A novel mathematical programming approach for aggregate proportioning: A case study for highway construction

Abstract

Durability and serviceability of a highway can be ensured by use of proper quality materials and then, mixing them in right proportion. The present work is a case study on proportioning of aggregate materials for construction of surface course of highways. Most of the times, the aggregates available for mixing have particle size grading that, if used, will not meet all of the specifications. In such situations, it becomes very difficult to determine a right proportioning of aggregates that will have the minimum amount of deviation from such specifications. Existing methodologies for the proportioning do not ensure the best solution from this viewpoint. To overcome such difficulties, the aggregate proportioning problem has been formulated as a goal-programming model. The approach described in this paper is equally applicable for proportioning of the aggregates for some of the other layers of a highway. © 2019, IEOM Society International.