Comparing the Consensus Properties of Aggregate Sources from KP to Margalla Using Image Analysis

Authors

  • Fazli Karim Department of Civil Engineering, Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
  • Shahid Iqbal Department of Civil Engineering, Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
  • Asim Farooq Center of Excellence in Transportation/Railway Engineering, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences & Technology, Haripur 22600, Pakistan
  • Hanif Ullah Department of Civil Engineering, Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Imran Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia

Keywords:

Hot Mix Asphalt, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray Spectroscopy, Aggregate, ASTM Standard

Abstract

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a composite material composed of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, filler, binder, and air voids. The macro-level characterization of aggregates for asphalt mixture production in Pakistan has introduced inconsistencies in estimating the actual performance of asphalt mixtures. Pakistan typically sources all aggregates needed for asphalt mixtures from Margalla, but there is a possibility that the quarry may be finished soon. To identify a nearby quarry, aggregate samples are collected from various quarries in Pakistan. The aggregates are examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy, and conventional index characteristics. The results showed that Margalla aggregate's coarse-grained configuration is the dominant reason for adequate physical properties compared to other aggregate sources. The Malakand aggregate is found to be comparable to Margalla due to its coarse-grained cum irregular loose-grained structure. Amorphous textures superseded dense, coarse-grained textures in some of the aggregate sources, resulting in increased water absorption. The local Malakand quarry is suggested for use in the construction industry based on macro and micro-level investigations.

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Published

2024-08-24