Influence of aggregate gradation on hma mixes stability

The load transfer capacity of pavements is to a great extend influenced by aggregates. About 85% of the total volume of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures consists of aggregates; thus, they are greatly influenced by aggregate properties like angularity (shape), roughness (texture), and gradation. Aggregate gradation controls the structure of voids. Current specifications for aggregate properties in HMA pavements require the aggregate blend to fall within a specified range of gradation values. Although the abovementioned requirement has ensured the construction of high quality HMA pavements, the properties are largely empirical and they are not based on performance-related tests. Marshall Stability is in principle the resistance to plastic flow of cylindrical specimens of a bituminous mixture loaded on the lateral surface. It is the load carrying capacity of the mix at 60^oC. Aggregates with different gradations from the broader area of Xanthi, Northern Greece, have been used to prepare specimens for stability testing of hot asphalt mixtures in the laboratory. The research focused on the evaluation of the influence of aggregates in the overall stability characteristics of the mixtures. The maximum stability value has been obtained with an open-graded mixture having 5% asphalt and aggregate size 2.36 mm. However, the stability of the dense graded mixture is higher than this maximum value.