ITEM 304 AGGREGATE BASE
304.01 Description. This work consists of furnishing, placing, and compacting one or more
courses of aggregate on a prepared surface, including furnishing and incorporating all water required for compaction.
304.02 Materials. Furnish materials conforming to 703.17.
304.03 Before Spreading. Sample the material stockpile, according to ASTM D75, to determine
the initial moisture content to be used for compaction. Create the moisture-density curve according to AASHTO T 99 , Method C or Method D, to determine the optimum moisture content. For projects when the total volume of material is less than 1000 cubic yards, the optimum moisture content may be obtained from a moisture-density curve that was performed on the material within 1 year prior to the date of placement. Submit moisture-density test results to the Engineer. Use material that has reasonably uniform moisture content. Ensure the moisture content is not less than 2 percent below the optimum moisture content before spreading. Add water to the stockpile if necessary to meet this moisture requirement. Handle the material in a manner to minimize segregation. If segregation occurs, thoroughly mix or regrade the stockpile.
304.04 Spreading. Spread the material on the prepared surface. Do not use frozen material and
do not spread on frozen surfaces. Do not exceed a compacted lift thickness of 8 inches when using vibratory rollers with effective weights greater than 12 tons. Do not exceed a compacted lift thickness of 6 inches when using vibratory rollers with effective weights from 10 to 12 tons. Do n ot exceed a maximum compacted lift thickness of 4 inches when these vibratory rollers are not used. The effective weight of a vibratory roller is the weight plus the centrifugal force from vibration. Submit documentation from the manufacturer that shows the vibratory roller meets the minimum effective weight requirements. Place the material in two or more approximately equal lifts when the specified compacted thickness exceeds the maximum allowed. Place the material with self-propelled spreading machines capable of placing the material true to line and grade. Spreading machines such as spreader boxes or pavers are allowed. Do not use graders or dozers without spreader boxes to spread the material except for areas described in the next paragraph. Spread the material such that it minimizes segregation and requires minimal blading or manipulation. The Department may perform in-place gradation testing in areas that are visually segregated according to Supplement 1090. The Contractor may use hand-placing methods, dozers or graders when the total area of the material is 2000 square yards or less or in small areas where self-propelled spreading machines are impractical. Small areas include lane widths less than 12 feet or lengths less t han 1000 feet. The Department will not take in-place gradation tests in these small areas. The Department may test for in -place gradation after spreading but before compaction testing according to Supplement 1090.
304.05 Compaction. Add water or dry the material to bring it to within 2 percent of the optimum
moisture content before compacting. Maintain the moisture content within this range during all compaction operations. The Engineer will determine the percentage of moisture to apply or to be dried from the material. Uniformly apply the water or dry the material throughout the lift and in a manner that does not soften or disturb the lower courses. Reduce the moisture content if the material becomes unstable during the compaction operation. Compact each lift of material immediately after spreading. Use rollers that correspond with the lift thickness as described in 304.04. The Contractor may use lighter rollers or vibratory equipment in small areas as specified in 304.04 or when heavier rollers are not practical. Approved compaction equipment may consist of vibratory rollers, static rollers, or vibratory equipment. At the beginning of the compaction operation, construct a test section according to Supplement 1015. Use a minimum compactive effort of eight passes to construct the test section. Use and adjust the vibration on the vibratory rollers to maximize the density and stability. Construct a new test section when the material changes or when the supporting materials change appreciably. Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, the Engineer will perform all compaction tests according to Supplement 1015. The Engineer will use 98 percent of the test section maximum dry density for acceptance of the production material. Use at least the same number of passes and compactive effort used to obtain the test section maximum dry density for the production material. At a minim um, use eight passes in the production area. The Engineer may reduce the minimum passes if the passes are detrimental to compaction. The Engineer may check the production material density before or after the finishing operations. Maintain the surface of each lift during the compaction operations in such a manner that the surface texture is reasonably uniform and the material is firmly keyed. Cover the aggregate base with the next layer of pavement before the end of the construction season. If the aggregate base is not covered up, then assume all liability for contamination of, damage to and instability of the base, subgrade and underdrains. Provide drainage and maintain the material according to 203.04.A.
304.06 Finished Surface. Ensure that the finished surface does not vary more than 3/8 inch from
a 10-foot straightedge parallel to the centerline or more than 1/2 inch from a template conforming to the required cross -section. Furnish straightedges, templates, or other devices sat isfactory to the Engineer, and check the surface for conformance with these requirements. Do not construct the aggregate base at a consistent depth below the required minimum compacted depth thickness. When the depth is found to be less than the required depth, provide the Engineer with a written corrective action plan for approval.
304.07 Method of Measurement. The Department will measure Aggregate Base by the number
of cubic yards computed from the profile grade and typical sections, compacted in place. Where variable depth is specified, the Department will measure the number of cubic yards of aggregate base by converting from weight using the following conversion factors: TABLE 304.07-1 Material Conversion Factor Crushed stone 4000 lb/yd³ Crushed gravel 4000 lb/yd³ Crushed slag [1] less than 90 lb/ft³ 3600 lb/yd³ 90 to 100 lb/ft³ 4000 lb/yd³ more than 100 lb/ft³ 4500 lb/yd³ Granulated slag 2800 lb/yd³ [1] Based on average dry rodded weight of standard size of slag aggregates on record at the Laboratory. The conversion factors listed are the long gradation weights. These numbers are based on the dry rodded weights of No. 67, 57, or 8 gradation. The Department will determine slag weights based on weights obtained from the original source. The Department will verify that the moisture content of the delivered material is less than 2 percent above saturated surface dry (SSD). If the moisture content is greater than 2 percent above SSD, then the Department will calculate the number of cubic yards based on the dry density and dry weight. The Department will determine the pounds per cubic yard for aggregate mixtures by using 100 percent of the test section maximum dry density obtained in 304.05.
304.08 Basis of Payment. The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract price
as follows: Item Unit Description 304 Cubic Yard Aggregate Base
Aggregate Base in other states
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