A Comparison of Marshall Properties of Cold Asphalt Mixes in Use in Nigeria

Abstract

This study present the Marshall properties of the cold mix asphalt produced with the DPWS modified bitumen compared with those of the commercial cold mixes in use in Nigeria. The following stability and flow results were obtained after careful laboratory experiments on four types of cold Asphalt mixes (DPWS, Portland Emco, Carboncor and UPM). The DPWS modified cold mix asphalt gave a stability of 5.8kN and flow of 4mm were obtained when using the normal hot mix method of testing, while stability of 9.58kN and flow of 4.5mm were obtained when air dried method was used. The Portland Emco shows stability of 2.21kN and flow of 3.95mm when it was subjected to test using the normal hot mix method of testing, while a stability of 4.37kN and a flow of 4.85mm were obtained air dried method was used. The Carboncor shows stability of 4.27kN and flow of 5.5mm when it was subjected to test using the normal hot mix method of testing, while a stability of 9.79kN and a flow of 5.5mm were obtained when air dried method was used. The UPM could not be tested for stability when it was subjected to test using the normal hot mix method of testing, but using the air dried method a stability of 1kN and a flow of 6.85mm were obtained. This shows that the DPWS modified cold asphalt has a good strength when subjected to laboratory load condition as compared to other commercially available cold asphalt mixes.