A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF STONE MATRIX ASPHALT WITH CELLULOSE AND COIR FIBER

Civil Engineering

The stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixture is a gap-graded mix which is categorized by elevated coarse aggregate content, high asphalt contents and fiber additives as stabilizers. Due to stone on stone make contact and presence of high filler content, it acts as a stiff matrix and is best suitable for high volume roads and urban intersections where braking effects are more. In general, carbon fibers are added in SMA mixes to avoid oozing of bitumen from the mix. In the present study coir fibers and cellulose fibers will be added to the SMA mixes and its properties will be evaluated. Since, the coir fibers are easily available in India and comparatively cheap, it is decided to use in the current investigation. Detailed laboratory investigations will be carried out by preparing asphalt concrete mixtures by adding cellulose and coir fibers with dosages of 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% by total mix weight. Volumetric properties of the mixes are determined and various strength tests such as marshal stability are conducted.

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