VOL. 13, NO.

5, MARCH 2018 ISSN 1819-6608

ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
©2006-2018 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved.

www.arpnjournals.com

EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF QUARRY DUST IN FLEXIBLE

PAVEMENTS AS PER IRC-37:2012
Shyam Prakash Koganti1 and Hanumantha Rao Chappidi2
1
Department of Civil Engineering, PVPSIT, Vijayawada, India
2
Department of Civil Engineering, IIIT, Ongole, India
E-Mail: shyamprakashcivil@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Expansive soil is a problematic soil due to its low strength and swell-shrink behavior. The expansive soils tend to
swell and shrink with respect to increase and decrease of moisture content. Moreover, black cotton soil (expansive soil) is
present in many parts of Krishna and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh in which state’s new capital “Amaravathi” was
announced. So, it is necessary to find out cost effective materials for stabilization of black cotton soils which will save
economy of the state while constructing flexible pavement. The geo-technical properties like maximum dry density
(MDD), optimum moisture content (OMC) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) are found out for various percentages of
quarry dust replacements. Influence of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% of quarry dust on compaction and CBR
are presented. Flexible pavement thicknesses for 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% of replacement of quarry dust
are also mentioned. From the results it can be proved that up to 40% of quarry dust shows a promising influence on
strength characteristics of black cotton soil in construction of flexible pavement. There are 4 types of flexible pavements
with bituminous course as surfacing. For easy understanding these are named as type 1, 2, 3 and 4. Pavement thicknesses
are calculated for 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 and 150 msa (million standard axles).

Keywords: flexible pavements, CBR, expansive soil, MDD, OMC.

1. INTRODUCTION in Figure-1), which in turn will reduce the transportation

From past few years there has been an extensive
utilization of land for various purposes. This resulted in
the decrease in the available land. Sub grade is the
important component of flexible pavement as it provides
lateral support to the pavement. Construction of roads over
the soft subgrade such as black cotton soil; adversely
affect the strength of the pavement resulting in its shorter
life. To avoid this situation, highway construction agencies
used to remove the soft soil and replace it with the soil of
good engineering properties. But, it has become cost
effective to replace the soft soil. These situations forced
the highway construction agencies to look for other
alternatives to improve the characteristics of soft soil.
Major soil deposits of newly formed state Andhra
Pradesh and capital of the state Amaravathi are Black
cotton soil. Black cotton soil is also one of the soft soils
which have a very peculiar behavior of swelling and
shrinking when exposed to climatic changes and hence it
was found troublesome from engineering considerations.
Soil stabilization is one of the most suitable
alternatives which are widely used in pavement
construction. This technique improves the engineering
properties of soil such as strength and also economical.
In the present study quarry dust is chosen as the
stabilizer. Quarry Dust is the dust produced from quarries
during the production of aggregate for various
construction purposes. Quarry dust as disposed in the site
itself, is producing a great deal of disposal problems. If it
is successfully used in soil stabilization of black cotton
soil in the Amaravathi region it will help to solve some
problems of Andhra Pradesh i.e., problems related to
economy and problems related to disposal of quarry dust.
Also, quarries in Kondapalli region in which the dust is
produced, are very near to the Amaravathi city (as shown
costs.
2. LITERATURE
Akshaya Kumar Sabat [1] due to stabilization of
quarry dust along with flyash there is increase in 267%,
45% and 28% of soaked CBR, angle of interface and
cohesion, respectively.
Rohit Mahent [2] it is observed that the 10 to 30
percentage addition of quarry dust shows increase in
maximum dry density and decrease in optimum moisture
content. Also it is recommended 25% additive of quarry
dust to the granular sub base possess the continuous
development in strength and durability of the road.
Agapitus Ahamefule Amadi3 the study resulted
that the combination of cement with quarry dust up to 20%
improvement in CBR value and strength. The chemical
composition for combined mix provides the stability and
durability of the pavement.
Akanbi D. O. [4] research predicts that the quarry
dust stabilized gives more economical and savings in
construction of pavement. 20% quarry dust stabilization
improves the properties like Liquid limit, Plastic limit,
maximum dry density (MDD), California bearing ratio
(CBR), unconfined compressive strength (UCS).
J. Jayapal [5] addition of quarry dust to clay will
protect the swelling nature and increase the CBR value
which leads to the reduction in thickness. It is possible to
use 30% replacement of clay with quarry dust can be
adapted to the village roads.
Onyelowe Ken C. [6] quarry dust can be added to
expansive soil in order to have good porous, decrease in
durability and cohesion etc, and the properties like sharp,
rough and angular shapes improves the strength because of
interlocking.

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©2006-2018 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved.

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Okafor F. O. [7] as the quarry dust increase there
is an improvement in maximum dry density (MDD) due to
high specific gravity for quarry dust. Quarry dust can be
used as a sub base material in road bases if it is modified
and stabilized with 9% cement.
Afifa Rahman [8] addition of dust exhibits the
maximum stability due to decrease in air voids. Study
concludes quarry dust utilization is more appropriate in
road construction in Bagladesh.
Anand J. Puppala [9] untreated sample possess
100kPa UCS value when compared with treated with
quaryfine same sample possess 1200 kPa UCS value.
Quarry fine produce from crushers can be recycled as a
road base courses which is implemented in Arlington,
Texas.
Ahmad H. Aljassar [10] evaluated that the
mineral filler materials plays important role in strength
parameter as tested with Marshall Stability. The optimum
filler content for the stability of the road base resultant to
percentage usage of mineral filler.
3. STUDY AREA
The new capital region of Andhra Pradesh is
announced around the Amaravathi which is very nearer to
Vijayawada City. The crusher areas and quarrying process
is identified and shown in the Figure-1. The main portion
of the study area is composite of rock types like biotite,
gneiss, hornblende and hypersthenes. Each crusher is
given code for their location. The latitude, longitude,
location and the type of production is shown in the Table-
1.

Figure-1. Identification and availability of quarry dust in and around new capital
region of Andhra Pradesh.

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©2006-2018 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved.

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Table-1. Location of quarries in Kondapalli region.

S. No. Code Quarry name Location Latitude Longitude

1 A Madhucon Kondapalli 16⁰67’32” 80⁰52’98”
2 a PCL Kondapalli 16⁰67’16” 80⁰52’83”
3 B SEPL-3 Kondapalli 16⁰67’58” 80⁰53’07”
4 b Paruchuri Chaitanya Kondapalli 16⁰67’20” 80⁰53’14”
5 C Tataiyya Kondapalli 16⁰66’76” 80⁰53’71”
6 D Guntupalli Venkateswara Rao Kondapalli 16⁰66’25” 80⁰53’96”
7 d Seshagiri Kondapalli 16⁰66’92” 80⁰53’47”
8 E Vepuri Rammohan Kondapalli 16⁰66’88” 80⁰53’05”
9 e Srinivasa Kondapalli 16⁰65’89” 80⁰53’93”
10 F Tataji Kondapalli 16⁰66’08” 80⁰53’90”
11 G Bhagyarekha Srinu Kondapalli 16⁰66’50” 80⁰53’82”
12 g Surya Kondapalli 16⁰68’03” 80⁰52’91”
13 H Gandhi Kondapalli 16⁰67’75” 80⁰53’25”
14 h CPC Kondapalli 16⁰68’07” 80⁰53’00”
15 I Rajya Lakshmi Kondapalli 16⁰68’68” 80⁰53’02”
16 J Borra Venkateswara Rao Kondapalli 16⁰68’36” 80⁰53’00”
17 K Sai Ganesh Paritala 16⁰64’87” 80⁰43’31”
18 M Maheswari Paritala 16⁰65’48” 80⁰43’46”
19 m Vijaya Lakshmi Paritala 16⁰65’88” 80⁰43’57”
20 N NNR Paritala 16⁰65’11” 80⁰43’01”
21 n Vijaya Durga Paritala 16⁰65’78” 80⁰43’71”
22 O Venkata Swarna Paritala 16⁰65’60” 80⁰43’09”
23 P VN Associates Paritala 16⁰64’90” 80⁰43’35”
24 Q SRK Paritala 16⁰64’68” 80⁰42’92”
25 q Veeranjaneya Paritala 16⁰66’53” 80⁰43’75”
26 R Pavan Granite Metal Works Paritala 16⁰66’28” 80⁰43’90”
27 r Saradha Paritala 16⁰66’32” 80⁰43’31”
28 S Vanta Vijaya Durga Mulapadu 16⁰60’80” 80⁰47’14”
29 T Ayyappa Mulapadu 16⁰61’22” 80⁰47’05”
30 t Sai Ramana Mulapadu 16⁰61’33” 80⁰46’79”
31 U Sudhakar Mulapadu 16⁰61’67” 80⁰46’77”
32 V Vijaya Lakshmi Mulapadu 16⁰61’60” 80⁰46’54”
33 X Vasa Stone Crusher Jupudi 16⁰60’49” 80⁰48’78”
34 Y Sri Srinivasa Jupudi 16⁰60’53” 80⁰48’50”
35 y Siva Rama Jupudi 16⁰60’44” 80⁰48’14”
36 Z Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Donabanda 16⁰63’41” 80⁰43’81”
37 Za Maruthi Donabanda 16⁰63’43” 80⁰43’37”
38 Zb N Brameswar Donabanda 16⁰64’15” 80⁰43’35”
39 Zc Reddy Kelesapuram 16⁰60’63” 80⁰48’34”
40 Zd Sri Srinivasa Kethanakonda 16⁰62’06” 80⁰45’85”

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ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
©2006-2018 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved.

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The soil of the capital region of Andhra Pradesh
including Guntur and Krishna districts consists of similar
soil i.e. Black cotton soil. In the present study, soil is
required for various tests like, sieve analysis, liquid limit,
plastic limit, compaction and C.B.R. Soil is collected from
‘Kanuru’ region which is near to the Vijayawada city for
experimental usage. Soil is collected from a depth of 11
feet from the ground by using augers.
4. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
Here the percentages of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,
50%, 60% and 70% are adopted for replacement of soil
with quarry dust. Experiments like swell index, specific
gravity, sieve analysis, liquid limit, plastic limit,
compaction, California baring ratio (CBR) test was
conducted on soil sample. Based on the results obtained
from the CBR values, pavement thicknesses were
calculated. Thus calculated pavement thicknesses were
compared with the IRC - 37: 2012.
Here in the study 40 crusher samples were
collected and conducted the preliminary studies. It is
decided to conduct optimum moisture content, maximum
dry density and California bearing ratio test for the crusher
samples in order initially.

Figure-2. Optimum moisture content of crusher samples.

From Figure-2 reveals that the optimum moisture Content (OMC) is reduced. The quarry dust content at
content (OMC) lies in between 10 to 18% with which maximum strength is evaluated will become the
replacement of quarry dust with soil sample. With the optimum quarry dust content.
increase of quarry dust content, Optimum Moisture

Figure-3. Maximum dry density of crusher samples.

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ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
©2006-2018 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved.

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From Figure-3 reveals that with the increase of
quarry dust content, Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) is
reduced and correspondingly Maximum Dry Density
(MDD) is increased. The quarry dust content at which
maximum strength is evaluated will become the optimum
quarry dust content. California bearing ratio test is
conducted to evaluate the soil subgrade strength for soil
sample without quarry dust replacement and also with
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% replacement of
quarry dust by weight of soil. The CBR values lies in
between 2% to 10% except for few samples all are within
the range. As the CBR value increases the thickness of the
pavement increases. Here in the study all the forty crusher
samples are reasonable range for flexible pavement. From
the results of CBR value, quarry dust can be effectively
utilized for pavements. The results of CBR value of soil
sample and CBR values of (Soil + 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,
50%, 60% and 70% replacement by weight of quarry dust)
were presented in Figure-4.

Figure-4. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of crusher samples.

5. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
The pavement thicknesses as per IRC 37:2012,
for the respective CBR values and with 15.8msa, the
results shown in Table-5. There are 4 types of flexible
pavements with bituminous course as surfacing. For easy
understanding these are named as type 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Pavement thicknesses are calculated for 2, 5, 10, 20, 30,
50, 100 and 150 msa (million standard axles).
Type 1: Bituminous surfacing using granular base & sub
base.
Type 2: Bituminous surfacing using cemented base & sub
base.
Type 3: Bituminous surfacing using cemented granular
base & sub base.
Type 4: Bituminous surfacing using RAP (Reclaimed
Asphaltic Pavement) & cemented sub base.
By using the CBR value obtained at 2.5mm
penetration, pavement thicknesses for the soil sample for
type 1, 2, 3 and 4 are calculated. The data as follows in
Table-2.

Table-2. Pavement thicknesses of soil sample.

Thickness in mm
Traffic in msa
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
2 588.5 446.9 413.8 339.5
5 639 473.8 443.8 349.5
10 729 493.8 456.9 389.5
20 752.8 516.9 476.9 424.5
30 772.8 536.9 496.9 451.4
50 770.9 546.9 506.9 517.6
100 794.7 566.9 516.9 554.5
150 809.7 589.9 526.9 584.5

For all the type 1, 2, 3 and 4 evaluated the replacement and also with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%,
pavement thickness for soil sample without quarry dust 60% and 70% replacement of quarry dust by weight of

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soil. The pavement thickness for forty crusher samples (million standard axles).
was identified for 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 and 150 msa

Figure-5. CBR Pavement thicknesses for 40 crusher samples in Type 1.

Here the observation shows that the 50% of the
quarry dust crusher samples are below the soil sample
thickness where as the other 50% quarry dust crusher
sample is above the soil sample thickness as shown in the
Figure-5. For type I up to 40% replacement of quarry dust
with soil sample are acceptable for half of the quarry dust
crusher samples. Most of the crusher samples are in the
reasonably appropriate to utilize as stabilizing agent for
flexible pavement construction.

Figure-6. CBR Pavement thicknesses for 40 crusher samples in Type 2.

Here the observation promote that the 70% of the
quarry dust crusher samples are below the soil sample
thickness where as the other 30% quarry dust crusher
sample is above the soil sample thickness as shown in the
Figure-6. For type 2 up to 40% replacement of quarry dust
with soil sample is acceptable for most of the quarry dust
crusher samples. All the sample are below the 500mm
thickness for 2, 5, 10 msa, whereas other samples are
above 500mm thickness but not exceeding 600mm
pavement thickness. Almost all the crusher samples for all
the percentage replacement are in stimulated range for
type 2 pavement.

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Figure-7. CBR Pavement thicknesses for 40 crusher samples in Type 3.

Here the observation encourage that the quarry
dust crusher samples are below 400mm thickness up to 2,
5 and 10 msa and then it increases to 500mm and 570mm
for 20, 30, 50, 100 and 150msa. Little bit increase in
pavement thickness for type 3 as shown in the Figure-7 the
mean and standard deviation of the quarry dust crusher
sample are satisfied up to 40% replacement of quarry dust
with soil sample are suitable for 30% of quarry dust
crusher samples.

Figure-8. CBR Pavement thicknesses for 40 crusher samples in Type 4.

Here the observation persuade that the quarry 6. CONCLUSIONS

dust crusher samples are below 500mm thickness up to 2,
5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 msa and then it increases to 500mm
and 570mm for 100 and 150msa. The pavement thickness
are in reasonable for all the type of loading when compare
with the soil sample in replacement of quarry dust from
forty crusher samples for type 4 as shown in the Figure-8.
The crusher samples are fulfilled 100% replacement of
quarry dust with soil sample up to 50 msa where as 40%
appropriate for 100 and 150 msa.
The geotechnical properties observed for all the
40 crusher samples collected from kondapalli of Andhra
Pradesh capital region. From the tests conducted on quarry
dust, it was concluded that quarry dust has close relation
with natural sand in all aspects and sand can be replaced
with quarry dust as a filler material. Proctor compaction is
done on black cotton soil sample and maximum dry
density is obtained as 1.57 gm/cc which is in the range of
1.35 to 1.60 gm/cc and optimum water content of 17.5%.
From the results obtained the compaction test conducted

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for combination of black cotton soil and quarry dust, it [8] Afifa Rahman et al. 2012. Effect of Fillers on
was found that with the increase in the quarry dust Bituminous Paving Mixes: An Experimental Study.
optimum moisture content is decreased and maximum dry Journal of Engineering Science. 03(1): 121-127.
density is increased. CBR test is conducted for soil sample
and the CBR value obtained is 5.5%. CBR tests are [9] Anand J. Puppala. 2008. Evaluation of Cemented
conducted for the combination of BC Soil and quarry dust
Quarry Fines as a Pavement Base Material. ASCE
samples. From the results it can be concluded that BCS
when replaced with quarry dust at a rate of 10%, 20%, Geo Congress. pp. 312-319.
30% and 40% will give good results. All the CBR values
are compared with the four plates of pavements as per IRC [10] Ahmad H. Aljassar et al. 2004. Effect of Filler Types
-37:2012. The comparison shows that the thickness of on Marshall Stability and Retained Strength of
pavement decreased with respect to normal soil when the Asphalt Concrete. International Journal of Pavement
quarry dust is included with varying percentage. From the Engineering. 5(1): 47-51.
results of CBR value, quarry dust can be effectively
utilized for pavements. The thickness decrease indicates
that the cost saving in construction of pavement too.

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