×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift
5

Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

(OP)
I came across a set of project specifications where it calls out for a relative compaction test to be done per CalTrans Test No. 216 with every lift of aggregate base and aggregate subbase. I did some research and this is what appears on the Table 6-1.11 of the Caltrans Construction Manual Section 6-109; at least as far as the test number to follow.

However I do not see anywhre in the project specifications, how much is a lift of aggregate. Anyone with experience on the subject, that can point to whether this is shown anywhere on CalTrans documentation?

What are typical lifts for aggregate base, subbase, asphalt pavement? thanks.
 

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

A typical lift, depending on the material, ranges from 6 to 12 inches.  Clean sands and other non-cohesive, low fines materials are generally specified in the 12 inch lift range.  Fine materials (clayey sand, silty sands) are generally specified in the 6-inch lift range.

It also depends on the compaction equipment.  If the equipment is appropriate for the material, the above lift thicknesses can be increased.

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

As usual, Ron provides good guidance.  I would suggest that 6" lifts are OK with material upto 3/4" in size although you have to be careful with segregation as you lay out the larger sizes.  

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

Typically have used 200 mm to 300 loose lifts.

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

(OP)
Thank you everyone...I am assuming that the lift of material should have been specified in the project specs? or does anyone know where on Caltrans documents it is defined? From your posts, it sounds like it varies based on the type of material and I would imagine that recommendations from the project's geotech engineer would come in to play. Your thoughts...

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

maximum compacted thickness per lift is 6 inches per Caltrans Standard Specifications, Sections 25 and 26

RE: Aggregate Base and Subbase Lift

(OP)
As usual, everyone's imput has been of great assistance. Greatly appreciated.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources