SPECIFICATION FOR BITUMINOUS MACADAM

1. INTRODUCTION:
Bitumen Macadam (BM) is a widely used road construction material that
serves as an intermediate course in flexible pavements. It is a bituminous-
bound mixture consisting of aggregates and a specified percentage of bitumen,
designed to provide structural strength, durability, and stability to road
[Link] type of construction is known for its versatility, cost-
effectiveness, and ease of application, making it a preferred choice for
highways, rural roads, and urban streets. Bitumen macadam is generally laid in
layers, ensuring proper compaction and uniform thickness to withstand traffic
loads and environmental [Link] mixture is carefully graded to ensure the
desired density and void ratio, which contribute to its load distribution
properties and resistance to deformation. It acts as a base or binder course that
provides adequate support to the wearing course, enhancing the overall
performance and longevity of the [Link] macadam is a reliable
solution for road construction projects, offering a balance of strength and
flexibility essential for the dynamic loads experienced in modern transportation
networks.

2. SCOPE:
2.1 This specification deals with the basic outline for the design, construction and
controls needed while laying bituminous macadam course for highways.
2.2 Bituminous macadam (BM) shall consist of mineral aggregate and appropriate
binder, mixed in a hot mix plant and laid with a mechanized paver. It is an
open graded mixture suitable for base course. It is laid in a single course or in
a multiple layers on a previously prepared base. Thickness of the single layer
shall be 50 mm to 100 mm.
2.3 Since the bituminous macadam is an open-graded mixture there is a potential
that it may trap water or moisture vapour within the pavement system.
Therefore, providing proper drainage outlet to the BM layer should be
considered to prevent moisture-induce damage to the BM and adjacent
bituminous layers.
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3. MATERIALS:
3.1.1 The bitumen shall be viscosity graded paving bitumen complying with Indian
Standard Specification for paving bitumen, IS:73. The grade of bitumen to be
used would depend upon the climatic conditions and the traffic. Guidelines for
selection of viscosity grade of paving grade bitumen are given in Tables 1.1
and 1.2.
3.1.2 Both the highest daily mean air temperature and the lowest daily mean air
temperature mentioned in Table 1.2 can be obtained for the weather station
nearest to the project site from the Indian Metrological Organization (IMO).
The IMO has data on daily mean high temperature for all 365 days in a year
for all weather stations based on historical records on the last 30-40 or more
years. This daily mean high temperature on a specific day is the same as daily
“normal” high temperature for that day as usually reported in some
newspapers. The highest of the 365 daily mean high air temperatures (which
usually occurs on some day in May or June) is used in Table 1.2. Likewise, the
lowest daily mean air temperature (which usually occurs on some day in
January) can also be obtained form the IMO. Since these are mean high
temperatures based on the average of 30-40 years data, these temperatures are
significantly lower than, the absolute maximum temperatures, which may have
occurred in a specific year.
Table 1.1 Viscosity Graded (VG) bitumen and their General Applications
Viscosity Grade (VG) General Applications
VG-40 (40-60 penetration) Use in highly stressed areas such as those in
intersections, near toll booths, and truck
parking toll in lieu of old 30-40 penetration
grade.
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Viscosity Grade (VG) General Applications

VG-30 (50-60 penetration) Use of paving in most of India in lieu of old
60/70 penetration grade.
VG-30 (50-60 penetration) Use of paving in most of India in lieu of old
60/70 penetration grade
VG-20 (60-80 penetration) Use in cold climatic, high altitude regions of
North India
VG-10 (80-100 penetration) Use in spraying applications such as surface
dressing and paving in very cold climatic
region in lieu of old 80/10 penetration grade

Highest Daily Mean Air Temperature, C

Lowest Daily Mean Less than 20 C 20 to 30 C More than 30 C
Air Temperature, C
More than -10 C VG-10 VG-20 VG-30
-10 C or lower VG-10 VG-10 VG-20

3.2.1 The coarse aggregate shall consist of crushed rock, crushed gravel or other
gravel or other hard material retained on 2.36mm sieve. It shall be clean, hard,
durable and cubical shape, free from dust and soft organic and other
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deleterious substances. The aggregate shall satisfy and physical requirements

specified in Table 2.
Property Test Requirement Test method
Cleanliness Grain size analysis Max. 5% passing IS 2386 Part I
0.075 micron
Particle shape Flakiness & Max. 40% IS 2386 Part I
Elongation Index
(combined)
Strength * Los Angeles Max. 40% IS 2386 Part IV
Abrasion Value
Aggregate Impact Max. 30% IS 2386 Part IV
Value
Durability Soundness (Sodium or Magnesium), 5 cycles
Sodium Sulphate Max. 12% IS 2386 Part V
Magnesium Max. 18% IS 2386 Part V
Sulphate
Water absorption Water absorption Max. 2% IS 2386 Part III
Stripping ** Coating and Min Retained IS 6241
Stripping of Coating 95%
Bitumen Aggregate
Note:
* The coarse aggregate may satisfy either of the two strength tests.
** If the coarse aggregate fails this test, 2% hydrated lime shall be used in the
mix.
3.2.2 Where crushed gravel is proposed for use as aggregate, not less than 90% by
weight of the crushed material retained on 4.75 mm sieve shall have at least
two fractured faces resulting from crushing operation.
3.3 FINE AGGREGATE:
Fine aggregate shall consist of crushed or naturally occurring mineral material,
or a combination of two, passing 2.36 mm sieve and retained on 75 micron
sieve. It shall be clean, hard, durable, free from dust and soft organic and other
deleterious substances. The amount of rounded, natural sand in the total fine
aggregate shall be limited to 10% if the BM is used within 100mm from the
road surface and to 50% if the BM is used more than 100 mm below the road
surface.

3.4 AGGREGATE GRADING AND BITUMEN CONTENT:

3.4.1 The combined grading of the coarse aggregate and fine aggregate, when tested
in accordance with IS 2386 Part I, wet sieving method, shall conform to limits
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given in Table 3. The type and quantity of bitumen and appropriate thickness is also
given in Table 3.
Grading 1 2
Nominal maximum aggregate size* 40 mm 19 mm
Layer thickness 80-100 mm 50-75 mm
IS Sieve size (mm) Cumulative % by weight of total
aggregate passing
45 100
37.5 90-100
26.5 75-100 100
19 - 90-100
13.2 35-61 56-88
4.75 13-22 16-36
2.36 4-19 4-19
0.3 2-10 2-10
0.075 0-8 0-8
Bitumen content ** 3.3 3.4
* Nominal maximum aggregate size is one size larger than the first sieve, which retains
more than 10% material.
0
** For regions where highest daily mean air temperature is 30 C or lower and lowest daily
0
mean air temperature is -10 C or lower, the bitumen content may be increased by as
much as 0.5%.
3.4.2 The combined aggregate grading shall not vary from the lower limit on one sieve to
the higher limit on the adjacent sieve to avoid gap grading. The aggregate may be
proportioned and blended to produce a uniform mix complying with the requirements
in Table 3.

4.0 Design of JOB MIX for 50mm thick Bituminous Macadam (BM)
(i) Gradation for 50mm Thick BM:

Sieve Nominal Size of Aggregate and Blend with Specified

Size(mm) Percentage Passing Proportion Grading
A/20mm B/10mm C/6mm D/Stone A : B: C:
Dust D/[Link]
26.5 100 - - 100 100

19.0 81.6 - - 94.48 90-100

13.2 21.7 100 100 100 76.51 56-88

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4.75 8.2 25.1 52.7 96.4 34.06 16-36

2.36 - 7.6 17.2 85.6 15.52 4-19

300 micron - - 8.4 53.6 7.46 2-10

75 micron - - 3.6 15.2 2.42 0-8

Unit 1330 1375 1410 1620

Wt.(Kg/m )
3

(Ii) Properties of the mix of Optimum Bitumen Content:

(a) Grade of Bitumen = VG-30

(b) Percent Optimum Bitumen Content
(i) By Weight of Aggregate= 3.63 Percent
(ii) By Weight of Total Mix= 3.50 percent
(c) Marshall Stability Value= 860Kg
(d) Flow Value=3.0 mm (12.0)
(e) Bulk Density= 2.20gm/cc

(iii)Requirement of Bitumen for the above Mix (100 Sq. m. Area)

(a) Using 3.5% Bitumen by Wt. of Total mix=385 kg

(b) Tack Coat as specified.
(iii) Requirement of Material for 100m2 Area having thickness 50mm BM

SI. No. Type of Materials Quantities(m3)

A 20.0 mm 2.394
B 10.0 mm 2.702
C 6.0 mm 1.882
D Stone Dust 0.655
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