A Study on Utilization of Recycled Aggregate, Crusher Dust and Sand in Road Construction

The construction of road networks requires substantial quantities of materials, and the availability of high-quality natural resources is becoming increasingly challenging. As road infrastructure expands through programs like Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the need for alternative materials is growing. This study explores the use of Recycled Aggregate, Sand, and Crusher Dust as replacements for conventional earth materials like crushed stone aggregates and natural sand in road construction. The aim is to evaluate the geotechnical properties of compacted Crusher Dust, Sand, and Recycled Aggregate mixtures and their suitability as road base and sub-base materials. Through a series of compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests, the strength characteristics of these materials were assessed by varying the proportions of Sand (60% to 10%) and Crusher Dust (40% to 10%) in Recycled Aggregate mixtures. The experimental results indicate that a mix of 20-30% Sand and 20-30% Crusher Dust, combined with 60-70% Recycled Aggregate, yields satisfactory results for road base and sub-base layers, meeting the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) specifications. The maximum strength values were observed at 30-40% Crusher Dust with Recycled Aggregate, demonstrating the potential for these materials to serve as viable alternatives in road construction.