Vol.23, No.1, 2023, pp. 55–60
UDC:

Bituminous concrete (BC) mixes were experimented with different binding content (4-6 %) and with different fibre content (0-0.8 %). In this study, viscosity grade VG-30 bitumen is used as a binding agent and sisal fibres for bituminous mixes. The chief purpose of this research work is determination of optimal bitumen content of bituminous concrete by Marshall Test, testing the Marshall properties of bituminous mixtures with and without sisal fibre, and using filler as stone dust, evaluation of BC mixes with and without sisal fibre by draindown test, evaluate and compare the bitumen sample with or without fibre using the UPV test. It was observed that after adding sisal fibre to 0.4 % corresponding to fibre length 10 mm and bitumen content 5 %, the stability of the mix increases but beyond 0.4 % of fibre content stability starts decreasing. The study shows decrease in air void and flow value by increasing fibre content to 0.4 %, by keeping fibre length to 10 mm corresponding to bitumen content of 5 %. After mixing the sisal fibre coated with SS-1 emulsion, the draindown of the mix reduces or stops which further indicates good bitumen characteristics. Ultrasonic test performed on the mix after adding the sisal fibre indicates the increase in density i.e,, voids were filled by fibre and viscosity as compared to the plain mix.

Keywords: bituminous concrete, sisal fibre, natural fibre, stone dust, Marshall test