Polymer Binding Technique for the Analysis of the Internal Structure of Compacted Granular Materials

ABSTRACT A methodology for assessment of long term properties of unbound recycled granular materials for use in base courses of road pavements is described. A special polymer technique is described for observing the fragmentation and anisotropy of granular materials after compaction. This method has two main advantages: simple and speed of use. The method also uses a modified Proctor Test with polymer impregnation being applied under vacuum. The compaction and analysis of a limestone aggregate sample is briefly described. The vertical and horizontal cross-sections of the sample were observed using digital imaging and processing techniques, and observations of cut segments observed with a microscope. Important information about aggregate shape, size, orientation and distribution throughout the volume and within the compaction layers is gathered through visual observation and morphological analysis. The method is also applicable to other observational issues, such as rheological state changes of inter-granular contacts due to changes in cement past thus, for example, enabling the fundamental behaviour patterns of alkali-aggregate reaction to be studied in detail.