ROADWORKS

1.0

DESCRIPTION
The work under this section includes the surface preparation of all hardstandings,
roads, storage and parking areas and the materials and methods of application of
asphaltic concrete surfacing, surface dressings, kerbs and sidewalks.

1.1

MATERIALS
The materials for the sub-base and base-course shall be obtained from approved
borrow areas and quarries.
The Contractor shall provide to the Engineer all such samples, tests results and
other information as may be required well in advance of the excavation of such
material and also during the construction of the works. The Contractor shall use
only such material as are approved by the Engineer.

1.2

Sub-Base Material
Granular marl, quarry waste or crushed stone.
Grading of the sub-base material shall be within the following limits:
100% passing
70 - 100% "
50 - 80% "
40 - 65% "
10 - 40% "
5 - 15% "

"

B.S.
75mm sieve
"
37mm "
"
20mm "
"
10mm "
"
No. 36 "
No. 200 "

The fraction passing No. 36 sieve shall be non-plastic.

1.3

Base-Course Material Crushed Stone

The base-course material shall consist of hard durable limestone, free from clay
and other foreign matter and when tested by a laboratory sieves shall give a
grading within the following limits:
100% passing
95 - 100

55 - 85% "
60 - 80% "
40 - 60% "
25 - 40% "
5 - 30% "
8 - 22% "
0 - 2% "

B.S.
50mm sieve
.
38mm

"
25mm
"
"
20mm
"
"
10mm
"
"
5mm
"
"
No. 7
"
" No. 25
"
"
No. 200 "

RW/1

(Alternative) Base-Course Material Cement Stabilised Marl

The base-course material shall be tough, durable and sound and shall consist of
crushed gravel, screen-gravel, sand or other natural granular approved material
having essentially the same qualities and meeting all the requirements without
combining within the limits of gradation.
If a filler in addition to that naturally present in the aggregate is necessary, it shall
consist of stone-dust, or other approved mineral matter.
The proper proportion of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and filler for the basecourse shall be blended so as to meet the following gradation curve:
100% passing
55 - 85% "
50 - 80% "
30 - 60% "
10 - 30% "
5 - 15% "

B.S.
"
"
"
"
"

50mm sieve
25mm
"
20mm
"
5mm
"
No. 36
"
No. 200 "

Cement for the stabilised base shall be mixed with 4% minimum cement by
weight (approximately one bag of cement for each 7.0 m2 of 100mm thick layer)
or with an appropriate percentage which may be determined by tests.
Laboratory prepared specimens tested in accordance with B.S. 1924 or equivalent
A.S.T.M specifications shall attain a minimum strength of 3.445 MPa at 7 days
age.
1.4

Asphaltic Concrete
The asphalt cement shall be either a refined petroleum asphalt, or other natural
asphalt from Trinidad Lake. It shall be uniform in character, free from water, and
shall not foam when heated to a temperature of 177 C. It shall have a penetration
of from 60 - 70 at 25C using a gram weight and a period of five seconds. It shall
be supplied either in bulk or in conventional steel drums.
For the surface or wearing course the proper proportion of course aggregate, fine
aggregate and filler shall be blended so as to meet the following gradation curve:
100% passing
80 - 100% "
70 - 90% "
50 - 70% "
35 - 50% "
18 - 29% "
13 - 23% "
8 - 16% "

"
"

B.S. 20mm sieve

"
12mm "
"
2mm
"
" No. 4
"
"
No. 8
"
"
No. 30 "
No. 50 "
No. 100 "

The blended aggregate shall then be combined with a minimum of 5.80 percent
and a maximum of 7.00 percent of asphalt cement.
1.5

Kerbs and Sidewalk Paving Slabs

Kerbs and sidewalks slab shall be naturally coloured precast concrete.

RW/2

1.6

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

1.7

General Requirements
Roadways and hardstandings - as shown on drawings
Storage and parking - as shown on drawings

1.8

Levels
All levels shown on the drawing are relative to the Survey Department datum.
Prior to commencement of sub-base filling the existing surface shall be cleared of
all loose debris, rubbish etc., and the surface shall be graded and compacted to the
slopes, levels, depths, and heights as required for the formation level. The
Contractor shall carry out such filling or removal of material as necessary to form
the new formation level in accordance with the drawings.

1.9

Formation Level
The Formation Level shall be compacted in the top 300mm to 95% of the
Modified Proctor Density determined for the material.

1.10

Sub-Base
The approved material for the sub-base shall be deposited and spread over the
formation level without segregation in size and to such loose depths as will give a
maximum compacted thickness of 150mm for each layer and in as many such
layers as are necessary to attain the total thicknesses shown on the drawings.
Each layer shall extend over the full width of the formation and shall be
compacted at its natural moisture content by a minimum of 8 passes of an 8-10
ton smooth wheeled roller. If the moisture content of the material is insufficient
to allow satisfactory compaction or to prevent segregation, the Engineer may
direct that water be added.
Notwithstanding the above requirements each layers of sub-base material shall be
compacted to 95% of the Modified AASHO Density determined for the material
and shall when compacted give a minimum in-situ California Bearing Ratio
(C.B.R.) of 30%.
The surface of the finished sub-base shall be smooth and free from irregularities
and true to the levels and cross sections required in the drawings and shall not
vary more than 12mm in 3m in profile and cross section or more than +10" or -1"
from true elevation.

1.11

Base
Base course material shall be deposited and spread over the finished sub-base and
compacted as the sub-base to 98% of the Modified AASHO Density determined
for the material in layers of 100mm maximum compacted thickness in as many
such layers as are necessary to attain the required thickness, each having a
minimum CBR of 85%.
(Alternative) Cement Stabilisation to the base shall be specified where necessary
and in mixed proportion as determined by the Engineer.
The Contractor shall control the moisture content of the base material both before
and during the compaction to ensure that it does not vary by more than 1/2
percent above or below the optimum moisture content predetermined for the
RW/3

material.
The surface of the finished base shall be smooth and free from irregularities and
deviations greater than 6mm in 3m will not be allowed.
1.12

Asphaltic Concrete Surfacing

The surfacing shall consist of one layer which shall be an average of 37mm
compacted thickness of approximately 163 kg per square metre. The finished
surface shall not vary more than 6mm at special drainage areas.
The surfacing shall be laid in position only when the surface upon which it is
placed is swept clean and dry and when the weather is not rainy. It shall be placed
at a temperature between 107C and 149C.
Bituminous mixtures shall be prepared in an approved plant where treated
aggregate and asphalt shall be measured separately and accurately by weight or
volume.
The aggregate shall be heated and jointed in such a manner as to produce a
bituminous mixture when discharged from the plant will not vary more than 90C
from the temperature set by the Engineer and in all cases the temperature of any
mix shall be not more than 177C.
As and when required by the Engineer, the Contractor shall make all necessary
arrangements to permit access of the Engineer, or any Inspectors nominated by
the Engineer, to the mixing plant where bituminous mixtures are being prepared
for use in the Works. The Engineer or his inspectors shall be allowed to take
samples of and to carry out all necessary quality control tests on the mixtures and
materials being used in the mixtures and shall have the authority to condemn or
reject any materials or mixtures which do not comply with the Specification.
Trucks used to transport the bitumen mixtures shall have a capacity of not less
than 5 tons. Trucks shall have tight dump bodies which have been previously
cleaned of all foreign matter and sprayed lightly with distilled oil. The body of
the truck shall be in a completely raised position when sprayed with distilled oil
and shall remain in this position until all distilled oil has drained from the truck
body. Each load shall be covered with canvas or other weatherproof material as
the Engineer may direct.
The mixtures should be delivered at a temperature of 121C to 163C and shall be
placed true to grade and levels with a spreading and finishing machine. The
spreading and finishing machine shall spread the mixture without tearing the
surface and shall strike a finish that is smooth, true to cross section, uniform in
density and thickness and free from hollows, corrugations other irregularities.
Contact surfaces of kerbs, gutters, manholes, concrete pavements and other
structures shall be painted with a thin uniform coating of asphalt RC-1 just before
the bituminous mixture is placed against them. Joints between successive day's
work shall be made so as to ensure thorough continuous joints between old and
new mixtures.
Transverse construction joints in previously laid material may be constructed by
cutting the material back for its full depth so as to expose a fresh surface. Before
placing a fresh mixture against a cut joint the contact surface shall be sprayed or
coated with a thin uniform coating or asphalt RC-1.
The finished surfacing courses shall be checked for smoothness and regularity
using a 3m straight edge as directed by the Engineer.
RW/4

Irregularities in surface profile exceeding 3mm but less than 10mm shall be
corrected as directed by the Engineer while the mixture is still workable. Should
there be any deviation greater than 10mm the Engineer may direct that the
defective area of surface course be completely removed and replaced with fresh
material and the cost of all such remedial work shall be borne by the Contractor.
Immediately after the bituminous mixtures are placed the Engineer may direct
that preliminary rolling be carried out using a 2 1/2 ton roller. Otherwise, the
mixtures shall be compacted thoroughly and uniformly with a 8 ton, 3-wheel
roller or tandem roller. Rollers shall be operated by competent and experienced
operators and shall be kept in operation as continuously as possible so that all
parts of the pavement shall receive substantially equal compression at the time
desired. Delays in rolling freshly placed bituminous mixtures will not be
permitted.
The Contractor shall provide one roller for every 8 tons per hour of surfacing to
be laid, and in addition, a standby roller shall be provided in case of breakdown.
At the commencement of rolling, the rollers shall travel with the driven rolls
leading and when the roller is reversed after having travelled once along a strip
with the driven rolls first, the roller shall return along the same path before
changing direction laterally to start rolling a fresh strip.
Rolling shall start longitudinally at the edges that have the least elevation and
progress to the outer edge overlapping uniformly on successive trips by at least
half the width of the rear wheels. The spread of the roller at all times shall be
slow enough to avoid displacement of the bituminous mixtures. Roller wheels
shall be moistened lightly to prevent adhesion of the bituminous mixtures to the
roller but an excess of water will not be permitted.
Immediately after the initial rolling of the surface course, the Contractor shall test
the surface for smoothness with a 3m straight edge or template to locate high and
low spots so that may be altered while the mixture is till workable. Surface
deviations greater than 6mm shall be rectified to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
Rolling shall be continued until all marks are eliminated and the bituminous
mixtures are compacted to the satisfaction of the Engineer. When required by the
Engineer the surface course shall be rolled diagonally in two directions with a
tandem roller, and also transversely. In all places inaccessible to the rollers such
as locations adjacent to kerbs, buildings etc., the required compression shall be
secured with hot tampers.
After final compaction, the surface course shall at no point have a density less
than 95% of the maximum possible density of a voidless pavement composed of
the same materials in like proportions.
Samples of the finished surface course shall be taken and tested as required by the
Engineer or his testing agents. Holes caused by the removal of the samples from
the compacted pavement shall be immediately refilled with approved mixtures
and the disturbed areas shall be compacted and finished to the satisfaction of the
Engineer.
During spraying of tack coatings or laying of bituminous surfacing mixtures, the
Contractor shall take precautionary measures to prevent dirtying of the new kerbs,
channels and sidewalks with liquid asphalt.
1.13

Tests on Materials in Paved Areas

Tests shall be carried out at an approved laboratory or at the Site, as directed by
RW/5

the Engineer. The tests shall be carried out in the presence of the Engineer or
Engineer's Representative and shall be performed in such a manner and by such
processes at such premises and at such times as the Engineer may consider
desirable. The methods of sampling and testing shall be in accordance with the
specifications of the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) or where
appropriate with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) or British Standards (BS).
The cost of sampling, testing and restoration will be borne by the Contractor.
The following laboratory tests shall be carried out on sub-base and base course
material samples:a)

Sieve Analysis ASTM C-136

One from each sample from each source submitted in advance. Thereafter
once for every 3850 cubic metre material delivered.

b)

Liquid Limit

ASTM-D423
BS 1377Test 2A

c)

Plastic Limit

BS 1377
Test 3
ASTM-D424 Ditto

d)

Compaction Test

Mod.
AASHTO T-99
BS 1377
Test 11

Ditto

As required to provide
control for moisture content
and field density at least one
from each source.

The following field tests may be carried out on the material in the sub-base
construction.
a)

In-situ
density and
moisture
content

b)

In-situ C.B.R.

c)

Thickness of
processed layer

BS 1377
Test 15A/15B
At least one for every 417 sq.
metre each layer.
At least one for every 1668
sq. metres each layer.
The thickness of each
compacted layer shall be
measured at each location
where the layer is being
disturbed for field density
testing.

Samples of aggregate for use on bituminous mixtures shall be submitted in

advance for testing. At least one sieve analysis for each size shall be carried out
on samples from each source.

RW/6

The following tests shall be carried out on samples of the bituminous mixtures for
use in the Works:a)
b)

Percentage of Bitumen
Mechanical Analysis

c)

preliminary
Stability & Flow

- AASHTO T-58)
- AASHTO T-30)

- Marshall

One for

mix and
thence

as

directed by the
Engineer.
Temperature tests will be carried out on the mixtures and materials being used in
the mixtures both at the suppliers mixing plant and at the Site of the Works as
directed by the Engineer.
1.14

Precast Concrete
Kerbs shall be jointed in 1:6 cement sand mortar and laid on a continuous 375 x
150mm mass concrete footing with splayed backing to the kerb.
Concrete for the footing shall be 1:3:6 mixture. Any unit of kerb deviating more
than 3mm from line and level at either end shall be made good by lifting and
relaying.

RW/7