EFFECT OF DIATOMITE FILLER ON PERFORMANCE OF ASPHALT PAVEMENTS

Diatomite, a widely used industrial filler, has been evaluated in heavy-duty pavements in Houston, Calgary, and Los Angeles. These pavements typically have high density, extremely low permeability, and a low initial asphalt hardening rate, with or without an increase in asphalt content. After 2 and 3 years in Calgary and Houston, recovered asphalt shows penetration values of 88 and 90 percent of the original 164 and 104 asphalt penetration at 77ousF, respectively. Resistance to rutting at low void contents and characteristic abrasion resistance of the mortar is attributed to microaggregate interlock of diatom particles within the mastic films. One percent diatomite appears capable of either stabilizing pavements or permitting a 15 percent increase in standard asphalt content. The primary value of diatomite appears to be that it allows the use of softer asphalt, which alone should greatly increase pavement life. The effect of increasing the cost per ton of mix (10 to 20 percent) on cost per square yard of pavement was eliminated recently in Los Angeles by reducing overlay thickness by 50 percent. Eight different grades, types, and sources of diatomite were also evaluated in small paving sheets under truck traffic at Denison, Texas, and Lompoc, California. Several types gave extremely unsatisfactory resistance to plastic flow. Tests are under way to correlate basic diatomite properties (shape, size, purity, and so forth) with pavement performance. The scope of the program to date has been limited to densegraded city pavements. The results are reported here to generate interest in more trials needed to justify continuation of the program.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/968/968-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=EFFECT+OF+DIATOMITE+FILLER+ON+PERFORMANCE+OF+ASPHALT+PAVEMENTS&author=J.+Kietzman&author=C.+Rodier&publication_year=1984
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Characteristics of Bituminous Paving Mixtures.
• Authors:
  • Kietzman, J H
  • Rodier, C E
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 8-19
• Monograph Title: Asphalt mixtures and performance
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 968
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abrasion resistance; Asphalt; Asphalt content; Asphalt hardening; Asphalt pavements; Fillers; Overlays (Pavements); Pavement performance; Pavements; Penetrants; Ruts (Pavements); Service life; Thickness; Trucks; Void ratios
• Uncontrolled Terms: Asphalt penetration; Rut
• Old TRIS Terms: Diatomaceous earth; Pavement life; Void
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Motor Carriers; Pavements; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394925
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309037506
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 30 2000 12:00AM