Effect of Material Properties on Compactability and Bearing Capacity

Abstract

The paper gives a brief literature survey on the effect of the individual properties on the compactability of untreated road‐building materials. The properties covered are the influence of the moisture content, grading (i.e., particle‐size distribution), particle shape and texture, the Atterberg limits and linear shrinkage, crushing strength and durability of the material, bearing capacity of the underlying layers, and the factors influencing the bearing capacity of the material. This is followed by an outline of the test program and laboratory procedures. The results are then discussed, showing that both the compactability and bearing capacity of untreated road‐building materials can be quantified in terms of the indicator test values and two new properties that quantify the effects of shape and texture. Using the basic model, the influence of a lack of fines, high relative densities (i.e., high specific gravities), and the plasticity of the fines on compactability are discussed. Conclusions are drawn and proposals are made in connection with the quantification of the shape and texture of untreated road‐building materials.