Abstract: Due to its good mechanical properties, basalt is widely used as a good coarse aggregate in the highway construction. The Emeishan formation basalt samples in Bijie area were tested and three different types of basalt can be categorized based on their mineral composition and mesostructure properties. The values for crushing, abrasion and polishing were laboratory tested. The test results indicated that, due to the effect of mineral composition and mesostructures, these representative values might vary significantly. Higher abrasion values were obtained from angulartype and almond type basalt samples. The fresh or slightly weathered pulled basalt with interlocked structures can be used as aggregates for the surface course for the pavements in expressway and firstclass highway in wet weather areas.

Key words: Basalt, Coarse Aggregate, Rock Mineral Analysis, Microstructures, Roadway Surface Course