NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Materials Method: MM 410-1

MATERIALS BUREAU ALBANY, NY 12232-0861

Issue Date: December 2014

MATERIALS METHOD Subject Code: 7.42-1

SUBJECT: CHIP SEAL MIX DESIGN

Supercedes: n/a
Dated: n/a
APPROVED: ________/S/ Russell D. Thielke________________________
For John Rondinaro, PE, Director, Materials Bureau

I. SCOPE

This Material Method describes the procedure for determining the aggregate and liquid
bituminous material application rates for Chip Seal projects. The bituminous value generated by
this method is affected by assumptions made regarding the surface conditions. EIC/Contractor
may agree to vary application rates based on actual field conditions.

II. GENERAL METHOD

The Contractor employs a laboratory to conduct physical tests for select aggregate properties, and
together with existing pavement conditions, develops a mix design to estimate application rates
for aggregate and liquid bituminous material.

This method is accompanied by an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet performs analysis

associated with this method.

III. DESIGN PROCEDURE

1. Gradation

Determine the aggregate gradation using AASHTO T 11, Materials Finer than #200 Sieve in
Mineral Aggregates by Washing, and AASHTO T 27, Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates. Determine bulk specific gravity (G) and percent absorption (A) using AASHTO T
85, Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate:

Sieve Percent Passing

3/8

No. 4
No. 8
No. 200

2. Bulk Specific Gravity and Percent Absorption

Determine bulk specific gravity (G) and percent absorption (A) using AASHTO T 85, Specific
Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate:

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 When absorption value is equal to or less than 1%, report absorption result as 0.
When absorption value is greater than 1%, report absorption result as 0.02.

Test Result
Bulk Specific Gravity (G)
Aggregate Absorption (A)

III. DESIGN PROCEDURE CONTINUED

3. Mean Particle Size

Determine the Median Particle Size (M). The median particle size is the theoretical sieve size
through which 50 percent of the aggregate passes.

Use an aggregate gradation graph to determine median particle size.

Median Particle Size (M)

(Include Graph), inches

4. Flakiness Index

Determine the Flakiness Index (FI). The flakiness index is a measure of the percent, by weight, of
flat aggregate particles. The maximum allowable flakiness index is 25.

Flakiness Gauge Dimensions

4.1 Prepare an aggregate sample according to Step 1, gradation

4.2 Keep individual size fractions of aggregate retained on the No. 4 and larger sieves
separated

4.3 Attempt to pass individual aggregate particles through the appropriate slot in the
flakiness gauge

4.4 For each size fraction of aggregate, record the total weight of aggregate retained on the
slot and the total weight of aggregate passing through the slot

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 4.5 Calculate the flakiness index using the formula below

Size Fraction Weight Retained on Slot Weight Passing Slot

- 3/8
3/8
- No. 4
TOTAL

Flakiness Index
FI = (Total Weight Passing Slots) /
(Total Weight Retained + Total Weight Passing
Slots)

III. DESIGN PROCEDURE CONTINUED

5. Average Least Dimension

Determine the Average Least Dimension (H). The Average Least Dimension is the expected
thickness of the seal coat in the wheel path after the chips have been oriented by traffic.

H = M / [1.139285 + (0.011506)(FI)], inches

6. Loose Unit Weight of Aggregate

Determine the Loose Unit Weight of the Aggregate (W). Loose Unit Weight is the weight of a
known volume of unconsolidated aggregate. Use the shoveling procedure for loose bulk density
detailed in AASHTO T 19, Bulk Density and Voids in Aggregate. Repeat the procedure three
times and report the average.

Loose Unit Weight (W) is:

W = (Weight of the aggregate) /

(Volume of container), lbs/ft3

7. Voids in Loose Aggregate

Determine the Voids in the Loose Aggregate (V)

V = 1 W/(62.4*G)

8. Traffic Volume Correction Factor

Traffic Volume (T) Correction Factor (Vehicles per day)

AADT Under 100 100 to 500 500 to 1000 1000 to 2000 2000 or greater
Correction, T 0.85 0.75 0.70 0.65 0.60

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 9. Surface Correction Factor

Surface Condition (S) Correction Factor

Existing Pavement Texture Correction, S

Smooth, non-porous 0.00
Slightly porous & oxidized 0.03
Slightly pocked, porous and oxidized 0.06
Badly pocked, porous and oxidized 0.09

IV. Summary and Calculations

1. CHIP SEAL MIX DESIGN SUMMARY

TEST RESULTS
Bulk Specific Gravity (G)
Aggregate Absorption (A)
Median Particle Size (M)
Flakiness Index (25% Max) ( FI
)
Average Least Dimension (H)
Loose Unit Weight (W
)
Voids in the Loose Aggregate (V)
Traffic Volume (T)
Surface Conditions (S)
Residual Asphalt Content of Emulsion (R)

2. Determination of Aggregate Application Rate

C = 51.5 * ( 1 0.4V ) * ( H ) * ( G ) = _____ lbs/yd2

Where:
C = Cover Aggregate Application Rate, lbs/yd2
V = Voids in the Loose Aggregate, in percent - expressed as a decimal
H = Average Least Dimension, inches
G = Bulk Specific Gravity of the Aggregate

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3. Determination of Bituminous Material Application Rate

B = ( 2.244 * ( H/2 + M/2) * ( T ) * ( V ) + S + A ) / R = _____

gal/yd2

Where:
B = Liquid Application Rate, gal/yd2
V = Voids in the Loose Aggregate, in percent - expressed as a decimal
H = Average Least Dimension, inches
M = Median Particle Size, inches
T = Traffic Factor
S = Surface Condition Factor
A = Aggregate Absorption Factor
R = Residual Asphalt Content of Binder, in percent - expressed as a decimal

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