UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

32610 BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR
PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

AGGREGATE ABRASION TEST

(LOS ANGELES TEST)

REFERENCES:
ASTM C131-87 & C535-89
BS812 : Part 113 1990

OBJECTIVES:
To introduce the student to a method of testing to determine the aggregate abrasion value
(AAV) in order to evaluate the ease or difficulty with which aggregate particles are likely to
wear under attrition from traffic.
EQUIPMENT:
1. Los Angeles abrasion machine
2. Steel ball abrasive charges
3. 4.75 mm and 1.70 mm test sieves
4. Electronic balance

GENERAL DISCUSSION
Aggregates used in pavement should be durable so that they can resist crushing under the
roller. Many abrasion tests have been developed in order to evaluate the ease (or difficulty)
with which aggregate particles are likely to wear under attrition from traffic. The aggregate
abrasion test and the accelerated polishing test are two such tests most widely accepted.
The Los Angeles abrasion test is carried out in a sample of aggregate all retained on the No.4
ASTM sieve. In this test, 12 steel balls of 44-48 cm diameter are introduced in a steel
cylinder fitted with an internal shelf and rotated at 30-33 rpm for 500 revolutions. The result
of the test is expressed as the percentage by mass of material passing a No.12 ASTM sieve
(equivalent to a No 10 BS sieve) after test. Two versions of the test are specified in the
ASTM designations, one for coarse and the other for fine aggregates (ASTM C131 and
ASTM C535 respectively). The test gave a satisfactory indication of the in-service behaviour
of an aggregate. Suggested maximum Los Angeles abrasion values were 40 for bituminous
materials and 50 for concrete aggregates. Typical Los Angeles abrasion value for coarse
aggregate is 20% or lower. For softer aggregate such as limestone, Los Angeles abrasion
value is about 50% or higher. Aggregates with abrasion value over 50% are not suitable for
road pavements.

1
PROCEDURE:
1. Place approximately 5 kg of coarse aggregate retained on the No.4 ASTM sieve (4.75 mm)
into the Los Angeles abrasion machine. (mass M1)
2. Then feed in 12 steel balls of 44-48 cm in diameter and weight 390-445 g each as abrasive
charges.
3. Turn on the machine and let the drum rotate at 30-33 rpm for 500 revolutions.
4. After 500 revolutions, stop the machine and take out all steel balls. Collect all aggregates
in the drum. Pass the aggregate through No.12 ASTM sieve (1.70 mm) and weigh the
material passing this sieve. (mass M2).
5. Repeat for the second sample from the same source.
6. Determine Los Angeles abrasion value as follow:

M2
Los Angeles abrasion value = ×100 %
M1

1. The mean results shall be reported to the nearest 0.1.

2
 UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
32610 BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR
PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

Aggregate Abrasion Value (Los Angeles Abrasion Test)

Job ref.
Client
Client Ref.
Date of test
Project
Source
Test method : ASTM C131-87 I BS812 : Part 113 : 1990*

Test No.

1 2

Mass of-•-•
aggregate retained on No.
- • 4 ASTM sieve M1 (kg)

Mass of material passing No. 12 ASTM sieve M2 (kg)

Mean

M2
Los Angeles abrasion value = ×100 %
M1

Operator Checked Approved

*Delete as appropriate
Remarks: