International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 9, Issue 6, June 2018, pp. 1176–1181, Article ID: IJCIET_09_06_133

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ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

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ASSESSMENT OF ABRASION RESISTANCE OF

CONCRETE PAVEMENT FOR DURABILITY
Abhijit Warudkar
Research Scholar, School of Mechanical and Building Science, VIT, Chennai
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, ICOER, Pune

Dr. S Elavenil
Professor, School of Mechanical and Building Science, VIT, Chennai

Dr. A Arunkumar
Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical and Building Science, VIT, Chennai

ABSTRACT
The experimental study herein is intended to ascertain abrasion resistance of a
concrete pavement to abrasive force. Durability of concrete pavement can be assessed
effectively by measuring its abrasion resistance. The testing program involves 12
concrete testing specimens using six grades of concrete viz. M20, M25, M30, M35 and
M40 as per IS 10262-1982. Each specimen (size 600X600X150 mm) representing
concrete pavement is tested for abrasion on both sides, after curing for 28 days. ASTM
C799/C799M-05, Revolving Disks testing concept is used to fabricate machine and to
measure abrasion resistance of varying compressive strength of concrete. Abrasion on
concrete surface by abrasive force is observed as wear depth by micrometer with least
count of 0.01 mm. The test results show that abrasion resistance of concrete is
increased as the compressive strength of concrete increases. This work leads to assess
the durability of concrete pavement by measuring abrasion resistance also intended
for use in determining variations in surface properties of concrete affected by mixture
proportion, finishing and surface treatment. Test is not intended to provide
measurement of service life of concrete pavement. Test procedure is convenient to
conduct on site testing also.
Keyword: Concrete pavement, Abrasion, Compressive Strength
Cite this Article: Abhijit Warudkar, Dr. S Elavenil and Dr. A Arunkumar,
Assessment of Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Pavement for Durability, International
Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(6), 2018, pp. 1176–1181.
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 Assessment of Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Pavement for Durability

1. INTRODUCTION
Over the last few years, India’s infrastructure system has grown up tremendously in order to
accommodate the growth of road network including expressway, national highway, major
district road, rural and other roads. India is having 33 lakh km (approximately) of road
network. Abrasion occurs due to heavy traffic on road which prone to deterioration of
concrete pavement. Repairs and replacement of concrete pavement needed due to its
deterioration. Deterioration shows poor abrasion resistance of concrete. Abrasion resistance
may be defined as the ability of concrete surface to resist being worn away by abrasive force
actions like rubbing, cutting, sliding and impact forces. Abrasion resistance of concrete
pavement is influenced by many factors such as compressive strength of concrete, aggregate
properties, water-cement ratio, surface finish, type of hardener, etc.
Literature shows that [9], surface particles are fractured due to abrasive force.
Compressive strength of concrete is key factor to resist from fracture or abrasion. This study
is an attempt to relate abrasion resistance of concrete to its compressive strength and to
ascertain value of abrasion resistance for varying compressive strength of concrete.

2. BACKGROUND OF ABRASION RESISTANCE

Concrete surface exposed to weather condition and traffic which leads to abrasion. Following
are some of abrasion tests normally conducted worldwide.
1. ASTM C779/779M-05, “Standard test method for Abrasion Resistance of
horizontal concrete surface.
2. ASTM C 418 (Sand blasting)
3. ASTM C 944 (Rotating cutter method)
4. IS: 9284 – 1979 (Reaffirmed 2002), “Method of Test for Abrasion Resistance of
Concrete”
For the purpose of this study, we have used concept of ASTM C779/779M-05, procedure-
A, Revolving disk. The reasons for selection of this method are as given below.
1. Machine operates various abrasive forces.
2. Evaluate the effects of abrasion resistance, concrete material, curing and finishing
procedure.
3. The number of revolution given is the representative of duration under traffic
loading.
4. Used for quality acceptance of product.
5. Machine is portable and thus suitable for laboratory and field testing.

3. MATERIAL USED AND PROPORTION

Ordinary Portland Cement (53 grade) having specific gravity of 3.15, the coarse aggregate
with nominal maximum size of 20 mm, river sand as fine aggregate are used as ingredients of
concrete. Detail properties of coarse and fine aggregate are as given in Table 1 and mix design
is undertaken (Table 2) as per IS: 10262-1982.
Table 1 Properties of Coarse and fine Aggregate
Sr.
Properties Coarse Aggregate Fine Aggregate
No.
Satisfying the grading of under grading zone I as
1 Sieve Analysis
aggregate as per IS:383-1970 per IS:383-1970
2 Silt Content - 2.7 %
3 Specific Gravity 2.75 2.69

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 Abhijit Warudkar, Dr. S Elavenil and Dr. A Arunkumar

Mix design ranging from M20 to M40 as per given in Table 2 with their compressive
strengths.

Table 2 Concrete Mix Proportion and strength

Cement: Fine Average Average strength
Sr. Designed Water-
Aggregate: coarse strength of 7 of 28 days
No. strength cement ratio
aggregate days (N/mm2) (N/mm2)
1 M20 0.5 (1):(1.38):(3.17) 17.77 24.58
2 M25 0.43 (1):(1.18):(2.62) 21.18 28.88
3 M30 0.37 (1):(0.95):(2.24) 24.29 33.46
4 M35 0.34 (1):(0.83):(1.97) 30.37 39.10
5 M40 0.30 (1):(0.60):(1.93) 33.66 42.22

4. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP & TEST PROGRAM

Design of experimental setup was done as per ASTM C779/C779M-05 standard. Details of
machine are as mentioned below.
Rotating ram – 270 mm radius,
Diameter of rotating wheel – 63.69 mm,
Thickness of wheel – 21 mm,
Diameter of vertical shaft – 31.41 mm,
Electrical motor of 0.5 Hp
Revolutions per minute (rpm) – 34 to 36
Weights – 15 kg.
Concrete specimens of 600mmX600mmX150mm were casted for performing abrasion
resistance test. Initial observations were made by running machine for 5 minutes to remove
the surface irregularities. Measurements were obtained to an accuracy of 0.01 mm by making
series of eight observations on circular path at 450 each.
Measurements were taken at fixed eight locations on the specimen with the help of
micrometer after 525, 1050, 1575 and 2100 revolutions. Surface of specimen was cleaned
before each set of reading. After 1050 and 1575 revolutions, 15 kg weight was added on each
wheel subsequently.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Average abrasion depth of eight different points on the concrete pavement surface is as given
in Table 3.

Table 3 Results of Abrasion Testing

Results of Abrasion Testing
Sr. Abrasion After nos. of Revolutions
Grade Specimen No Side Initial Readings
No. (mm)
525 1050 1575 2100
1 20 1 A 0.4175 0.5075 0.6375 0.76 0.965
20 1 B 0.035 0.12 0.1725 0.2525 0.3325
20 2 A 0.74 0.9175 1.2025 1.375 1.49
20 2 B 0.082 0.1875 0.2525 0.325 0.705
Average 0.3186 0.4331 0.5663 0.6781 0.8731
F.R-I.R. 0.1145 0.2476 0.3595 0.5545
2 25 1 A 0.1425 0.2425 0.2775 0.3425 0.4775
25 1 B 0.2175 0.2725 0.3875 0.45 0.5325
25 2 A 0.505 0.705 0.8425 0.9725 1.09
25 2 B 0.1775 0.3445 0.49 0.625 0.6925

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 Assessment of Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Pavement for Durability

Average 0.2606 0.3911 0.4994 0.5975 0.6981

F.R-I.R. 0.1305 0.2388 0.3369 0.4375
3 30 1 A 0.15 0.2525 0.304 0.3225 0.775
30 1 B 0.595 0.7 0.805 0.8705 0.9275
30 2 A 0.695 0.8825 0.965 1.045 1.0975
30 2 B 0.0925 0.2 0.2425 0.2625 0.32
Average 0.3831 0.5088 0.5791 0.6251 0.7800
F.R-I.R. 0.1256 0.1960 0.2420 0.3969
4 35 1 A 0.4675 0.5525 0.64 0.6825 0.7125
35 1 B 0.14 0.285 0.3425 0.435 0.6475
35 2 A 0.3775 0.6425 0.8275 1.01 1.08
35 2 B 0.3925 0.4225 0.565 0.655 0.6975
Average 0.3444 0.4756 0.5938 0.6956 0.7844
F.R-I.R. 0.1313 0.2494 0.3513 0.4400
5 40 1 A 0.3225 0.47 0.5175 0.6075 0.6825
40 1 B 0.37 0.61 0.745 0.89 0.9225
40 2 A 0.5125 0.5875 0.6325 0.685 0.702
40 2 B 0.3025 0.3825 0.5725 0.6353 0.68
Average 0.3769 0.5125 0.6169 0.7045 0.7468
F.R-I.R. 0.1356 0.2400 0.3276 0.3699

5.1. Effect of Compressive strength on Abrasion

Effects of number of revolution on abrasion depth at different compressive strengths of
concrete are given in Fig 1. It was observed that abrasion depth for all grades of concrete were
in the range of 0.11 mm to 0.13 mm for 525 numbers of revolutions. It was observed that
abrasion depth deceases from M20 to M30 grade of concrete and increased at M35 for 1050,
1575 and 2100 revolutions respectively. This might be due to error in local workmanship but
general the trend is that as the grade of concrete increases the abrasion depth decreases.
Abrasion depth was less for M40 grade of concrete for all revolutions.

Figure 1 Effect of Compressive strength on Abrasion

5.2. Comparison of Abrasion Value for 1050 Revolution

Fig. 2 shows that abrasion of M20 grade of concrete with loading was higher than abrasion
without loading whereas for all other grades it was less. Abrasion of M25, M30 and M35
were in the range of 0.2 mm for with and without loading. Abrasion for M40 without loading
was slightly lesser than M35 but abrasion for M40 which was very less in the range of 0.08
mm.

Figure 2 Comparison of Abrasion with and without Loading

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 Abhijit Warudkar, Dr. S Elavenil and Dr. A Arunkumar

5.3. Abrasion Performance

Fig. 3 illustrates the performance of abrasion value against number of revolutions. The
abrasion values were varied from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. Abrasion depth was increased with
increase in number of revolution for all grades of concrete. Nature of abrasion of M20 was
suddenly increased as loading and number of revolution increased, whereas, M25 and M35
grades were abraded with same rate of abrasion. Abrasion of M40 grade of concrete at 1575
to 2100 revolutions ranges from 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. M40 grade of concrete is effective
against the abrasion.

Figure 3 Performance of Abrasion

6. CONCLUSION
The following conclusions are drawn from experimental results:
• Abrasion of concrete pavement mainly influenced by testing duration and
compressive strength.
• Abrasion resistance of concrete is increased as compressive strength of concrete
pavement increases.
• A generalized thought could be given to the concept of conversion of number of
revolutions of wheels and number of days the pavement is used under varying
traffic condition. Knowing the grade of concrete one can predict the abrasion of
concrete for the predefined duration.

REFERENCES
[1] IS 383: 1970, “Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregate from Natural Sources for
Concrete”
[2] IS 456: 1982, “Plain and Reinforced Concrete – code of practices”
[3] IS 1343: 1980, “Code of Practices for Prestressed Concrete”
[4] IS 10262: 1982, “Recommendation Guidelines for Concrete Mix Design”
[5] Nader Ghafoori, M. ASCE and Matthew W. Tays, (2007). “Abrasion resistance of Early-
Opening-to-traffic portlande cement concrete pavements”, ASCE, Journal of Material in
Civil Engineering,vol. 19, No. 11.
[6] P. Laplante, P.C. Aitcin, and D. vezina. (February, 2002). “Abrasion resistance of
concrete” ASCE, Journal of Materials in civil engineering, Vol. 3, No. 1,
[7] Tarun R. Naik, Shiw S. Singh, and Bruce W. Ramme. (October 1, 2002). “Effect of
sources of fly ash on Abrasion Resistance of Concrete” ASCE, Journal of Materials in
civil engineering, Vol. 14, No. 5.
[8] A. Ramezanianpour A. Haghollahi, A., A., R.P., 2006. Modeling Abrasion Resistance of
Concrete Floors. Quartarly Journal of Technology and Education, 1 (1), 1–10.
[9] ACI, 2008. ACI 201.2R-01 Guide to Durable Concrete reported by ACI Committee 201.
ACI Committee 201.
[10] Apostoaia, R. and Pena, J., 2007. Comparative Study of the Abrasion Resistance. In:
Ilin.Asee.Org. 1–19.

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 Assessment of Abrasion Resistance of Concrete Pavement for Durability

[11] ASTM, 1958. C418-12 Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Concrete by
Sandblasting. American Society for Testing and Materials.
[12] ASTM, 1974. C779/C779M-12 Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of
Horizontal Concrete Surfaces. American Society for Testing Materials.
[13] ASTM, 1980. C 944-99 Abrasion Resistance of Concrete or Mortar Surfaces by the
Rotating-Cutter Method. American Society for Testing and Materials.
[14] ASTM, 1997. C 1138-97 Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Concrete
(Underwater Method). American Society for Testing and Materials, 1–4.
[15] British Cement Association, 2004. Concrete for industrial floors.
[16] Bruce, S.M., Rowe, G.H., and Zealand, N., 1992. Assessment of Astm C944-80 for
Measuring the Abrasion Resistance. PAVE 92, 263–268.

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