The effect of using activated dates seed on Hot Mix Asphalt performance

Abstract

The increasing demand for construction materials and the need to improve the performance of asphalt mixes have led to the depletion of available resources of aggregates. Lots of aggregate alternatives had been studied to partially or fully replace aggregate in asphalt concrete mixes. Indeed, date seeds are found easily in Kuwait. Their properties; such as light weight, very low crushing strength, and low impact value; represent a potential domain to enhance asphalt mix performance. The main objective of this paper is investigating the possibility of using activated date seeds additives in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) as a partial replacement of Fine Aggregates (sand). A total of 3 asphalt concrete mixes with different percentages by weight were prepared. Physical and mechanical properties of date seeds and Fine Aggregates (sand) were determined and compared in the asphalt concrete mix design of ratios 7, 10, and 15%. Compressive Strength and Marshall Stability tests were performed to investigate the effect of activated date seeds additives on HMA. Eventually, the findings indicated that the ratio of 10% gave the highest Marshall Stability. On the other hand, the ratio of 7% found to give the highest retained strength index. a deeper statistical analysis is performed to evaluate the robustness and significance of studied factors on response variables represented in Marshal Stability and Flow. The first part of the analysis included recognizing data outliers in data sets and eliminating them to compare basic statistical values with raw data. The minor differences in these values implies minor variability in the measurement and indicates minimal experimental error. T-test analysis was performed to study the influence of date seed percentages on different performed measurements. ANOVA tests were also represented to demonstrate the statistical significance factors on considered response variables. The results supported the significant influence of the included measurements on Marshal stability and flow values.

Keywords: Asphalt Mix, Alternative Cycling, Wasted Material, Date Seeds