The use of quarry waste in pavement construction

Abstract

This paper presents the study of quarry wastes aiming their utilization as the main material for the base layer of flexible pavements. The material was characterized by laboratory tests, to evaluate its utilization potential. In order to evaluate its field behavior, an experimental road segment (80 m) was constructed, encompassing subgrade, base (20 cm) and surface treatment (3 cm). Then, ‘in situ’ tests such as field California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP), plate loading, Pencel pressuremeter, Benkelman beam and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests were performed. Since its construction in July 1998, it has been observed that although performance indices have reduced, no significant structural damages have resulted. Structural deterioration occurred mostly during the rainy season, when the moisture content of the material increases. Up to the current time, the results indicate that this quarry waste has a reasonable potential for use as construction material for the base layer of flexible pavements. The quarry waste material evaluated in this study seems to be more appropriate to low-volume roads.