CONSISTENCY OF ATTERBERG LIMIT PROPERTIES FOR...
Transcript of CONSISTENCY OF ATTERBERG LIMIT PROPERTIES FOR...
CONSISTENCY OF ATTERBERG LIMIT PROPERTIES FOR CRUSHED
LIMESTONE AGGREGATE BASE COURSE BETWEEN STOCKPILE AND
IN PLACE MATERIAL
SREERAMALU NAMATHEVAN
A project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award degree of
Master of Engineering (Geotechnics)
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
MAY 2017
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ACKNOW LEDGEM ENT
First of all thanks I wish to thank to god for his blessing, the countless gifts
offered to me and in giving me this opportunity to complete this project report.
It is a great pleasure to acknowledge my deepest thanks and special
appreciation to my supervisor Professor Ir Dr Ramli Nazir for his invaluable help of
constructive comments and tolerance throughout this project work which has
contributed to the success of this study.
Not forgetting my beloved loved wife Santhy, daughters Dr Kartikasri, Dr
Shalini Sri and my son Shree Sivaneswaran on the sacrifices, encouragement and
every possible support extended throughout the whole programme and successful
completion of this study.
Last but not least, I would like to thank all my colleagues who had helped
directly and indirectly towards the completion of this project.
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ABSTRACT
This paper presents the test results and discuss the properties consistency for
crushed limestone aggregate materials collected from the stockpile and from in-place
after wetting, mixing, laying, grading and compacting on site using a 25 tonne roller
compactor with a layer thickness of 300mm. A number of test was carried out to
investigate the liquid limits and plasticity index properties of the crushed limestone.
A total of 48 samples was collected, i.e. 24 samples from the stockpile and 24
samples from in-place. The samples collected from all the stockpiles i.e. from both
Doha and Kuala Lumpur meets the ASTM D4318 test for plastic limits ranging from
22 to 25 and for the plasticity index (PI) ranging from non plastic to a maximum of
4. The results for the in place material samples showed an increase in values for both
the Kuala Lumpur and Doha site in comparison to the results from the stockpiles
with the plastic limits ranging from 23 to 35 and the plasticity index ranging from
non plastic to 10. The results varied by location with the in-place samples from
Kuala Lumpur complied with both the plastic and plasticity index limits while the in
place material results from Doha complied with the liquid limits but exceeded the
plasticity index limit of 6. The results obtained and the observation made in this
study suggests that limestone properties consistency varies with region, location and
type of limestone with Kuala Lumpur limestone mainly consisting of composed
crystallised carbonate rocks and formed marble rocks with minor intercalation of
phyllite whereas the Doha limestone is overlain by younger strata that form a number
of messa-type hills.
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ABSTRAK
Kertas ini membentangkan keputusan kajian dan perbincangan sifat ketekalan
untuk bahan agregat batu kapur yang di kumpulkan dari longokkan simpanan dan
juga dari di-tempat selepas penambahan air, campuran, pengredan dan pemampatan
d i t a p a k m e n g u n a k k a n “ r o l l e ket"balap kpman d a t a n
setebal 300 mm. Sebilangan ujian telah dijalankan untuk mengkaji had cecair dan
index keplastikan bagi agregat batu kapur. Sejumlah 48 sampel telah di ambil, iaitu
sebanyak 24 sampel dari longokkan simpanan dan sebanyak 24 sampel lagi di ambil
dari di-tempat. Sampel sampel yang telah diambil dari kesemua longokkan simpanan
d a r i D o h a d a n j u g a d a r i K u a l a L u m p u r me
ujian had cecair iaitu antara 22 dan 25 dan juga untuk index keplastikan antara tidak
plastik dan maxima 4. Keputusan ujian untuk sampel yang diambil dari di-tempat
menunjukkan peningkatan dibandingkan keputusan sampel dari longokkan simpanan
iaitu keputusan untuk had cecair antara 23 dan 35 dan index keplastikan antara tiada
plastik ke 10. Ini menunjukkan perbezaan keputusan mengikut lokasi iaitu sampel
yang diambil dari tapak di-tempat dari Kuala Lumpur menepati piawan untuk had
cecair dan juga index keplastikan manakala untuk sampel yang diambil dari di-
tempat dari Doha menunjukan tidak menepati piawaan untuk had cecair dan juga
index keplastikan. Keputusan yang telah diperolehi dan pemerhatian mencadangkan
had kekenyalan batu kapur berbeza mengikut rantau, lokasi dan juga jenis batu kapur
itu sendiri. Batu kapur dari Kuala Lumpur terdiri terutamanya dari batuan karbonat
terhablur dan marmar yang dibentuk dengan interkalasi phylitte yang kecil manakala
batu kapur dari Doha dibentuk dari strata yang lebih muda yang membentuk bukit
jenis messa.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOW LEDGEM ENTS iv
ABSTRACT v
ABSTRAK vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF FIGURES xi
LIST OF APPENDICES xii
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research background 1
1.2 Problem Statement 2
1.3 Objective 3
1.4 Scope and limitations of Study 3
1.5 Significant of the study 4
1.6 Organization of Thesis 4
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 General geology of limestone 6
2.1.1 General karstic features of limestone 7
2.1.2 Development of karsts 8
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2.1.3 Composition o f limestone 11
2.1.4 Weathering and slaking 13
2.1.5 Swelling potential 13
2.1.6 Geology of limestone in Malaysia 15
2.1.7 Uses o f limestone 17
2.1.8 Quarrying o f rocks for aggregate 17
2.2 Aggregate base course 19
2.3 Atterberg limits 22
2.3.1 Liquid limits 23
2.3.2 Plastic limits 23
2.3.3 Plasticity index 24
2.4 Previous studies on lime stone road base 25
2.5 Summary of previous study on limestones 27
3 RESEARCH M ETHODOLOGY
3.1 Preparation of stockpile 29
3 . 1 . 1 G e n e r a l g e o 33
K u a l a L u m p u r
3.1.2 G e n e r a l g e o l o g y o ' 36
D o h a
3.2 Sampling and testing plan 39
3.3 Flow chart for research methodology 41
3.4 Field tests 42
3.5 Laboratory tests 42
4 ANALYSIS OF TESTS RESULTS AND 43
DISCUSSION
4.1 Analysis o f data collected from Doha 48
4.2 Analysis of data collected from Kuala Lumpur 50
4.3 Discussion 52
5 CONCLUSION AND RECOM M ENDATION 55
5.1 Conclusion 55
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO TITLE PAGE
2.0 JKR standard specification for roadworks 22
2.1 Summary of previous study on similar statement 28
3.0 List of sampling locations and number of test to be 40
carried out
3.1 Proposed field test and standards adopted 42
3.2 Proposed laboratory tests and standards to be adopted 42
Test Results From Stockpile Material, Doha, Qatar
4.0 Test Results from in place Material, Doha, Qatar 44
4.1 Test Results From Stockpile Material, Kuala Lumpur 45
4.2 Test Results from in place Material, Kuala Lumpur 46
Summary of results for Plastic limit and Plasticity
4.3 Index SP vs. IPM (Doha) 47
4.4 Summary of results for Plastic limit and Plasticity 48
Index SP vs. IPM (KL)
4.5 50
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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE TITLE PAGENO
2.2 Evolution and development of limestone karst 10
(Yin 1986)
2.3 Geological section through Kuala Lumpur 16
(Yeap 1986)
2.4 Plasticity Index chart 25
3.1 Mixing operations at the stockpile in progress. 30
3.2 Schematic base course laying, spreading and 31
compaction operations.
3.3 Grading operations by motor grader 32
3.4 Compaction o f road base 32
3.5 Overview of the proposed site 34
3.6 General view of the limestone excavation site 34
3.7 Limestone excavation in progress after the blasting 35
works
3.8 Closer view of the excavated limestone 35
3.9 Limestone crushing with a mobile crusher 36
3.10 Geological Map of Qatar (Qatar Geological 37
Society)
3.11 Closer view of the Simsima limestone 38
3.12 Excavation operation of limestone operation in 38
Qatar
3.13 Crushing of limestone in the quarry (Doha) 39
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APPENDIX
A1
A2
LIST OF APPENDICES
TITLE
Summary of stockpile materials Atterberg limits
test results
Summary of In place materials Atterberg limits test
results
PAGE
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 Research background
Limestone material is found in abundance in Malaysia and often not used in
pavement as the base layer due to its high carbonate content which has been found to
have major impact on strength gain, however this material meets the requirements in
terms of its california bearing ratio, physical and mechanical properties for aggregate
road base applications. Limestone once quarried, crushed and produced, meets all the
requirement of specification for atterberg limits and grading but the in place value
immediately after mixing of water, spreading and compaction often does not meets the
same specifications.
With the ever expanding and developing Klang Valley region and the recent
announcement by the government to improve and further expand the infrastructures
especially roads and transportation networks in this region, the demand for crushed
aggregate has risen rapidly. Klang Valley region consists mainly of natural limestone
below ground which was quarried up to the early nineties but many of them were
closed down due to the low demand. Currently crushed granite aggregate is heavily
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relied upon in the industry even though the cost of quarrying, producing and
transporting is much higher in comparison to limestone.
This study is proposed to be carried out to check the properties consistency of
stockpiled materials against the in place materials. It is hoped the results obtained
from this laboratory and field tests can be used to establish a consistent relationship
between the stockpile and the in place compacted crushed limestone aggregate. This
will help to greatly reduce the rate of rejection of in place material which will
obviously reduce the cost and time of project at the same time maintaining the quality
expected and meeting the design assumptions.
1.2 Problem statement
A higher Atterberg limits than the specified value in the testing standards
exhibited by the in-place limestone aggregate base course will be rejected for use in
the permanent works. However experience shows that the approved limestones which
meets the specifications requirements often failed in terms of Atterberg limits from
samples collected after spreading works and compaction is carried out, any rejection
at this stage will have an impact on the project. This results in limestone aggregate
not being accepted as aggregate base course material.
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1.3 Objective
The objectives of this study is to:-
i. To understand the problem of crushing/degrading during compaction
process which results in more fines leading to a higher value of Atterberg
limits.
ii. To collect data related to material Atterberg limits from the stockpile and
in-place.
iii. To analyse data to determine relevant behaviour.
1.4 Scope and limitations of study
The scope and limitations of this study is to,
i. Investigate suitability of limestone crushed aggregate base course material.
ii. Sample investigated is from the stockpile and in-place limestone aggregate
base course.
iii. Properties of limestone aggregate base course to be investigated is the
Atterberg limits i.e. one of the requirements in the standard.
iv. The negative impact will be the swelling of the limestone aggregate base
course.
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1.5 Importance of study
This study is to establish the comparison of the limestone Atterberg limit
properties i.e. the plastic limit, liquid limit and the plasticity index of the stockpile
versus in place material so that the test results so obtained shall be used to determine
the acceptability of the in place material. This can greatly benefit large infrastructure
projects involving major roadworks whereby the limestones quarried locally can be
used as an economical alternative for road base construction currently using crushed
granite which has gone up commercially due to its higher cost of production.
1.6 Organization of Thesis
Chapter 1 describes the background of research, problem statement, objectives,
scopes and significance of research.
Chapter 2 describes the literature review of the general geology, features,
weathering, slaking, swelling potential of limestone, requirements of road base
material, atterberg limits and study by other researchers.
Chapter 3 deliberates the preparation of the stockpile and the methodology
adopted for the receiving site preparation, delivery, spreading, levelling, compaction
and the sampling plan, the locations where the samples will be collected and the tests
that will be conducted on the field and laboratory.
Chapter 4 discusses the analysis of the test result collected from the stockpile
and the in-place material from both the site in Kuala Lumpur and Doha.
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Chapter 5 presents the conclusions for the research and discusses possible
future research that can be done by other researchers.
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