Investigating the polishing resistance of granite and microtonalite with different combination ratio

• Main Author: Tang, Sing Yun
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2020
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36729/2/TANG%20SING%20YUN%20%28fulltext%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/36729/

Skid resistance is the most critical performance parameters for flexible pavements as it has crucial impact on the safety of the traveling public. It. is a measure of the resistance of pavement surface to sliding or skidding of the vehicle. It depends on different factors including the microtexture and macrotexture of the pavement surface. Standard aggregate such as granite are commonly used in pavement and make up around 75-80% by volume of asphalt concrete (AC) or 90-95% by weight of AC. Sarawak currently has several road constructions projects which requires the extensive used of granite aggregates. Due to the limitation of granite aggregates, importation of these materials has increased the transportation cost hence increased in construction overall cost. Therefore, to reduce the dependency of granite aggregates, potential used of locally available aggregate such as microtonalite aggregates, were investigated. The research involved evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of granite and microtonalite aggregate, determining control PSV values and modified skid samples throughout the polishing test, as well as comparing the properties and polishing resistance of both skid sample types to JKR standard and BS standard. The PSV values were further compared to standards or requirements suggested by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL). Physical and mechanical properties testing of aggregates was carried out in accordance with BS standards and ASTM standards to investigate the suitability of microtonalite to replace granite in flexible pavement construction. Based on the tests conducted, the physical and mechanical properties of granite and microtonalite met the minimum requirements set out in the JKR and BS standard requirements. It is therefore concluded that the use of microtonalite as aggregate combination replacement has the potential use for the minor roads or low volume roads.