Properties of Coarse Aggregate

Experimental Measurements:

Gradation and Texture:

• For coarse aggregate gradation, test procedures outlined in ASTM C33

and C136 should be followed.

• A quantity of coarse aggregate is dried in a conventional ventilated oven

under 110oC (230oF) for 24 hours.

• A representative sample is then weighed. A stack of standard sieves is

assembled as shown in the figure.

• The selected sample is poured onto the top sieve. The stack is placed
within a sieve shaker.

• The shaker is run for a minimum of about 5 minutes. The weight of coarse
aggregate retained on each sieve is determined.

• Aggregate particles trapped within sieve openings must be extracted to

obtain accurate gradation. Adding the retained on each sieve to the
retained on larger sieves determines cumulative retained.

• Measured in percent, cumulative passing is cumulative retained

subtracted from total sample weight.

• Cumulative passing is termed percent passing or percent finer. A plot is

created for percent passing and sieve size as further explained in the
following figure.

• To better appreciate its characteristic relevant to smaller sieves/particles,

aggregate gradation curve is typically drawn using a semi-log scale.

5.1
 Cumulative Retained Partial Retained

R2”
R 2” Sieve
Stack R1½”
R 2” + R 1½”
R1”
R 2” + R 1½” + R 1”
R3/4”
R 2” + R 1½” + R 1” + R 3/4”
R½”
R 2” + R 1½” + R 1” + R 3/4” + R ½”
R3/8”
R 2” + R 1½” + R 1” + R 3/4” + R ½” + R 3/8”

R 2” + R 1½” + R 1” + R 3/4” + R ½” + R 3/8” + R 3/16” R3/16”

Total Weight Base

Sieve Shaker
Passing = Total Weight – Cumulative Retained

(%) Passing

100

80

60 Gradation Curve

40

20

Sieve Size (in)

3/16 3/8 ½ 3/4 1 1½ 2

Gradation of coarse aggregate.

5.2
 • Aggregate texture is studied by selecting a representative sample. One of
the following classifications is adopted based on sample examination:

1. Gravel,
2. Gravel with some crushed particles,
3. Subangular coarse aggregate, and
4. Crushed rock or crushed stone.

• Also, estimates should be made for the percentage quantities of total

representative sample weight:

(1) Spherical/cubical aggregate particles.

(2) Irregular aggregate particles.
(3) Elongated or flat aggregate particles.

Specific Gravity and Absorption Capacity:

• Specific gravity and absorption test procedures should be in accordance

with ASTM C127 standard test methods.

• A representative sample of coarse aggregate is obtained. To achieve a

statistical viable test results, sample size must comply with the following
table:

Maximum aggregate size Minimum sample size

in (mm) lb (kg)

½ (13) 4.5 (2)

¾ (19) 6.7 (3)
1 (25) 9.0 (4)
1½ (38) 11 (5)
2 (50) 18 (8)

• The sample is dried under 110oC (230oF) for 24 hours. Sieving through #4
3
sieve (4.75 mm = / 16 in) is carried out and all passing material is rejected.
The sample is then soaked in water for 24 hours.

5.3
• The sample is removed from water and placed on a large highly
absorptive cloth. The cloth is used to dry particle surface water of the
sample. A towel is ideal for accomplishing this task. An air blower may
assist in this regard.

• The sample should reach a condition where all surface water has been
dried off while all internal water is maintained.

• The saturated surface dried (SSD) sample is directly weighed.

Immediately after weighing, the submerged weight of the sample is
obtained utilizing an under-water basket and a proper weighing scale.

• The sample is then dried in a conventional oven under 110oC (230oF) for
24 hours. It is, then, removed from the oven. Allowed to coal for 2 to 3
hours and weighed.

• The date obtained in this experiment can be described as follows:

Dry Sample Weight = A

SSD Sample weight in Air = B
SSD Sample weight Submerged in Water = C

Dry Sample SSD Sample

Weight C

Scale Scale Scale

Weight A Weight B

Water
Container
Under-Water
Basket

Submerged
SSD Sample

Specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate.

5.4
 • The equation of weight C, Archimedes’s theory states that an object’s
submerged weight is equal to the weight of replaced water less than its
weight in air as illustrated in the following figure.

Vs.γw
Vp.γw
(W p)

C = +
Wp
Ws
γ w = unit weight of water

Explanation of weight C

• Based on the above figure, and assuming that grams and centimeters are
used for unit, the following conclusions can be made:

• B = weight of solids + weight of water in water permeable/internal voids

or

B = W s + W p = W s + Vp

• C = weight of solids + weight of water in water permeable/internal voids

– [volume of (solids + water permeable/internal voids)] x specific
gravity of water

C = weight of solids - volume of solids

C = Ws – Vs

5.5
 • Specific gravities and absorption of coarse aggregate may be calculated
as follows:

• Bulk Specific Gravity = γ bulk = A / (B – C)

• Bulk Specific Gravity SSD = γ bulkSSD = B / (B – C)

• Apparent Specific Gravity = γ apparent = A / (A – C)

• Absorption Capacity = W absorption = (B – A) / A

• The volume aggregate occupies within concrete is bulk volume which the
apparent volume of solids and volume of water permeable/internal voids.

• Bulk volume can be mathematically determined as B – C.

• Weight of aggregate in fresh concrete is equal to solid weigh and weight of

water in internal voids that is termed SSD weight (B).

• Aggregate bulk specific gravity SSD should be used in concrete mix

design

• Aggregate bulk specific gravity with water adjustment can also be used for
concrete mix design.

Dry-Rodded Unit Weight of Coarse Aggregate:

• ASTM C29 standard test method is followed.

• A representative sample of coarse aggregate is obtained.

• For a statistically viable dry-rodded unit weight of coarse aggregate, the

metal container or measure used for testing must have a capacity or size
as listed below:

Maximum Aggregate Size Container Volume

in (mm) ft3 (liter)
1
½ (13) / 10 (2.8)
1
1 (25) / 3 (9.3)
1
1½ (38) / 2 (14)
3 (75) 1 (28)

5.6
 • A representative sample with 125% to 200% the required bucket size is
prepared.
1
• A layer of / 3 the container capacity is filled with coarse aggregate. 25
strokes of the standard rod are applied.

• A similar procedure is followed for the 2nd and 3rd layers where each layer
is rodded with the tamping rod reaching the previous layer or container
walls.

• The container is allowed to overflow upon filling the 3rd layer. Finally, the
surface of coarse aggregate within the container is leveled.

• The empty container weight is termed (T). Its volume is termed (V). The
weight of coarse aggregate and container is termed (G). Accordingly, dry
rodded unit weight of coarse aggregate (M) can be determined as:

• M = (G – T) / V

• The dry rodded unit weight of coarse aggregate is intended to represent

coarse aggregate at maximum packing density.

• It is a useful parameter for concrete mix design where the volume of

coarse aggregate at maximum packing as a ratio of the total volume of
concrete is determined in the process of mix design.

Moisture Content of Coarse Aggregate:

• For coarse aggregate samples to be used in concrete mix design,

computing natural moisture content is necessary.

• A representative sample of coarse aggregate in normal condition or in

stock pile is attained and weighed (W w ).

• The sample is then dried for 24 hours under 110oC (230oF). It is allowed
to cool and then weighed for a second time (W d ).

• Sample moisture content can be calculated as shown below:

• Mc = (W w – W d ) X100 / W d

W w = sample weight under natural field conditions,

W d = dried sample weight, and
Mc = sample moisture content (%).

5.7
Test Your Knowledge

1. Which type of coarse aggregate is preferred for concrete, gravel or crushed

rock?

2. Which aggregate specific gravity is typically used for concrete mix design,
apparent or bulk?

3. What is the use for dry-rodded unit weight of coarse aggregate in concrete
mix design?

4. What is the moisture condition of aggregate within fresh concrete? How can
one account for such condition in mix design?

5. What are the ASTM Test methods used for coarse aggregate?

5.8