World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

Effect of Aggregate Gradation on Moisture

Susceptibility and Creep in HMA
Haider H. Aodah, Yassir Nashaat A. Kareem and Satish Chandra

 bond is reduced and channels are formed where moisture can

Abstract— The present study explains the effect of aggregate penetrate. If aggregates are not properly dried before the
gradation on moisture damage in bituminous mixes. Three types of HMA is mixed, inadequate adhesion occurs between binder
aggregate gradation and two types of binder; VG-30 and Polymer and aggregate.
modified bitumen (PMB-40) are used. Moisture susceptibility tests
like retained stability and tensile strength ratio (TSR) and static creep
test are conducted on Marshall specimens. The creep test was also II.OBJECTIVES
conducted for conditioned and unconditioned specimens to observe The present study was taken up with the following objectives:
the effect of moisture on creep behaviour. The results indicate that 1) To compare and correlate the results of different moisture
Marshall stability value is higher in PMB-40 mix than VG-30 mixes.
susceptibility tests on bitumen concrete (BC) mixes.
Moisture susceptibility of PMB-40 mixes is low when compared with
mix using VG-30. The reduction in retained stability, and indirect 2) To evaluate the effect of aggregate gradation on moisture
tensile strength and increase in creep are evaluated for finer, coarser susceptibility and creep behaviour of bituminous concrete
and normal gradation of aggregate to observe the effect of gradation
mixes.
on moisture susceptibility of mixes. The retained stability is least
affected when compared with other moisture susceptibility
parameters III. BACKGROUND LITREATURE
Moisture damage is a serious problem worldwide and has
Keywords— Aggregate gradation, Creep ratio, Retained stability, been responsible for millions of dollars in reconstruction and
Stripping, Tensile strength ratio. maintenance costs since the implementation of the Superpave
specification [5]. Usually, stripping starts at the bottom of the
I. INTRODUCTION
HMA layer and cannot be observed at the surface until the

T he asphalt pavement failures are typically classified as

stability (load) or durability related failures. Moisture
damage is signified by loss of strength or durability in an
problem is critical [7]. Current and past studies have been
done to identify the effect of aggregate gradation on moisture
susceptibility and permanent deformation of hot mix asphalt
asphalt pavement due to the effects of moisture and may be (HMA). Pan and White (1999) observed that fine aggregate
measured by the asphalt mixture’s loss of mechanical could be a major factor in the loss of adhesion of asphalt
properties [10]. Moisture susceptibility is defined as the binder film. They also observed that maximum aggregate size
weakening and/or eventual loss of the adhesive bond between and mixture gradation have a significant effect on rutting
the aggregate surface and the binder in HMA mixture due to resistance, and that the presence of crushed sand may help to
the presence of moisture. Often called stripping, it can also reduce moisture damage. Kandhal (1992) indicated that
occur in the presence of moisture due to the loss of the stripping of fine aggregate is more critical. Brown and Bassett
cohesive resistance of the binder film that coats the aggregate (1989) evaluated five HMA mixes with different maximum
[8]. Moisture can weaken the binder matrix, subsequently aggregate sizes of crushed limestone used in preparing the
lowering HMA mixture stability and load-carrying capacity. specimens. The asphalt content of all mixes was selected to
The results of stripping can manifest themselves as rutting, produce 4 percent air void. Specimens were evaluated using
shoving, and fatigue cracking. The main causes of stripping the Marshall, indirect tensile strength, creep, and resilient
are aggregate gradation, aggregate type, binder type and modulus tests. The creep test results indicated that the
inadequate compaction. Other causes of stripping are the permanent strain of 15 cm. specimens decreases with an
presence of a dust and/or clay coating on the aggregates, increase in the maximum size of aggregate. It has been widely
inadequate aggregate drying, the presence of weak and friable held that a coarser gradation produces a more rut resistant
aggregates, and inadequate pavement drainage. When the HMA mixture. However, some studies have found that finer-
aggregate is coated with dust and/or clay, the binder-aggregate graded mixtures present lower rut potential [5]. Abo-Qudais
and Haider (2007) found that conditioning of HMA specimens
Haider H. Aodah is research scholar with the Civil Engendering has a significant effect on the creep deformation. Aggregate
Depertment, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, CO 247667 gradation and asphalt type also have considerable effect on
India (phone: 91-7895154169; e-mail: [email protected]). creep deformation. Also, for conditioned specimens, the creep
Yasser Nashaat A. Kreem is Teacher assistant with the Civil Engendering
Depertment, Diyala University, Diyala, CO 230021, Iraq (phone: 964- deformation of mixes prepared using 80/100 asphalt was more
7895154025; e-mail: [email protected]). than that for mixes prepared using 60/70 asphalt and tested at
Satish Chandra is Professor with the Civil Engendering Depertment, Indian the same temperature. In another study, Abo-Qudais (2007)
Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, CO 247667 India (phone: 91-
9412394357; e-mail: [email protected]). observed the effect of using different evaluation techniques on
the predicted stripping of 24 different HMA combinations

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

prepared using different mix parameters. The stripping as per AASHTO T-283 were conducted on Marshall
evaluation techniques include percent reduction in indirect specimens for different mixes at their OBC. TSR is the
tensile strength, Marshall stability and percent increase in percentage of average indirect tensile strength (ITS) of the
creep. The study indicated that the percent increase in creep conditioned (wet) specimens to the average ITS of the
was the only one among the methods used that was able to unconditioned (dry).
determine the effect of asphalt and aggregate gradation on
stripping of HMA. 100

90 BU BM BL
IV. MATRIALS
80
One type of aggregate and two types of binder were used in
70

Percent Passing
this study. The crushed stone aggregate (coarse, fine and
filler) of limestone type was used to prepare the bituminous 60
mix specimens. The bituminous concrete (BC) mix as
50
specified in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH-2001) specifications in India was evaluated. Three 40

aggregate gradations as described below were selected: 30

1) Gradation U: Upper limit of gradation range given in
20
MORTH-2001 specifications. The nominal size of this
gradation is 9.5 mm. 10

2) Gradation M: Mid point of gradation range given in 0

MORTH-2001 specifications. The nominal size of this 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
gradation is 13.5 mm. Seive opening (mm)
3) Gradation L: The lower limits of gradation range given in A
Fig.1 Aggregate gradation for bituminous concrete (BC)
MORTH-2001 specifications. The nominal size of this mix
gradation is 13.5 mm.
Fig. 1 shows the aggregate size distribution of three grading TABLE I
of bituminous concrete mixes used in the present study, the PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BINDERS
notation B is used to describe BC mix and U, M and L to  

describe upper, middle and lower gradation in the mix

respectively. Mix type Gradation Asphalt Mix O.B.C %
Two types of asphalt binders, VG-30 (viscosity grade 30) type ID
and PMB-40 (polymer modified bitumen) are used to prepare
the HMA specimens. These two binders extensively are used Lower PMB-40 BLP 5.15
for preparation of HMA in India. The physical properties of
two binders were evaluated as per IS 73-2006 and IS: 15462 - VG- 30 BLV 5.20
2004 and all test values are found within permissible limit.
Bitumen Middle PMB-40 BMP 5.43
The notation P is used to describe (PMB-40) and V to Concrete
describe (VG-30).
VG- 30 BMV 5.50
V.EXPERMENTAIL PROGRAM
Upper PMB-40 BUP 5.64
Bituminous Concrete (BC) mix is used throughout this
study. The following tests were conducted. BUV
VG- 30 5.70
A. Optimum Binder Content (OBC)
The Marshall method of mix design as laid in ASTM
C.Static Creep Test
D1559 was followed to determine optimum binder content
(OBC) of different mixes. Three specimens were prepared at The static creep test is considered important to obtain the
5%, 5.5%, 6.0%, and 6.5%, and these were tested for stability, data for estimating potential deformation of the vehicle wheel
flow, air voids, unit weight, and voids in mineral aggregate path. The static creep test is conducted by applying a static
(VMA). The OBC was calculated as the average of asphalt stress of 100 kPa in one cycle of one hour loading and one
content for maximum stability, maximum unit weight, and hour unloading that provides information on asphalt mixture
4.0% air voids. Table I shows the results of optimum binder response characteristics (elastic/plastic). Specimens were
content for all mixes. prepared using two types of binder and three types of
gradation. The original height of the specimens was measured
B. Moisture Susceptibility Tests before testing, while the axial deformation was measured
Retained stability test and tensile strength ratio (TSR) test during the creep test using the linear vertical displacement

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

transducers (LVDTs). Accumulated microstrain was 100

calculated as the ratio between the measured deformation and 98 Mix with VG-30

the original specimen height. In order to observe the effect of 96 Mix with PMB-40

moisture on elastic response of a mix, the test was conducted 94

R etained S tability %
on two groups of specimens. One group was tested in dry 92
condition at 25°C (normal specimens) without moisture 90
conditioning and the other group was moisture conditioned
88
before the test. The moisture conditioning was done by
86
placing the specimen in water bath at 60°C for 24 hrs and then
84
the specimen was transferred from the hot water bath to
another water bath at 25°C for 2 hrs before testing. The 82

stripping effect on creep behaviour was evaluated based on 80

Upper limit Middle limit Lower limit
the creep ratio as defined in (1):
Aggregate gradation
Permanent deformation in conditioned specimen
Creep Ratio
Permanent deformation in unconditioned specimen role in the stripping behaviour of the asphalt mix. High
viscosity asphalt resists displacement by water and provides a
VI. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION better retention of asphalt on the aggregate surface. The mixes
with upper limit (fine) gradation showed better TSR than
A. Retained Stability mixes with middle or lower gradation. This is also
The retained Marshall stability calculations for all mixes are understandable as the water susceptibility of a mix depends on
shown in Table II and Fig. 2. These results indicate that the its gradation and the dense graded mix provides better
mixes with PMB-40 have better performance than those with moisture resistance. Also, coarser aggregate gradation has low
VG-30. The mixes with upper gradation (finer) show better amount of materials passing # 200 sieves (75 µm). Since
durability than mid point gradation and the lower gradation material finer than 75 µm tends to fill voids and increase
(coarser) for all mixes. It is because the retained stability is a density, the reduction in material finer than 75 µm also
measure of water susceptibility of a mix and the dense graded affected the TSR in coarser graded mixes. Breaking of larger
hot mix provides better moisture resistance. In general, the particle size aggregate in coarser aggregate gradation during
coarser aggregate gradations are more prone to premature compaction also leads to uncoated surface which absorbs the
stripping because these mixes are more permeable to water water more than the other particles and then leads to stripping
when compared to fine aggregate gradations. As per Indian Fig. 4.
specifications in force, the minimum requirement of retained TABLE III
stability for a bituminous mix is 70 percent and here all mixes
SUMMARY OF TENSILE STRENGTH RATIO FOR DIFFERENT MIXES
pass the test.
TABLE II TSR % ITS (kPa) Mix ID
RETAINED STABILITY FOR DIFFERENT MIXES. conditioned Unconditioned
84.3 875 1039 BLP
Mix Stability (kN) Retained 767
ID Stability 77.9 985 BLV
Soaked Standard
% 89.6 871 972 BMP
BLP 19.9 21.3 93.4 81.4 712 875 BMV
BLV 14.2 16.2 87.4 97.1 879 905 BUP
BMP 18.3 19.2 95.5 88.1 630 715 BUV
BMV 13.6 15.1 90.4
C.Static Creep Test
BUP 18.1 18.4 98.5
1. Accumulated Strain
BUV 13.7 14.4 94.8
Accumulated strain is the ratio of measured deformation to the
original specimen height at certain time during the test
B. ensile Strength Ratio (TSR) duration. Table IV and Fig. 5 show the accumulated strain
Table III and Fig. 3 show the tensile strength ratios for with time for different types of mixes in a normal creep test
different mixes. Like retained stability, the mixes with PMB- (unconditioned specimens).
40 had better performance than those with VG-30. It was
expected also as the viscosity of the asphalt plays a significant

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

100 is similar to that observed for permanent strain. The mixes

Mix with VG-30
95 with PMB-40 showed higher percent rebound strain when
Mix with PMB-40
90 compared with mixes of VG-30. Also, the rebound strain in
85 mix prepared with upper gradation is more than in the mixes
80 with middle and lower gradation for both types of binder
TSR %

75 (VG-30 and polymer modifier.

70
TABLE IV
65
SUMMARY OF STATIC CREEP TEST ON DIFFERENT MIXES
60

55
Mix Total Rebound Permanent Rebound
ID Deform strain strain
50 Strain
-ation
Upper limit Middle limit Lower limit microstrain %
Aggregate gradation (mm) microstrain
BLP 0.837 1873 10777 14.8
Fig.3 Tensile strength ratio for different mixes.
BLV 0.971 2051 12808 13.8
BMP 1.015 2492 12933 16.2
BMV 1.093 2488 14611 14.9
BUP 1.177 3867 14484 21.1
BUV 1.189 3224 15577 17.6

20000

18000

16000
Accumulated microstrain

14000

12000

10000

8000

 6000
 4000
BLP BLV BMP

Fig. 4 Broken aggregates during compaction. BMV BUP BUV

2000

0
As may be seen, the mixes with PMB-40 showed better 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
performance than mixes with VG-30. It is again attributed to Time (Second)
the viscosity of the asphalt as increased resistance to rutting is
offered by stiffer (high viscosity or low penetration) binder Fig.5 Creep behaviour of BC mixes.
[13]. Also, the mix prepared with upper gradation had the
highest deformation followed by the mix prepared with 22.5

middle aggregate gradation. The mix prepared with lower 20

gradation shows the lowest creep deformation. It can be 17.5

explained on the basis of difference in gradation. The

Rebound Strain %

15
aggregate size zone from 4.75 mm or 2.36 mm to 0.30 mm 12.5
sieve is considered undesirable in a mix gradation [4]. This 10
zone limits the inclusion of large amounts of rounded particle 7.5
[11]. However, this zone is available in upper gradation more
5
than that in the middle and lower gradation. Also, the coarser
2.5
aggregates have higher shear resistance than the finer
0
aggregates and the rutting occurs in mixtures with low shear Lower Middle Upper Lower Middle Upper
resistance. PMB-40 VG-30

2. Rebound (Recovered) strain BC

Type of mix
The percent rebound strain was determined by dividing the
total rebound strain by the maximum deformation at 60
Fig. 6 Rebound (recovered) strain percent for different mixes.
minutes and results are given in Table 4 and Fig. 6. The trend

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

one but larger value indicates that the mix is more sensitive to
moisture damage. The mix prepared with upper gradation
3. Creep Test on Conditioned Specimens (finer) and PMB-40 has lowest value of CR but the mix
As mentioned earlier, static creep test was also conducted prepared with lower gradation (coarser) and VG-30 has the
on specimen after conditioning them for 24 hrs at 60 oC. The highest value of (CR).
creep behaviour of conditioned specimen is presented in Fig.
1.40
7. Here also, the mixes with PMB-40 showed better
1.35
performance. However, the performance of conditioned
specimens is substantially different from that of unconditioned 1.30

specimens. The most effected are the mixes prepared with 1.25

Creep Ratio
VG-30. The mix prepared with upper gradation had the lowest
1.20
creep deformation and the mix prepared with lower gradation
shows the highest creep deformation. Fig. 8 compares 1.15

between the conditioned and unconditioned specimens based 1.10

on their rutting potential.
1.05

25000 1.00
Lower gradation Middle gradation Upper gradation Lower gradation Middle gradation Upper gradation

PMB-40 VG-30
20000
Type of mix
Accumulated microstrain

15000
Fig. 9 Creep ratio for different mixes

10000
D.Comparison between moisture evaluate tests
5000
BLP BLV BMP To quantify the effect of conditioning on moisture
BMV BUP BUV susceptibility of a mix, three parameters are used in this study.
0
These are percent reduction in ITS, Marshall stability and
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 percent increase in static creep. As given by following
Time (Second) Equations:

Fig. 7 Conditioned creep behaviour of bitumen concrete (BC) mixes. Unconditioned value  Conditioned value
(2)
% Reduction in ITS *100
Unconditioned value

20000 Unconditioned value  Conditioned value

% Reduction in stability *100 (3)
18000 Lower gradation Middle gradation Upper gradation Unconditioned value
Permanent deformation (microstrain)

16000
Conditioned value  Unconditioned value
14000 % Increase in creep
Conditioned value
*100 (4)
12000

10000 The effects of the method of evaluation on the moisture

8000 damage in mixes prepared using different aggregate gradation
6000 and binders are shown in Fig. 10. This figure indicates that the
4000 retained stability is least affected by the aggregate grading but
2000 the creep is most sensitive to moisture susceptibility in case of
0 modified binder while the ITS is more in case of unmodified
Control conditioned Control conditioned binder. In general, the percent change in creep, stability and
PMB-40 VG-30 ITS due to conditioning of specimen in PMB-40 is less than
Type of mix
VG-30. This can be explained by the fact that the binder with
Fig. 8 Permanent deformation after 60 minutes of static loading for
high viscosity is more resistance to stripping and the amount
different mixes. of absorbed asphalt in mixes prepared using high viscosity
binder is higher than in mixes prepared with low viscosity
In order to quantify the effect of conditioning on rutting binder [2]. The higher amount of absorbed asphalt in case of
(permanent deformation) potential of a mix, a parameter PMB-40 improved the mechanical bond between asphalt and
called Creep Ratio (CR) is introduced in this study. It is aggregate, and hence improved the environmental damage
defined in a manner similar to tensile strength ratio and is as resistance leading to less increase in creep deformation.
defined earlier in (1). The CR values for the different mixes Another reason behind better stripping resistance of HMA
are shown in Fig. 9. The CR value will always be more than prepared using PMB-40 asphalt is the higher softening point

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 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 72 2012

of PMB-40 which enables the asphalt to keep better adhesion [7] Kandhal, P., (1992), "Moisture Susceptibility of HMA Mixes:
Identification of Problem and Recommended solutions", NCAT Report
with the aggregate as the mix is exposed to high temperature No. 92-1. National Center for Asphalt Technology, pp.11.
during conditioning [1]. [8] Kanitpong, K. and Bahia, H.U. (2003)," Evaluation of the Extent of
HMA Moisture Damage on Wisconsin as it Relates to Pavement
30.00
Performance", Final Report No. WHRP 03-07, University of Wisconsin-
% Increase in creep Madison.
% Increase or decrease due to conditioned

25.00 % Reduction in stability [9] Kumar, P., Chandra, S. and Bose, S., (2006)," Strength Characteristics of
% Reduction in ITS Polymer Modified Mixes". International Journal of Pavement
20.00 Engineering (IJPE), Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 63–71.
[10] Mc Gennis, R. B., Anderson, R. M., Kennedy, T. W. and Solaimanian,
15.00 M. (1994), "Background of Superpave Asphalt Mixture Design and
Analysis". Report SA-95-003. Federal Highway Administration, U.S.
10.00 Department of Transportation
[11] Pan, C., L., and White, T. (1999), "Conditions for Stripping Using
5.00 Accelerated Testing". FHWA/IN/JTRP-97/13 HPR-2068. Indiana
Department of Transportation.
0.00 [12] Roberts, F. L., Kandhal, P. S., Brown, E. R., Lee, D., and Kennedy, T.,
Lower gradation Middle Upper gradation Lower gradation Middle Upper gradation (1996), “Hot Mix Asphalt Materials, Mixtures, Design, and
gradation gradation Construction” NAPA Education Foundation, Lanham, Maryland.
PMB-40 VG-30 Second Edition, pp. 241-250.
Type of mix

Fig. 10 Effect of test method on moisture susceptibility. Haider Habeeb Aodah is an Iraqi nation, received school
education from Jamhoriah high school in July 1992. He entered
VII. CONCLUSION Basra University, Basra, Iraq in September 1992, and received
a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Civil Engineering
Six types of mixes made with combination of three in June 1997. In February 2001 he was enrolled in the
aggregate gradation and two binders are evaluated for their Department of Civil Engineering at Jordan University of
moisture susceptibility. The results indicate that the mix Science and Technology, Jordan, and received his Master in Transportation in
March 2004. In June 2004 he joined Thiqar University in Iraq as Lecture
prepared by using PMB-40 has the best performance on
Assistant in Civil Engineering department. Currently he is a research scholar
moisture susceptibility. Marshall stability value for PMB-40 in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Roorkee (India). Email:
mix is higher than those for VG-30 mixes. The retained [email protected].
stability is least affected by the aggregate grading but the
Yassir Nashaat A. Kareem is an Iraqi nation, received
creep is most sensitive to moisture susceptibility in case of
school education from Ghalbia School, in July 2001. He
modified binder while the ITS is more in case of unmodified entered Technology University, Baghdad, Iraq in
binder. It means the percent increase in creep is a better September 2001, and received a Bachelor of Science
parameter to evaluate the moisture damage in mixes. Further, degree with a major in Civil Engineering in August 2005.
In June 2009 he was enrolled in the Department of Civil
the mix prepared with upper gradation (finer) and PMB-40 Engineering at IIT Roorkee (India), and received his Master in Transportation
has lowest value of creep ratio and higher value of percent in June 2011. Currently he is a Teacher assistant with the Civil Engendering
rebound strain but the mix prepared with lower gradation Department, Diyala University, Iraq. Email: [email protected].
(coarser) and VG-30 has the highest value of creep ratio and Satish Chandra is currently Professor in the Department of
lower value of rebound strain. Civil Engineering at IIT Roorkee (India) and is actively
involved in research in the area of traffic flow modeling and
REFERENCES highway materials. He has published more than 90 research
papers in national and international journals and about 50
[1] Abo-Qudais, S. A, (2007) “The effects of environmental damage papers in conference proceedings. He has completed several
evaluation techniques on the prediction of environmental damage in
research projects, guided 12 Ph. D. and 80 M. Tech dissertations. He has
asphalt mixtures”. Science Direct, building and environmental journal
authored two books on Engineering Graphics and Railway Engineering.
U.K, volume 42, pp 288 – 296.
Email: [email protected]
[2] Abo-Qudais, S. A and Haider Al-Shweily (2007) “Effect of
Antistripping Additives on Environmental Damage of Bituminous
Mixtures”. Science Direct, building and environmental journal U.K,
volume 42, pp 2929 – 2938.
[3] Brown, E.R. and Bassett, C.E., (1989) "The Effects of Maximum
Aggregate Size on Properties of Asphalt Aggregate Mixes", Report
submitted to Highway Research Center, Harbert Engineering, Auburn
University, Alabama.
[4] Cominsky, R., Leahy, R. B. and Harrigan, E. T., (1994), " Level One
Mix Design: Material Selection, Compaction, and Conditioning". Report
SHRP-A-408. Strategic Highway Research Program, National Research
Council. USA.
[5] Eliana, P. and John E.P. (2006)," HMA Pavement Performance and
Durability" Joint Transportation Research Program, School of Civil
Engineering, Purdue University, USA. Pp.7.
[6] IS 73 (2006), "Paving Bitumen Specifications", Indian Standards
Institution, New Delhi, India.

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