Project Summary
Choosing the right material is half the battle in building roads for Alaska. The extreme conditions typical to cold regions require a durable, abrasion resistant and freeze-thaw resistant aggregate. Recently the state has been wondering exactly how effective and accurate its selection methods are. Currently there is limited information regarding the Alaska Testing Method 313 (sometimes known as the Washington degradation test) used by ADOT&PF to test abrasion and degradation value. This project will examine a new testing method, the Micro-Deval test — a wet test of how aggregates degrade when tumbling in a rotating steel drum with water and steel balls — to determine whether it can provide safe and cost-effective aggregate testing with reproducible results that correlate with field performance. The Micro-Deval test is easy, safe, and less costly to perform than traditional testing methods. It is suitable for smaller equipment, requires smaller sample quantities and uses a simple procedure. This study will provide data and recommendations on the suitability of the Micro-Deval test as a as a rapid, simple, repeatable and inexpensive technique for assessing the durability of Alaska aggregates.
