A Study of Some Properties of Granular Base Course Materials for Roads from Quarries in Zliten City

Abstract

In road construction projects, emphasis on the properties of pavement layers is considered a fundamental aspect to ensure roadway efficiency and performance. This research aims to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of the base course layer by collecting samples from several quarries located within Zliten city and conducting a series of laboratory tests on them. The objective is to evaluate their compliance with the Libyan Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges and to contribute to the selection of suitable quarries for road construction projects. The laboratory tests conducted included particle size distribution analysis, Atterberg limits determination, Los Angeles abrasion test, compaction test, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test. The analysis of the test results revealed a noticeable variation in the obtained values among the studied quarries, with most results conforming to the standard specifications. It was found that Quarry No. (4) achieved full compliance with all the requirements of the standard specifications, whereas the other quarries exhibited similar properties but had some results falling outside the permissible specification limits. This necessitates the development and monitoring of rock crushing mechanisms and the improvement of sorting and production processes in these quarries to enhance the quality of the produced materials and ensure their compliance with the adopted standard specifications.