EXPERIMENT 2: LOS ANGELES TEST

2.1 Introduction

The Los Angeles test is a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of standard grading

resulting from a combination of actions including abrasion or attrition, impact, and grinding in a

rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel spheres. The Los Angeles abrasion test is a

common test method used to indicate aggregate toughness and abrasion characteristics.

Aggregate abrasion characteristics are important because the constituent aggregate in Hot Mix

Asphalt (HMA) must resist crushing, degradation and disintegration in order to produce a high quality

of HMA. Besides, “hard” rock will be lower percentage loss and “Soft” rock will be higher percentage

loss.

After being subjected to the rotating drum, the Los Angeles Abrasion Value can be easily

obtained by using weight of aggregate passing 1.70mm (No. 12) divided with weight of dry aggregate

before abrasion.

2.2 Objective

1. The objective of this test is to determine the Los Angeles abrasion value and to find the suitability

of aggregates for use in road construction.

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2.3 Methodology

2.3.1 Apparatus

1. Los Angles abrasion machine

2. 11 steel balls

3. Sieves (1.7mm)

4. Weighing apparatus

5. Tray

6. Spanner

7. 2500g with 20mm size of aggregates sample.

8. 2500g with 14mm size of aggregates sample.

2.3.2 Time / Location

Time: 10.30 am
Location: Material Testing Laboratory, Block 7

2.3.3 Procedures

1. The 2500g of 20mm size of aggregates sample is measured by using weighing apparatus.

2. Step 1 is repeated for 14mm size of aggregates sample.

3. The 20mm and 14mm of aggregate samples are then placed inside Los Angeles Abrasion Machine.

4. 11 steel balls are added together inside the Los Angeles Abrasion Machine.

5. The cover of the machine is screwed by using qiu bolts and use spanner to screw the bolts tightly.

6. The machine is switched on and the drum is rotated for about 500 revolutions at 30 -33rpm.

7. After being rotated, the aggregate samples are removed from the drum and it is sieved manually.

8. The weight of the aggregate retained on 1.70mm (No. 12) is measured through weighing apparatus.

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2.3.4 Sketch of figure

Los Angeles Abrasion Machine

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2.4 Finding and Analysis

2.4.1 Result

Weight of dry aggregate before abrasion 5000 g

Weight of aggregate retained on 1.70mm (No. 12) 3860 g

Weight of aggregate passing 1.70mm (No. 12) 1140 g

Weight of aggregate passing 1.70mm (No. 12)

Los Angeles Abrasion Value  100%
Weight of aggregate before abrasion

1040
 100%
5000

 22.8%

2.4.2 Discussion

In this experiment, we are using 2500g of 20mm and 2500g of 14mm size of aggregates sample.

Thus, we totally are using 11 steel balls in order to conduct the Los Angeles Abrasion Value. From the

result, the Los Angeles Abrasion Value that we obtained in this experiment is 22.8%. We are satisfied

with this value since it is less than the ASTM requirement, which is 25%. Hence, this type of

aggregates can consider as the good materials to construct the road and it has a good suitability for

use in road construction.

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2.5 Conclusion and Recommendation

In conclusion, the Los Angeles Abrasion value that we obtained from the test is about 21.2%.

We are satisfied with this value since the percentage of Los Angeles Abrasion value is less than the

standard value of 25%. Hence, these types of aggregates are suitable materials to construct the road.

Some recommendation can help to get more accurate results for Los Angeles test.

1. Make sure all the aggregate goh samples in the drum machine is well remove.

2. Make sure all the bolts is screw with tightly by using spanner.

3. Make sure the aggregates is sieve correctly after remove it from drum machine because it will

affect the weight of aggregate retained on 1.70mm (No. 12).

2.6 Reference

1. Los Angeles Abrasion Hardness, Los Angeles Abrasion. Viewed on 24th September 2016.
www.tctc.edu/CAL2/20Section.

2.The Constructor Civil Engineering Home, Determination of Los Angeles Abrasion Value.
Viewed on 23th September 2016. http://theconstructor.org/building/building-
material/determination-of-los-angeles-abrasion value

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2.7 Appendixes

Figure 1: Aggregates sample of size20mm Figure 2: Aggregates is weighed.

and 14mm.

Figure 3: Los Angeles machines. Figure 4: Steel balls.

Figure 5: The Los Angeles Machine screwed Figure 6: Aggregates sample is sieved manually
by bolts and ready to mix. for weight.
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