Site Exploration

1
Meeting
Aggregate - Asphalt Partnership
2
When should this partnership Start?

• Before either partner submits a bid, there has to
  be an understanding on several issues
• Sizes and physical properties of the rock itself
  needed for the project.
• Estimated quantities of materials which will be
  needed for the project.
• When will the materials be needed, and what is
  the expected schedule for the project.
• What tolerances will be acceptable, by fraction,
  for the project.
• What materials of this type have been produced on
  previous projects.
• Price

3
Buying Aggregates is like buying shoes!

• The Two Key Factors are
• The Size (Gradation)
• The Style (Quality)
• You wouldnt wear Tennis Shoes to a Wedding.
• You wouldnt buy a size 8 if you needed a size
  12.
• Both requirements are needed to select the right
  aggregate for the job!

4
Have a post acceptance meeting!

• Confirm the expectations of both parties
• Contractors expectation on
• Timing stockpiling
• Materials expected
• Testing Frequency and methodology
• Communications test results
• How will material problems be resolved
• Quarry expectations on
• Timing and delivery
• Materials expected
• Point of Transfer for control of the material
• Communications test results
• Notification of addition production of aggregate
  fractions or other changes during the project.

5
Specific Gravity

• Simply stated how many times heavier a solid is
  than water (water 62.4 lbs / cu.).
• Types of Specific Gravity
• Bulk Specific Gravity A / (B C)
• Bulk SSD Specific Gravity B / (B C)
• Apparent Specific Gravity A / (A C)
  Mineralogical
• Where
• A Dry Wt. In Air
• B SSD Wt. In Air
• C SSD Wt. In Water

6
Phunque Specific Gravity
Method uses either a fine or coarse aggregate
flask. Recently developed by the NMDOT Materials
Engineer.
7
Aggregate Shape and what it really means

• In each of the above cases, the rocks will fall
  through the ¾ sieve and be retained on the ½
  sieve.
• The size of the ½ rock on the right is over
  twice as large as the ½ rock on the left.
• The angularity will also cause placement problems
  and changes in VMA.

8
Particle Shape
9
Sand Equivalent / Clay Sized Particles

• This test reflects all clay sized particles.
• It does not make any judgment on their
  composition!

10
Methylene Blue Method

• Two Methods currently used
• ASTM C-837
• BSi 9339
• Methylene Blue reagent is then added in
  increments until the clay minerals present reach
  total saturation and a halo shows.

11
Methylene Blue Test Paper

• When a light Blue halo is visible around the
  central blue drop, the threshold limit is met and
  recorded.

12
The material fractions needed for the mix design.

• How to create a successful Mix design?
• Find out what the Quarry will actually be able to
  consistently produce.
• Will the plant be able to replicate the product
  produced for the mix design later in the year.
• Determine the amount of break-down from the
  quarry to the plant site.
• Quantify all the physical properties.

With these items factored in, the designed mix
should work in the field.
13
Continuous Communications.

• Ongoing Communications are critical for the
  success of the project
• How are we comparing on testing data.
• How much of each mix remains to be made placed.
• How is the paving schedule tracking against the
  expected plan.
• Any needed adjustments to the fractions to be
  produced.
• Always keep a notes journal as a memory tool
  throughout the project.

14
Questions ?