APPLICATION OF SILICEOUS ROCKS IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A study was conducted on the use of siliceous rock, opoka, in road construction. The aim of this research is to develop a technology for producing building materials—opoka and thermolite—for road construction. The objectives of this study are to explore methods for using opoka in road construction and the potential use of thermolite in the production of asphalt concrete mixtures for certain categories of roads. Opoka was studied as a standalone material for producing building materials and as a raw material for the production of thermolite, which is used as an aggregate in the production of asphalt concrete. A technology for producing thermolite was developed, and its physical and mechanical properties were determined based on the research conducted. The thermolite was produced in laboratory conditions by high-temperature firing of opoka at 1150°C. The development of a technology for producing asphalt concrete mixtures based on thermolite for road construction is relevant, especially in areas lacking deposits of hard rock used for crushed stone production. Research confirms that the use of thermolite in asphalt concrete mixtures provides superior performance compared to existing asphalt concrete mixtures for road construction.