The Capillarity of Mica-Rich Base-Course Aggregates

In regions of temperate climate, the destructive influence of frost is the main contributor to damage of a road structure. Commonly, the frost susceptibility of base-course aggregates is often ignored in road construction. However, a number of studies on aggregates for construction purposes, and field observations of road failures, indicate a negative influence of mica-rich rock aggregates (used in unbound applications) on the service life of road construction. The scope of the current work investigates the capillary properties of unbound base-course aggregates with varying free mica grains. The materials studied in this research are commercially available road construction aggregates, and originate from different regions of Sweden. The mineral composition of the samples has been determined by polarizing microscopy using a point-count method. The parameter characterizing the capillarity was measured using the test for determining capillary rise (VVMB24). The results show that there is a direct correlation between mica content of the aggregates and water suction by capillary forces. Therefore, mica-rich materials susceptible to frost heave, thus confirming the tendency for frost damage of unbound aggregates.