Construction of Wet Mix Macadam Base

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CONSTRUCTION OF WET MIX MACADAM BASE

Wet mix macadam (WMM) base consists of a well graded hard crushed aggregates and
adequate proportion of water mixed thoroughly in a mixing plant; the wet mix is spread over
the prepared sub base course with a mechanical paver and rolled to a dense mass. The
thickness of each compacted layer depends on the type of roller used. However the minimum
and maximum thickness of each compacted have been specified at 75 and 200 mm
respectively. Crushed stone aggregates fulfilling the following physical properties are used;

Los angeles abrasion value less less than 40%

Aggregate impact value less than 30%

Combined flakiness and elongation index less than 30%

Plasticity index of material finer 0.425 mm sieve less than 6.0

Construction steps

COMPACTION TEST is carried out in the laboratory using the selected grade of WMM
material, after removing the fraction of aggregates retained on 19 mm sieve and replacing it
with material passing 19 mm sieve and retained on 4.75 mm sieve. The optimum moisture
content of the WMM mix is determined in the laboratory under heavy compaction

The selected WMM mix is prepared in a suitable mixing plant like the pug mill

The WMM mix is transported to the site and is spread using a self propelled type paver-
finisher machine, to the required thickness, grade and cross slope.

The WMM layer is compacted using a vibratory roller of minimum static weight of 10
tonnes, the compacted thickness of each layer should be less than 200 mm. Rolling is done
starting from the lower edge and proceeded towards the centre of the undivided carriageway
or towards the upper edge of the divided carriageway, with a minimum one third overlap
between each run of the roller; the rolling speed is limited to less than 5 kmph.

If the total design thickness of WMM base course is say 250mm, the base is constructed in
two layers, each of compacted of the first layer, the second layer is laid by a mechanical
paver finisher and compacted by a vibratory roller.

The WMM surface is checked for defects, if any and allowed to dry; no traffic shall be
allowed before a bituminous surface course is constructed.

After the WMM layer is dried for atleast 24 hours in dry weather, the preparation for laying a
bituminous pavement layer may start by applying the prime coat.

Quality control checks


The samples of the coarse aggregate collected are subjected to relevant laboratory tests to
check the values of Los Angeles abrasion value or aggregate impact value, combined
flakiness and elongation index.

Plasticity index (PI) is checked on the fraction of the mixed aggregates that pass 0.425 mm
sieve.

The gradation of the combined mix of coarse and fine aggregate is checked.

Laboratory compaction test is carried out on the selected mixed aggregates to determine the
OMC and maximum dry density.

The moisture content of the WMM mix is determined while being fed into the mechanical
paver to ensure that it is within the permissible limits of the OMC.

The field density and moisture content of the compacted WMM layer are determined by one
of the approved methods to ensure that the dry density achieved is not less than 98% of
standard laboratory density.

The finished surface levels of the WMM base course are checked with reference to desired
longitudinal and cross profile of the road; if these are found to exceed the permissible
tolerance of (+10 mm and -10 mm), the affected area is scarified reshaped with added premix
and re-compacting by rolling.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have suggested that minimum of one set of
aggregate impact, flakiness index and elongation index tests are to be conducted per 200 m3
of aggregates and the grading of the mixed aggregates to be checked at one test per 100 m3 of
aggregates; minimum of one density test per 500 m2 on each compacted layer is also to be
carried out.

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