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Large-size aggregates for road construction—a review of standard specifications and test methods

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Abstract

Construction aggregates are essential structural components in road structures, whether in unbound form or combined with cement or bitumen. Specifications and test methods for aggregates are standardised, but current standards are limited concerning the maximal aggregate size for which they apply. This paper deals with standard specifications and test methods for large-size road construction aggregates, reviewing a new Norwegian national standard for large-size aggregates. The standard test methods and their validity and applicability for use on large-size aggregates for road construction are evaluated. The differentiation between requirements regarding the rock material (single rocks) and the aggregate product is specifically discussed, as is the specific challenges related to the use of all-in aggregates. Current standards for construction aggregates do not cover all challenges related to description and quality assessment of construction aggregates. Quality assessment is particularly challenging for large-size aggregates, and this topic needs a better description by international standards. Field methods and digital image processing are introduced as solutions for some of the practical challenges related to sampling for large-size aggregates. The new Norwegian standard could be the first step towards a European standard for large-size aggregates.

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Acknowledgements

This research is financed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration with contribution from the Research Council of Norway through the industrial innovation project use of local materials (project no. 256541).

The authors would like to thank Knut Li from Franzefoss Pukk/Norwegian Mineral Industry for clarifying discussions regarding NS 3468, and Merete Murvold from Standards Norway for providing access to standards and other documents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, NTNU–Norwegian University of Science and Technology, S.P. Andersens veg 15A, 7031, Trondheim, Norway

    Marit Fladvad

  2. Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Trondheim, Norway

    Marit Fladvad & Arnhild Ulvik

  3. Committee SN/K 005 Aggregates, Standards Norway, Lysaker, Norway

    Arnhild Ulvik

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  1. Marit Fladvad
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  2. Arnhild Ulvik
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Correspondence to Marit Fladvad.

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This manuscript constitutes a part of the first author's PhD degree at the Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, NTNU–Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

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Fladvad, M., Ulvik, A. Large-size aggregates for road construction—a review of standard specifications and test methods. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 8847–8859 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01683-z

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