .t

021 0.63 127 2.53

r,.)

,6

85.9 )5

3 5027.7

q~
I 2 3

18.
4 5

15.
6 7

.9
8 9 tO

8.;

' I ' I ' 1 ' I ' I ~ I ' I ' I ' [

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [% by mass] Fig. 7 - Effect o f p e r c e n t a g e o f fine clay particles (< 0.02 ram) in c r u s h e d stone m i x o n bearing capacity ( C B R ) before freezing.

3.2.2 Comments on test results

The test results lead to the following conclusions: 9 Mixes with natural gravel show higher bearing capacities than the crushed stone mixes. 9 The type of fine particles (stone Table 2 - CBR values prior to and after freezing/thawing, filler or clay) affects the bearing and decrease in CBR value after freezing/thawing capacity more than the type of Average for all percentages of fine Values for percentage of fine granular material (gravel or particles <0.02 mm (0 to 10 % particles <0.02 mm (5 % by mass) crushed stone). by mass) Mix 9 When mixes contain fine stone CBRt (%) CBR2(%) CBR2/ CBR4/ CBR3 (%) CBR4 (%) particles their bearing capacity (before (after CBR 1 (before (after) CBR3 grows with growing percentage of freezing) freezing) freezing) freezing) such particles (for the observed Natural gravel+clay 180.7 82.0 0.45 0.43 241.2 104.4 range from 0 to 10% by mass). Crushed stone+clay 108.4 100.1 0.92 0.86 133.2 114.1 The same applies to both conditions, prior to and after freezing/ Natural gravel + 290.5 178.1 0.61 277.0 190.1 0.69 stone filler thawing. 9 When mixes contain fine clay Crushed stone + 173.3 162.9 0.94 0.95 140.6 132.9 particles their bearing capacity stone filler 422

gradually grows, until the particle content reaches 5% by mass, and than abruptly falls. The same applies to both conditions, prior to and after freezing/thawing. 9 "Looser" mixes show lower bearing capacity than the denser, but their curves for different compacting energies are similar. 9 Bearing capacity criterion from the section 2.2 above (CBR 80%) can easily be met when the fine particles are of stone origin and their content is lower than 10% by mass. When fine particles are of clay origin, the same should be expected with certainty only if their content does not exceed 6% by mass. 9 The bearing capacity of granular systems is usually lower after freezing/thawing than it was before. Table 2. show average values of decreased bearing capacity for all fin e particles percentages (0 to 10% by mass), and figures for mixes with < 0.02 mm particle content of 5%. 9 The data in Table 2 indicate that the crushed stone mix shows considerably lower decrease in bearing capacity after freezing than the gravel mix. This could be attributed to increased friction and effect of interlocking of angular crushed stone grains. Presence of fine clay particles increases the bearing capacity loss after freezing, which is probably caused by the "lubrication" effect.

Babi6, Prager, Rukavina

3.3 Permeability tests

3.3.1 Test results

1.00000 ~ , , , ~ .

Percentage of fine stone particles <0.02 ram:

[\

9 9
~ ~ "

o% 3O o
7~

Figs. 9 to 12 show relations between the coefficient of permeability and percentage of fine particles for different granular mix compacting energies. Fig. 13 shows correlation between permeability and fine particles percentage. The compacting was performed by modified Proctor energy. Fig. 14 shows the relation between the coefficient of permeability and bearing capacity for different percentages of fine particles. In all cases, the specimens were compacted at optimum moisture content.

.10000-~\ \ o

.01000 -

00100-

I
0.00010 1.00000Percentage of fine stone particles <0.02 mm:

4 0.040.21 #0%

0.63

1.27

2.53

Compacting energy [MNm/m3l Fig. 11 - Effect of percentage of fine stone particles (< 0.02 mm) and compacting energy on coefficient of permeability (crushed stone mix).

\\ 0,0000 -.-

,_

0.01000I0.00000O O.O01001.00000!,~
Percentage of fine clay particles <0.02 mm: # 0%

- 9

3%

.
r,.)
0.000100.04 0.21 0.63 1.27 2.53 e~ 0.010000.100002 ---~--

5%
7%

Compacting energy [MNm/m ~] Fig. 9 - Effect of percentage of fine stone particles (< 0.02 mm) and compacting energy on coefficient of permeability (gravel mix).

0.00100"

l.O0000

Percentage of fine clay particles <0.02 ram: # 0%

0.00010 ~ 0.04 0.21

~ 0.63

1,27

2.53

Compacting energy [MNrrgm3] Fig. 12 -Effect of percentage of fine clay particles (< 0.02 mm) and compacting energy on coefficient of permeability (crushed stone mix).

i 0 0.10000

-A
9

3% 5%
7%

+ ._~'~ 0.01000

10%

gk

0.00100-

3.3.2 Test results comment

0.000100

0.00oo1

/
0.04 0.21

,
0.63

,
1.27 2.5

Compacting energy [MNm/m 3] Fig. 10 - Effect of percentage of fine clay particles (< 0.02 mm) and compacting energy on coefficient of permeability (gravel mix).

9 Permeability decreases with the compacting energy increase. This could have been logically expected, since the denser systems are less permeable than the looser ones. 9 Increase in fine particles percentage results in permeability decrease, which is logical too, since the fine particles close the voids between the larger particles. 9 Mixes with fine clay particles are generally less permeable than the one with fine stone particles, probably due to clay swelling caused by water absorption. 9 Decrease in permeability with increase in fine particles

423

Materials and Structures/MaMriaux et Constructions,Vol.33, August-September 2000

0.10000"

1,0000-

log y = -0.444"x - 5 . 5 9 5

g
0,01000,.~ >~

log y = -0.465"x - 3 . 8 7 6
~-~ O. l O 0 0 -

Percentage of fine stone particles < 0 . 0 2 r a m :

7Ojo

0.00100" f:X to.., 0

y~on_r _~_

" .,,.

i~" o.omo"r,
0.0010-

"5
0.00010-

3
0.0001 0

8 rj
0.00001 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0.0000 0

~ 50

~ 100

~ 150

r 200

~ 250 300 350

Percentage of fine particles <0.02 mm [mas %]

CBR [%1

Fig. 13 - Relation between the fine stone particles (< 0.02 mm) percentage and coefficient of permeability, k (compacting energy as per modified Proctor).

Fig. 14 - Relation between the bearing capacity (CBR) and coefficient of permeability, k, for different percentages of fine stone particles (< 0.02 mm).

percentage is more intensive when the particles are of clay origin. 9 Horizontal drainage criterion (section 2.3 above) is met when the content of fine stone particles is 5%. For mixes with fine particles content of 3%, it meets only the vertical drainage criterion. 9 Permeability decreases with increase in bearing capacity (i.e. CBR index). This applies almost equally to all the mixes, with the exception of those, which contain no fine particles and where decrease in permeability is negligible.

Although obtained and presented test results could be taken only relative to tested materials, they might be used as a starting point for further considerations on allowable percentage of fine particles in granular base courses. As regards bearing capacity, the limit could be raised from 3 to 5% by mass. When the stone particles are present, all drainage requirements are met, while in case of clay particles permeability is insufficient and needs to be compensated by adequate pavement maintenance measures.

4. CONCLUSIONS
The results of tests conducted on mixes of gravel or crushed stone aggregate with fine particles of clay or stone origin lead to the following conclusions: 9 The bearing capacity of granular systems is affected by the type of fine particles (clay or stone) rather than by the type of aggregate (gravel or crushed stone). 9 Increased percentage of fine stone particles results in increase in bearing capacity, while the effect of increased percentage of fine clay particles is just the opposite. 9 In all mix preparation options, the bearing capacity criterion (section 2.2. above, CBR 80%) may certainly be reached when the fine particles content is to 5% by mass, both prior to and after freezing/thawing. 9 A maximum fine stone particles content of 5% by mass also meets the permeability criterion, while the presence of fine day particles might cause problems with drainage.

REFERENCES
[1] Casagrande, A., 'Discussion on frost heaving', in 'Highway Board Proceedings', Vol. II, Part 1, 1931. [2] Brandl, H., 'Quality requirements and tests for earthworks and granular bases', only available in German, Proceedings of an International Meeting, 1977 (Road Research Society, 1977) 15-43. [3] 'Granular Bases', only available in German, in Bulletin No. 965 (10.2.81), Ministry of Transportation, 1981 (Road Research Society, 1981). [4] 'General technical specifications for road building works', only available in Croatian, 1st Edn. (Zagreb, 1989). [5] Barber, E. S. and Sawyer, C. L., HighwayResearchBoard31 (1952). [6] Cedergren, H. R., Seepage, 'Drainage and Flow Nets', 1st Edn. (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1967). [7] Ridgway, H., 'Pavement Permeability and Drainage', (University of Connecticut, Dissertation, 1975). [8] Babid, B., 'Drainage capacityof pavement structures', Gradevimr, 49 (10) (1997), 56%573. [9] SNV 670320 (Swiss Standard) 'Tests - Laboratory CBR Test, only available in German (1973). [10] DIN 1830 (German Standard) 'Determination of permeability coefficient', only available in German (1983).

424