What is the difference between WBM and WMM

with respect to civil engineering?

Details -

The differences between WBM and WMM are -

1. Components -
a. WBM -
i. Coarse Aggregates ( 90 mm - 45 mm for sub-base course) &
(63 mm - 4 mm & 53 mm - 22.4 mm for base course) Hand broken aggregate
can be used.
ii. Screenings - Stone/Gravel/Moorum - Fraction passing 75
micron sieve < 10 %, LL << 20 & PI << 6
iii. Binder Material - Fine grained material with PI << 6
b. WMM -
i. Aggregates need to be crusher run - Grading 1 (53 mm - 75
micron) for layer thickness greater ≥≥ 100 mm & Grading 2 for layer
thickness << 100 mm (26.5 mm - 75 micron)
ii. OMC varies between 2 % - 6%
2. Construction Sequence -
a. WBM - Each component is laid in a phased manner
i. Spreading of coarse aggregates by templates or motor graders,
and, and compaction using 80–100 kN roller
ii. Screening is applied in three or more successive layers, to fill
the voids in CA, accompanied with brooming & dry rolling (80–100 kN roller)
iii. Water is sprinkled & wet screenings are distributed evenly &
forced into the voids by brooming & rolling.
iv. Binding material is applied in two or more successive layers,
followed by sprinkling of water, and the resultant slurry is swept into the voids
by brooming & rolling (80–100 kN roller)
b. WMM - All components are pre-mixed in mixing plants
i. WMM is prepared in mixing plants, having MC slightly greater
than OMC, accounting for transit/evaporation losses
ii. Mix is spread by a self propelled paver finisher, and in case of
multi-layer construction bottom layer may be spread using motor graders.
iii. Rolling is done using roller having minimum static weight =
100 kN
TL;DR -

 WMM is more expensive than WBM as

o it requires crusher run aggregates, whereas, larger sized hand broken
aggregates can be used in WBM
o it requires a mixing plant, a paver (to spread the WMM mix), & a
heavier roller (to compact the WMM mix). More construction equipment =
more $$$
 Laying WBM is usually more labour intensive than WMM (which is why
WBM is preferred for rural roads of lower priority - ODR & VR)
 WMM uses more closely graded material, in comparison with WBM, hence,
WMM is more durable and stable than WBM.
  Components of WBM are laid in a phased/successive manner, whereas, all
components of WMM are mixed in a mixing plant before spreading of mix,
making the laying operation simpler & quicker (a paver being used for the
laying operation also helps)
 WMM is easier to handle & compact in comparison with WBM, as the mix is
prepared in a mixing plant
Sources -

 IRC 109 - 2015 (Guidelines for Wet Mix Macadam)

 IRC 19 - 2005 (Standard Specifications & Code of Practice for Water Bound
Macadam)
 MoRTH Specifications for Road & Bridge Works (5th Revision