Determination of resilient behavior of crushed waste rock using cyclic load CBR test

ABSTRACT: Open-pit mining operations can generate large volumes of waste rocks, which are usually disposed of in piles that can be difficult to manage and reclaim. Crushed waste rock (CWR) is commonly used for the construction of mine haul roads because of the low cost and high strength. Resilient modulus is the primary parameter for flexible roads design, and it can be measured by repeated load triaxial (RLT) test which is complex and time-consuming. Cyclic load CBR (CLCBR) test is an economical alternative and a practical method to estimate resilient behavior of CWR. However, some limitations and shortcomings of cyclic load parameters applied limit the practicability and popularization of CLCBR tests. In this study, CLCBR test was optimized to better simulate realistic haul truck loads. The effect of cyclic load frequency, waveforms, and contact stress on the resilient behavior of CWR was studied.