SEMESTER 2 SESI 2016/2017

LECTURER: LILLIAN GUNGAT

TECHNICIANS:
1. SHARANI JUHARI
2. MUNAP SALLEH

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 KA 31802 HIGHWAY LAB

1. Distribution of as in the Course Syllabus

2. Must wear proper attire during labworks
3. Rotation of group leader for every lab
4. Full lab report required for the Test on Subgrade and Marshall Mix Design and
uploaded in the Schoology.
5. Lab report for other tests must be prepared by group in hand written
6. Must be authentic to show your maturity in report writing
7. No plagiarism / copy paste. If caught, flat marks will be given to all group members (4
marks only)
8. Lab reports to be submitted 1 week after completion of each lab.
9. Short question and answer will be conducted during the lab. All group members must
present

TESTS AND TECHNICIAN

Tests Technician Remarks
T1 Tests on Aggregate En. Shahrani Students need to do
aggregate batching for
Marshall Mix Design
T2 Tests on Bitumen En. Shahrani
T3 Test on Subgrade En Munap
T4 Marshall Mix Design En. Munap
T5 Skid Resistance Test En. Munap/ En. Shahrani

LABWORK DISTRIBUTION
Group WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 WK 5 WK 6
1 T1 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5
2 T1 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5
3 T1 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5
4 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5 T1
5 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5 T1
6 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5 T1
7 T2 T3 T4 T4 & T5 T1
8 T3 T1 T2 T4 T4 & T5
9 T3 T1 T2 T4 T4 & T5
10 T3 T1 T2 T4 T4 & T5

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 TESTS ON AGGREGATES
INTRODUCTION

Aggregates are the basic materials in highway pavement construction. Other than supporting the main
stress occurring within the pavement, the addition of aggregates in the road surface must resist wear
due to abrasion by traffic as well as the direct weathering effects of the natural elements.
There are two typical terms used in describing aggregates in road pavement which are:

i. Coarse aggregate (gravel size) Aggregate particles mainly larger than 2.36 mm
or 3.35 mm
ii. Fine aggregate ( sand size) Aggregate particles mainly between 2.36 mm or 3.35
mm and
75 um

As aggregates obtained from different sources differ considerably in their constitution and properties,
inevitably they are differ also with regards to their engineering properties. Therefore, it is necessary to
carry various tests on aggregates to ensure the quality.

There are many aggregates physical tests that are important for highway pavements. Special focus was
given to the two tests which are:

i. Aggregate Impact value

ii. Los Angeles Abrasion test

All tests will be carried out based on British Standard procedure and Public Works Department practice.

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 I. AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE (BS 812: P art III)

Introduction

Impact value of an aggregate is the percentage loss of weight of particles passing 2.36mm sieve by
the application of load by means of 15 blows of standard hammer and drop, under specified test
condition. The aggregate impact value gives relative measure of the resistance of an aggregate to
sudden shock or impact, which in some aggregates differs from their resistance to a slowly applied
compressive load

Objective

To determine the aggregate impact value in the laboratory

Procedure

1. Sieve the aggregate and obtain the portion passing 12.5mm and retained on 10 mm sieve
2. Fills this aggregate in the cylindrical measure in 3 layers, tapping each layer 25 times with the
tamping rod. Then weigh the aggregate as A
3. Crush the test sample by using hammer (14kg) fall freely from a height of 380 mm. The test
sample is subjected to a total of 15 blows.
4. Remove the aggregate sample from the cup and sieve through 2.36 mm sieve.
5. Weigh the fraction passing the sieve as B
6. Repeat step 1 to step 6 for other test sample

Percent wear (%) = Weight loss x 100

Initial Weight

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 Highway Engineering Lab
Civil Engineering
Sekolah Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Maklumat

I. AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE (BS 812: P art III)

Group No :_______________________ Date:________________________

Group Members :

Name Matrix No Signature

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1. RESULTS & CALCULATION ( 4 Marks)

Description Test 1 Test 2 Test 2

Mass of Surface dry sample ( A) (g)

Mass of sample passing 2.36mm BS Sieve (B) (g)

Impact Value = ( B / A )* 100 (%)

Average Impact Value (%

2. DISCUSSION ( 2 Marks)

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3. CONCLUSION ( Give your summary in point form) ( 2 Marks)

4. QUESTION ( 2 Marks)

Why the Aggregate Impact value test is needed for any road construction?

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 II. LOS ANGELES ABRASION TEST (ASTM C131)

Objective:

To determine the hardness of aggregate that used in highway pavement and to evaluate the resistance
of coarse aggregate against abrasion and mechanical degradation during handling, construction and in
service.

Procedure:

i. Place (M1) around 5 kg coarse aggregate into hollow steel cylinder at Los Angeles testing
machine.
ii. Add 6 – 12 steel balls as abrasive charges. Steel ball averaging approximately 44-48 mm in
diameter and having a mass between 390 and 445 g each.
iii. Switch on the plug in order to rotate the Los Angeles testing machine at speed of 30-33
r/min for 500 revolutions
iv. After that, remove the steel balls from the machine. Collect the aggregate. Sieve the finer
portion on sieve 1.70 mm. Determine the mass ( M2) for aggregate passing the sieve 1.70mm
v. Repeat this for another sample
vi. Determine the Los Angeles Abrasion value for each sample of aggregate. Record the average
value to the nearest 1.

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1. RESULTS & CALCULATION ( 4 Marks)

Description Test 1 Test 2 NOTE

Mass of Sample, M1 (g)

Mass of sample passing 1.70 mm Sieve M2 (g)

Los Angeles Abrasion = (M2/ M1 )* 100

(%)

Los Angeles Abrasion (%)

2. QUESTION ( 6 Marks)

1. What does it mean when the Los Angeles value of test is low or high?

2. What the maximum allowable abrasion loss for coarse aggregates as specified in the
Standard Specification for Road Works?

3. Explain whether different types of aggregate used will affect the test result. Please give
example

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 TESTS ON BITUMEN

I. PENETRATION TEST ( ASTM D5)

Introduction

The penetration test is an empirical test used to measure the consistency of bitumen cement. The
engineering term consistency is an empirical measure of the resistance offered by a fluid to continous
deformation when it subjected to shearing stress. The consistency is a function of the chemical
constituents of bitumen vs the relative proportions of bitumenenes. The consistency of a bituminous
material expressed as the distance in tenths of a millimetre that a standard needle vertically penetrates
a sample of the material under known conditions of loading, time and temperature.

Objective

To examine the consistency of a sample of bitumen under known conditions of loading, time and
temperature.

Procedure

i. Keep the bitumen sample at 25 oC for 30 minutes completely covered with water at the 25° C ±
0.5° C temperature.
ii. Clean the penetration needle and fix it into the needle holder guide.
iii. Position the needle by slowly lowering it until its tip just makes contact with the surface of the
sample.
iv. Set the penetrometer dial reading to zero.
v. Release the needle holder for the specified period of time (5 sec) and get penetration reading.
vi. Make at least three determinations at points on the surface of the sample not less than 10mm
from the side of the container and not less than 10mm apart

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 Highway Engineering Lab
Civil Engineering
Sekolah Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Maklumat
UMS

I. PENETRATION TEST

Group No :_______________________ Date:________________________

Members :

Name Matrix No Signature

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1. RESULTS & CALCULATION ( 4 Marks)

No of penetration Penetration (mm)

1
2
3
4
5
Average

2. DISCUSSION ( 2 Marks)

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 II. SOFTENING POINT TEST ( ASTM D36)

Introduction

The softening point is defined as the mean of the temperature at which the bitumen disks soften and
sag downwards a distance of 25mm under the weight of a steel ball. As the temperature rises,
bitumen materials gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle or exceedingly slow-flowing
materials to softer and less viscous liquids. Therefore the determination of the softening point must
be made by a fixed, arbitrary and closely defined method if the results are to be comparable. This
method is useful in determining the consistency of bitumen in establishing the uniformity of
shipments or sources of supply.

Objective

To determine the temperature at which a phase of change occurs in the bitumen cement measured
by ring and ball method

Procedure

1. Hot bitumen is poured into the ring and cooled at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The
sample is then levelled.
2. The ring is then placed on the ring holder. The temperature in the water bath is maintained at
5±1° C for 40 minutes and the sample is kept in the water bath at a level of not less than 102 mm
and not more than 108 mm from the bottom of the bath.
3. Using forceps place the ball in each ball-centering guide. Then apply heat at rate of 5 ° C per
minute and make sure it is increasing uniformity
4. Record the temperature when the bitumen touches the bottom of the bath. This temperature is
recorded as the ‘softening point’ and the unit is in degree Fahrenheit.
5. Determine the Penetration Index (PI) using the standard Nomograph. Typical value of PI as
shown in table 1

Table 1
Penetration Index Bitumen Type

PI < -2 Temperature susceptible Bitumen ( Tars)

2 <PI < +2 Conventional Paving Bitumen

PI > +2 Blown Bitumen

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12
 Highway Engineering Lab
Civil Engineering
Sekolah Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Maklumat
UMS

II. SOFTENING POINT TEST ( ASTM D36)

1. RESULTS & CALCULATION ( 4 Marks)

Timer reading (min) Temperature(oC) Timer reading (min) Temperature(oC)

Ball 1 Ball 2 Ball 1 Ball 2
1 11
2 12
3 13
4 14
5 15
6 16
7 17
8 18
9 19
10 20

2. DISCUSSION ( 2 Marks)

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 III. DUCTILITY TEST
Objective:

To determine the ductility value for bitumen.

i. Procedure:
ii. Heat the bitumen until it has become sufficiently fluid to pour. Then, pour it into the special
mold.
iii. Let the mold containing the specimen cool to room temperature and then place it in the ductile
machine.
iv. Fill the ductile machine with the water and maintain the water heat at 25°C.
v. Pull the specimen horizontaly at a uniform speed of 5 cm / minutes
vi. Measure the distance in centimeters through which specimen have been pulled until it breaks.

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RESULT AND CALCULATON

Specimen Ductility value =

QUESTIONS ( 8 Marks)

1. Determine the type of bitumen based on the PI ( Penetration Index) nomograph.

2. Based on the result of the 3 experiments conducted in this lab, would you suggest this bitumen to be
used as road materials? Why?

3. List another 2 types of test used to determine the quality of bitumen.

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 TEST ON SUBGRADE

CARLIFORNIA BEARING RATIO (CBR) BS 1377

Introduction

The Carlifornia Bearing Ratio (CBR) test was developed by Californian Division Highway in 1929 to
clasiffy the suitability of soil for use as a subgrade or bases materials in highway construction. This CBR
test is currently used in pavement both roads and airfields. The CBR number is obtained as the ratio of
the unit stress required affecting a depth of penetration on a standard sample of crushed stone. CBR
can be calculated as follows:

Test unit stress

CBR  * 100%
Standard unit stress
The following table gives the standard loads adopted for different penetration for the standard
materials with a CBR value of 100 %

Penetration of Plunger (mm) Standard Load (kg)

2.5 1370
5.0 2055
7.5 2630
10.0 3180
12.5 3600

Objective
To determine the relative strength of soil as bases or sub bases in roads or airfield construction

Procedure
1. Crush the dry sample of soil and sieve with 20mm sieve.
2. Weigh the sample passing through 20 mm sieve about 5.5 kg. Then add up water. The amount of
water is depends on the optimum moisture of the soil as determined by the appropriate compaction
effort.
3. Mix the sample thoroughly and divided into 5 equal parts by mass.
4. Weigh the compaction mould.
5. Place a piece of filter paper on the base plate and then put the sample into the compaction mould
and compact it in 5 equal layers using 4.5 kg rammer. Each layer shall be compacted about 62 blows.
6. Remove the collar and trim any excess soil.
7. Weigh the compaction mould + compacted soil.
8. Place the sample in the CBR test machine. Place the appropriate annular surcharge discs on top of
the sample.
9. Reset the force-measuring device to zero.
10. Set the penetration rate at a uniform rate of 1mm/min. Record readings of the force gauge at
intervals of penetration of 0.255, to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5mm.
11. Repeat step 8 to 11 for the bottom of the sample.

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CARLIFORNIA BEARING RATIO(CBR) TEST ( BS 1377:PART 4 : 1990)

Date: Group No:

Soil Description: Borehole no:

Sample No:
Force Measuring Device No: Unsoaked/Soaked
Mean Calibration: 2.09

Penetrati Force gauge Force on Penetrati Force gauge Force on

on of reading (div) plunger x on of reading (div) plunger
Plunger 2.09 (kN) Plunger x 2.09 (kN)
0 4
0.25 4.25
0.5 4.5
0.75 4.75
1 5
1.25 5.25
1.5 5.5
1.75 5.75
2 6
2.25 6.25
2.5 6.5
2.75 6.75
3 7
3.25 7.25
3.5 7.5
3.75
Moisture content after test
Container No

Mass of wet soil + container (m2), g

Mass of dry soil + container (m3), g

Mass of container (m1), g

Mass of moisture (m2- m3), g

Mass of dry soil (m3- m1), g

Moisture content, w = (m2- m3)/ (m3- m1)

*100 %
Average moisture content , %

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GRAPH OF CBR ( Force,KN vs Penetration of plunger,mm)

CBR value at
2.5 mm : ____________________________________

5.0 mm : ____________________________________

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 MARSHALL MIX DESIGN

Bitumen mix design is a complex issue with a lot of variables involved. However two methods of mix
design have become popular worldwide. They are the Marshall Mix Design and the Hveem Mix Design
method. In Malaysia the Marshall Mix Design has become the norm in the road industry

Before any bitumen mixes can be placed and laid on the road, the aggregate and the binder types are
generally screened for quality and requirement. Approximately 15 samples are required to be prepared
to determine the required Optimum Bitumen Content (OAC). The prepared samples are to be analysed
for bulk density, air void and stability. By using the Bitumen Institute Method, the Optimum Bitumen
Content are determined from the individual plots of bulk density, voids in total mix and stability vs
bitumen content(%).

Objective
 To prepare standard specimens of bitumenic for the determination of stability and flow using
the Marshall Apparatus.
 To identify factors influence the mix design.

Procedures

1. The aggregate, graded according to the ASTM or BS standard are oven dried at 170 °C -180°C and
a sufficient amount is weighed (about 1100g) for sample preparation that may give a height of
63.5 mm when compacted in the mould.
2. The aggregate will be graded according to Class B (State Road) as in the table below. Calculate
the required weight for each aggregate size.
ASTM Percentage of
sieve size passing by weight
(%)

19 mm 100
12.5 mm 80-95
9.5 mm 70-90
4.75 mm 50-70
2.36 mm 35-50
600  m 18-29
300  m 13-23
150  m 8-16
75  m 4-10

3. The required quantity of bitumen is weighed out and heated to a temperature of about 160 °C -
185°C.

4. Pour the binder in mixing mould and mix thoroughly until all the aggregate are coated. The
mixing temperature shall be within the limit set for the binder temperature. The thoroughly
cleaned mould is heated on a hot plate or in an oven to a temperature between 140 °C-160 °C.
The mould is 101.6 mm diameter by 76.2 mm high and provided with a base plate extension
collar. While mixing, observe factors that will influence the sample mixing.

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5. A piece of filter paper is fitted in the bottom of the mould and the whole mix poured in three
layers. The mix is then vigorously trowel 15 time round the perimeter and 10 time in the centre
leaving a slightly rounded surface
6. The mould is placed on the Marshall Compaction pedestal and given 75 blows.
7. The specimen is the carefully removed from the mould, transferred to a smooth flat surface and
allowed to cool to room temperature
8. Finally the specimen is measured and weighed in air and water (for volume determination). If
the bitumen mix has an open (porous) texture the weighing in water will lead to error in the
volume so the specimen must be coated with a measure mass of paraffin wax. The specimen is
the marked and stored for stability and flow measurements.
9. Once cooled, slowly place the sample in the Marshall machine to determine its stability and flow.
10. Record the flow and stability value.

Note:
For core specimens, correct the load when thickness is other than 63.5 mm by using multiplying
factor from table 2

20
 SKID RESISTANCE TEST ( BS EN 13036: PART 4; 2003)

OBJECTIVE:
To check the resistance of wet road surface to skidding

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 SKID RESISTANCE TEST RESULT

GROUP NO: DATE OF TESTING:

Distance
Surface
Section from Kerb Skid Resistance Value Remarks
Texture
(m)

QUESTIONS ( 6 MARKS)
1. What is the purpose of collecting the skid resistance data?

2. Explain the factors influence the skid resistance

3. Skid resistance depends on a pavement surface’s micro texture and macro texture. Discuss
anout these two textures and how these texture loss

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