GRANULAR SUB BASE
Introduction
Granular Sub Base(GSB) is a natural or
designed construction material used as a
sub-base layer for road construction.
Granular Sub Base is a layer in the road
foundation just above the compacted sub-
grade layer.
GSB or granular sub base prevents capillary
water from rising; its particle size is so
designed that the capillary action stops and
cannot go beyond the GSB layer.
Functions of GSB
The primary functions of GSB are:
1. Serves as an effective drainage layer to drain off the water entering
into the pavement layers.
2. In flexible pavement, Distributes the wheel load stresses transmitted
through the surface course and granular base course. however, in the
case of rigid pavement, the GSB layer only serves as an effective
drainage layer.
GSB Material
The GSB material shall be crushed stone aggregate free from organic and
other deleterious constituents or natural river bed material having proper
gradation.
It shall conform to grading-I of table 400-1 of MORTH specification, with
the percentage passing 0.075mm size restricted to 5%.
The material shall have four days of soaked CBR of a minimum of 30%.
Physical Properties of GSB Material
The water absorption value of the coarse aggregate shall be
determined as per IS:2386 (Part 3).
If this value is greater than 2 percent, the soundness test shall be
carried out on the material delivered to site as per IS:383.
For Gradings II and IV materials, the CBR shall be determined at the
density and moisture content likely to be developed in the field
Equipment and Machinery for Granular Sub Base
The following sets of equipment are necessary for the GSB construction
work.
Grader/Loader/Excavator as required
Vibratory Rollers (80 -100 KN static weight)
Water Tanker (10,000 Litres)
Tippers/Dumpers -10T /20T (as per site requirement)
Granular Sub Base Construction
1) Preparation of subgrade
2) Spreading of GSB Layer
3) Compaction of GSB Layer
Preparation of subgrade
Immediately prior to the laying of sub-base, the subgrade already finished
to Clause 301 or 305 as applicable shall be prepared by removing all
vegetation and other extraneous matter, lightly sprinkled with water, if
necessary and rolled with two passes of 80–100 kN smooth wheeled roller
Spreading of GSB Layer
Mark the outside lines of the GSB layer with lime powder or pegs on the
completed subgrade.
Requisite sub-surface drain and drain outlet at the level of sub-grade/sub-base
shall be completed before GSB construction.
After loading material with the help of a loader on the dumpers, transported it
to the GSB location.
The required material shall be dumped between the limiting lines previously
marked with the help of lime powder.
The material of the GSB layer confirming Table 400.1 shall be spread in
layers of uniform thickness of 200 mm compacted thickness for new
flexible pavement, and 150 mm compacted thickness for Service Roads
and rigid pavement. A grader shall be used for this activity.
The moisture content of the material should have OMC +1.0% or –2.0%;
if not, either a mixing or drying process must be adopted. Water can be
added to raise the moisture content to the required limits. After spraying
water with the browser, the material shall be properly mixed to obtain a
homogeneous mix. The mixing can continue with the help of a grader. The
grader shall then carry out the final well-defined grading.
Compaction of GSB Layer
Compaction of Granular Sub Base shall start immediately
after achieving the required moisture content.
The compaction shall be done with a vibratory compactor.
The compaction pattern, including the number of passes
required, shall be finalized after the full-scale experiment
at the site to achieve 98% of MDD determined as per IS:
2720 (Part -8). The general pattern shall be as follows:
Initial rolling: Two static passes with a Vibratory roller
Subsequent rolling: Four vibratory pass
One roller pass shall include both forward and reverse movement of the roller.
The speed of the roller shall not exceed 5.0 Km /Hour.
The compaction shall commence from the lower edge and move to the upper
edge width by width.
Quality control tests shall be carried out prior to the commencement of the next
layer.
The compaction behind the structure shall be accomplished with a vibratory
roller or plate compactors to achieve 98% of MDD.
The surface of GSB layer shall have a suitable cross fall to enable efficient
surface drainage.
The finished level GSB shall be within the tolerance limits specified in Table
900.1, i.e. +10.0mm to – 20.0mm.
Quality Control Tests for Granular Sub Base
The Quality control tests shall be conducted on the GSB material at
the source before transportation.
At the GSB location, after the completion of the compaction operation
following tests are pertinent
Thank you
