4/13/2021 Application Description - Granular Base - User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction - FHWA-RD…
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Federal Highway Administration > Publications > Research Publications > 97148 > User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction
Publication Number: FHWA-RD-97-148
User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction
GRANULAR BASE Application Description
INTRODUCTION
Aggregates are used in granular base and subbase layers below the driving surface layer(s) in both asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete pavement
structures. The aggregate base layers serve a variety of purposes, including reducing the stress applied to the subgrade layer and providing drainage for the pavement
structure. The granular base layer is directly below the pavement surface and acts as the load bearing and strengthening component of the pavement structure. The
granular subbase forms the lowest (bottom) layer of the pavement structure, and acts as the principal foundation for the subsequent road profile, provides drainage for
the pavement structure, and protects the structure from frost.
Granular bases are typically constructed by spreading the materials in thin layers of 150 mm (6 in) to 200 mm (8 in) and compacting each layer by rolling over it with
heavy compaction equipment.
MATERIALS
Aggregates used in granular base and subbase applications generally consist of sand and gravel, crushed stone or quarry rock, slag, or other hard, durable material of
mineral origin. The gradation requirements vary with type (base or subbase).
Granular base materials typically contain a crushed stone content in excess of 50 percent of the coarse aggregate particles. Cubical particles are desirable, with a
limited amount of flat or thin and elongated particles. The granular base is typically dense graded, with the amount of fines limited to promote drainage. Granular
subbase is also dense graded, but tends to be somewhat more coarse than granular base. The requirement for crushed content for granular subbase is not required by
many agencies, although provision of 100 percent crushed aggregates for base and subbase use is increasing in premium pavement structures to promote rutting
resistance.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND TESTING METHODS
The granular base and subbase generally make up the greatest thickness of the pavement structure, and provide both bearing strength and drainage for the pavement
structure. Hence, proper size, grading, shape, and durability are important attributes to the overall performance of the pavement structure. Granular base and subbase
aggregates may consist of durable particles of crushed stone, gravel or slag capable of withstanding the effects of handling, spreading, and compacting without
generation of deleterious fines.
Some of the more important properties of aggregates for granular base and subbase include:
Gradation – a wide range of aggregate sizes and gradations are used depending on the pavement type and the conditions to which the granular base and
subbase will be subjected. The aggregate grading markedly influences the base stability, drainage (permeability) and frost susceptibility. Aggregates for use as
granular base tend to be dense-graded with a maximum size of 50 mm (2 in) or less, while granular subbase can have a nominal maximum size commonly up to
100 mm (4 in). The percentage of fines (minus 0.075 mm (No. 200 sieve)) in the granular base is limited, for drainage and frost-susceptibility purposes, to a
maximum of 8 percent, with up to 12 percent permitted in granular subbase.
Particle Shape – the use of angular, nearly equidimensional aggregate with rough surface texture is preferred over rounded, smooth aggregate particles. Thin or
flat and elongated particles have reduced strength when load is applied to the flat side of the aggregate or across its shortest dimension and are also prone to
segregation and breakdown during compaction, creating additional fines.
Base Stability – granular base should have high stability, particularly in a flexible asphalt pavement structure. Large, angular aggregate, dense-graded and
consisting of hard, durable particles, is preferred for stability. For maximum base stability, the granular base should have sufficient fines to just fill the voids and
the entire gradation should be close to its maximum density. However, while base density is maximized at fines content between 6 and 20 percent, load-carrying
capacity decreases when the fines content exceeds about 9 percent. Stability also increases with the percentage of crushed particles and increasing coarse
aggregate size.
Permeability – since the granular subbase provides drainage for the pavement structure, its grading and hydraulic conductivity are important. The fines content
is usually limited to a maximum of 10 percent for normal pavement construction, and 6 percent where free-draining subbase is required.
Plasticity – the presence of plastic fines can significantly reduce the load-carrying strength of the granular base and subbase.
Abrasion Resistance – particles should have sufficient strength to resist degradation or breakdown during construction, under compaction or under traffic.
Resilient Modulus – can assist in providing design coefficients for multi-layered pavements by defining the relationship between stress and the deformation of
granular base and subbase layers.
Table 24-8 provides a list of standard test methods to assess the suitability of conventional materials for use in granular base applications.
Table 24-8. Granular aggregates test procedures.
Property Test Method Reference
General
Graded Aggregate Material for Bases or Subbases for Highways or Airports ASTM D2940
Specifications
ASTM D448/
Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
AASHTO M43
Gradation
ASTM C136/ AASHTO
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate
T27
Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate ASTM D4791
Uncompacted Voids Content of Fine Aggregate (As Influenced by Particle Shape, Surface Texture,
Particle Shape AASHTO TP33
and Grading
Index of Aggregate Particle Shape and Texture ASTM D3398
Base Stability California Bearing Ratio ASTM D1883/
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4/13/2021 Application Description - Granular Base - User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction - FHWA-RD…
AASHTO T193
ASTM D698/
Moisture-Density Relations of Soils Using a 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) Rammer and a 12-in. (305 mm) Drop
AASHTO T99
Moisture- Density Relations of Soils Using a 10-lb (4.54 kg) Rammer and an 18-in. (457 mm) Drop AASHTO T180
ASTM D2434/
Permeability Permeability of Granular Soils (Constant Head)
AASHTO T215
ASTM D4318/
Determining the Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils
AASHTO T90
Plasticity
ASTM D2419/
Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the Sand Equivalent Test
AASHTO T176
Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los
ASTM C535
Abrasion Angeles Machine
Resistance Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los ASTM C131/
Angeles Machine AASHTO T96
Resilient Modulus of Unbound Granular Base/Subbase Materials and Subgrade Soils - SHRP Protocol
Resilient Modulus AASHTO T274
P46
REFERENCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC, 1993.
The Aggregates Handbook. National Stone Association (R. Barksdale, Editor), Washington, DC, 1991.
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Page Owner: Office of Research, Development, and Technology, Office of Safety, RDT
TRT Terms: Waste products as road materials--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Pavements, Asphalt concrete--Design and construction--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Pavements,
Concrete--Design and construction--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Pavements--Additives--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Fills (Earthwork)--Design and construction--Handbooks,
manuals, etc, Roads--Base courses--Design and construction--Handbooks, manuals, etc, Wastes, Environmental impacts, Recycling
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