Determination of Indirect Tensile Strength of Bituminous Concrete Mix Prepared Using Stone Dust and Cement as Filler Materials

Abstract

Pavement engineers are too much concerned about the tensile properties of bituminous mix because of the problems associated with cracking. Hence tensile strength of bituminous concrete mix is important in pavement applications. The indirect tensile strength test is used to assess the tensile properties of the bituminous mix. The present research work, essentially emphasize to study the effect of filler materials, test temperature on the tensile properties and moisture susceptibility characteristics of bituminous concrete mix prepared using stone dust and cement as filler materials. For the preparation of bituminous concrete mix specimens using stone dust and cement as filler materials, optimum bitumen content was determined by adopting Marshall method of bituminous mix design. Bituminous mix properties were determined at optimum bitumen content. Indirect tensile strength (ITS) and Tensile strength ratio (TSR) of bituminous concrete mix were evaluated by varying test temperatures at 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C. Prediction model for Indirect tensile strength was developed by considering the temperature, Marshall stability and optimum bitumen content as independent variable for each filler material. As the test temperature increases the ITS and TSR values of bituminous concrete mix decreases irrespective of type of filler material. Based on the analysis of data, it was observed that at any test temperature, ITS and TSR values of bituminous concrete mix prepared using cement as filler material were higher when compared to bituminous concrete mix prepared using stone dust as filler material. It may be concluded that the behavior of bituminous concrete mix prepared using cement as filler material is superior in terms of mix properties, ITS and TSR.