Evaluation of emulsified asphalt for use in Saudi Arabia

344 Pages·2013·9.61 MB·English

by  Abdulwahhab, Hamad I.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Hamad I. Al-abdulwahhab for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
presented on 2-22-85 1984.
Title: Evaluation of Emulsified Asphalt for Use in
Saudi Arabia
Redacted for Privacy
Abstract approved:
l
R. G. Hicks
Saudi Arabia currently contains 31000 km (18600
of paved roads and 42000 km (25200 mi) of agricultural
roads, with the prospect of more roads to be constructed.
The low population (6 million) compared to the large area
of the country (2,253,300 km2, 900,000 mi2) coupled with
the high cost of crushed aggregate makes maintenance and
road building costs very high.
Local emulsified asphalt economics, plants, and uses
were investigated in this study. Emulsified asphalt
proved to be attractive when used for local road
maintenance and road bases and low volume road
construction, especially when used with dune sand and
marl. Emulsified asphalts were evaluated for use with
dune sand and marl and at two portland cement contents.
Three types of emulsified asphalts were used which
included locally produced, laboratory prepared, and
Chevron U.S.A. emulsions.
Emulsion treated mixes were tested for tensile
strength, Poisson's ratio, resilient modulus, fatigue
life, and rutting characteristics. Both diametral and
beam fatigue tests were used and tests were conducted at
10°, 25 °, 400, and 55°C (50°, 77°, 104° and 131°F). The
open-graded mix was tested for fatigue characteristics
using beam flexure with a confining membrane.
Finite element methods were used to calculate beam
bending moduli and the results were compared to beam
equation results. These results together with local field
experience were used to develop design charts for use of
emulsions.
The results indicated that emulsified asphalts can be
produced locally at relatively low cost. It also
indicated that emulsified asphalts have a high potential
for stabilizing local sands and marginal aggregates at low
cost, especially for low volume roads and road base
construction. Stabilized materials provided satisfactory
fatigue and rutting results. They can be utilized to
produce satisfactory, reasonable, economical road
sections.
EVALUATION OF EMULSIFIED ASPHALT FOR USE
IN SAUDI ARABIA
by
Hamad I. Al-abdulwahhab
A THESIS
submitted to
Oregon State University
in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Completed February 22, 1985
Commencement June 1985
APPROVED:
Redacted for Privacy
Professor of Civil Engineering in charge of major
Redacted for Privacy
He d qlf DeparMent of Civil Engineering
Redacted for Privacy
ffDean of Gra to School,i
Date thesis is presented February 22, 1985
Typed by Harvey McCloud for Hamad I. Al-abdulwahhab
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to express my gratitude to Professor R. G.
Hicks for his valuable guidance, encouragement, and
constructive criticism throughout the study, which made
this dissertation possible.
My appreciation is also expressed to the members of
my graduate committee, Professors G. D. Faulkenberry,
W. Baker, R. D. Layton, and C. A. Bell for their valuable
assistance in developing my academic program and for their
comments and ideas regarding my research.
I also wish to thank Oregon State University and
University of Petroleum and Minerals for furnishing needed
laboratory and computer facilities required for this
research. Special thanks go to Saudi Arabia Ministry of
Transportation, Sand Still, Chevron USA, Scan Road,
Dynapac, and others that helped with this research whether
by providing materials or sharing experiences.
I wish to thank all friends who helped with their
ideas, especially Dr. N. Al-salloom, Dr. H. Sultan, Dr. A.
Al-tayyib, Dr. M. Arora, Mr. Kenith Larson and the
enormous number of engineers and companies who par-
ticipated in this research. Also I wish to thank Anne
Smith and Harvey McCloud for editing and typing this
thesis.
Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to my father
and mother, to my wife, and to my two sons, Ibrahim and
Monira for their patience, devotion, and encouragement
during the years of my study.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Problem Definition
1
1.2 Objectives 3
1.3 Anticipated Benefits 3
1.4 Study Approach 4
2.0 APPLICATIONS OF EMULSIFIED ASPHALTS
IN SAUDI ARABIA 14
2.1 Geography of Saudi Arabia 14
2.2 Road System 18
2.2.1 Types of Pavements in Saudi Arabia 23
2.2.2 Type of Paving Construction Industry 25
2.2.3 Pavement Problems 26
2.2.4 Need for Emulsified Asphalt 30
2.3 Emulsified Asphalt in Saudi Arabia 30
2.4 Emulsified Asphalt Production Cost 40
2.4 Summary 47
3.0 PRODUCTION OF EMULSIFIED ASPHALT IN
THE LABORATORY 48
3.1 Plant Description 48
3.1.1 Bitumen Pump 52
3.1.2 Colloid Mill 52
3.1.3 Bitumen Tank 53
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3.1.4 Bitumen Pipes 55
3.1.5 Soap Solution Dosage Pump 55
3.1.6 Soap Solution Tank 55
3.2 Emulsified Asphalt 57
3.3 Materials 58
3.3.1 Bitumen 58
3.3.2 Water 58
3.3.3 Emulsifier 58
3.4 Summary 60
4.0 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN FOR TESTS ON
EMULSIFIED ASPHALT MIXES 63
4.1 Selection of Aggregates 63
4.1.1 Aggregate Tests and Results 65
4.2 Emulsified Asphalts 69
4.2.1 Viscosity Test 69
4.2.2 Storage Stability Test 69
4.2.3 Sieve Test 71
4.2.4 Residue by Evaporation Test 71
4.2.5 Coating Ability and Water Resistance
Test 72
4.2.6 Particle Size Distribution Test 72
4.3 Emulsified Asphalt Mix Design 72
4.3.1 Open Graded Emulsified Asphalt
Mix Design 76
4.3.2 Dune Sand Emulsified Asphalt
Mix Design 82
4.3.3 Marl Emulsified Asphalt Mix Design 90
4.4 Summary 96
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5.0 DIAMETRAL TESTS ON STABILIZED MATERIALS 99
5.1 Poisson's Ratio Determination 99
5.2 Tensile Strength 103
5.3 Resilient Modulus Tests 105
5.3.1 Test Setup 110
5.3.2 Test Results 110
5.4 Fatigue Properties 116
5.4.1 Fatigue Results 116
5.5 Permanent Deformation Properties 127
5.5.1 Permanent Deformation Results 130
5.6 Summary 136
6.0 BEAM DYNAMIC TESTING 142
6.1 Background 142
6.2 Specimen Preparation 144
6.3 Test Procedure 146
6.4 Open Graded Emulsion Beam Testing 150
6.5 Fatigue Life Test 157
6.5.1 Fatigue Life Results 158
6.6 Beam Bending Modulus 164
6.6.1 Beam Equation 164
6.6.2 Finite Element Method 165
6.6.3 Beam Modulus Results 170
6.6.4 Saudi CSS-1h vs. Chevron USA Emulsions 170
6.7 Summary 176
7.0 DEVELOPMENT OF PAVEMENT THICKNESS DESIGN
CHARTS FOR USE IN SAUDI ARABIA 178
v
7.1 Design System 178
7.2 Model Selection 179
7.3 Material Characteristics 179
7.4 Design Criteria 181
7.5 Cases Analyzed 185
7.6 Structural Design 187
7.7 Design Charts 189
7.8 Implementation 195
7.9 Use Guidelines 198
7.10 Summary 202
8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 203
8.1 Conclusions 203
8.2 Recommendations 205
8.3 Recommendations for Further Research 206
9.0 REFERENCES 208
APPENDIX A: BACKGROUND OF EMULSIFIED ASPHALTS 220
1.0 INTRODUCTION 221
1.1 Objective 222
1.2 General 222
2.0 DESCRIPTION OF EMULSIFIED ASPHALTS 225
2.1 Manufacture of Emulsified Asphalts 227
2.1.1 Chemical Emulsification 227
2.1.2 Mechanical Emulsification 227
2.1.2.1 Colloid Mills 229
2.2 Chemical Components 231
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