Bailey Method for Gradation

Selection in HMA Design

J. Murali Krishnan
CE5013
2013 Batch

What is Bailey Method?

The Bailey Method is a systematic approach to
blending aggregates that provides aggregate
interlock as the backbone of the structure and
a balanced continuous gradation to complete
the mixture.

Basic Principles
Aggregate packing
Definition of coarse and fine aggregate
Primary Steps:
Combine aggregates by volume
Analyze the combined blend

Aggregate Packing
Aggregate particles cannot be packed together
to fill a volume completely
Degree of packing depends on
Compactive effort
Shape of the particles
Surface texture of the particles
Size distribution (gradation) of the particles
Strength of the particles

Coarse and Fine Aggregate

Traditional definition:
Coarse aggregate: retained by the 4.75 mm sieve
Fine aggregate: passing the 4.75-mm sieve

Bailey Method Definition:

Coarse Aggregate: Large aggregate particles that
when placed in a unit volume create voids
Fine Aggregate: Aggregate particles that can fill the
voids created by the coarse aggregate in the mixture

Coarse and fine are relative!!!

The definition of coarse and fine depends on the
nominal maximum particle size (NMPS) of the
mixture
In a dense-graded blend of aggregate with a NMPS of
37.5 mm, 9.5-mm particles are fine aggregate

PCS
The sieve which defines coarse and fine
aggregate is known as the primary control
sieve (PCS)
PCS is based on the NMPS of the aggregate
blend.
PCS = NMPS 0.22

Break between Coarse and Fine

Aggregate

What is the justification for PCS = NMPS

0.22?
2-D and 3-D analysis of the packing of
different shaped particles
Particle diameter ratio ranging from 0.15
(hexagonal close-packed spheres) to 0.42
(cubical packing of spheres)
packing of particles follows different models
when the characteristic diameter is above or
below 0.22 ratio

Combining Aggregates by Volume or

Weight?
Mix design methods - Volumetric analysis
To evaluate the degree of aggregate interlock
in a mixture the designer needs to evaluate a
mixture based on volume
Loose and rodded unit weights - provide the
volumetric data at the specific void structure

Loose and Rodded Unit Weights

Definitions
LUW

RUW

The loose unit weight of an

aggregate is the amount of
aggregate that fills a unit
volume without any
compactive effort applied
AASHTO T-19
This condition represents the
volume of voids present when
the particles are just into
contact without any outside
compactive effort being
applied

The rodded unit weight of

aggregate is the amount of
aggregate that fills a unit
volume with compactive effort
applied
AASHTO T-19
This condition represents the
volume of voids present when
the particles are further into
contact due to the compactive
effort applied

Selection of Chosen Unit Weight of

Coarse Aggregates

Chosen Unit Weight - Concepts

The loose unit weight is the lower limit of
coarse aggregate interlock
dividing line between fine-graded and coarsegraded mixtures

If you use unit weight < LUW, the the coarse

aggregate particles are spread apart
Fine aggregate skeleton
Properties for these blends are primarily related
to the fine aggregate

RUW Concept and Issues

Near 110% of LUW
If the chosen unit weight approached RUW,
compactability becomes difficult
Dense-graded mixture: 95 to 105% of the
loose unit weight
Fine-graded mixture: chosen unit weight
should be less than 90% of the loose unit
weight

Rodded Unit Weight of Fine

Aggregates

The rodded unit weight (density in kg/m3) is calculated by

dividing the weight of the aggregate by the volume of the
mold.

Design Blend - Factors

Bulk specific gravity of each aggregate
Chosen unit weight of the coarse aggregates
Rodded unit weight of the fine aggregates
Blend by volume of the coarse aggregates
totaling 100.0%
Blend by volume of fine aggregates totaling
100.0%, and
Amount of 0.075-mm material desired in the
combined blend,

Steps to blend
1.

Pick a chosen unit weight of CA

2.

Volume of voids of CA at the chosen unit weight

3.

How much fine aggregate to fill the above void volume using RUW
of FA?

4.

Total weight of each aggregate and convert to individual aggregate

blend percentages

5.

Correct CA for the FA they contain and FA for the CA they contain

6.

Step 4 again

Overview of the Divisions in a

Continuous Gradation

Coarse Aggregate Ratio

half sieve =0.5 of NMPS

Particles smaller than the half sieve -interceptors.

Fine Aggregate Coarse Ratio (FAc)

Evaluate fine aggregate similar to that of the overall blend
Coarse portion of the fine aggregate creates voids that will
be filled with the fine portion of the fine aggregate

Fine Portion of Fine Aggregate (Faf)

The fine portion of the fine aggregate fills the voids

created by the coarse portion of the fine aggregate

Summary
CA Ratio How coarse portion pack together
and how these aggregates pack the fine
aggregates filled in their interstices
FAc Ratio How fine portion pack together
and how these aggregates pack the fine
portion of the fine aggregates
FAf Ratio How fine portion of FA pack
together and how the void volume is
influenced

Recommended Ranges of Aggregate Ratios

Control Sieves for Various Asphalt Mixes

Four Important Parameters

Chosen unit weight - interlock of the coarse
aggregate
CA Ratio - gradation of the coarse aggregate
FAc Ratio - gradation of the coarse portion of
the fine aggregate
FAf Ratio - gradation of the fine portion of the
fine aggregate

Four Parameters and VMA

Chosen Unit Weight - VMA
CA Ratio - VMA
CA Ratio - Segregation
FA Ratios - VMA

Bailey Method and SMA

SMA is about aggregate
interlock
To evaluate aggregate
interlock, compare
voids in the coarse
aggregate (VCA) of the
mix to the dry rodded
condition (DRC) of the
coarse aggregate

Control Sieves for SMA Mixtures

Chosen unit weight for the coarse aggregates should be 110% to

125% of their corresponding RUW
Chosen unit weight of the fine aggregate(s) should be the
corresponding loose unit weight

Aggregate Ratios for SMA

Example Calculations
Example: Let us mix two CA, one FA and MF.

Aggregate Properties

Input Data Required

Stockpile gradation, and bulk specific gravity
Loose and rodded unit weights (AASHTO T-19)
Chosen unit weight as a percentage of the
loose unit weight
Desired percent passing 0.075-mm sieve
Blend by volume of coarse aggregates; and
Blend by volume of fine aggregates.

Step: 1
Determine the chosen unit of weight
The chosen unit weight for the fine aggregates
is simply the rodded weight of that aggregate.

Step 1: Specifications and Calculations

Step 2
Determine the unit weight contributed by
each coarse aggregate according to the
desired proportions (by volume) of coarse
aggregate

Step 3
Determine the voids in each coarse aggregate
according to its corresponding chosen unit
weight and contribution by volume. Sum the
voids

Step 4
Determine the unit weight contributed by
each fine aggregate according to the desired
volume blend of fine aggregate.

Step 5
Determine the unit weight for the total
aggregate blend

Step 6
Determine the initial blend percentage by
weight of each aggregate

Step 7 PCS here is 2.36 mm

For CA1 and CA2, determine the percent
passing the 2.36-mm sieve
For FA1, determine the percent retained on
2.36-mm sieve

Step 8: FA in each CA stockpile

Determine the percent passing the 2.36-mm
sieve as a percentage of the total aggregate
blend

Step 9: CA in FA Blend

Step 10: Adjusted Stockpile - CA

Step 10: Adjusted Stockpile - FA

Step 11: MF required

Determine the amount of 0.075-mm material
contributed by each aggregate and the
amount required

Step 12: Adjustment of FA due to MF

addition

Results

Thank You!!!