Laboratory investigation on stone matrix asphalt using banana fiber

Abstract

The technology and usage of the asphalt materials and mixtures is first discovered and mostly used in European countries and North America. The SMA (stone matrix asphalt) mixture is a gap-graded mix which is characterized by high coarse aggregates, high asphalt contents and fiber additives as stabilizers. In this present research, an attempt has been made to study the engineering properties of mixtures of stone matrix asphalt with and without fiber. Here fiber used is a non-conventional natural fiber, namely banana fiber. This research was done to check the suitability of banana fibre as stabilising agent in the mixture by laboratory tests in which a flow parameter and stability were analyzed, as well as the mechanical properties of the mixture. Here for the stone matrix asphalt mix the aggregate gradation is taken based on the MoRTH specification and the binder content is 4%, 4.5%. 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, 7% by weight of aggregate and fibre used is 0.3% by weight of aggregate. Here cement is used as filler and binder used is 60/70 grade bitumen.