EVALUATION OF SAND BITUMEN AS A BASE LAYER FOR DESERT ROADS

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Libya, the cost of gravel and crushed stone rises as existing sources become exhausted and suitable supplies have been overly exploited. Sand in Libya is the most prevailing available material for constructions. It is suggested that economic benefit could be derived from the rational use of stabilized sand in road construction. A main desert highway was constructed in Libya using in-place sand mix base. The main objective of this paper is to document and characterize the sand bitumen mix which was successfully used in this road. The work completed in this paper included field investigation, laboratory work and analysis of results. The field investigation was conducted to evaluate the pavement surface condition of the existing road in Libya. Core samples were obtained through this phase of study and tested for aggregates gradation and optimum MCO%. Results of work conducted in this research showed that sand bitumen mix could be used successfully as a base layer in desert roads. The average MCO content was found to be 2.82%. Future work should be conducted to check the response of sand bitumen mix under repeated traffic loads and to establish sand mix design criteria.