A comparative study on the use of conventional and osadebe mix designs in predicting the marshall stability of asphalt concrete

Abstract

Asphalt concrete is an important construction material all over the world with its design always following conventional procedure in developing countries such as Nigeria. This study was channelled towards using Osadebe’s theory in comparison to the conventional design procedure in the design of asphalt concrete providing a handy mathematical model for the determination of the stability of asphalt concrete given any components’ mix proportion and vice versa. Two designs were constructed: the conventional mix design and the Osadebe’s mix design, and the stability was determined using standard experimental procedures. The Osadebe’s regression analysis was employed in the determination of the stability prediction model of asphalt concrete. From the results, the mix design at maximum stability from the conventional method of design was as follows: 5.45% bitumen content, 54.84% coarse aggregate, 36.87% fine aggregate and 2.84% cement filler; and from the Osadebe’s Prediction Model wasas follows:5.456% bitumen, 54.85% coarse aggregate, 36.886% fine aggregate and 2.808% cement filler. The developed model proved adequate at 5% level of significance using F-statistics. Thus, in the presence of a computer program, the stability model developed using Osadebe’s theory can be used to ease the prediction of Marshall stability, thereby eliminating the stress and other implications associated with experimental procedures.

Keywords: asphalt concrete, construction material, conventional mix design, Marshallstability, Osadebe mix design

Cite this Article: Eme Dennis Budu, Nwaobakata Chukwuemeka, Ohwerhi Kelly Erhiferhi. Study on the Use of Conventional and Osadebe Mix Designs in Predicting the Marshall Stability of Asphalt Concrete. International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic System. 2020; 6(1): 10–23p.