2.2 Construction Aggregates - CE 206-CE22S2 - Construction Materials and Testing

2.
2 Construction Aggregates
c
Construction Aggregates
Introduction to the Topic:
Construction aggregates or simply aggregates is a wide category of coarse to

medium-grained materials used in building structure. Aggregates are an essential
ingredient of a concrete. Such materials are sand, gravel, and the like along with
cement and water. Aggregates can be identified if it is course or fine depend on its size
and other properties.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session the students should be able to:
1. familiar with the construction aggregates;

2. identify if the material (aggregates) is either course or fine; and
3. apply knowledge and skills with regards to aggregates in professional engineering
practice.
AGGREGATES
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES
1. Classification according to Source:
Natural Aggregates
Crushed Rock Aggregates
Artificial Aggregates
Recycled Aggregates – these are aggregates from construction or

demolition waste.
2. Classification according to Unit Weight

Since aggregates vary, its density and unit weights also have
discrepancies. The table below shows the different classifications of
aggregates:
Unit Weight Classification of Aggregates
3. Classification according to Size
Fine Aggregates – these are aggregates that pass a 4.75 mm sieve.
Course Aggregates – these are aggregates that are retained on a 4.75

mm sieve.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF AGGREGATES
1. For Normal Aggregates
Step 1: Supply
The following are the three major sources of aggregates:
a. Unconsolidated (loose) rock – materials which were formed

from clay, silt, sand, and gravel left by flowing streams like
river.
b. Solid Rock – materials like limestone or volcanic rock
c. Recycled Materials – materials from actual construction

(e.g. demolition works)
Step 2: Extraction
In this step, certain selections or choices are being made like for
color or hardness as it can make a huge difference in the
appearance of the aggregates.
Step 3: Crushing, Grinding, Screening
Once extraction is done, materials are transferred to the

processing site for scalping. This is the process of shaping the
stones to various sizes.
2. For Lightweight Aggregates
In order for you to produce lightweight aggregates, raw materials are

lengthened to about two times the original volume of it. Having said that,
material will be less dense. Hence, the lighter concrete material.
The production of lightweight aggregate:[1]
Mining or quarrying the raw material.

The material is crushed with cone crushers, jaw crushers,
hammer mills, or pug mills and is screened for size. Oversized
material is returned to the crushers, and the material that passes
through the screens is transferred to the storage.
From the storage, the material is fed to a rotary kiln, which is fired
with coal, coke, natural gas, or fuel oil, to temperatures of about
1200°C.
As the material is heated, it liquefies and carbonaceous
compounds in the material form gas bubbles, which expand the
material; in the process, volatile organic compounds (VOC) are
released. From the kiln, the expanded product (clinker) is
transferred by conveyor into the clinker cooler where it is cooled
by air, forming a porous material.
After cooling, the lightweight aggregate is screened for size,
crushed if necessary, stockpiled (storage), and shipped.
The figure below illustrates the lightweight aggregate
manufacturing process.
Manufacturing of expanded shale, clay and slate
GRADATION OF AGGREGATES
Gradation is the process undergone by a material that has series of

sequential degrees. One important characteristic of an aggregate is the
distribution of its size particle. For example, large aggregates are beneficial
in Portland cement as it requires less binder. Hence, more economical.
However, it is tougher and more difficult to work into place.
1. Sieving Method
Principle of the Sieve Analysis Method
In the figure shown above, a sample of dry aggregates (with known

weight) is filtered through a series of sieves with smaller openings.
After the filtering process, the particles that were retained in each
sieve will be weighted again and the obtained weight will be
compared to the total initial weight of the sample before filtering.
The size particles retained in each sieve size is then expressed as
percent retained by weight.
Grading of aggregates using sieving method
2. Fineness Modulus
This is used to determine the degree of uniformity of the aggregate

gradation.
∑(Cumulative percentage retained on specified sieves)
FM =
100
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES

Basic Aggregate Properties
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1.1 Bulk Unit Weight and Voids
Bulk Unit Weight pertains to the weight of aggregate required to fill

a specific amount of volume. This is essential for the balanced
mixture of Portland Cement concrete. This is determined as:
Ws
γb =
V
Where:
Ws – weight of aggregate (kg)
V – volume of the container (m^3)
1.2 Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity is the weight of the material divided by the weight

of an equal volume of water.
1.3 Particle Shape and Surface Texture
The appearance of an aggregate like shape and texture

determines how well it will contain into a dense formation and
determines the movement of it in the mixture.
1.4 Absorption and Surface Moisture
When used in concrete:
It is said that the amount of water absorbed by the

aggregates is important in the design of Portland Cement
Concrete. Although it is not specified, it still must be evaluated
to know the right amount of water to be mixed into the
concrete.
When used in asphalt:
The more absorption the aggregates get, the greater amount

of asphalt binder will be required. Hence, mixture will be less
economical.
Voids and moisture absorption of aggregates
The Absorption Capacity is the maximum amount that water

aggregate can absorb. It can be determined as follows:
W SSD −W o.dry
AC = × 100
W o.dry
The Surface Moisture is the amount of water on the surface of the

aggregate particle. It can be determined as follows:
W moist −W SSD
SM = × 100
W SSD
The Moisture Content can be calculated as:

W moist −W o.dry
MC = × 100
W o.dry
Where:
Wssd – weight of saturated surface dry aggregate
Wo.dry – weight of oven dry aggregate
Wmoist – weight of moist aggregate

2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
2.1 Chemical Composition
Aggregates are required to be tested first to check if there is a

presence of any substance that can react with alkali because it can
cause excessive expansion, cracking, and weakening of concrete
mix.
USES OF AGGREGATES
There are many ways aggregates can be used especially in construction. For
example, in roads and railways, aggregates resist the overall load present,
also helps to distribute the loads to the ground and drain the water off the
surface. When it comes to concrete mixture, aggregates help in
strengthening it. They can also be used in water filtration and sewage
treatment processes.
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION:
2.2-CONSTRUCTION-AGGREGATES.pptx
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/18788/files/5596394/download?wrap=1)
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/18788/files/5596394/download?download_frd=1)
Engineering-Yes-Properties-Complete.pptx
End of Discussion.
See attached lecture: Aggregates

Here are some links that might be useful for your studies:
Construction Aggregates (https://www.vulcanmaterials.com/construction-

materials/products-and-services/construction-aggregates)
Aggregates
(https://mycourses.aalto.fi/pluginfile.php/272892/course/section/60458/Lec04_Aggregates
.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2TFEivkOXDT_xSqM6MRlZzxdMfR8sbtll1jemx8U4APlxqbfbH5eYKKJs)
Click the problem for your recitation.
Problem (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/18788/discussion_topics/286616)
Standard concrete mixture is composed of sand, gravel, cement, and water. For
the aggregates present, what alternative can you use? Explain.
Summary:
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES
1. Classification according to Source:
Natural Aggregate
Crushed Rock Aggregates
Artificial Aggregates
Recycled Aggregates – these are aggregates from construction or
demolition waste.
2. Classification according to Unit Weight

Unit Weight Classification of Aggregates
3. Classification according to Size
Fine Aggregates
Course Aggregates
MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF AGGREGATES
1. For Normal Aggregates
Step 1: Supply
Step 2: Extraction
Step 3: Crushing, Grinding, Screening
2. For Lightweight Aggregates
GRADATION OF AGGREGATES
1. Sieving Method
2. Fineness Modulus
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES

Basic Aggregate Properties
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1.1 Bulk Unit Weight and Voids
1.2 Specific Gravity
1.3 Particle Shape and Surface Texture
1.4 Absorption and Surface Moisture
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
2.1 Chemical Composition
USES OF AGGREGATES
When it comes to concrete mixture, aggregates help in strengthening it. They

can also be used in water filtration and sewage treatment processes.
Reference:
[1]
https://mycourses.aalto.fi/pluginfile.php/272892/course/section/60458/Lec04_Aggregat
es.pdf?
fbclid=IwAR2TFEivkOXDT_xSqM6MRlZzxdMfR8sbtll1jemx8U4APlxqbfbH5eYKKJs
Sivakugan, Nagaratnam (2018). Civil engineering materials, first edition, Australia:

Cengage Learning
Mamlouk, Michael S. (2018). Materials for civil and construction engineers, England:
Pearson Education Limited
For more references, kindly check TIP Online Resources
TIP Library (https://www.tip.edu.ph/library.html)
Proprietary Clause
Property of the Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.). No part of the

materials made and uploaded in this learning management system by T.I.P. may
be copied, photographed, printed, reproduced, shared, transmitted, translated
or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in
part, without prior consent of T.I.P.
END OF TODAY'S LECTURE.
“The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down.”
-Stephen Richards,
CLICK NEXT FOR SEATWORK/ASSIGNMENT
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2.

Construction aggregates or simply aggregates is a wide category of coarse to

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session the students should be able to:

1. familiar with the construction aggregates;

1. Classification according to Source:

Recycled Aggregates – these are aggregates from construction or

2. Classification according to Unit Weight

Unit Weight Classification of Aggregates

3. Classification according to Size

Fine Aggregates – these are aggregates that pass a 4.75 mm sieve.

Course Aggregates – these are aggregates that are retained on a 4.75

1. For Normal Aggregates

The following are the three major sources of aggregates:

a. Unconsolidated (loose) rock – materials which were formed

b. Solid Rock – materials like limestone or volcanic rock

c. Recycled Materials – materials from actual construction

Step 3: Crushing, Grinding, Screening

Once extraction is done, materials are transferred to the

In order for you to produce lightweight aggregates, raw materials are

The production of lightweight aggregate:[1]

Mining or quarrying the raw material.

Gradation is the process undergone by a material that has series of

In the figure shown above, a sample of dry aggregates (with known

Grading of aggregates using sieving method

This is used to determine the degree of uniformity of the aggregate

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES

1.1 Bulk Unit Weight and Voids

Bulk Unit Weight pertains to the weight of aggregate required to fill

Ws – weight of aggregate (kg)

V – volume of the container (m^3)

1.2 Specific Gravity

Specific Gravity is the weight of the material divided by the weight

1.3 Particle Shape and Surface Texture

The appearance of an aggregate like shape and texture

1.4 Absorption and Surface Moisture

When used in concrete:

It is said that the amount of water absorbed by the

When used in asphalt:

The more absorption the aggregates get, the greater amount

The Absorption Capacity is the maximum amount that water

The Surface Moisture is the amount of water on the surface of the

The Moisture Content can be calculated as:

Wssd – weight of saturated surface dry aggregate

Wo.dry – weight of oven dry aggregate

Wmoist – weight of moist aggregate

2.1 Chemical Composition

Aggregates are required to be tested first to check if there is a

See attached lecture: Aggregates

Construction Aggregates (https://www.vulcanmaterials.com/construction-

Click the problem for your recitation.

1. Classification according to Source:

2. Classification according to Unit Weight

3. Classification according to Size

MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF AGGREGATES

1. For Normal Aggregates

Step 3: Crushing, Grinding, Screening

2. For Lightweight Aggregates

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES

1.1 Bulk Unit Weight and Voids

1.2 Specific Gravity

1.3 Particle Shape and Surface Texture

1.4 Absorption and Surface Moisture