Influence of fillers and curing on the performance of cold bituminous mix

Abstract

Cold Bituminous Mix (CBM), which is produced by mixing bitumen emulsion, foamed newlinebitumen or cutback with unheated aggregates, has environmental and economic benefits. newlineSeveral research works aimed at improving the quality of cold mix and thereby increasing newlineits application have taken place in past few decades. There are certain issues like inferior newlinemechanical properties, low early life strength, long curing period, high air voids, coating newlineissues, etc. that needs further attention. The main aim of the study is to investigate various newlinefactors that influence the performance of CBM and thus arrive at potential solutions for newlinethe issues related to CBM. In this study, the effect of aggregate gradation, aggregate size, newlinefiller, and curing parameters on the performance of CBM was investigated. The capability newlineof Non-Conventional Fillers (NCF) and rice husk ash activated fillers to improve the newlinemechanical properties, moisture resistance and curing of CBM was also investigated. newlineInfluence of aggregate gradation and size on compactability, stability, rutting newlineresistance and moisture resistance of CBM was studied considering ten gradations, five newlineeach for Nominal Maximum Particle Size (NMPS) 13.2 mm and 19 mm. Five gradations; newlineone based MoRTH specification, one based on Modified Fuller and Thompson method newlineand three based on Cooper s method were considered for each NMPS. Aggregate size, newlinefiller content and bitumen emulsion content affected the compactability considerably. newlineMarshall stability showed good relationship with filler content and fine portion of fine newlineaggregate (FAf). Rutting resistance showed positive association with coarse aggregate newlinecontent and aggregate size. Moisture resistance was found to increase with the decrease newlinein air void content.