Geomechanical evaluation of Pliocene natural aggregates as pavement materials

Asphaltic roads and constructions in Egypt annually consume a huge amount of aggregates. The physical and geomechanical properties of these aggregates have controlled their performance in which they are used. All road pavements require the efficient use of locally available materials if economically constructed roads are to be built. More than 650 million m³ of fine and coarse aggregates are herein selected to be the tonnage of the present study. The studied Pliocene aggregates have smoothed grading curves and neither a deficiency nor excess of any one particle size, generally produce good mixtures with fewer voids between particles. The litho-particles of coarse aggregates are composed mainly of granites, gneisses, granodiorite, gabbro, and quartz particles. The sand equivalent value of fine aggregates varies from 95 to 97 %. The specific gravity values of the studied aggregates vary from 2.72 to 2.74 gm/cm³ for coarse aggregate and range from 2.51 to 2.54 gm/cm³ for fine aggregate. The Los Angles abrasion value varies from 19 to 24 %. Both coarse and fine aggregates meet the international standards which are suitable for usage as subbase and surface course aggregates, respectively.