AGGREGATES

M A S O N R Y M AT E R I A L S
 TYPES AND
PROPERTIES
OF AGGREGATES

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For a material to be considered as building
material, it should have required engineering
properties suitable for construction works. These
properties of building materials are responsible for
its quality and capacity and helps to decide
applications of these material.

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WHAT IS AGGREGATE
Aggregates are inert granular materials such as sand, gravel,
or crushed stone that, along with water and cement, are an
essential ingredient in concrete. A desirable concrete mix
consists of clean, hard aggregates free of chemicals or clay
and other fine materials that could cause the concrete to
deteriorate.

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CATEGORIES OF AGGREGATES

FINE AGGREGATES

Fine aggregates generally

consist of natural sand with
most particles passing
through A #4 sieve.

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CATEGORIES OF AGGREGATES
COARSE AGGREGATES
Coarse aggregates are any
particles greater than that,
but generally range between
3/8 and 1.5 inches in
diameter. Gravels and
crushed limestone constitute
the majority of coarse
aggregate used in concrete.

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ASTM C144 – 11 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR
AGGREGATE FOR MASONRY MORTAR
Materials and Manufacture

Aggregate for use in masonry mortar shall consist of natural

sand or manufactured sand. Manufactured sand is the product
obtained by crushing stone, gravel, or air-cooled iron blast
furnace slag specially processed to ensure suitable gradation

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NATURAL SAND MANUFACTURED SAND

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GRADING

Aggregate for use in masonry mortar shall be graded

within the following limits, depending upon whether
natural sand or manufactured sand is to be used:

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CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER IN REGARD TO SELECTION

GRADING — the particle-size distribution for aggregate.

PARTICLE SHAPE AND SURFACE TEXTURE — Particle shape

and surface texture influence the properties of freshly
mixed concrete more than the properties of hardened
concrete.

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CHARACTERISTICS TO CONSIDER IN REGARD TO SELECTION

UNIT WEIGHTS AND VOIDS — The void content between

particles affects the amount of cement paste required for
the mix. Larger sizes of well-graded aggregate and improved
grading decrease the void content.

ABSORPTION AND SURFACE MOISTURE — The amount of

water in the concrete mixture must be adjusted to include
absorption and the moisture conditions of the aggregate.

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