Test title:

MIX DESIGN ANALYSIS

Introduction:
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) is one type of premix widely use in
construction worldwide. It is considered by many engineers as
premier paving product which available at any where with any cost
and most popular with its high skid resistance, high comfort ability
and low maintenance require. In short, HMA gain a lot of attention
from engineer and researcher over the world because of its
affordable material cost and high performance.
Asphalt mix design method involved the concept that mixtures
must be stable in mix and durable in any condition. It 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.
Then, Marshall testing device applied a compression load on the
circumference of a cylindrical sample through semi-circuit heads.
The temperature of testing is 60°C and testing speed is rapid with
the best being continue to failure, the maximum load is recorded as
well as the deformation undergo by the sample in reaching max
load. The value knows as Marshall Stability and Marshall Flow.

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Objective:
1. To prepare a standard specimens of asphalt mix.
2. To identity factors which influence the asphalt mix design.
3. To determine the stability and flow of specimen using the
Marshall machine.

Apparatus:
1. Marshall Compaction Pedestal

2. Marshall Machine

3. Oven

4. Weights.

Specimen:

1. Aggregate, graded according to the ASTM or BS standard:

Sieve size: Weight (kg):
Passing retained 0.23
25mm – 9.3mm 0.31
9.5mm – 4.75mm 0.37
4.75mm – 1.18mm 0.23
1.18mm – 75um 0.06
Total 1.20

2. 6.5% Bitumen

Procedures:

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 1. The aggregate which graded according to the ASTM or BS
standard and a sufficient amount is prepared and weighted
(about 1200g) for the sample preparation that may give a
height of 63.5mm when compacted in the mould.
2. The required quantity of asphalt is weighted and heated to a
temperature of about 160ºC - 185ºC.
3. The aggregate in the oven is heated to a temperature not
higher than 28ºC above the binder temperature.
4. The binder is poured in and mixing carried out 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.
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 toweled 15 times round the perimeter and 10 in the
centre leaving a slightly rounded surface.
6. The mould is placed on the Marshall Compaction pedestal and
gives 75 blows.
7. The specimen is removed carefully from the mould,
transferred to a smooth flat surface and allowed to cool to
room temperature about 40 minutes.
8. The specimen is measured and weighted in air and water (for
volume determination).
9. Finally, the prepared specimen is place into Marshall Machine
to determine the flow and stability.

Result:
Height of the sample (cm) 7.45

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Diameter of the sample (cm) 10.0
Flow(mm) 6.87
Stability (unit) 135

Calculation:
Volume of the Specimen, V= п r²h
V = п × (10.0/2) ² × 7.45
= 585 cm³
In process to produce good pavement, have to duplicate the field
condition with some correlation establish during the laboratory as:

Since the flow measure from the test is 68.7mm, it is in range of

68.3mm to 71.4mm.

From the graph, the correlation ratio is obtain is :

By interpolation method,
71.4 – 68.7 = 7 1.4 – 68.3
0.83 – X 0.83-0.86

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 2. 7 = -103.33
0.83-X

X = 0.856

The correlation ratio times stability = 0.856 × 135

= 115.56

Discussion:
1. Marshall Stability value is a measurement of the load which the
sample totally failed or yield. It indicates the resistance of mix to
deformation that higher stability means mixtures are stiffer. Since
this load applied to the sample is only around 115.56kg, it
considered that this 6.5% bitumen hot mixed asphalt is not that
strong.
2. Whereas the Marshall Flow value is the total deformation of
samples from its original shape which the measurement is in
millimeter. This deformation will decrease in vertical diameter of
the sample. Since the flow is 6.87cm which within the volume
range of the sample, this result obtain is assume acceptable. The
high flow value is considered too plastic and have tendency to
destroy easily under traffic load.
3. If the mixes with very low flow values and abnormal high
Marshall Stability, it is considered too brittle and rigid pavement.
Whereas, the low stability and high flow value is considered that
the mixture tend to rut and deform under a load. As the result
obtain have a low stability and moderate flow, it may conclude
this sample in the second category stated.

Conclusion:

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 1. The factor influence the asphalt mix design is the compaction
temperature, the moisture content of the mixture,
proportional of aggregate size and bitumen percentage, the
workmanship of asphalt mixing and the compaction method.
2. The stability and flow of specimen is 115.56 and 6.87cm.

References:

• British Standard Methods of four determination of California

Bearing Ratio (CBR). BS1377: Part 4: 1990.
• Kenneth N. Derucher and George P. Korfiatis, Materials for Civil
and Highway Engineers, Prentice Hall, Khandal et. al Hot Mix
Asphalt Materials, Mixtures, Design and construction NAPA
Foundation Maryland 199.
• B.L. Gupta, and Amil Gupta, 2003, Highway And Bridge
Engineering, Third Edition, Standard Publishers Distributors.