AGGREGATE SUBBASE COURSE
Item 200
Description
This item shall consist of furnishing, placing and
compacting an aggregate subbase course on a
prepared subgrade in accordance with this
Specification and the lines, grades and
cross-sections shown on the Plans, or as directed
by the Engineer.
Material Requirements
- Aggregate for subbase shall consist of hard,
durable particles or fragments of crushed stone,
crushed slag, or crushed or natural gravel and
filler of natural or crushed sand or other finely
divided mineral matter. The composite material
shall be free from vegetable matter and lumps
or balls of clay, and shall be of such nature that
it can be compacted readily to form a firm,
stable subbase.
Material Requirements
- The subbase material shall conform to
Table 200.1, Grading Requirements
Sieve Designation Mass Percent
Passing
Standard, mm Alternate US
Standard
50 2” 100
25 1” 55 – 85
9.5 3/8” 40 – 75
0.075 No. 200 0 - 12
Material Requirements
- The fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No.200) sieve
shall not be greater than 0.66 (two thirds) of the
fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve.
- The fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve
shall have a liquid limit not greater than 35 and
plasticity index not greater than 12 as determined by
AASHTO T 89 and T 90, respectively.
Material Requirements
- The coarse portion, retained on a 2.00 mm
(No. 10) sieve, shall have a mass percent of wear
not exceeding 50 by the Los Angeles Abrasion Tests
as determined by AASHTO T 96.
- The material shall have a soaked CBR value of
not less than 25% as determined by AASHTO T 193.
The CBR value shall be obtained at the maximum
dry density and determined by AASHTO T 180,
Method D.
Construction Requirements
Preparation of Existing Surface
The existing surface shall be graded and finished
as provided under Item 105, Subgrade Preparation,
before placing the subbase material.
Placing
The aggregate subbase material shall be placed at
a uniform mixture on a prepared subgrade in a
quantity which will provide the required compacted
thickness. When more than one layer is required,
each layer shall be shaped and compacted before
the succeeding layer is placed.
Construction Requirements
Spreading and Compacting
- When uniformly mixed, the mixture shall be spread
to the plan thickness, for compaction.
-Where the required thickness is 150 mm or less, the
material may be spread and compacted in one layer.
-Where the required thickness is more than 150 mm,
the aggregate subbase shall be spread and
compacted in two or more layers of approximately
equal thickness, and the maximum compacted
thickness of any layer shall not exceed 150 mm. All
subsequent layers shall be spread and compacted in
a similar manner.
Construction Requirements
- The moisture content of subbase material shall, if
necessary, be adjusted prior to compaction by
watering with approved sprinklers mounted on trucks
or by drying out, as required in order to obtain the
required compaction.
Construction Requirements
- Immediately following final spreading and
smoothening, each layer shall be compacted to the
full width by means of approved compaction
equipment. Rolling shall progress gradually from
the sides to the center, parallel to the centerline of
the road and shall continue until the whole surface
has been rolled.
- Along curbs, headers, and walls, and at all places
not accessible to the roller, the subbase material
shall be compacted thoroughly with approved
tampers or compactors.
Construction Requirements
- Compaction of each layer shall continue until a field
density of at least 100 percent of the maximum dry
density determined in accordance with AASHTO T
180, Method D has been achieved. In-place density
determination shall be made in accordance with
AASHTO T 191.
Construction Requirements
Trial Sections
- Before subbase construction is started, the Contractor shall
spread and compact trial sections as directed by the
Engineer. The purpose of the trial sections is to check the
suitability of the materials and the efficiency of the equipment
and construction method which is proposed to be used by the
Contractor. Therefore, the Contractor must use the same
material, equipment and procedures that he proposes to use
for the main work. One trial section of about 500 m2 shall be
made for every type of material and/or construction
equipment/procedure proposed for use.
Construction Requirements
Tolerances
- Aggregate subbase shall be spread with equipment
that will provide a uniform layer which when
compacted will conform to the designed level and
transverse slopes as shown on the Plans. The
allowable tolerances shall be as specified
hereunder:
Construction Requirements
Tolerances
Permitted variation from design
THICKNESS OF LAYER ± 20 mm
Permitted variation from design +10 mm
LEVEL OF SURFACE -20 mm
Permitted SURFACE IRREGULARITY
Measured by 3-m straight-edge 20 mm
Permitted variation from design
CROSSFALL OR CAMBER ±0.3%
Permitted variation from design
LONGITUDINAL GRADE over ±0.1%
25 m in length
Method of Measurement
- Aggregate Subbase Course will be measured by the
cubic meter (m3). The quantity to be paid for shall be
the design volume compacted in-place as shown on
the Plans, and accepted in the completed course.
No allowance will be given for materials placed outside
the design limits shown on the cross-sections.
Trial sections shall not be measured separately but
shall be included in the quantity of subbase herein
measured.
