DELETERIOUS MATERIALS IN AGGREGATES

They are harmful or injurious substances (coatings) found in the surface of the aggregate. They are
harmful to concrete performance. These substances affect or weakens the bond b/w cement &
aggregate and break easily.

They may be

 Salt.
 Organic impurities.
 Clay lumps &friable particles (easily crumbled).
 Coal, lignite.
 Lightweight cherts.

IMPACTS OF EACH TYPES ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES AND PERFORMANCE:

ORGANIC IMPURITIES:

 Usually of products of decay of vegetable matter.

 interfere with the process of hydration of cement.
 to determine the organic content of aggregate, colorimetric test recommended by ASTM.
 ASTM-international standards organization that develops technical standards for a wide range of
materials, products, systems, and services.

CLAY LUMPS AND OTHER FRIABLE PARTICLES:

clay may coat the surface of aggregates which weakens bond strength between aggregate and cement
paste. other particles may be in the form of silt and crushed dust.

IMPACTS

1. low wear resistance.

2. reduce durability.
3. may result popouts.

LIGNITE AND COAL:

These materials may

1. result straining on concrete.

2. cause popouts.
3. air entrapment.

SALT PARTICLES:

sand from seashore or a river as well as desert sand contains salt.

IMPACTS

1. Reinforcement corrosion.
2. Absorb moisture and cause.
LIGHTWEIGHT CHERT:

Chert is a microcrystalline sedimentary rock material composed of silicon dioxide (SiO 2). Lightweight
means having specific gravity of less than 2.40.

They may result

1. reduced durability
2. popouts