Laboratory Investigation of Stone Matrix Asphalt Mixes Using Different Fibres

Abstract

The concept of Stone Matrix asphalt which is also known as Stone Mastic Asphalt is used in Germany for the first time in 1960. The Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) is a mixture of gap-graded mix. SMA contain high coarse aggregate, fibre additives (may be natural or artificial) as stabilizers and high binder content. In this research work, the engineering properties of the SMA mix prepared with and without fibre has been studied. Also, the suitability of SMA mix in high temperature has been checked. The fibres used for this project is cellulose fibre. This project work was done for checking the suitability of cellulose fibre as stabilizer in the SMA mixture and to find out the stability and flow parameters of SMA and to find out these properties of SMA, various tests in laboratory was conducted. According to IRC-SP-79:2008 specification, the aggregate gradation is taken for the stone matrix asphalt mix and the binder content is varied as 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, 7% by weight of aggregates and fibre used is at optimum fibre content i.e. at 0.3% and 0.5% by weight of aggregate. Here binder used is VG 30 grade bitumen and filler used is stone dust.