LOS ANGELES ABRASION TEST

The Principle of Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the percentage wear due to the
relative rubbing action between the aggregates and steel balls used as abrasive charge.
During Los Angeles abrasion test, both abrasion or rubbing action between the
aggregates and the steel balls and pounding action of these balls on the aggregates
take place. Some investigators are of the opinion that Los Angeles abrasion test is more
reliable for evaluating the suitability of coarse aggregates in pavements as both
abrasion and impact occur during the test similar to the field conditions. This test has
been standardized by the ASTM, AASHTO and also by the BIS. Acceptable limits of Los
Angeles abrasion values of coarse aggregates have been specified by the IRC and also
in the specifications for Road Works by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MORTH),Government of India.
Apparatus
The apparatus consists of Los Angeles abrasion testing machine and specified set of
sieves.
Los Angeles testing machine consists of a hollow steel cylinder, closed at both ends,
having an inside diameter 70 mm and an inside length of 500 mm, mounted on stub
shafts about which the cylindrical drum rotates about a horizontal axis. There is an
opening in the cylinder for the introduction of the test sample with a removable cover
which can be closed and bolted dust-tight. A removable steel shelf projecting radially
88mm in to the cylinder and extending to the full length of it, is mounted on the interior
surface of the cylinder rigidity, parallel to the axis. The shelf is fixed at a distance of
1250 mm from the opening, measured along the circumference in the direction of
rotation. Abrasive charge consisting of cast iron spheres approximately 48mm in
diameter and 390 to 445 g in weight are used. The weight of the spherical steel balls
used as the abrasive charge and the number of such spheres to be used are specified
depending on the gradation of the aggregates tested. The aggregate grading have been
standardized as A ,B, C, D ,E, F, and G grading for Los Angeles abrasion test and the
specifications for the grading and weight of coarse aggregate sample to be taken and
abrasive charge to be used as per BIS are given in the below table. Test sieve with
1.70mm opening is used for sieving and separating the fines after the abrasion test

Table 8.1 Specifications for conducting Los Angeles abrasion test

Grading

Weight of test sample in grams for different grading ,in

the size range, mm
(passing and retained on aggregate test sieves)

Abrasive
charge

8063

6350

5040

4025

2520

2012.5

12.510

106.3

6.34.75

4.752.36

1250

125
0
-

1250

125
0
-

2500

2500

No .of
spheres
g
12
500025
11
458425

Wt. of
charge

2500

250
0
-

5000

250
0
-

500
0
500
0
-

250
0
-

500
0
500
0

500
0

8
333020
6
250015
12
500025
12
500025
12
500025