Stabilized and unstabilized subbase for rigid pavement

Introduction
The function of Sub-Bases:
 To Provide a strong Support for the Compaction of the Base Layer.
 To Protect Subgrade from Overstressing.
 To serve as Drainage and Filter Layer.

Lime-treated Soil Sub-Base

Cement treated Soil Sub-Base

Stabilized
Crushed Cement Concrete Sub-Base
Sub-Base

Wet Mix Macadam

Ganular Sub-Base

Unstabilized Water Bound Macadam

Crushed Run Macadam

 Unstabilized Subbase Stabilized Subbase

Strength and Durability: Relies on Strength and Durability: Enhanced by the

mechanical compaction and the natural addition of binding agents like cement,
properties of the materials, which may lime, or asphalt, making it more resistant
result in lower strength and durability. to loads and environmental conditions

Erosion Resistance: More susceptible to Erosion Resistance: Better resistance to

erosion and weathering as there are no erosion and weathering due to the
chemical binding agents. chemical stabilization.

Load-Bearing Capacity: Typically lower, Load-Bearing Capacity: Generally higher,

providing adequate support but not as providing a stronger foundation for both
robust as stabilized subbases. rigid and flexible pavements.

Cost: Lower initial cost as it involves Cost: Higher initial cost due to the
simpler materials and processes. materials and processes involved in
stabilization.
Maintenance: Higher maintenance
requirements over time due to potential Maintenance: Lower maintenance
degradation and erosion. requirements over time due to increased
durability and stability.
Water Bound Macadam (WBM)
Material used:
1. Coarse Aggregate
2. Screening
3. Binding Material
4. Water
Coarse Aggregates:
The coarse aggregates used for WBM road construction are as follows:
1. Crushed aggregates
2. Over burnt bricks
3. Crushed slag
4. Kankar
5. Broken stones
6. Laterite
Aggregate Physical Requirement:

S.No. Test Test Method Requirements

1 Los Angeles Abrasion Value IS: 2386 (Part 4) 50 % (Max)
2 Aggregates Impact Value IS: 2386 (part 4) or 40% (Max)
IS:5640
3 Combined Flakiness and Elongation IS:2386 (Part 1) 35% (Max)
Indices

Crushed Slag:
 Wt. of Crushed slag =11.2 KN per m^3.
 Sulphur Content: 2% Max
 Water absorption: 10 % Max
Grading of Coarse Aggregates :
Grading Size Range IS Sieve Designation % by Wt. Passing
No.
1 90mm to 45mm 125mm 100
(100mm Compacted thickness) 90mm 90-100
63mm 25-60
45mm 0-15
22.4mm 0-5
2 63mm to 45mm 75mm 100
(75mm Compacted thickness) 63mm 90-100
53mm 25-75
45mm 0-15
22.4mm 0-5
3 53mm to 22.4mm 63mm 100
53mm 95-100
45mm 65-90
22.4mm 0-10
11.2mm 0-5

Screening:
1. Filling the Void in Coarse aggregates.
2. PI<6 & LL<20
3. Murum or gravel, Laterite, Kankar.
Grading For Screening:
Grading Size of Screenings IS Sieve Designation % by Wt. Passing
Classification
A 13.2mm 13.2mm 100
11.2 mm 95-100
5.6mm 15-35
0.18mm 0-10
B 11.2mm 11.2mm 100
9.5mm 80-100
5.6mm 50-70
0.18mm 5-25

 Upto 0.25m^3 per 10m^2 Screening used depend on Grading.

Binding Materials:
1. Fine grained materials having 100% passing through 0.425 mm sieve such as
kankar or lime stone dust are used as binding materials.
2. Ip < 6
3. 0.06 to 0.09 m^3 per 10m^2 binding material is required.
4. When and where crushable materials such as moorum or soft gravel are
used as screenings, binding materials are not required
Wet MIX Macadam(WMM):
Material:
1. Clean, Crushed, graded coarse aggregates.
2. Granular Material
3. Premixed Water
Aggregates Quality:
S.No. Test Test Method Requirements
1 Los Angeles Abrasion Value IS: 2386 (Part 4) 40 % (Max)
2 Aggregates Impact Value IS: 2386 (part 4) or 30% (Max)
IS:5640
3 Combined Flakiness and Elongation IS:2386 (Part 1) 35% (Max)
Indices

Aggregate Grading requirement:

S.No. IS Sieve Designation % by Wt. Passing
1 53 mm 100
2 45 mm 95-100
3 26.5 mm -
4 22.4 mm 60-80
5 11.2 mm 40-60
6 4.75 mm 25-40
7 2.36 mm 15-30
8 0.6 mm 8-22
9 0.75 mm 0-5
Granular Sub-Base:
The sub-base is laid in two layers as upper sub-base and lower sub-base, the
thickness of each layer shall not be less than 150mm.
Max. Layer thickness (Plane Smooth Roller)=200mm
Max. Layer thickness (Vibratory Roller)=250mm

Material:
1. Crushed Stone or Gravel.
2. Natural Sand
3. Crushed Slag
4. Crushed Concrete (allow in lower Sub-base)
5. Kankar

Aggregate Grading Required:

Grading III and IV shall be used in lower sub base. Grading V and VI shall be used
as sub-base-cum-drainage layer.
Aggregate Physical Requirement:
SUB-BASE SPECIFICATION (GSB)
TESTS Frequency of tests Specified limit Test Procedure
No of AS per Limit MORTH
tests MORTH Specifications
Gradation 1 /400m3 Table 900-3 - Table 400-1 IS 2386 (part 1)
Liquid limit 1 /400m3 Table 900-3 <25% Table 400-2 IS 2720 (part 5)
Plasticity 1 /400m3 Table 900-3 <6% Table 400-2 IS 2720 (part 5)
Index
Moisture 1 /400m Table 900-3 1-2% B/w cl.401.3.2 IS 2720 (part 2)
Content OMC
Proctor Test - Cl.401.3.2 - - IS 2720 (part 8)
CBR Test - Table 900-3 >30% Table 400-2 IS 2720 (part 16)
Water - Cl.401.2.2 <2% cl.401.2.2 IS 2386 (part 3)
absorption
Wet AIV - Cl.401.2.2 40% Max. Table-2 IS 5640/IS 2386
(part 4)
Deleterious - Table 900-3 - - -
Constituent
s
Field 1/1000 Table 900-3 >98% cl.401.3.2 IS 2720 (part 28)
compaction sqm
Gaps in Sub-base Methods:
Each sub-base method has its own set of challenges:
 Granular Sub-base (GSB): May require high-quality materials and
proper compaction.
 Lime Treated Sub-base: Needs careful handling of lime and
adequate curing time.
 Cement Treated Sub-base: Requires precise mixing and curing to
prevent cracks.
 Water Bound Macadam (WBM): Labor-intensive and time-
consuming.
 Crushed Cement Concrete Sub-base: Availability of recycled
concrete can be a constraint.
 Wet Mix Macadam (WMM): Requires controlled moisture content
and proper mixing.
 Crusher Run Macadam Sub-base: Ensuring uniformity in material
can be challenging
Objectives of Sub-base:
The primary objectives of using a sub-base layer are:
1. Load Distribution: To evenly distribute the load from the
pavement to the subgrade.
2. Drainage: To facilitate proper drainage and prevent water
accumulation.
3. Stability: To provide a stable foundation for the upper
layers of the pavement.
4. Frost Protection: To protect the pavement from frost
heave in colder regions.
Methodolgy:
WBM
Pre
par
Sub-grade layer is prepared to the required Camber of 1 in 48 to 1in 36 (Rainy area)
atio
The depressions on the surface of the road are properly filled up and compacted.
n of
Sub
Sub
gra
-
de
Surf Spreading 25 mm Course of Screening (Grade B) or Coarse sand on the Sub-Grade
ace 100 mm Course in Case of Fine Sand or Silty or Clayey Sub-grade.
Drai Geosynthesis may be used over the Sub-grade. Eg: Polyethene, Polyester etc.
nag
Late
e
ral
laye
conf It is done by construction of shoulders of thickness similar to the thickness of the
r.
ine compacted layer of WBM (7.5 cm) to avoid the coming out of Aggregates.
men
t of
aggr
Spr
egat
ead
es
ing They may be spread manually or mechanically. The thickness of the layers
coa (compacted) of WBM road constructed should be 75 mm
rse
aggr
egat
es The Partial compaction of aggregates should start from the edge of the surface
Rollin The rollers used shall be of 8 to 10 tonnes capacity.
g

screenings are applied in three or more applications so that the voids are filled
Appli
catio completely
n of Use Drying Rolling to Spread the screening uniformly in Voids.
scree
nings

Sprin The surface is sprinkled with water .then swept and rolled so that the voids are
kling completely filled. If any voids are left empty, additional screenings may be applied
and
grout
ing

Binding materials are applied in two or more thin layers.

bindi After the application of each layer of binding materials, water is sprinkled, followed
ng
mate by compaction of layers by rollers of 8 to 10 tonnes capacity
rials
WMM:

Prep The base layer is prepared by ensuring it is clean, level, and free of any loose
arati materials.
on
of
Base
Late
ral This is achieved by laying materials adjacent to the shoulders along with the
Conf wet mix layer
ine
men
t
To prepare WMM, an approved mixing plant with suitable capacity and
Prep controlled water addition
arati The optimum moisture for mixing is determined according to IS:2720 (Part 8)
on by replacing the aggregate retained on the 22.4 mm sieve with material sized
of between 4.75 and 22.4 mm.
Mix

Spreading of the mix can be done using a paver finisher, motor grader
Spre Ensure even distribution and Proper thickening.
adin The thickness of each individual layer should not be less than 75 mm and can
g of extend up to 200 mm with the use of appropriate compacting equipment.
Mix

If the compacted layer’s thickness is up to 100 mm, a smooth wheel roller

weighing 80 to 100 kN can be used
.For thicker single layers up to 200 mm, compaction should be achieved with a
Com vibratory roller
pacti The roller’s speed during compaction should not exceed 5 km/hr.
on Rolling Continue till density reached to 98% of MDD.
Set
tin
g After Final Compaction, It allowed to dry for 24 Hrs.
an
d
Dry
ing
Granular Sub-base:
Construction Operation :
1. The sub-base material shall be spread into 2 layers and each layer should be
125mm Compacted thickness on the Approved subgrade with the help of
mechanical means to the required slopes and grades.
2. The moisture content shall be checked and if required any shall be add by
sprinkling, within the range of 1% to 2% below OMC.
3. The material shall be then compacted with vibratory rollers.
4. The compacted thickness of layer shall not exceed 200mm.
5. The rolling shall commence form lower edge and proceed towards the
upper edge. Each pass of the roller shall overlap 1/3 rd of the preceding.
During rolling the grades, cambers are to be checked and any depressions
or high spots are to be rectified by adding or removing the material.
6. The rolling shall be continued till achieving the compaction of 98% of MDD.
7. Field dry density will be carried out by sand replacement method and
recorded.