Los Angeles Abrasion Test on Aggregate

Theory:
Aggregates undergo significant wear and tear throughout their life.
Aggregates must be hard and tough enough to resist crushing, degradation and
disintegration and be able to transmit loads from the pavement surface to the
underlying layers and eventually the subgrade.

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 Los Angeles Abrasion Test on Aggregate

Aggregates used in road construction should be strong enough to resist

abrasion and crushing under traffic wheel load.
If the aggregates used are not resistant to abrasion it may cause premature
failure or a loss of skid resistance of pavements, also poor resistance to abrasion
can produce excessive dust.
Abrasion test is carried out on the aggregate sample to test the hardness
property of aggregates and to decide whether they are suitable for different
pavement construction works.

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 Los Angeles Abrasion Test on Aggregate

Methods of Test:
• Los Angeles Abrasion Value Test
• Deval Abrasion Test
• Dorry Abrasion Test

Los Angeles test is widely used to test abrasion of aggregate and the method has
been standardized in India (IS:2386 part-IV). The Los Angeles abrasion test
finds the percentage wear due to relative rubbing action between the aggregate
and steel balls.

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