Laboratory study of stone matrix asphalt by using bamboo fibre

Abstract

This study has been undertaken to investigate the modification of Stone Matrix Asphalt by using Bamboo Fibre. Now a days with increased traffic and maintenance costs there is need of construction of better long lasting roads that avoid pavement damage. Because of the presence of water in rainy season most common pavement damage starts. Moisture induced damages are a major source of concern on Indian roads. Stone Matrix Asphalt has a higher percentage of coarse aggregates and mineral filler and a low amount of fine aggregates. It also has a macro texture, low air voids, and high binder content, result in waterproof and good surface drainage. Stone Matrix Asphalt Mixture include a higher amount of coarse aggregate and a higher percentage of bitumen binder than standard Hot Mix Asphalt mixtures which consist of homogeneous aggregate and less bitumen binder. The Stone Matrix Asphalt mixes offer a long lasting surface. In India the idea of stone matrix asphalt is not well known because of lack of suitable standards. For the past few decades researchers have been focusing their efforts on developing stabilized mixes for enhanced pavement efficiency all over the world. Many attempts have been done to modified SMA mixes using Synthetic Fibres and polymers. Natural Fibres as Bamboo Fibre are being used to replace Synthetic Fibres and polymer as additives. India is a one of the world largest agricultural economy, generates a large amount of Natural Fibres. In according to this idea the focus of this study is on using Bamboo Fibre as additives to increase Stone Matrix Asphalt performance. The main object of this work is to find the effects of Bamboo fiber on the properties of SMA mixes. Stone Matrix Asphalt mix is prepared by varying bitumen content from 5.5% to 6.5% to obtain optimum bitumen content after that Bamboo Fibre is added during preparation of mix at varying content of 0.1% to 0.4% , then Marshall Stability Test and Drain Down Test are conducted to find Optimum Fibre content. All of these data back up the idea that Bamboo Fibre as additives in Stone Matrix Asphalt mixes have an impact. On the basis of volumetric, mechanical, and drain down properties of the various modified mixes, optimal Fibre content for Bamboo Fibre mixtures is 0.3 percent by weight of mix, which lead to rise in Marshall Stability value and fall in Flow Value when compared to traditional SMA mix.