EVALUATION OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL AGGREGATES IN HOT MIX ASPHALT PRODUCTION

Abstract

The world population continue to grow so the demand for more and reliable infrastructure therefore researches into new and innovative materials are continually advancing. This research title Evaluation of natural and artificial aggregates in production of hot mix asphalt with the intention to determine the durability of river gravels (aggregates) as compared to crushed stone (aggregates) in hot mix asphalt production and uses. Samples of the aforementioned materials were obtained and process according to BS 812 for asphalt production and process. Various laboratories test were conducted on the aggregates, the bitumen and the obtained asphalt using standard laboratory equipment in MSSR Julius Berger Nigeria Plc located in Abuja Nigeria. The aggregates were sieved and graded proportionately to obtain the required aggregate gradation in accordance to General Specification of Road and Bridges (1999) for British Standard. Hot Mix Asphalt was produced with each at 150C, and the optimum bitumen content values for river gravel hot mix asphalt is at 6.0% and has a stability of 1,550(KN) while the hot mix asphalt produced with crushed stone also has it optimum bitumen content at 6.0% and a stability of 1,570 (KN) showing similarity in both bitumen absorption and stability.