TITLE: ELONGATION INDEX OF COARSE AGGREGATE

SCOPE: TO DETERMINE THE ELONGATION INDEX OF COARSE AGGREGATE.

APPARATUS:
 Sample divider, size appropriate to the maximum particle size to be handled or alternatively
a flat shovel and clean, flat, hard horizontal surface.
 A Balance.
 Test sieves, sizes and apertures appropriate to the specification of the material being tested.
Particulars of test sieves, nominal aperture sizes are 50, 37.5 28, 20, 14, 10, 6.3mm.
 Trays.
 Metal length gauge.

PROCEDURE:
Minimum mass of test portion
Nominal size of Minimum mass of test portion after rejection of oversize
material mm and undersize particles, kg
40 15
28 5
20 2
14 1
10 0.5

-Sieve analysis was carried out in accordance with standard sieve. All the aggregate retained on the
50mm test sieve and all the aggregate passing the 6.3mm test sieve.
-Each of the individual size fractions retained on the test sieves were weighted other than 50mm
sieves and stored them in separate trays with their size marked on the trays.
-The sums of the masses of the fractions in the trays were measured. The individual percentages
retained on each of the various test sieves were calculated. Any fraction whose mass is 5% or less
of mass were discarded. The mass remaining was recorded.
-The length gauge appropriate was selected to the size fraction under test and each particle was
gauged separately by hand. Elongated particles were those whose greatest dimension prevents them
from passing through the gauge and these were placed to one side.
-All these elongated particles were combined and weighted.
CALCULATION:
Elongation Index = (M1/M2) x 100
Where,
M1 = the sum of the masses of fractions that have a mass greater than 5% of the total mass
M2 = the mass of all the elongated particles
Consider sieve fraction 28mm passing and 20mm retained in observation sheet,
Total mass = 8391 g
Weight of fraction = 2094 g
Percentage of retained of total mass = 2094/ 8391 X 100
= 25%
Weight of sub divided fraction = 1000g
Weight retained on length gauge (determined) = 10 g
Weight retained on length gauge (adjusted) = 10/ 1000 x 2094
= 21 g
Total Weight retained on length gauge (adjusted) = 1495 g
Elongation Index = 1495/ 8391 x100
= 18%

DISCUSSION:
The particle shape of aggregate mass is determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated
particles contained in it and by its angularity.
The elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of particles whose greatest
dimension (length) is greater than one and four fifth times (1.8 times) their mean dimension. The
elongation test is not applicable to size smaller than 6.3mm. The aggregate from each of the size
range is individually passed through the appropriate gauge of the length gauge with the longest side
in order to separate the elongated particles. The elongation index of an aggregate sample is
determined by separating the elongated particles and expressing their mass as a percentage of the
mass of the sample test.
This test is conducted on coarse aggregate to assess the shape of aggregates. Aggregate which are
elongated or flaky are detrimental to the higher workability and stability of mixes. It is not
conductive to good interlocking and hence the mixes with an excess of such particles are difficult
to compact to required degree.
The pavement construction elongated particles to be avoided, particularly in surface course. If the
elongated aggregates are present in appreciable proportions, the strength of the pavement layer
would be adversely affected due to possibility of breaking down under load. In cement concrete the
workability is also reduced. However, reduction in strength in cement concrete depends on the
cement content and water-cement ratio.
Elongated and flaky aggregates are less workable, they are also likely to break under smaller loads
than the aggregate which are spherical or cubical.
REFERENCE:
1. Cement and concrete science and technology, Volume – 1, part – 1, By Dr. S.N. Ghosh.