Characterizing the Aggregate Petrography for Improvement in Asphalt Mix Performance

Abstract

Pavement failure primarily arises from the inadequate selection of aggregate which is dependent on petrography. Petrographic analysis of the aggregates, commonly performed during the initial phase of quarry exploration, offers valuable insights into the fundamental characteristics on which various others, such as mechanical strength, depend. Previous research efforts in this domain have been limited, with only a few studies attempting to establish a relationship between aggregate minerology and the performance of asphalt mixes. The objective of this study is to evaluate petrographic properties, and to identify the minerals that significantly contribute to rutting resistance. For this investigation, three different quarries in Pakistan namely Margalla, Pathargarh, and Sargodha were selected to collect samples of aggregate.  Basic testing of all quarries was found out. After that performance tests were conducted on the asphalt mix, specifically the Cooper wheel tracker test, in order to ascertain the extent of rutting. The study concludes that aggregate having greater amount of carbonate and less amount of other minerals i.e., feldspar, quartz and hematite offer better resistance to rutting