41

Solution: Solution:

Water content:
Dry Unit weight:

W% = x 100
Udry = Udry =
.
W% = x 100
Udry = 120 lbs/cu.ft. W% = 8.3 %

Learning Activity:

Solve the following problems:

1. A 220-cubic centimeter sample of wet soil has a mass of 340
grams, when 100% saturated. The mass was 200 grams when
dried. Determine the dry density, dry unit weight, water content,
void ratio and specific gravity.
2. Laboratory test result showed that the void ratio of a saturated soil
sample is 0.40. the specific gravity of soil solid is 2.60. Find the wet
unit weight of the soil and its water content. Assumed Vs = 1.0

Mastery Test:

Solve the following problems:

1. A sample of moist soil with mass of 18 kg occupies a total volume

of 0.008 cu. m. and 0.006 cu.m. volume of solid. The sample is
dried in an oven and weighted 16 kg. the specific gravity of the
solid is 2.60. compute for the a. wet density b. dry unit weight
c. void ratio d. water content e. degree of saturation.

2. Laboratory test result showed that the void ratio of a saturated soil
sample is 0.33. the specific gravity of soil solid is 2.60. Find the wet
unit weight of the soil and its water content.

3. A 1cu.ft soil sample weighing 200 lbs., was taken from a moist pit.
The whole sample was dried and weighed 180 lbs. determine the
a. wet unit weight b. dry unit weight c. water content of the soil
sample.
 42

UNIT 4 Road Materials

Lesson 1: Road Aggregates

 Aggregates for Bituminous Pavement
 Aggregates for Portland Cement Concrete
 Test for road aggregates to be used in highway construction

Learning Outcomes

 Define what is an aggregate and its different classification

 Identify the different aggregates for road pavement
 Study the different tests for aggregates used in pavement
construction.

Pretest: Write “T” if the answer is True and “F” if the answer is False to
the following statements:

_____ 1.
Soil is derived from rocks.
_____ 2.
Aggregates are particles which has mass and volume.
_____ 3.
Highways are vast lands connecting places and communities.
_____ 4.
Water is a highway hazard.
_____ 5.
You can construct roads anywhere you want.
_____ 6.
Survey is not necessary in roadway system construction.
_____ 7.
Asphalt serves as the binder of asphalt roads.
_____ 8.
Macadam roads are still common in rural areas.
_____ 9.
Concrete-paved highways are recommended for highways at
grade.
_____10. Skidding or slipping is a major problem for all types of old and
new highways.

Aggregates to be used in highway pavements must be carefully selected

and undergo tests to pass the AASHTO standards or Item-703 of the Department
of Public Works and Highways, aggregates intended for either Bituminous
(asphalt) or Portland cement concrete pavement.

“The aggregates shall consist of hard durable particles or fragments of

crushed stone or gravel, and sand or other fine mineral particles free from
vegetable matter, lumps of clay and of such nature that it can be readily
compacted to form a firm stable layer. It shall conform to AASHTO grading
requirements shown in Table 4.1 when tested by AASHTO Y11 and T27.
 43

TABLE 4.1 Grading Requirements

Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing

Standard Alternate
mm U.S. Grading A Grading B Grading C Grading D
Standard
25 1” 100 100 100 100
9.5 3/8 50-85 60-100 - -
4.75 No.4 35-65 50-85 55-100 70-100
2.00 No. 10 25-50 40-70 40-100 55-100
0.425 No. 40 15-30 25-45 20-50 30-70
0.075 No. 200 5-20 5-20 6-20 8-25

The coarse aggregate material retain on the 2.00 mm (no.10) sieve shall
have a mass percent of wear by the Los Angeles Test T96 of not more than 45.

When crushed aggregate is called for in the Bill of Quantities, not less than
fifty (50) mass percent of the particles retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve shall
have at least one (1) fractured face.

The fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve shall not be greater
than two-thirds of the fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve.

The Fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve shall have a liquid limit
not greater than 35 and a plasticity index range of 4 to 9, when tested by AASHTO
T 89 and T 90 respectively.

Materials for gravel surface course and crushed aggregate surface course
shall have a soaked CBR Value of not less than 25% and 80% respectively as
determined by AASHTO T 193. The CBR Value shall be obtained at the maximum
dry density and determined by AASHTO T 180 Method D.

Aggregates to be classified as good quality must undergo and pass the

following tests:

1. Test for strength

2. Test for soundness
3. Test for affinity and swell
4. Test for Shape and Texture
5. Test for resistance to polishing
6. Degradation test
 44

Test for Strength

The criterion for aggregate strength test is the Los Angeles Rattler Test
(AASHTO T-96) briefly conducted as follows:
1. Rattler test is done in a hollow cylinder, close at both ends. The cylinder
measures 70 centimeters inside diameter by 50 centimeters long
provided with steel shelf projecting radially inward 3 ½mpounted with
its axis horizontally on stub shaft and fastened at the ends.
2. The cylinder is rotated 500 revolutions at a speed of 30 to 33 rounds
per minute.
3. After testing, the sample is passed on to No.12 sieve. Those that pass
through the sieve are set aside, the amount of loss is the difference
between the original and final weight expressed in percent.
4. The FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) recommended that
aggregates for a dense graded mixture shall have 50 or less coefficient
of wear.
5. For open graded mixture, the requirement is 40 or less. However,
percentage may be set in cases where excellent aggregates are
abundantly available.

Test for Soundness

Soundness refers to the resistance of aggregates to deterioration from the

effects of action like freezing and thawing.

The common test for soundness is the application with sodium or

magnesium sulfate. (AASHTO T-104)

1. A sample of fine or coarse aggregate is dried then immersed in a

saturated solution of sodium or magnesium sulfate, drained and oven
dried.
2. The application of liquid solutions will cause splitting, crumbling,
cracking or flaking of the particles’ surface. The application is conducted
in five immersions and drying cycles.
3. When washing and drying is done, aggregate samples are carefully
examined and sieved to determine the changes in the particle sizes. The
result is recorded as percentage loss.
4. Some road agencies do not require soundness test for aggregate
intended to asphalt pavement particularly in areas where temperature
of the pavement does not fall below freezing point.

Test for Affinity and Swell

Strong and durable pavement must have a binder that adheres firmly to
the aggregate particles. If the binder separates or strips off from the aggregate
particles, the pavement will disintegrate under traffic.
 45

Another reaction of the pavement is to form holes on the surface when

loosened aggregates are pulled-off with the passage of vehicle wheels. If
pavement mixture swells, the interlock and friction between the particles are
destroyed resulting to collapse of the pavement stability.

1. Hydrophilic is the term used when the aggregate has greater affinity for
water than asphalt.
2. If the aggregate is hydrophilic, the chemical bond between the
aggregates and water is much stronger than those between aggregates
and asphalt. on the other hand, if the aggregate is hydrophobic, pin
holes will develop on the asphalt and water will penetrate the surface
until it reaches the aggregates.
3. Water seeping through the aggregate may destroy the particles in due
time.
4. Oftentimes, the stripped asphalt flushes to the surface of the pavement
which makes the fine aggregates susceptible to swelling and expands
when moistened and eventually destroy the pavement structure.
5. The immersion compression test AASHTO T-165) indirectly measure the
tendency of aggregate to strip or swell under the effects of water.

Shape and Texture of Aggregates

1. A relatively rounded smooth aggregate particles like natural gravel is

recommended for Portland cement concrete pavement because the mixture
is workable
2. The angular or irregular shape and rough surface texture aggregate has
been proven the best material for asphalt pavement because of its stronger
interlocking action. Asphalt adheres well to the particles.
3. Any form of dirt or foreign material is considered undesirable for either
asphalt or concrete pavement.
4. The AASHTO Standard Specifications for asphalt pavement aggregate has
no specific provision as to the control of the shape or surface texture.

Test for Resistance to Polishing

One good criterion for pavement design is the high coefficient of friction
between the tire and the road surface and when the rubber tire is in direct contact
with the aggregate and not with the binder.
1. If the aggregate surface of the road becomes polished and sticky, the
coefficient of friction between the tire and the road surface will be
dangerously low.
2. The skid resistance has a direct relation with the polishing of the aggregate
so the road agency always considers the skid resistance measurement of
existing roads to be included in the road inventory and maintenance.
3. Most aggregates derived from limestone are susceptible to polishing while
for sandstone or fine grain igneous type aggregate, polishing is not as
severe.
 46

4. Limestone coarse aggregate containing larger amount of sand that are

insoluble in diluted hydrochloric acid are found to be resistant to polishing.
5. Silica sand if included in the mixture will help increase the friction factor
between the tire and the road surface.

Degradation Test

Some aggregates degrade in the presence of water. This is measure

through the mechanical agitation in water under designation test of AASHTO T-
210.

1. About 2.5 kilograms of coarse aggregate that is retained in No.4 sieve area
washed thoroughly and agitated for 10 minutes.
2. Sedimentation test like the sand equivalent test for soil is done on the
sample passing the 0.075mm (no. 200) particles generated. The durability
index result ranges from 0 to 100, but the FHWA specifications set a
minimum value of 35.
3. Or fine aggregates that passes the 4.75 mm (no. 4) sieve, test is the same
as the above procedure except that the sample size is 1/2 kilogram.
4. The sand equivalent test is performed after 10 minutes to establish
durability Index of 35.

Particle Size

1. For dense graded pavement – the particle size of aggregate ranges from
coarse to dust.
2. For open graded pavement – one or more layer of the coarse rock of
uniform size is used
3. For sheet asphalt – the mineral aggregate is a carefully graded sand and
mineral dust.

Aggregate for Bituminous Pavement

For bituminous or asphalt pavement, the aggregates constitute 88% to

96% by weight or 75% by volume. AASHTO standard specifications provide that:

“The aggregates shall consist of hard, durable particles of fragments of

stone or gravel and sand or other fine mineral particles free from vegetable matter
and lumps or balls of clay and of such nature that it can be compacted readily to
form a firm or stable layer. “

The following materials are classified under item 300 of the DPWH Standard
Specifications:

1. Coarse aggregate materials retained on 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve shall have
a mass percent of wear by the Los Angeles Abrasion Test (AASHTO T-96)
of not more than 45.
 47

2. When crushed aggregate is specified, not less than 50 mass percent of the
particles retained on the 4.75 mm (N0. $) sieve shall have at least one
fractured face.
3. The fraction passing the 0.75 mm (No.200) sieve shall not be greater than
2/3 of the fraction passing 0.425 mm (No.40) sieve.
4. The fraction passing 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve shall have a liquid limit not
greater than 35 and a plasticity index range of 4 to 9 when tested by
AASHTO T-89 and T-90 respectively.

Aggregate for Portland Cement in Concrete Pavement

Road agencies have imposed almost without exemption that all aggregates
for high quality concrete pavement to pass appropriate tests for strength,
soundness, wear or the combination of these three tests.

1. The presence of any organic impurities in the aggregates for concreting

road pavement may cause slow or non-hardening of the concrete mixture.
Under AASHTO T-21 standard test, the aggregate is treated with a mixture
of sodium hydrochloride solution, and when the treated aggregate turns
dark, organic materials are present in the aggregate.
2. The strength of fine aggregate is measured by the compression test of san-
cement mortar.
3. Soundness of fine aggregate is measured by the resistance to deterioration
under the action of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate. The sodium
sulfate test is five cycles. The maximum loss under AASHTO specification
is 10%
4. For coarse aggregate, crushed stone, gravel, blast furnace, slag, or
approved inert materials of similar characteristics having hard, strong,
durable pieces free from adherent is recommended.

The Department of Public Works and Highways Standard Specifications classify

aggregate under item 703 and specifically provides that:
1. Aggregates shall consist of hard, durable particles or fragments of
crushed stone, crushed slug or crushed natural gravel. Materials that
break up when alternately wetted and dried shall be discarded.
2. Coarse Aggregate is the material retained on the 2.00 mm (No.10) sieve
and shall have a percentage of water not more than 50 for sub-base
and not more than 45 for base and surface courses as determined by
AASHTO designation test T-96.
3. Fine Aggregate is the material passing the No. 10 sieve (2.00mm)
consisting of natural crushed sand and fine mineral particles. The
fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve should not be greater
than 0.66 (2/3) of the fraction passing the 0.425mm (No. 40) sieve.
4. For Base Course, the fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve shall
have a liquid limit of not more than 25 and plastic index (PI) not greater
than 6. For sub-base course, the liquid limit should not be greater than
35, and plastic index not greater than 12.
 48

5. For surface course, the fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
shall have a liquid limit not more than 35 and plasticity index not less
than 4 nor exceed 9.

Mineral Fillers

These are dust additives which increase the strength of road pavements if
added to the graded mixture. This reduce the void contents in the mixture. The
DPWH states that, mineral fillers shall consist of finely divided mineral matter that
is free from organic impurities and at the time of use shall be sufficiently dry to
flow freely and shall be essentially free from agglomerations. AASHTO stipulates
that all minerals other than hydrated lime or Portland cement, the plastic index
value shall be 4 or less.

Dust additive is classified into:

1. Finely powdered limestone
2. Slag
3. Hydrated lime
4. Portland cement
5. Trap cock dust
6. Fly ash

Bituminous Material

Bituminous material or asphalt is a viscous liquid used as binder for

aggregates in road construction. At normal temperature, asphalt is either slightly
thicker than water or hard but brittle material that breaks under a hammer blow
when cold.
1. Bituminous material is in liquid form when mixed or combined with
aggregates. This liquid form may be produced either by heating the
hard asphalt, by dissolving in solvent or by emulsifying in water. There
are bituminous materials available and ready for use.
2. The action of asphalt binder depends on its type and the aggregate it
is combined with. The purpose of the asphalt binder is to resist the
abrasive force brough about by heavy traffic.
3. If road pavement is open type, consisting entirely of coarse particles
and asphalt, heavy binder is needed requiring more asphalt. But if
aggregates in the pavement contain fine particles, cohesion will be
developed by surface tension in the thin asphalt film surrounding the
fine particles, hence less viscous asphalt is required.

Bituminous Binder

Asphalt cement is used in almost all types of bituminous pavements.

Asphalt cement is a semi-solid hydrocarbon retained after fuel and lubricating oils
are removed from petroleum. The softest grade used for pavement is the 200-
300 penetration. The 60-70 penetration is the hardest type.
 49

Penetration refers to the consistencies of asphalt cement as described

under AASHTO-T49. It is the distance that a standard needle penetrates a sample
under known conditions of loading time and temperature. Recently, the procedure
used in grading asphalt cement is the Viscosity Test rather than the Penetration
Test.

Classifications of Asphalt Cement:

1. Cutback or Liquid Asphalt
2. Emulsified Asphalt
3. Oxidized Asphalt and Road Tar
4. Coal tars
5. Tack or Prime Coat

Problems associated with bituminous Binders:

1. The thickness of asphalt film in the pavement ranges from 0.005 to 0.010
mm. Test result showed that the thicker the asphalt film, the lesser is the
process of aging. Where pavement has lower percentage of voids, aging is
also relatively low.
2. Mixtures that are too dry, cracks and breaks easily.
3. Higher asphalt content and lower percentage of voids may cause instability
of the pavement.
4. Improper construction procedures can age asphalt prematurely. Example
is mixing asphalt with overheated aggregates.
5. Storing the mixed materials or an extended period of mixing, tends the
temperature produces substantial reduction of asphalt penetration.
6. Climatic conditions can seriously affect the behavior of asphalt binders.
7. Different brand or source has variability in behavior. The viscosity of some
asphalt varies with temperature.
8. An asphalt meeting the specified penetration requirement at 77 oF but with
high viscosity temperature ratio will become hard and brittle at lower
temperature.

Bituminous Pavement or asphalt concrete pavement

Bituminous pavement is a combination of mineral aggregate and binders.

The dense graded road is made of hot mineral aggregates mixed with hot asphalt
and laid at high temperate of about 275oF to 300oF. The mixture of rock material
particles and asphalt concrete is about 2 inches for lightly traveled road to 6 inches
or more for heavy traffic roads, has created many popular names such as:
1. Asphalt macadam
2. Asphaltic Concrete
3. Mastic
4. National paving
5. Plant mix
6. Asphalt sheet
7. Road mix
8. Armor coat
9. Oil mat
 50

For an asphalt road to be considered in good service, it must possess in its

full life the following qualities:

1. The surface must be free from cracks or raveling due to shrinkage and
fatigue failure.
2. It must withstand weather condition, including the effect of surface water,
heat, cold and oxidation.
3. It must be resistant to internal moisture such as water vapor.
4. It must possess a tight or porous impermeable surface as the case may be
suitable to underlying base on sub-base.
5. It must be A smooth riding and skid free surface.

The success of an asphalt pavement depends on the construction quality

of the sub-base and the base course.

A satisfactory asphalt pavement could be attained under the following

construction procedures:
1. Viscous asphalt binder is heated to a fluid condition and mixed with
heated aggregates. The mixture is then laid and compacted while still
hot.
2. Mixing liquid or emulsion asphalt with aggregates at normal
temperature is either by plant or road mixing. The mixture is laid and
compacted at normal temperature before the solvent evaporates or the
emulsion breaks.
3. Spread and compact the clean crushed stones, sprayed with heated or
emulsified asphalt binder over it. Cover the sprayed pavement with fine
aggregate.

Bituminous pavement failures are caused by excessive load. Heavy

loads create deflection on the road surface, with insufficient underlying strength.
Repeated application of excessive load will roughen and crack the road pavement
that ultimately result to complete failure of the roadway. Deflection on the road
surface may be the effect of elastic deformation from the consolidation of the base
and subsoil or from the combination of elastic and plastic deformation.

Surface Treatment

Road surface treatment method is applied to upgrade untreated surface

and to rejuvenate an existing pavement. The inverted penetration method is
applied wherein the binder asphalt is first sprayed over a prepared surface then
covered with fine aggregates. This procedure is in contrast with the penetration
method wherein the spraying of asphalt binder is done after the placement of the
aggregates.

On the basis of purpose to be accomplished, surface treatment is

subdivided as follows:
1. Dust palliative to control dust
 51

2. Prime coat or tack coat treatment the surface to provide new wearing
course.
3. Armor coats to provide protection for untreated surfaces.
4. Seal coats and retreads
5. Sheet asphalt
6. Tack coat/cold laid asphalt
7. Slurry seals
8. Asphalt overlay

Aggregates for Bituminous Concrete

Coarse aggregate retained on a 2.36 (No. 8) sieve should be either

crushed stone, crushed slag, crushed or normal gravel. When crushed gravel is
used, not less than 50 mass percent of the particles retained on a 4.75 mm (No.
4) sieve shall have at least one fractured face. The coarse aggregate gradation
when combined with other required aggregate fractions in proper portion, the
resultant mixture shall meet the gradation required under the composition of
mixture for the specified types.

Fine aggregates passing the 2.36 mm (No. 8) sieve shall consist of

natural sand, stone screening or slag screenings or a combination of the materials.
The resultant mixture of the fine aggregates when combined with other required
aggregate should meet the gradation requirements under the composition of
mixture for the specific type as specified.

Aggregates for Bituminous Plant-mix Surfacing

The aggregate should be uniformly graded from coarse to fine. Target

values for the intermediate sieve should be established should be established
within the limits given on the table below.

If the crushed gravel is used, not less than 50 mass percent of the material
retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve shall be particles having at least one
fractured face. That portion of the composite material passing a 4.75 mm sieve
shall have a sand equivalent of not less than 35 as determined by AASHTO T-176
alternate method. The aggregate shall be free of clay balls and adherent films of
clay or other matter that would prevent thorough coating with the bituminous
materials.

RANGE OF GRADATION TARGET VALUES

Sieve Designation Mass Percent Square Mesh Sieve
AASHTO T-11 and T-27 mineral filler
mm inches Range
25 1 100
19 3/4 100
4.75 No. 4 50 – 60
2.36 No. 8 38 – 48
0.075 No.200 3–7
The minimum sand equivalent is 35
 52

Aggregates for Hot-Plant Mix Bituminous Pavement

Various aggregates fraction for the mixture should be sized, graded and
combined in such proportions that the resulting composite blend meets one of the
grading requirements described on the table below:

GRADATION RANGES-HOT PLANT MIX BITUMINOUS PAVEMENTS

(Mass percent passing square sieves, AASHTO 11 and T-27)
Sieve GRADING
Designation A B C D E F G
mm (In)
37 (1 2/2”) 100 - - - - - -
25 (1”) 95-100 100 100 - - - -
20 (3/4”) 75-95 95-100 95-100 100 - 100 -
12 (1/2”) - 68-86 68-86 95-100 100 - 100
10 (3/8”) 54-75 56-78 56-78 74-92 95-100 - 95-100
4.75 (No. 4) 36-58 36-60 38-60 48-70 75-90 45-65 30-50
2.36 (No. 8) 25-45 27-47 27-47 33-53 62-82 33-53 5-15
1.18 (No.16) - 18-37 18-37 22-40 38-58 - -
0.600 (No.30) 11-29 11-28 13-28 15-30 22-42 - -
0.300 (No.50) - 6-20 9-20 11-28 11-28 10-20 -
0.075 (No.200) 0-8 0-8 4-8 4-9 2-10 3-8 2-5

Bed Course Materials

For sidewalks, paved waterways, and curbs shall consist of cinders, sand,
slag, gravel, crushed stone or other approved materials having 37.5 mm (1 – 1
½) square openings.

Bed materials for slope protection should be porous and effective draining
materials consisting of sand, gravel, cinders, slag, crushed stone or other
approved free draining materials. It should be uniformly graded wherein 100
percent of the material will pass through sieve having 37.5 mm square openings.

GRADATION REQUIREMENTS – COLD PLANT MIX BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT

(Mass percent passing square mesh sieve AASHTO T-27)
Sieve Designation Bottom (binder) Wearing (surface)
Standard mm Alternate US Std. Course Course
38 1 – ½” 100 -
25 1” 85 – 100 -
20 ¾” 40 – 70 100
12 ½” 10 – 35 95 – 100
4.75 No. 4 4 – 16 15 – 40
2.36 No.8 0–5 10 – 25
0.600 No. 30 - 4 – 13
0.300 No. 50 - 0-5
 53

GRADATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COVER COAT

(Mass percent passing square sieves, AASHTO T-27)
Sieve Designation Grading designation corresponding size No. from
AASHTO M-43 (ASTM D-448 modified)
mm Inches No. 5 No. 6 N0. 7 No. 8 No. 9 No. 10
38 1 – ½” 100 - - - - -
25 1” 90-100 100 - - - -
20 ¾” - 90-100 100 - - -
12 ½” 0-10 - 90-100 - - -
10 3/8” - 0-15 - 85-100 100 100
4.75 No. 4 - - 0-15 - 85-100 85-100
2.36 No. 8 - - 0 0-10 - -
4.75 No.200 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-10

GRADATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT

ASSHTO 7-27
Grading designation with corresponding size number from
Sieve Designation
AASHTO M-43 (ASTM D-448) modified
mm inches No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 No. 9 No.10
38 1–½“ 100 - - - - -
25 1” 90-100 100 - - - -
20 ¾” 20-25 90-100 100 - - -
12 ½” 0-10 20-55 90-100 100 - -
10 3/8” 0-5 0-15 40-70 85-100 100 100
4.75 No. 4 - 0-5 0-15 10-30 85-100 85-100
2.36 No. 8 - - 0-5 0-10 10-40 60-100
0.150 No.100 - - - - - 0-10

GRADATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BITUMINOUS PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT

Sieve(mm) Designation (inch) Grading A Grading B
20 3/4 - 100
10 3/8 100 -
4.75 No. 4 45-80 45-80
2.36 No. 8 28-64 28-64
0.075 No.200 0-12 0-12

GRADING REQUIREMENTS – AGGREGATES FOR SUBGRADE MODIFICATION

Sieve Designation
Mass Percent passing square mesh sieve – AASHTO T-27
mm Inches
75 3 100 - -
38 1–½ - 100 -
25 1 - - 100
4.75 No. 4 30-70 30-70 40-80
0.075 No. 200 0-15 0-15 0-20
 54

GRADING RREQUIREMENTS FOR AGGREGATES FOR

EMULSIFIED ASPHALT TREATED BASE
(Mass percent passing square mesh sieves AASHTO 11 T-27
Sieve Designation
Grading A Grading B Grading C
mm inches
38 1–½ 100 100 -
25 1 95-100 95-100 -
20 ¾ - 50-85 100
12 ½ - - 95-100
4.75 No. 4 - 26-59 65-100
2.00 No. 10 0-9 17-48 -
0.300 No. 50 - - 12-35
0.075 No. 200 0-2 2-10 3-12

DPWH Standard specifications on Prime Coat, Tack Oat, and Seal Coat

Item 301 Bituminous Prime Coat

Materials

Bituminous material is either Rapid Curing (RC) or Medium Curing (MC)

Cutback asphalt, whichever is specified. Prime coat is applied only to dry or slightly
moist surface. No prime coat will be applied during foggy or rainy days.

Application of Bituminous Materials

1. The surface to be treated should be cleaned with a broom including removal
of all dirt and other objectionable materials before applying Prime Coat.
2. Prior to the application of Prime Coat, the surface is slightly sprayed with
water but not saturated.
3. The rate of bituminous material application is within the range of 1 to 2
liters per square meter.
4. Prime Coat should be left undisturbed for a period of 24 hours, closed to
traffic until it has penetrated and cured sufficiently so it will not be picked-
up by the wheels of passing vehicles.
5. The Prime Coat should not be in excess of the specified amount. Any excess
is blotted with sand and removed.
6. Area not accessible by the distributor is sprayed manually using the device
for hand spraying.
7. The surface of the road and trees adjacent to the areas being treated shall
be protected to prevent their being spattered or marred by asphalt.

Item 302 Bituminous Tack Coats

The standard specification for Tack Coat is the same as that of the Prime
Coat but with the following difference:
1. The manner of application is either by the Rapid Curing Cutback or the
Emulsified Asphalt within the range of 0.2 to 0.7 liter per square meter.
2. Tack coat is sprayed in advance on the surface course to permit it to dry
into a tacky condition. The tack coat is maintained until the next course is
applied.
 55

Item 303 Bituminous Seal Coat

This item consists of an application of bituminous materials with or without

the application of aggregate to a bituminous surface course.

Materials required:

1. The approximate amount of materials required for Seal Coat per square
meter is provided on a table below.
2. Bituminous material is Asphalt Cement penetration grade 120-150 Rapid
Curing or Medium Curing Cutback Asphalt.
3. Cover aggregates for Type-2 Seal Coat consists of sand or fine screening
free from dirt or other organic matter.
4. The aggregate for Type-3 Seal Coat is crushed stone, crushed slag, or
crushed gravel. Only one type of aggregate shall be used in a project unless
other alternative type is approved.
5. The aggregate shall have a mass percent of wear not exceeding 40 when
tested by AASHTO T-96.
6. When crushed slag is use, it should be uniformed in density and quality. A
density of not less than 960 kilograms per square meter is determined by
AASHTO T-96.

GRADING REQUIREMENTS
Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing
Type-3
mm inch Type - 2
Grading A Grading B
12 1/2 - - 100
10 3/8 100 100 85-1000
4.75 No. 4 85-100 85-100 10-30
2.36 No. 8 60-100 10-40 0-10
1.18 No. 16 - 0-10 0-5
0.300 No. 50 - 0-5 -
0.150 No. 100 0-10 - -

Construction Requirements

1. Seal coating should not be undertaken on foggy or rainy day or when the
surface to be treated is wet.
2. Wet material Cover Coat should not be used on the work and no Seal
Coating work be continued at night unless provided with sufficient lighting.
3. Seal Coating operation should not be started until the bituminous surface
is thoroughly compacted by traffic and road roller.
4. Seal Coating should not be placed on newly constructed or reconditioned
road surface in less than ren days after the surface is laid and opened to
traffic.
5. Road surface to receive bituminous material should be cleaned of dirt, sand,
dust and objectionable materials. The cleaning should be done by means
of a rotary power broom or power blower.
 56

Application of Bituminous Materials:

1. Bituminous material should be applied by means of a pressure distributor
at the rate of approximately 0.90 to 1.8 liters for Asphalt Cement and 1.5
to 3.o liters for Cutback Asphalt per square meter of surface in a uniform,
unbroken spread over the section to be treated.
2. The pressure distributor specifications including its appurtenances are the
same as that enumerated in Item 301 Bituminous Prime Coats. Those that
differ will be disapproved.
3. Application of bituminous material at the junction of spreads, should not
exceed the specified quantity. Any excess should be removed from the
surface by squeegee.
4. If necessary, to obtain proper junction of spreads, a strip of manila paper
approximately 1 meter wide and at least as long as the spray bar should
be used at the beginning and end of each spread. The paper is removed
immediately after use.
5. Any skipped areas or recognized deficiency should be corrected
immediately by hand application of operated pressure device

Spreading of Cover aggregates

1. Immediately after the application of asphalt, the cover aggregate should
be spread evenly over the surface at the rate of approximately 0.004 to
0.007 cubic meters per square meter.
2. Spreading of the Aggregate Cover is done through aggregate spreader to
obtain an even and accurate distribution. The use of spreader board
attached to the tail gate of the truck should not be permitted.
3. Tires of the aggregate truck should not be allowed to come in contact with
the uncovered and newly applied asphalt.
4. After spreading the cover aggregate, the surface is broomed lightly with an
approved push or drag broom to ensure an even distribution then rolled
with an approved power roller weighing not less than 5 or more than 6 tons
to a uniform surface.

Item 304 Bituminous Treatment

This item consists of either single application of bituminous material

followed by a single spreading of aggregate (single surface treatment) or two
applications of bituminous material each followed by spreading of aggregate
(double surface treatment)

Bituminous material for surface treatment is either slag of crushed gravel.

Only one type of aggregate should be used in the project unless alternate type is
approved. The aggregate must have a mass percent of wear not exceeding 40
when tested under AASHTO T-96.

When crushed gravel is used, not less than 50 mass percent of the particles
retained on the 4.75 mm sieve shall have at least one fractured face. When
crushed slag is used, it must be of uniform quality and density of not less than
960 kg. per square meter.
 57

QUANTITY OF MATERIALS AND SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS

USING CUT-BACK OR CEMENT ASPHALT
Single Double
Aggregate Grading and Sequence Operation
S.T. S.T.
FIRST COURSE:
 Applying Bituminous Materials, liter/sq. m. 1.36 1.36
 Spread aggregate:
 Grading B, kg/sq. m 13.6 27.2
 Grading A, kg/sq. m.

SECOND COURSE:
 Applying Bituminous Material, liter/sq. m 1.58
 Spread aggregate Grading B, kg/sq. m 10.88

TOTAL:
 Bituminous Material, liter/ sq. m. 1.36 2.94
 Aggregate, kg/sq. m. 13.60 38.0

Materials Requirements

1. The approximate amount of materials per square meter and sequence of

operation for single and double surface treatment is provided on the table
below.
2. The quantities given in the table are those aggregates having a bulk specific
gravity of 2.65 as determined by AASHTO T-84 and T-85
3. The supervising engineer may adjust the amount of asphalt material per
square meter if necessary, to fit into the prevailing condition. But the total
amount of aggregate per square meter after adjusting for specific gravity
will not be changed.

QUANTITY OF MATERIALS AND SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS

USING EMULSIFIED ASPHALT
Single Double
Aggregate Grading and Sequence Operation
S.T. S.T.
FIRST COURSE:
 Apply Bituminous Materials, liter/sq. m. 1.58 none
 Spread aggregate:
 Grading B, kg/sq. m 13.60 13.60
SECOND COURSE:
 Apply Bituminous Material, liter/sq. m 2.04
 Spread aggregate Grading C, kg/sq. m 5.04

TOTAL:
 Bituminous Material, liter/ sq. m. 1.58 2.04
 Aggregate, kg/sq. m. 13.60 18.64
 58

AGGREGATE GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing
mm inch Grading A Grading B Grading C
25 1 100 - -
20 ¾ 90-100 - -
12 ½ 22-55 100 -
10 3/8 0-15 85-100 100
4.75 No. 4 0-5 10-30 85-100
2.36 No. 8 - 0-10 10-40
1.18 No. 16 - 0-5 0-10
0.30 No. 50 - - 0-5

Application of Bituminous Material

1. The application of bituminous material is done only when the weather

condition is dry and favorable. Spraying should not be done unless the road
temperature is above 20oC for at least one hour prior to the commencement
of spraying operation and the temperature is not less than 20 oC during the
spraying.
2. Asphalt material is applied to the surface at least 24 hours after it has been
Prime-coated.
3. The asphalt material should be applied on dry surface whenever Cutback
or asphalt cement is used. The surface should be lightly wetted with water
when emulsion asphalt is to be used.

Item 305 Bituminous Penetration Macadam Pavement

This item consists of furnishing and placing one or more courses of graded
aggregate and one or more application of bituminous materials followed by Seal
Coat cover aggregate constructed on a prepared base.

Material Requirements

Bituminous material is either Asphalt Cement Rapid Curing Cutback Asphalt

or Emulsion Asphalt whichever is specified.

Aggregate should be crushed stone, crushed slag or crushed gravel

consisting of clean, tough, durable fragments, free from excess of flat, soft or
disintegrated pieces and free from stone coated with dirt or other objectionable
matter. Natural gravel may be used for cover material. Aggregate must have a
mass percent of wear not exceeding 40 when tested by AASHTO T-096.

When crushed gravel is subjected to five cycles of the Sodium Sulfate

Soundness Test, the weighted loss shall not exceed 12 mass percent. When
crushed slag is used, it shall be of uniform quality and density of not less than
1,120 kilograms per sq. m. Application of bituminous material should be done only
when the aggregate is dry and the atmospheric temperature under the shade is
15oC or above and the weather is not foggy or rainy.
 59

QUANTITY OF MATERIALS AND SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS

Type of Bituminous Materials
Type of Aggregate and Sequence of
Asphalt Cement or
Operations Emulsified Asphalt
Rapid Curing (RC)
FIRST LAYER:
Spread Aggregate ¾”
Coarse Aggregate, kg/sq. m 90 90
Choker Aggregate, kg/sq. m. - 10
Apply Bituminous Material, liter/m2 4.0 5.5
SECOND LAYER:
Spread Aggregate
Key Aggregate, kg/sq. m. (1/2”) 13 10
Apply Bituminous Material, Liter/m2 1.8 3.5
THIRD LAYER:
Spread Aggregate
Key Aggregate, kg/sq. m. 11 8
Apply Bituminous Material, liter/m2 1.4 2
FOURTH LAYER:
Spread Aggregate
Cover Aggregate, kg/sq. m. 8 8
TOTAL QUANTITIES:
Bituminous Material, Liter/sq. m. 7.2 11
Aggregate, kg/sq. m. 122 126

AGGREGATE GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing

mm inch Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D

62 2-1/2 100 - - -
50 2 90-100 - - -
38 1-1/2 35-70 - - -
25 1 1-15 - - -
20 ¾ - 100 90-100 -
12 ½ 0-5 90-100 20-55 100
10 3/8 - 40-70 0-15 85-100
4.75 No. 4 - 0-15 0-15 10-30
2.36 No. 8 - 5-0 - 0-10
1.18 N0.16 - - - 0-5

Base Preparation

1. Before spreading the aggregates, the base is properly cleaned of all

loose foreign materials. The existing base is swept until the embedded
large aggregate is exposed or in the case of previously constructed
asphalt until the surface is free from mud or other covering.
2. Prime Coat is applied to the prepared untreated base, or in case of
previously constructed asphalt, or cement surface, Tack Coat is applied.
3. During the application of asphalt materials, building paper is laid over
the end of the previous application where the new application will start
on the building paper.
 60

4. The distributor should not be cleaned or discharged into ditches, borrow

pits or shoulder along the right of way.

Item 306 Bituminous Surface Course

Bituminous material is either Rapid Curing (RC) cutback, Medium Curing

(MC) cut back or Emulsified Asphalt whichever is specified. The proportion of
bituminous material on the basis of total dry aggregate is from 4.5 to 7.0 mass
percent when emulsified asphalt is used.

During the mixing operation, one half to one 0.5 to 1.0 mass percent of
hydrated lime, dry aggregate basis is added to the mixture. The lower percentage
limit is applicable to aggregate which predominantly calcareous.

Base Preparation

Case I (New Aggregate)

When new aggregate is used for the road mix surface course, the existing
base is scarified lightly and bladed to a uniform grade and cross section is
specified.

Case II (Salvaged Aggregate)

1. When materials in the existing road surface are to be used for mixing, the
surface is scarified lightly and bladed to a uniform grade and cross section.
The re-shaped surface is a depth as determined by the Engineer to have a
foundation of undisturbed material parallel in profile and cross section to
the finished surface.
2. The loosened materials are bladed aside into windrow side of the road, and
the undisturbed materials rolled, watered and rolled as directed.

Geoplastic Fabrics

Geoplastic fabrics are manufactured from polypropylene, polyester, nylon,

polyethylene and polyvinylidene chloride of which changes in properties depends
on the processes by which the fabric is produced aside from the differences in
chemical composition. Introduced and experimented in Europe in 1970, these
were used to reinforce soil of pavement and to provide drainage and erosion
control for highways and railroads.

Functions of Geoplastic Fabrics

1. As Filter, it holds the soil in place while allowing water to flow easily away
by some form drainage.
2. As Drainage, heavy geoplastic fabrics provide channels for carrying water
away from the soil to the drain.
3. As Separator, the fabric prevents different materials from mixing together.
 61

4. As Reinforcement, it adds mechanical strength to the soil of pavement

structure.
5. As Armor, it protects the soil from surface erosion or attractive forces.