Research Title

Maximum Coarse
Aggregate Size and
Optimum Compressive
Strength

Duhok Polytechnic University

Highway and Bridges Engineering
By: Lawend K.Askar
B.Sc. in Civil Engineering
M.Sc. in Structural Engineer
23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 Introduction
• Maximum Aggregate Size
• The largest sieve that allows all the aggregates
to pass

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 Introduction
Strength of concrete from

1. Strength of cement paste

2. Strength of Aggregate
3. Interface between cement paste and aggregate

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal
Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 The Research Idea
Main factor effecting strength of concrete
• W/C ratio
• Aggregate/Cement ratio
• The maximum size of aggregate
• Degree of compaction
• Age
• Temperature
• Curing of concrete
• Effect of admixtures

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal
Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 The Research Idea
• The research idea comes from the fact that
concrete strength is affected by the maximum
aggregate size in two opposite ways.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal
Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 The Research Idea
• With the same cement content and consistency,
• concrete mixtures containing larger aggregate
particles require less mixing water than those
containing smaller aggregate.
• On the contrary, the smaller size aggregates
provide larger surface area for bonding with the
mortar matrix.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 Literatures Review
• Several investigations had been done on the
effect of the Maximum Aggregate Size on
Compressive Strength of concrete.

• The conclusions of these researchers differ from

one to another as below:

1. M.Yaqup concluded that the Maximum

Aggregate Size significantly affects the
Compressive (the smaller aggregate sizes give
more strength).
Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 Literatures Review
2. Tayler Ley concluded that using intermediate
aggregate sizes increases the compressive
strength.

3. On the other hand Rozalija Kozul in her

research had concluded that coarse aggregate
gradation had little effect on the mechanical
properties of concrete.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 The Research Aims
• This research test the effect
of coarse aggregate size on
the compressive Strength of
concrete.

• The test results will help the concrete

manufacturing companies in duhok city to make
more economical mixes .

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 The Research Aims
• This research will help us to get the Maximum
Aggregate Size which is suitable for the
Optimum Compressive Strength for each mix
and to know which of all the mixes will give the
Optimum Compressive Strength.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 Test program
• The test program is selected to cover the main
factors affecting the concrete compressive
strength which are:-

1. W/C ratio (by taking each mix of different

(M.A.S.) with same consistency.
2. Maximum aggregate size (five sizes 38-25-19-
12.5-9.5)mm.
3. Cement /aggregate ratio (three mixes
{1:1.5:3},{1:2:4},{1:3:6}
Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 Slump Test

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 Cubic Specimen

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
 Maximum Aggregate Size and Optimum Concrete Strength
Variables Which Will be Studied (Maximum Aggregate Size (M.A.S) + Strength)

MIX NO. MATERIALS+Proportions M.A.S. Des. NO. OF SAMPLES Type W/C

MIX 1:1.5:3

Mix1 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 38mm A 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.450

Mix2 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 25 mm B 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.455

Mix3 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 19mm C 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.465

Mix4 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 12.5mm D 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.485

Mix5 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 9.5 mm E 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.525

 Maximum Aggregate Size and Optimum Concrete Strength

Variables Which Will be Studied (Maximum Aggregate Size (M.A.S) + Strength)

MIX NO. MATERIALS + Proportions M.A.S. Des. NO. OF SAMPLES Type W/C

MIX 1:2:4

Mix6 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 38mm F 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.500

Mix7 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 25 mm G 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.505

Mix8 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 19mm H 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.515

Mix9 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 12.5mm I 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.535

Mix10 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 9.5mm J 3 SAMPELS Variable 5.575

 Maximum Aggregate Size and Optimum Concrete Strength

Variables Which Will be Studied (Maximum Aggregate Size (M.A.S) + Strength)

MIX NO. OF
MATERIALS+Proportions M.A.S. Des. Type W/C
NO. SAMPLES

MIX 1:3:6

Mix11 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 38mm K 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.550

Mix12 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 25mm L 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.555

Mix13 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 19mm M 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.565

Mix14 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 12.5mm O 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.585

Mix15 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 9.5mm P 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.625

 Maximum Aggregate Size and Optimum Concrete Strength

Variables Which Will be Studied (Maximum Aggregate Size (M.A.S) + Strength)

NO. OF
MIX NO. MATERIALS+Proportions M.A.S. Des. Type W/C
SAMPLES
MIX 1:1.5:3
Mix1 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 38mm A 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.450
Mix2 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 25 mm B 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.455
Mix3 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 19mm C 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.465
Mix4 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 12.5mm D 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.485
Mix5 1 Cement 1.5 Sand 3 Gravel 9.5 mm E 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.525
MIX 1:2:4
Mix6 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 38mm F 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.500
Mix7 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 25 mm G 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.505
Mix8 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 19mm H 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.515
Mix9 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 12.5mm I 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.535
Mix10 1 Cement 2 Sand 4 Gravel 9.5mm J 3 SAMPELS Variable 5.575
MIX 1:3:6
Mix11 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 38mm K 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.550
Mix12 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 25mm L 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.555
Mix13 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 19mm M 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.565
Mix14 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 12.5mm O 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.585
Mix15 1 Cement 3 Sand 6 Gravel 9.5mm P 3 SAMPELS Variable 0.625
TOTAL = 15 * 3 45 SAMPELS
 References
1. Anastasios M.Ioannids and etl.2006 "Effect of
Larger Sized Coarse Aggregates On Mechanical
Properties of Portland Cement Concrete
Pavements and Structures "
2. Rozalija Kozul 1997"effectsof aggregate type,
size, and content on concrete strength and
fracture energy“
3. Yousif AA and etl.2000"specimen and
aggregate size effect on concrete compressive
strength“
Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic
University
 References
4. M.Yaqub 2006"effect of size of coarse
aggregate compressive strength of high strength
concretes“
5. A.M.Ibrgimov 1989 "effect of the maximum
aggregate size of coarse aggregate on the main
parameters of concretes“
6. Taylor Ley,Danil Cook and Gray Fick 2012"
effect of aggregate systems on concretes mixture
properties"

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 23 February 2021 Duhok Polytechnic

University
Thank You

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