Evaluation of Optimized Compaction Energy for Coarse Aggregates by Gyratory Compactor

Abstract

Aggregate durability is crucially important for performance of granular roadways. Therefore, proper laboratory durability evaluations of aggregates that will be used during construction and maintenance of granular roadways are very critical. Los-Angeles (LA) abrasion and Micro-Deval tests were two conventional methods that are used for laboratory during tests. However, it is very well known that these tests are not adequate to simulate the durability of aggregates under vehicle and compactor loads. The current study proposes to use the gyratory compaction method to evaluate the durability of aggregate materials. During gyratory tests, gradations, shear resistances, void ratios, and maximum dry unit weights of each material were monitored before and after tests. The results of this study showed that the fines content of the materials did not change significantly, while the gravel and sand contents of all materials changed considerably. It was also observed that the energy required to gain the optimum void ratio and dry unit weight were always higher than those required for the modified and standard Proctor tests energy levels. However, two out of three materials achieved 90% of the maximum shear strength at lower energy levels that were required for the modified Proctor test. Disciplines Mechanics of Materials | Transportation Engineering Comments This is a manuscript of a proceeding published as Satvati, Sajjad, Bora Cetin, and Jeramy C. Ashlock. Evaluation of Optimized Compaction Energy for Coarse Aggregates by Gyratory Compactor. In IFCEE 2021, pp. 390-400. This material may be found at DOI: 10.1061/9780784483435.038. Posted with permission. This conference proceeding is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ ccee_conf/126 Evaluation of Optimized Compaction Energy for Coarse Aggregates by Gyratory Compactor Sajjad Satvati, Bora Cetin, Jeramy C. Ashlock Research Assistant, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1066, United States; Email: [email protected] Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Email: [email protected] R. L. Handy Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1066, United States; Email: [email protected]