CONFIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

ANSWER

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER I
SESSION 2022/2023
COURSE NAME : HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE : BFC 31802

PROGRAMME CODE : BFF

EXAMINATION DATE : FEB 2023

DURATION : 2 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES

INSTRUCTION : ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF FOURTEEN (14) PAGES

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CONFIDENTIAL BFC 31802

Q1 (a) Illustrate a cross-sectional for state road and describe the function of road
median.
(5 marks)

Sketch – 4 marks

Function of median (any 1 point, 1 mark):

- Provides segregation between opposing directions of traveled ways
- assists in draining of surface runoff
- when planted with trees and shrubs, a median will help reduce glare from vehicle
headlights
- median can be used for future expansion of the highway

(b) Table Q1(b) presents the result of bitumen tested at highway engineering
laboratory. Based on the results, classified the penetration grade of bitumen
and explain the bitumen properties for wearing coarse in road construction.
(5 marks)

- Based on the results, the bitumen can be classified as penetration grade 60/70 since it
fulfilled all requirements (This point is compulsory – 1 mark).

Any 4 points 4 marks:

- The penetration value is between 60 to 70.

- The softening point is between 48 – 56°C
- The viscosity is less than 3 Pa.s
- The ductility is more than 100 cm.
- The flash also complies the minimum requirement with the value 258°C.

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(c) The point of intersection of two tangent lines is station 1115+20. The radius
of curvature is 275 m and the angle of deflection is 52°. Based on this
statement, calculate the following parameters:
(i) Length of the curve

(3 marks)

L = (Δ/360)(2πR)
L = (52/360)(2x 3.142x 275)
L = 249.6m(3 marks)

(ii) Length of the Long Chord

(3 marks)

C = R sin (Δ /2)
C = 2x 275 sin (52 /2)
C=241.1(3 marks)

(iii) Length of the Middle Ordinate

(3 marks)

M = R [1 – cos (Δ /2)]
M = 275 [1 – cos (52 /2)]
M=27.83m(3 marks)

(iv) Length of External Distance

(3 marks)
E = R [sec(Δ/2) – 1]
E = 275 [sec(52/2) – 1]
E= 30.97(3 marks)

(v) The station for the Point of Curvature and Point of Tangency
(3 marks)

P.C= (1115+20)-134.12
P.C=1000.88
P.T=1000.88+249.6
P.T=1200+50.47 (3 marks)

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Q2 (a) Describe the required parameters to determine the optimum bitumen content for
produce dense asphalt mixture according to Marshall mix design standard test
procedure.
(5 marks)
According to SPJ/JKR/2008, the optimum bitumen content can be determined
by averaging five bitumen content of:
(1) Peak of curve taken from the stability graph
(2) Flow equals to 3 mm from the flow graph,
(3) Peak of curve taken from the bulk specific gravity graph
(4) VFB equals to 75% for wearing course and 70% for binder course from
the VFB graph
(5) VIM equals to 4.0% for wearing course and 5.0% for binder course from
the VIM graph.
(b) In SPJ/JKR/2008, the CBR value for base layer cannot less than 80%. After CBR
in-situ testing at Parit Nipah Parit Raja, the value of CBR recorded as 75%. Based
on your opinion, suggest TWO (2) methods for improving the CBR value to the
acceptable requirement.
(5 marks)

The improvement can be conducted in term of:

(1) Mechanical method

- pulverizing with reclaimed asphalt pavement etc
- preloading and surcharging

(2) Chemical method

- use chemical stabilizer (cement, lime, fly ash)
- air curing technique

(c) A new road of 15 km was proposed to be constructed from Muar to Batu Pahat,
Johor. Predict and sketch a design of layer thickness for the flexible pavement
using the AASHTO design method. Refer Table Q2(c) and Figure Q2(c)(i) to
Figure Q2(c)(v) in your calculation. The following data have been provided:

- Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL) = 1.5  106

- Initial Present Serviceability Index, PSIi = 4.5
- Terminal Present Serviceability Index, PSIt = 2.5
- Resilient modulus of asphalt concrete, MR1 = 400,000 psi
- CBR of crushed stone base = 100%
- CBR of gravel subbase = 30%
- CBR of subgrade = 7%
- Exposure to moisture = 30% of the time
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- Quality of drainage = Surface layer – Good
- Base layer = Fair
- Subbase layer = Fair
- Reliability, R = 99%
- Standard deviation, So = 0.35
(15 marks)
(1) Design Serviceability Loss, ∆PSI
∆PSI = PSIt – PSIi
= 4.5 – 2.5 = 2.0……………..(1 marks)

(2) Resilient Modulus (3 marks)

Subgrade : MR4 = 7600 psi

(Figure Q2c(i), with CBR = 7%)
Subbase : MR3 = 15000 psi
(Figure Q2c(ii), with CBR = 22%)
Base : MR2 = 30000 psi
(Figure Q2c(iii), with CBR = 100%)

(3) Structural Number (1.5 marks)

Surface : SN1 = 2.4

Base : SN2 = 2.7
Subbase : SN3 = 3.8

(4) Structural Coefficient (1.5 marks)

Surface : a1 = 0.42
Base : a2 = 0.14
Subbase : a3 = 0.11

(5) Drainage Coefficient (1.5 marks)

Surface : m1 = 1.00
Base : m2 = 0.80
Subbase : m3 = 0.80

(6) SURFACE THICKNESS (1.5 marks)

D1=(SN1/a1m1)= 2.4/(0.42x1)=5.7143~6 in
SN1* = a1 D1 m1 = 0.42 (6) (1.00) = 2.52
SN1* > SN1 -----OK!

(7) BASE THICKNESS (2m)

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D2=(SN2-SN1*/a2m2)= (2.7-2.52/(0.14x0.8)=1.61~2in
SN2* = a2 D2 m2 = 0.14 (2) (0.80) = 0.224
SN1* + SN2* = 2.52 + 0.224 = 2.74
SN1* + SN2* >SN2 ---- OK

(8) SUBBASE THICKNESS (2m)

D1=(SN3-SN2*-SN1*/a3m3=(3.8-0.224-2.52)/0.11x0.8 = 12 in
SN3* = a3 D3 m3 = 0.11 (12) (0.8) = 1.056
SN1* + SN2* + SN3* = 2.52 + 0.224+1.056 = 3.8
SN1* + SN2* + SN3* >= SN3 ---- OK!

1 mark

Q3 (a) Road drainage is an important component in road. Due to unproper drainage,

the accident can occur. Define the mechanism of the loss of traction which
can lead to an accident with the aid of diagram.
(5 marks)
Any 2 points 2 marks:
(1) To prevent the accumulated surface water on or by the roadway
(2) Intercepting of ground water from entering the road structure
from beneath
(3) Prevent erosion of the roadway edges, drains, embankment
slopes, cut slope and the roadside
(4) Conveying river and stream water across the roadway in an
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appropriate manner

(ii) Aquaplaning is one of the factors of road accident. Briefly explain the
mechanism of the accident with the aid of diagram.
(3 marks)

Aquaplaning or hydroplaning – accumulation of water ( 1 mark)

Occurs when a layer of water builds between the rubber tires of the
vehicle and the road surface.
This leads to the loss of traction and thus preventing the vehicle from
responding to steering, braking or accelerating.
It becomes, in effect, an unpowered and unsteered sled
( 3 marks)

Sketch ( 1 mark)

Figure Q3(b) shows the longitudinal profile of a site for a proposed highway.
(b) The distance and corresponding volume of soil to be cut or filled are indicated
in the figure. Assume that the shrinkage and bulking factors are equal to 1.0.

Construct a Mass Haul Diagram.

(i)
(5 marks)
Distance Volume Cumulative Volume
(m) (m3) (m3)
0 0 0
105 3615 3615
180 3216 6831
250 -7012 -181
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310 -3314 -3495
395 9315 5820
475 5622 11442
605 -4435 7007
705 -4578 2429
785 2077 4506
865 3670 8176
920 -4336 3840
1000 -3282 558

Calculation 3 marks

Mass Haul Diagram

13000
Cumulative Volume (m3)

8000

3000

-2000 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

-7000
Distance (m)

Diagram – 2 marks

Determine the volume and direction of haul using table in Figure Q3(b).
(ii)
(5 marks)

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(d) The embankment of a proposed alternative road from Parit Raja to Batu Pahat is
10 km long. The average cross section of the embankment is shown in Figure
Q3(c). The specification requires the embankment to be compacted to 95% of
the maximum dry density according to the B.S 1377 Compaction Test (2.5 kg
rammer method). Table Q3(c) present the density of laboratory and borrow
material at various conditions
(i) Determine the volume of borrow pit material needed for 1 m3 of the
compacted road embankment.
(5 marks)
Maximum dry density = 1.56 Mg/m 3

Required density of compacted embankment

= 95 % of maximum dry density
= (95/100) x 1.56
= 1.482 Mg/m3 (1 mark)

Dry density of borrow material

γb
= 1+w (formula - 1 mark)

1.88
= 1+0.096 = 1.72 Mg/m3 (1 mark)

Therefore 1 m3 of compacted embankment need

1.48
= 1.72 = 0.86 m3 of borrow material (2 mark)

(ii) Calculate the additional water volume needed for the total volume of
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embankment.
(5 marks)

20+24
Cross section of embankment = ( 2 ) x 2 = 44 m2 (1 mark)
Volume of embankment = 44 m2 x 10000 m = 440,000 m3 (1 mark)

Additional water needed

= (OMC – MC) x Required density x Volume of the embankment
(1 mark)
= (12% –9.6%) x 1.48 Mg/m3 x 440,000 m3
= 15649.92Mg of water (1 mark)

Assume unit weight of water is 1 Mg/m3, therefore 15628.8 Mg of water is

15649.92m3 volume of water (1 mark)

Q4 (a) (i) Describe sustainability in road construction.

(2 marks)

Sustainability is the ability to meet current needs without compromising the

ability of next generations to meet theirs. This concept integrates the
economic, societal and environmental aspects. Sustainability can be also
defined as a way to use a resource so that the latter is not depleted or
permanently damaged.
(b) Elaborate THREE (3) current practices in terms of sustainable highways with
suitable examples. Define the sustainable elements in each example.
(12 marks)
1. Replacing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) with Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA)

Highway construction requires a lot of energy at different levels: for the

production of asphalt and cement destined to pavements and excavating
materials, for road maintenance, and by vehicles stuck in congestion due to
poorly designed highways. To reduce the level of energy consumption, warm-
mix asphalt (WMA) can be used to replace hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Besides
the fact that WMA is produced at a lower temperature, it also induces great
benefits such as an improvement of working conditions (less exposure to heat
and fumes) and asphalt compaction, reduction of paving cost and longer
hauling.

Sustainable elements: reduction of production temperature, reduce energy

consumption

2. Applying Bio-binder
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One of the options which would also allow to generate savings in energy and
production costs is the use of “Bio-binders” as materials for sustainable
asphalt pavements. Bio-binders – also known as biopolymer- come from
natural resources and are fully bio degradable. They are rather cost effective
and show good thermal stability.

Sustainable elements: Alternative materials from renewable sources

3. Use recycling materials

Sustainability can also be reached through the use of recycled materials (like
crushed concrete for instance), which entails a reduction in the consumption
of energy needed to import new materials besides the obvious benefits of
using recycled materials.

Sustainable elements: recycling. Able to reduce the consumption of raw

materials and reduce the waste generation.

4. Other related and suitable answers.

(c) Hot in-place recycling (HIPR) has been described as an on-site, in-place
method that rehabilitates deteriorated asphalt pavements and thereby
minimizes the use of new materials.

(i) Name THREE (3) types of HIPR recycling processes.

(3 marks)

1. surface recycling,
2. repaving, and
3. remixing.

(b) Explain FOUR (4) steps of HIPR process.

(8 marks)

1. Softening of the asphalt pavement surface with heat;

2. Scarification and/or mechanical removal of the surface material;

3. Mixing of the material with recycling agent, asphalt binder, or new mix; and

4. Laydown and paving of the recycled mix on the pavement surface.

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- END OF QUESTIONS

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