Back to Resources

Research Report 258 Detailed experimental investigation for foamed bitumen stabilisation

Published: | Category: Activity management , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General

As the demand for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly pavement stabilisation method increases, so has foamed bitumen stabilisation for unbound granular pavement layers started to gain broad acceptance worldwide.

The second phase of a study on foamed bitumen stabilisation is presented. It is a comprehensive experimental programme, carried out in 2003-2004, to investigate the properties and the expected performance of the foamed bitumen-stabilised mixes.

The experimental work presented compares the foaming characteristics of nine bitumen types to provide a base for comparison between New Zealand sources and overseas sources. A new methodology to characterise the quality of foam is proposed.

Temperature and moisture susceptibilities were studied and compared for different types and grades of bitumen.

Volumetric properties, resilient modulus, indirect tensile strength, fracture energy, fatigue life and CBR values were investigated.

Keywords: bitumen, CBR, cement, compaction water content, fatigue behaviour, foam, foam mizes, foamed bitumen, fracture energy, gradation curves, mixing water content, pavement, performance, resilient modulus, road, stabilisation, water content

Publication details

  • Author:
  • Published: 2004
  • Reference: 258