OBJECTIVES OF MIX DESIGN

HCC-PATI:

• The various components of the bituminous mixtures should

be so proportioned that an economic blend of bitumen and
aggregates upon compaction gives a mix which must have
• 1. Sufficient bitumen to ensure a durable pavement
• 2. Sufficient strength to resist shear deformation under traffic
at higher temperature.
• 3.Sufficient air voids in the compacted mix to allow for
additional compaction by traffic.
• 4. Sufficient workability to permit easy placement without
segregation.
• 5. Sufficient flexibility to avoid premature cracking due to
repeated bending by traffic.
• 6. Sufficient softness at low temperature to prevent shrinkage
cracks( relevant to pavements in Himalayan regions).
•
• Replacement of Marshall method with
better method which measures the
fundamental properties such as fatigue,
rutting and low temperature cracking of
bituminous mixtures is a growing feeling
among the bituminous engineers. This led
to the development of Superpave Asphalt
Mixture Design method in U.S.A.
 MARSHALL MIX DESIGN METHOD
• The purpose of the Marshall method is to determine the optimum
asphalt content for a particular blend of aggregate.
• MARSHALL TEST REVEALS:
• Stability
• Flow
• Density
• Voids in total mix (VTM)
• Voids in the mineral aggregate(VMA)
• Voids filled with binder(VFB)
• These parameters plotted against binder content enable optima to be
obtained for specific applications of the asphalt mix or provide
guidance for a change in the aggregate composition
• The two principal features of the Marshall method of mix design are –
density – voids analysis – stability – flow test of the compacted test
specimens.
 REQUIREMENTS OF AN ASPHALT MIX
• Stability: Stability of an asphalt pavement is its
ability to resist shoving and rutting under traffic.
• Durability:is its ability to resist factors such as
aging of the asphalt, disintegration of the aggregate
and stripping of the asphalt film from the
aggregate.
• Flexibility: is the ability of an asphalt pavement to
adjust to gradual settlements and movements in the
sub grade without cracking.
• Fatigue Resistance: is the pavements resistance to
repeated bending under under wheel loads (traffic).
.
• Fracture strength: Overload conditions;Thermal
conditions
• Skid Resistance: is the ability of an asphalt surface
to minimize skidding or slipping of vehicle
tires,particularly when wet.
• Impermeability: prevents the passage or air and
water into or through the asphalt pavement.
• Workability: describes the ease with which a
paving mixture can placed and compacted.
• All these properties are governed by binder type
and content,degree of compaction,aggregate
gradation and shape.
• The final goal of mix design is to select a unique
asphalt content that will achieve a balance among
all of the desired properties.
• There is no single asphalt content that will
maximize all of these properties.Instead an asphalt
content is selected on the basis of optimizing the
properties necessary for the specific conditions.
 STABILITY
• Stability: Stability of an asphalt pavement is
its ability to resist shoving and rutting under
traffic. A stable pavement maintain its
shape and smoothness under repeated
loading . An unstable pavement develop
ruts, ripples(washboarding or corrugation)
and other signs of mixture shifting.
•
DURABILITY
Durability: The durability of an asphalt pavement is its
ability to resist factors such as aging of the asphalt,
disintegration of the aggregate and stripping of the asphalt
film from the aggregate.
• These factors result from weather,traffic or combination
of two.
• The durability of mixture can be enhanced by three
methods.
• Designing the mix using a desire gradation of moisture-
resistant aggregate.
• Maximizing the asphalt film thickness on the aggregate.
• Compacting the in-place mixture to 8 percent or less air
voids.
 IMPERMEABILITY
• Impermeability: Impermeability prevents the
passage or air and water into or through the asphalt
pavement. It is related to the void content of the
compacted mixture.
• WORKABILITY
• Workability: Workability describes the ease with
which a paving mixture can placed and compacted.
Mixtures with good workability are relatively ease
to place and compact; those with poor workability
are difficult to place and compact. Changing mix
design parameters, aggregate source, and/or
gradation can improve workability.
• A temperature of the mix that is too low will make a
mix unworkable because the temperature of the mix
affects the viscosity of the asphalt and a temperature
that is to high may make it tender.
• FLEXIBILITY
• FLEXIBILITY: Flexibility is the ability of an asphalt
pavement to adjust to gradual settlements and
movements in the sub grade without cracking. Since
virtually all sub grades either settle(under loading) or
rise (from soil expansion),flexibility is a desirable
characteristic for all asphalt pavements.
• An open-graded mix or one with a high asphalt content
is generally more flexible than a dense-graded mix or
one with a low asphalt content.
 FATIGUE RESISTANCE
• Fatigue Resistance: Fatigue resistance is the
pavements resistance to repeated bending under
under wheel loads (traffic) .Research shows
that air voids and asphalt viscosity have a
significant effect on fatigue resistance. As the
percentage of air voids in the pavement
increases either by design or lack of
compaction, pavement fatigue resistance is
drastically reduced. Likewise, a pavement
containing asphalt that has aged and hardened
significantly has reduced resistance to fatigue.
 SKID REISTANCE

• Skid resistance is the ability of an asphalt surface

to minimize skidding or slipping of vehicle
tires,particularly when wet.
• Best skid resistance is obtained with rough
textured aggregate in a relatively open-graded
mixture with an aggregate of about 9.5 mm to
12.5mm maximum size.
 EVALUATION AND
ADJUSTMENT OF MIX DISIGN
• Evaluation of Mix Design: When developing a
specific mix design, several trail mixtures to be
evaluated to determine which one best meets the
design criteria. Each trial mix serves as guide for
evaluating and adjusting the trails that follow.
• Initial trial mixes for establishing the job mix formula
must have an aggregate gradation that is with in
specifications. Where initial trial mixes fail to meet
the design criteria, it is necessary to modify or
redesign the mix using a different aggregate gradation
or different aggregate sources.
• Adjustment of mix design: Following are
general guidelines for adjusting a trail mix in
order to meet design criteria.
• 1. Voids low, stability low: To obtaining higher
air voids and voids in the mineral aggregate,the
aggregate gradation to be adjusted by adding
more coarse or more fine aggregate.
• Lower the asphalt content to increase air voids
• Decreasing the amount of material passing the
0.075mm sieve can improve stability and increase
the air void contents.
• 2. Voids low,stability satisfactory: Mixes low in voids to
be adjusted by one of methods given above,even though the
stability may initially appear satisfactory.
• 3. Voids satisfactory,stability low: Coarse aggregate
particles with rougher texture and less rounded surfaces will
exhibit more stability while maintaining or increasing the
void content.
• 4. Voids high, stability satisfactory:By adjusting the
aggregate gradation and by increasing the mineral dust
content of the mix small reduction can accomplished.
• 5.Voids high, stability low: When the voids are high and
the stability low, the void content should be reduced by the
methods discussed above, if this adjustment does not
improve both void content and stability, the type of
aggregate used must be revised.
 MARSHALL MIX DESIGN
METHOD
• The purpose of the Marshall method is to determine the
optimum asphalt content for a particular blend of aggregate.
The method also provides information about the properties of
the resulting hot mix asphalt, including density and void
content which are used during pavement construction.
• MARSHALL TEST REVEALS:
• Stability
• Flow
• Density
• Voids in total mix (VTM)
• Voids in the mineral aggregate(VMA)
• Voids filled with binder(VFB)
• These parameters plotted against binder content
enable optima to be obtained for specific applications
of the asphalt mix or provide guidance for a change in
the aggregate composition.
• The Marshall method uses standard test specimen 64
mm high and 102mm in diameter. A series of
specimen, each containing the same aggregate blend
but varying in asphalt content, is prepared using a
specific procedure to heat,mix and compact the
asphalt aggregate mixtures.
• The two principal features of the Marshall method of
mix design are a density –voids analysis and stability
–flow test of the compacted test specimens.
 BASIC MARSHALL MIX DESIGN
PROCEDURES
• Select grading to be used-usually established by
specification requirements.
• Select aggregates to be utilized in mix.This selection is
based on physical characteristics of aggregates coupled with
economic considerations.
• Determine the proportion of each aggregate required to
produce the desired grading.
• Determine the specific gravity of each aggregate and of the
asphalt binder.Calculate theoretical bulk specific gravity of
the combined aggregate.
• Select the number of blows of Marshall hammer required.A
standard heavy-duty mix requires 75 blows.
• Make trial specimens (not less than three at each
asphalt percentage) with varying asphalt contents using
Marshall method.Tests should be conducted on the
basis of 0.5% increments of asphalt content,with two
asphalt contents above optimum and two below
optimum being desirable.Allow the specimens to cool
in air, remove from moulds,and place on a smooth,
level surface for further testing and evaluation.
• Determine the bulk specific gravity of each of the
compacted specimens.
• Determine Maximum specific gravity (Rice procedure)
• Perform stability and flow tests on the specimens plus
any other tests required by specifications.
• Calculate the percentage of voids in each specimen, the
voids in the mineral aggregate,voids filled with asphalt
binder,unit of weight of mixture, and such other data as may
be required. Average results at each increment.
• prepare graphical plots of appropriate mix properties vs
asphalt content.
• Select the optimum asphalt content at the median of the
percent air voids range from the data obtained in the above
steps.
• Evaluate all other mix design criteria at this asphalt content.
 REFFERENCE CODES
• CODE TITLE
• IS 2386(PART1): Particle size and shape
• IS 2386(PART3): Specific gravity, density
voids, absorption
• IS 2386(PART4): Mechanical Properties
• IS 73-1992 : Paving Bitumen
• IS 1201 TO 1220 : Indian standard methods for testing
tar & bituminous materials.
• ASTM D1075 : Effect of water on cohesion of
compacted bituminous mixtures.
• ASTM D 1559 : Test of bituminous mixtures using
marshal apparatus.
• ASPHALT INSTITUTE MANUAL SERIES
NO.2 (MS-2) : Mix design methods for
asphalt concrete.
• AASHTO T 182 : Coating and stripping of
bitumen aggregate
mixtures.
• BS 812 (Part 114) : Methods for
determination of
the polished-stone
value.
• In evaluating and adjusting mix design the
engineer must always keep in mind that the
aggregate gradation and asphalt content in
the final mix must strike a favorable
balance between stability and durability
requirements. The aim should be for
adequate stability and maximum durability
 OBJECTIVES OF MIX DESIGN
• The various components of the bituminous mixtures should be so
proportioned that an economic blend of bitumen and aggregate
upon compaction gives a mix which must have
• 1. Sufficient bitumen to ensure a durable pavement
• 2. Sufficient strength to resist shear deformation under traffic at
higher temperature.
• Sufficient air voids in the compacted mix to allow for additional
compaction by traffic and to take of errors in specific gravity
computation
• 4. Sufficient workability to permit easy placement without
segregation.
• 5. Sufficient flexibility to avoid premature cracking due to repeated
bending by traffic.
• 6. Sufficient softness at low temperature to prevent shrinkage
cracks( relevant to pavements in Himalayan regions)
 EVALUATION AND ADJUSTMENT
OF MIX DISIGN
• Following are general guidelines for adjusting a trail
mix in order to meet design criteria.
• 1.Voids low,stability low & voids low,stability
satisfactory:- Aggregate gradation to be adjusted.
• lower the asphalt content
• Decreasing the amount of material passing the
0.075mm sieve.
• 2.Voids satisfactory, stability low:- Coarse
aggregate particles with rougher texture and less
rounded surfaces will exhibit more stability.
• 3.Voids high, stability satisfactory:- By adjusting
the aggregate gradation and by increasing the
mineral dust.
• 4. Voids high,stability low:- Type of aggregate
used must be revised.
• In evaluating and adjusting mix design the aim
should be for adequate stability and max durability.
 LIMITATION OF MARSHALL
METHOD
• 1.Marshall test data can not predict fatigue cracking or
permanent deformation behavior of in service
pavement.
• 2.This method does not give any guide line for judging
the quality of bitumen.
• 3.It is unconfined test but actual pavement material is
subjected to tri-axial stress of stress.
• 4. Impact compaction used in the method does not
simulate mixture densification as it occurs in a real
pavement.
• 5. It does not guarantee that air voids would not become
zero with repeated traffic loading.
BITUMINOUS
MIX DESIGN
• For one mould (1200 gm Blended aggregate)
Passing Retained Weight Crusher N.Sand JMF
(Sieve) (Sieve) ( gm) Dust(gm) (gm) (%)
26.5 mm 13.2mm 379.56 -- -- 100
13.2mm 4.75mm 281.04 -- -- 68.37
4.75mm 2.36mm 150. 15 -- -- 44.95
2.36mm 0.3mm 265.68 169.58 96.10 32.43
0.3mm 0.075mm 106.56 68.01 38.54 10.31
0.075mm 17.16 10.95 6.21 1.43
TOTAL:- 1200.00
BITUMEN (4.6%) by total weight of mix:- 57.86gm
 DESIGN PROCEDURE
Following steps are involved.
1.SELECTION OF DESIGN CRITERIA:- Marshall
method of mix design.
2.SELECTION OF GRADING OF AGGREGATE
3.SELECTION OF AGGREGATES TO BE USED IN
THE MIX:- 20mm,10mm,Stone dust, Natural sand, and
filler are blended in suitable proportion to satisfy the
selected grading.
4.DETERMINATION OF PROPORTION OF EACH
TYPE OF AGGREGATES TO PRODUCE THE
SELECTED GRADING :-By trial and error method
5.Determination of Specific gravity of combined
aggregate and of bitumen:-

Gsb = 100

P1 P2 P3 P4
+ + +
Gb1 Gb2 Gb3 Gb4
Where P1,P2,P3,P4 = Percentage proportion of
aggregate 1,2.3,& 4.
Gb1,Gb2,Gb3,Gb4 = Bulk Specific gravity of
aggregate 1,2,3,& 4.
6.PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMEN WITH
VARYING BITUMEN CONTENTS:-Bitumen
content 3.5 to 6.0 percent in increments of 0.5
percent by weight of total mix.
7.DETERMINATION OF MAXIMUM SPECIFC
GRAVITY OF MIX BY RICE METHOD.
8.Determination of Bulk Density of each compacted
test specimen.
9.Calculation of percent voids in mineral
aggregates, percent air voids and percent voids in
mineral aggregates filled with bitumen.
10.Determination of stability and flow values of
each test specimen.
11.Determination of optimum binder content.
 AGENDA
• OBJECTIVES OF MIX DESIGN
• REQUIREMENTS OF BITUMINOUS MIX
• DESIGN PROCEDURE
• MARSHALL MIX DESIGN METHOD
• EVALUATION AND ADJUSTMENT OF
MIX DESIGN
• DESIGN CALCULATIONS AND
DETERMINATION OF OBC
• LIMITATION OF MARSHALL METHOD
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES
PASSING
SIEVE
• For one mould (1200gm Blended aggregate)

Passing Retained Weight Crusher N.Sand JMF(

sieve sieve (gm) dust(gm) (gm) %)
26.5mm 13.2mm 379.56 -- -- 100
13.2mm 4.75mm 280.56 -- -- 68.37
4.75mm 2.36mm 150.6 -- -- 44.95

2.36mm 0.300mm 267.6 170.8 96.80 32.43

0.300mm 0.075 104.64 66.79 37.84 10.31
0.075mm 17.04 10.87 6.19 1.43

• BITUMEN (4.6%) by total weight of mix: -

57.86gm
For one mould ( 1200 gm Blended aggregate)
• The main purpose of the road structure
is to provide a means of reducing the
stress or pressure due to a wheel load
to a value which the ground under that
structure can support.