Abstract:
Aggregate is a material vastly used in the construction industry related to concrete structures, asphalt bases and pavement. To achieve required dimensional stability, durability and strength of structures, aggregate characteristics and related engineering properties is one of the main issues needed to be addressed. The city of Karachi is receiving massive quantities of aggregates supplied by several sources present within and along its periphery, however, no concerted effort has been witnessed to document aggregate characteristics, leading to all sort of durability problems and threatening service life of structures. There is a dire need to develop a data-base that contributes to the suitability of material in asphalt and concrete mix. Aggregate characterization technique is a forefront vision to enhance the quality of HMA and concrete along side being a pioneering move to select construction materials. It focuses on quality and performance in roads and buildings and determines suitability of their use in Hot Mix Asphalt and Concrete Mix Design, thus addressing issues related to applicability in given situation, strength, durability and maintenance and monitoring and rehabilitation. This paper aims to present a methodology for aggregate characterization based on their physical properties, petrography examination and engineering properties. Visits of construction sites in all eighteen towns of Karachi city revealed that Hub River is the major source of raw material. Based on experimental design formulated to evaluate the physical properties and engineering behaviour of rocks and crushed rock respectively, statistical techniques have been applied to ascertain significance of relationships between various properties governing aggregate characterization. Conclusions are drawn regarding suitability of characterization of aggregates in relation to their construction application and ability to address construction related problems. The aggregate characterization model thus developed has the capacity and potential to be utilized and extended for various scenarios.
Page(s):
210-220
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Proceedings of International Conference on Construction in Developing Countries , Volume: 4, Issue: 5, Year: 2008