DPWH Standards
Specifications
Item 200 · 201
Engr. Avylmar M. Manio
DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT STRUCTURE
Item 310
Item 201
Item 200
DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Item 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT STRUCTURE
Item 310
Item 201
Item 200
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
This item refers to the structural sub-layer material of a roadway placed directly on top of the subgrade to
provide a strong foundation to support the pavement.
• Material Requirements
- Consists of hard, durable particles or fragments of crushed stone, crushed slag, or crushed natural
gravel and filler of natural or crushed sand or finely divided mineral filler.
a. Gradation: Important to achieve maximum contact between particles and ensure that the subbase
material is watertight.
Table 200.1 Grading Requirements
Sieve Designation
Mass Percent Passing
Standard, mm Alternate US Standard
50 2” 100
25 1” 55 – 85
9.5 3/8” 40 – 75
0.075 No. 200 0 – 12
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
Coarse-grained Soil
Fine-grained Soil
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Material Requirements
a. Gradation: Fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve 0.66 (two thirds) of the fraction
passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
b. Atterberg Limits:
LIQUID LIMIT (LL): Moisture content of the soil at which it changes from plastic to liquid
state. Higher LL indicates poor / weaker soil as engineering materials.
PLASTIC LIMIT (PL): Moisture content of the soil at which it changes from semi-solid to
plastic state.
PLASTICITY INDEX (PI): Range of moisture content over which the soil remains plastic.
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Material Requirements
b. Atterberg Limits:
Fine Sand and Fine-Grained Soil: Fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
Liquid Limit (LL) 35
Plasticity Index (PI = LL – PL) 12
as determined by AASHTO T 89 and T 90
c. Mass Percent of Wear of Coarse Aggregates by Los Angeles Abrasion Test:
Determines the hardness of coarse aggregates. Low mass percent of wear indicates good
quality of coarse aggregates
Coarse Sand: Retained on a 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve
Mass Percent of Wear 50
d. Soaked CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Value at Maximum Dry Density:
Determines the bearing capacity of soil
Soaked CBR 30% as determined by AASHTO T 193
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Construction Requirements
a. Preparation of Existing Surface
- Check the subgrade if graded and finished in accordance with the plans and specs prior to placing of
aggregate subbase material
b. Placing, Spreading and Compacting
- Aggregate subbase material shall be placed at a uniform mixture per required compacted layer on a
prepared subgrade.
- Blue top staking for every 20-m interval for is placed as a guide for the required elevation or vertical control
reference alongside of the roadway.
- Spreading and compacting is conducted by layer. Maximum compacted thickness per layer shall not exceed
200 mm. as per DO No. 70, s. 2016 – Adoption of Compacted Thickness of 200 mm in Item 200 – Aggregate
Subbase Course and Item 201 – Aggregate Base Course in Concrete and Asphalt Paving Works of National
Roads
- Where the required thickness is more than 200 mm, the aggregate subbase shall be spread and compacted
into two (2) or more layers of approximately equal thickness and the maximum compacted thickness of any
one (1) layer shall not exceed 200 mm
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Construction Requirements
b. Placing, Spreading and Compacting
- The moisture content of subbase material shall, if necessary be adjusted prior to compaction by watering
with approved sprinkler-mounted trucks or by drying out, as required in order to obtain the required degree of
compaction.
- Compaction must be done on the full width of the subbase course using vibratory road roller or tandem
roller with at least ten (10) metric tons capacity. Rolling shall progress from sides to the center, parallel to the
centerline of the road.
- On curbs, headers and walls and all places inaccessible to the roller, the subbase materials shall be
compacted thoroughly with approved tampers or compactors.
- Compaction of each layer shall continue until the Degree of Compaction of at least 100% is attained by
conducting Field Density Test (FDT) in accordance with AASHTO T 191.
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
Compacting of the prepared Agreggate Subbase Course Conduct of Field Density Test (FDT)
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Construction Requirements
c. Trial Sections
- To check the suitability of materials and efficiency of the equipment and construction method proposed by
the contractor prior to start of construction.
- One trial section of about 500 sq. m shall be made of every type of material and/or construction
equipment/procedure.
d. Tolerances
- Check the allowable tolerances prior to the start of succeeding structural layer.
Permitted variation from design ± 20 mm
THICKNESS OF LAYER
Permitted variation from design + 10 mm
LEVEL OF SURFACE - 20 mm
Permitted SURFACE IRREGULARITY
Measured by 3-m straight-edge 20 mm
Crossfall or camber SURFACE
Permitted variation from design Crown
CROSSFALL OR CAMBER ± 0.3%
Permitted variation from design THICKNESS
LONGITUDINAL GRADE over 25 m in length ± 0.1%
ITEM 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
• Method of Measurement
Aggregate subbase course will be measured by cubic meter. The quantity to be paid shall be the design
volume compacted in-place as shown on plans, and accepted in the completed course.
DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Item 201 – Aggregate Base Course
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT STRUCTURE
Item 310
Item 201
Item 200
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
This item refers to the load-carrying layer and provides the structural capacity to the surface layer by carrying
the load and distributing it to the underlying soil.
• Difference between Aggregate Base Course and Aggregate Subbase Course
- Aggregate Subbase Course: a structural layer which has higher compressive strength than the
subgrade, thus reduces the deformation of the pavement under traffic loading.
- Aggregate Base Course: reduces the compressive stress induced by traffic on the subbase course
and subgrade.
- The aggregate subbase course is made of materials with lower load bearing capacity. On the
other hand, aggregate base course is made of high quality materials with a higher load bearing
capacity.
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
This item refers to the load-carrying layer and provides the structural capacity to the surface layer by carrying
the load and distributing it to the underlying soil.
• In some areas where the conventional base course materials are scarce or not available, the use of 40%
weathered limestone blended with 60% crushed stones or gravel shall be allowed, provided that the
blended materials meet the requirements of this Item
• If filler, in addition to that naturally present, is necessary to meet the grading requirements or satisfactory
bonding, it shall be uniformly blended with the base course material on the road or in a pugmill unless
otherwise specified or approved sources, shall be free hard lumps and shall not contain more than 15
percent material retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 40) sieve.
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
This item refers to the load-carrying layer and provides the structural capacity to the surface layer by carrying
the load and distributing it to the underlying soil.
Table 201.1 Grading Requirements
• Material Requirements
Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing
- Consists of hard, durable particles Standard, mm Alternate US
Grading A Grading B
or fragments of crushed stone, Standard
crushed slag, or crushed natural 50 2” 100
gravel and filler of natural or 37.5 1-1/2” - 100
crushed sand or finely divided
25 1” 60 – 85 -
mineral filler.
19 ¾” - 60 – 85
12.5 ½” 35 – 65 -
4.75 No. 4 20 – 50 30 - 55
0.425 No. 40 5 – 20 8 – 25
0.075 No. 200 0 – 12 2 – 14
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Material Requirements
- a. Gradation: Fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve 0.66 (two thirds) of the fraction
passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
b. Atterberg Limits:
LIQUID LIMIT (LL): Moisture content of the soil at which it changes from plastic to liquid
state. Higher LL indicates poor / weaker soil as engineering materials.
PLASTIC LIMIT (PL): Moisture content of the soil at which it changes from semi-solid to
plastic state.
PLASTICITY INDEX (PI): Range of moisture content over which the soil remains plastic.
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Material Requirements
b. Atterberg Limits:
Fine Sand and Fine-Grained Soil: Fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
Liquid Limit (LL) 25
Plasticity Index (PI = LL – PL) 6
as determined by AASHTO T 89 and T 90
c. Mass Percent of Wear of Coarse Aggregates by Los Angeles Abrasion Test:
Determines the hardness of coarse aggregates. Low mass percent of wear indicates good
quality of coarse aggregates
Coarse Sand: Retained on a 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve
Mass Percent of Wear 50
d. Soaked CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Value at Maximum Dry Density:
Determines the bearing capacity of soil
Soaked CBR 80% as determined by AASHTO T 193
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Construction Requirements
a. Preparation of Existing Surface
- Check the existing surface if graded and finished in accordance with the plans and specs prior to placing of
aggregate base material
b. Placing, Spreading and Compacting
- Aggregate base material shall be placed at a uniform mixture per required compacted layer on a prepared
existing surface.
- Spreading and compacting is conducted by layer. Maximum compacted thickness per layer shall not exceed
200 mm. as per DO No. 70, s. 2016 – Adoption of Compacted Thickness of 200 mm in Item 200 – Aggregate
Subbase Course and Item 201 – Aggregate Base Course in Concrete and Asphalt Paving Works of National
Roads
- Where the required thickness is more than 200 mm, the aggregate base shall be spread and compacted into
two (2) or more layers of approximately equal thickness and the maximum compacted thickness of any one
(1) layer shall not exceed 200 mm
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Construction Requirements
b. Placing, Spreading and Compacting
- The moisture content of subbase material shall, if necessary be adjusted prior to compaction by watering
with approved sprinkler-mounted trucks or by drying out, as required in order to obtain the required degree of
compaction.
- Compaction must be done on the full width of the base course using vibratory road roller or tandem roller
with at least ten (10) metric tons capacity. Rolling shall progress from sides to the center, parallel to the
centerline of the road.
- On curbs, headers and walls and all places inaccessible to the roller, the base materials shall be compacted
thoroughly with approved tampers or compactors.
- Compaction of each layer shall continue until the Degree of Compaction of at least 100% is attained by
conducting Field Density Test (FDT) in accordance with AASHTO T 191.
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
Compacting of the prepared Agreggate Base Course Conduct of Field Density Test (FDT)
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Construction Requirements
c. Trial Sections
- To check the suitability of materials and efficiency of the equipment and construction method proposed by
the contractor prior to start of construction.
- One trial section of about 500 sq. m shall be made of every type of material and/or construction
equipment/procedure.
d. Tolerances
- Check the allowable tolerances prior to the start of succeeding structural layer.
Permitted variation from design ± 10 mm
THICKNESS OF LAYER
Permitted variation from design + 5 mm
LEVEL OF SURFACE - 10 mm
SURFACE
Permitted SURFACE IRREGULARITY Crossfall or camber Crown
Measured by 3-m straight-edge 5 mm THICKNESS
Permitted variation from design
CROSSFALL OR CAMBER ± 0.2%
Permitted variation from design
LONGITUDINAL GRADE over 25 m in length ± 0.1%
ITEM 201 – Aggregate Base Course
• Method of Measurement
Aggregate subbase course will be measured by cubic meter. The quantity to be paid shall be the design
volume compacted in-place as shown on plans, and accepted in the completed course.
DPWH Department Orders and Memorandum
Item 200 – Aggregate Subbase Course
Item 201 – Aggregate Base Course
Department Order No. 70, Series of 2016
Adoption of Compacted Thickness of 200 mm in Item 200 – Aggregate
Subbase Course and Item 201 – Aggregate Base Course in Concrete and
Asphalt Paving Works of National Roads
PURPOSE:
To ensure the efficient utilization of equipment and manpower resources in the
implementation of various DPWH infrastructure projects.
APPLICATIONS
The use of 40% weathered limestone blended with 60% crushed stones or gravel is allowed
provided that the blended materials meet the requirements of Item 201, Aggregate Base
Course of the 1988 DPWH Standard Specifications for Highways, Bridges and Airports,
Volume II.
Department Order No. 95, Series of 1991
Use of Weathered Limestone (Anapog) as Blending Materials for Base
Course (Item 201)
PURPOSE:
To maximize the use of locally available and good quality weathered limestone and to avoid
delays in the road construction arising from scarcity/non-availability of conventional base
course materials in some areas.
Henceforth, it is prescribed that the maximum compacted thickness per layer for both
aggregate subbase and base courses (Item 200 and 201) shall be 200 mm, to be spread and
compacted in one layer using vibratory roller equipment with at least ten (10) metric tons
capacity, until the required field (in-situ) density of at least 100% of the prescribed maximum
dry density is attained.
Department Order No. 25, Series of 1986
Adequate Compaction of Subgrade, Subbase and Base Course
PURPOSE:
To deter/prevent the early and rapid deterioration of completed roads
Adequate Compaction of Soil Structure will result in the following:
• Minimal future settlement
• Greater stability, thus reducing danger of slips
• Greater resistance to water absorption, or minimal change in water content
To have Effective Adequate Compaction on Soil Materials:
• The required number and kind of compaction equipment should be at the right time and
right place.
• Strictly follow the specified laying thickness of the soil materials
• Attained the required degree of compaction and observe the proper construction methods in
spreading, laying and compaction.
DPWH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Item 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT STRUCTURE
Item 310
Item 201
Item 200
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
This item is described as “flexible pavement” and able to deflect instead of cracking (rigid pavement) when
subjected to stresses caused by traffic and change in weather condition.
The tensile strength of an asphalt pavement enables its resistance to displacement and its flexibility to
conform to minor irregularities of the base without failure.
It is composed of hot-mix combination of asphalt cement (5 - 8%), crushed stone and fine sand (92 – 95%)
and air voids (3 – 5 %). The exact composition (percentage) to be used is established by “Job-Mix Formula”.
• Material Requirements
a. Bituminous Material
- Penetration Grade Asphalt Cement
b. Aggregates
c. Mineral Filler
d. Hydrated Lime
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Materials Requirements
o Composition and Quality of Bituminous Mixture
- Job-Mix Formula: Composition of bituminous mixture (aggregate, mineral filler, hydrated lime and
bituminous material) shall be submitted by the Contractor at least three weeks prior to production
- Range of tolerances for the asphalt mixture:
Passing No. 4 and larger sieves ± 7 percent
Passing No. 8 to No. 100 sieves (inclusive) ± 4 percent
Passing No. 200 sieve ± 2 percent
Bituminous Material ± 0.4 percent
Temperature of the Mixture ± 10°C
- Minimum compressive strength of the mixture: 1.4 MPa (200 psi)
- Index of Retained Strength (IRS) 70 percent
Result from Immersion-Compression Test
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Materials Requirements
o Proportioning of Mixture
- Bituminous material: 5.0 to 8.0 %
- Aggregates: 92.0 to 95.0 %
- Air voids: 3.0 to 5.0 %
- Hydrated lime: 0.5 to 1.0 %
• Construction Requirements
1. Weather Limitations: Mix shall not be placed on any wet surface, or when weather conditions would
prevent the proper handling or finishing of the bituminous mixture.
2. Conditioning of Existing Surface: Before placing the bituminous mixture, the existing surface shall be
cleaned of loose or deleterious material by brooming or other approved means.
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Construction Requirements
3. Preparation of Bituminous Material and Aggregates: Bituminous material shall be heated so as to
avoid local overheating and provide continuous supply of the bituminous material to the mixer at a
uniform temperature, to achieve:
Kinematic viscosity: range of 150 – 300 sq.mm per sec
Asphalt Cement Heating temperature: Not greater than 159°C (320°F)
4. Mixing: The dried aggregates and the bituminous material shall be measured or gauged and
introduced to the mixer in the amount specified by the job-mix formula.
5. Application of Bituminous Prime Coat (Item 301) or Bituminous Tack Coat (Item 302)
Prime Coat: application of thin bituminous material to a porous base before spreading of
surface course.
Tack Coat: application of liquid asphalt on an existing pavement and is used as an aid in
bonding a new pavement surface to the existing pavement surface.
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Construction Requirements
5. Application of Bituminous Prime Coat (Item 301) or Bituminous Tack Coat (Item 302)
Prime Coat: Rate of application: 1 to 2 liters per sq. m
Extend the prime coat at least 1 ft beyond the edge of the surface on each side.
It shall be left undisturbed for a period of at least 24 hours and shall not be
opened to traffic until it has penetrated and cured sufficiently.
Observe the time of penetration of the prime coat starting from the time of
application. If the base absorbs all of the prime coat material within 1 to 3 hours,
the penetration is too shallow and a second application of prime coat is needed.
Tack Coat: Rate of application: 0.2 to 0.7 liters per sq. m
It shall be sprayed in advance on the surface course as will permit it to dry to a
“tacky” condition.
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
Cleaning of the Existing Surface Application of Tack Coat
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Construction Requirements
5. Spreading and Mixing: The Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) shall be spread and distributed to the grade
and elevation in accordance to the approved plans by means of an Asphalt Paver over the entire width
or partial width of the paving surface.
The longitudinal joint in one (1) layer shall offset that in the layer immediately below
approximately 15 cm (6 inches)
The mixture shall be placed at a temperature 107°C (225°F).
6. Compaction: Immediately after the mixture has been spread, struck off and surface irregularities
adjusted, it shall be thoroughly and uniformly compacted by rollers.
Rolling shall begin at the sides and proceeds longitudinally parallel toward the road
centerline, each trip overlapping ½ the roller width, gradually progressing to the crown of the
road.
On superelevated curves, rolling shall begin at the low side and progress to the high side
overlapping of longitudinal trips parallel to the center line.
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
Checking of Laying Temperature of Asphalt Mix Spreading of Asphalt Mix Using Asphalt Paver
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
Compaction of Asphalt Mix Using Tandem Vibratory Roller Compaction of Asphalt Mix Using Pneumatic Tire Roller
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Acceptance, Sampling and Testing
The contractor shall cut full depth samples from the finished pavement for testing.
Size of core sample: at least 150 mm x 150 mm or 100 mm dia. Full depth
No. of core sample: at least one (1), but not more than three (3) samples taken for each
full day’s operation;
if no core samples were taken during the day’s operation, core
samples from the completed pavement for every 100 l.m per lane.
The samples obtained will be used to measure:
Thickness of the pavement: tolerance of -5 mm
Density of the compacted pavement: 97 mass percent of the density of a laboratory specimen
tolerance of 2%
If the deficiency in the core thickness is more than 5 mm, additional layer may be permitted in order to
meet the design thickness which should not be less than 50 mm.
ITEM 310 – Bituminous Concrete Surface Course, Hot-Laid
• Surface Tolerances
Using a 3-m straight-edge, the surface shall be checked and variation of the surface from the testing
edge shall not exceed 6 mm.
Checking of asphalt pavement surface using 3-m straight edge Completed Asphalt Pavement
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