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Aggregates PDF
Aggregates PDF
DEFINITION
Hardness
Toughness
Durability
Porosity
Water absorption
Strength of aggregates
In practice, majority of normal
aggregates are considerably stronger
than concrete
A good average value of crushing
strength of aggregates is 200N/mm2.
Hardness of aggregates
Hardness of aggregates is the ability of the
aggregate to withstand wear or load or applied
pressure.
This hardness is depending on the type of
parent rock
The test that can obtain the hardness is the
abrassion test.
A satisfactory aggregate should have an
abrassion value of not more than 30% for
aggregates used for wearing surfaces and 50%
for aggregates used for non wearing surfaces.
Toughness
Is the resistance of aggregate to failure by
impact.
This can be determined by aggregate impact
test.
The aggregate impact value shall not exceed
45% by weight for aggregate used for concrete
other than those used for wearing surfaces
and 30% for concrete for wearing surfaces.
Durability of aggregates
Durability is ability of the aggregate to
withstand external or internal damaging
attack or in other words the soundness
of aggregate.
This can be obtained by carrying out the
Soundness test.
Porosity
Aggregate normally have pores of various
sizes.
Aggregates will absorb water when it is dry but
normally release water in the concrete mix
when it is wet.
The amount of water and its rate of permeation
depends on the size and volume of aggregate
Since the aggregate comprises 75% of the
concrete volume, it is essential to note that
porosity of an aggregate contribute to the
overall porosity of concrete.
Tests on aggregates
a.Texture and shapes test
i.e. test for shapes of aggregates:
1. round shape –usually natural aggregates
2. irregular shape- a combination of different shapes
3. angular shape- usually of crushed stone
4. flaky shape- where the thickness is less than its length and
width
5. elongated- usually angular where its length is larger than its
width and thickness
6. flaky and elongated- its length is larger than its width and its
width is larger than its thickness.
In terms of surface texture, the aggregates may have a smooth
texture, or coarse/rough texture or fissures or porous.
For production of concrete the aggregates which have angular
shape and coarse texture are recommended to have high bond
strength.
Tests on aggregates (Cont’d)
Strength tests
• Aggregates crushing strength
• Los Angeles abrasion test
• Aggregates Impact value test
• Ten percent fine test
Tests on aggregates (Cont’d)
Physical properties:
• Specific gravity: usually 2.6 or 2.7
• Water absorption test: aggregates absorb
water because of their porosity.
If all the pores are filled with water the
aggregates are said to be saturated and
surface dry.
If all the water inside the pores are removed
by drying, the aggregates are said to have
maximum dry weight.
Grading of aggregates:
Coarse and fine aggregates to be used
for making concrete should be well
graded. Gradation means the particle
size distribution of aggregates. Test for
grading of aggregates is carried out
using the sieve analysis method.
Sieve analysis test equipment
EXAMPLE OF SIEVE ANALYSIS
OF SAND
Sieve Mass Cumulative Mass %
Size retained mass retained passing passing
10 mm 0 0 287 100
5 mm 6 6 281 98
2.36 mm 17 23 264 92
1.18 mm 32 55 232 81
600µmm 48 103 184 64
300µmm 81 184 103 36
150µmm 86 270 17 6
Pan 17 287 - -
287
A sieve analysis of 250g of sand gives the
following results