Thesis
Laboratory Evaluation of Marginal Materials for Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Master of Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00031
Abstract
Foamed bitumen stabilisation is a unique pavement treatment option for treating new materials or rehabilitating pavements that have exceeded their serviceable life. It relies on the foaming of a stream of hot bitumen upon contact with water, ideal for mixing with fine particles in road base materials to produce a flexible pavement material.
The use of foamed bitumen stabilisation in pavement construction is not limited to good quality materials alone. The purpose of this research is to determine if non-standard and marginal materials can be improved to make it perform better. Under many current specifications, a material can be considered non-standard for a variety of reasons - such as improper gradation or inadequate plasticity.
Performance-based assessment method rather than categorical acceptance /rejection is the appropriate approach to use in order to maximise the potential of marginal and non-standard materials. New findings suggest that performance-based assessment can provide additional understanding into the potential performance of marginal and non-standard materials. Correcting the particle size distribution by blending and improving the plasticity by pre-treatment are two of the most effective corrective measures to improve the performance of marginal and non-standard materials.
A detailed laboratory investigation was undertaken to evaluate the properties of marginal materials and the corresponding resilient modulus after stabilisation. Four different types of materials were evaluated: a standard ‘reference’ material, which was used as the benchmark for evaluation; and three types of marginal or non-standard materials. This study included a literature review and comprehensive laboratory testing procedures. The key outcome of this study determines marginal materials can be successfully stabilised using foamed bitumen.
It was found that by blending with good quality virgin materials to correct the particle size distribution, the performance of marginal materials could be improved. The compaction moisture content was also found to be crucial in achieving an optimum performance. For most marginal materials, 85% of the optimum moisture content of the host material was found to be adequate.
The performance of foamed bitumen stabilised marginal materials was found to be comparable to standard material only after improving the grading and by using a correct compaction moisture. Test results show that marginal materials and non-standard materials can be used for foamed bitumen stabilisation with good results. It is possible and cost-effective to use marginal materials as a substitute for good-quality material without necessarily compromising the quality and integrity of the structure.
Details
- Title
- Laboratory Evaluation of Marginal Materials for Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation
- Authors
- Roberto Espinosa
- Contributors
- Gregory White (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00031
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99508408302621
- Output Type
- Thesis
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