An experimental study to evaluate the performance of stone mastic asphalt

• Main Author: Woo, Fergus Bin Bin.
• Other Authors: Lum Kit Meng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Transportation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/40172
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures are gap-graded mixtures that contain a coarse aggregate skeleton and a high asphalt binder. SMA provides a deformation resistant, durable with relatively good skid resistance surfacing material, hence making it suitable for heavily trafficked roads. It was developed to reduce wear caused by studded tyres which have been discontinued quite some time ago, however its many positive properties allow it to remain in service and even more widely used in certain parts of the world. The rutting resistance is mainly due to the coarse aggregate skeleton present in SMA exhibiting stone-to-stone contact. The objective of the project is to determine the Rodded Unit Weight (RUW) for the Lower-Lower limit gradation, and how adversely temperature affects the strength of the different RUW. The project was intended to expand the studies done by previous students to form a more comprehensive research. Aggregate gradation of Lower-Lower limit will be prepared with respect to different design unit weight (DUW) ranging from 90% RUW to 110% RUW. Mechanical properties will be evaluated using Resilient Modulus test, Uniaxial test and Wheel Tracking Test. Results from both Uniaxial and Wheel Tracking tests b show similar trend of 100% RUW being the strongest. Results from past studies also show similar trend. Deformation resistance reduces as temperature increases, especially after a certain threshold temperature the deformation resistance reduces drastically.