INTRODUCTION
Aggregates undergo significant wear and tear throughout their life. Aggregates must be hard and
tough enough to resist crushing, degradation and disintegration and be able to transmit loads from
the pavement surface to the underlying layers and eventually the subgrade. Testing the strength of
parent rock alone does not exactly indicate the strength of aggregates in concrete. For this reason
assessment of strength of the aggregates are made by using a sample bulk aggregates in
standardized manner.Several tests are thus performed to assess the stability and quality of roads.
The Aggregate Impact Value Test is one such test. The impact test is a type of quality control test for
highway pavements that is used to determine the suitability of aggregates for use in highway
pavement construction.
The principal mechanical property of aggregate required in any construction is
Satisfactory resistance to crushing under the roller during construction
Adequate resistance to surface abrasion under traffic
Aggregates used in road construction should be strong enough to resist abrasion and crushing and
also the impact load. If aggregates are weak, then the stability of pavement structure will be
adversely affected. The toughness of aggregate is its ability to resist sudden load acting on it. The
movement of vehicles on the road sometimes gives rise to impact loading which results in breaking
of aggregates into smaller pieces. Therefore the aggregates should have sufficient toughness to
resist their disintegration due to impact. This characteristic of aggregate is measured by impact value
test.
Aggregate Impact Testing Machine
Source: (http://www.expertsmind.com/questions/impact-test-tests-on-stones-30118285.aspx)
In this test sample of standard aggregates kept in a mould which is subjected to fifteen blows of
metal hammer of weight 14 kgs falling from the height of 38cms. The quantity of finer materials
resulting from pounding will indicate the toughness of the sample of aggregates. As per IS 283-1970
Aggregates Impact Value is defined as the ratio of weight of fines formed to weight of total sample
taken and is expressed in percentage
Aggregates Impact Value gives relative measure of resistance of aggregates to sudden shock or
impact, which in some aggregates differs from its resistance to slow compression load. Impact Value
should not be less than 45% for aggregates used for concrete other than wearing surface and 30%
for concrete used in wearing surface. Table below shows the classification of aggregate with respect
to aggregate impact value and limits of aggregate impact value for different types of road
construction suggested by Indian Road Congress.
Classification of aggregates based on Aggregate Impact Value
Parts
Impact Value of Aggregate for different types of pavement
Parts
Relevant Indian Standards:
IS 2386 (Part IV) 1963: Methods of Test for Aggregates Mechanical Properties, Tenth Reprint
MARCH 1997.
IS 383-1970: Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates.
Theory and Concept of aggregate Impact value
In physical meaning, toughness is the property of a material to resist impact.
Due to the movement of vehicles on the road, the aggregates are subjected to impact resulting
in their breaking down into smaller pieces. The aggregates should therefore have sufficient
toughness to resist their disintegration on due to impact. This characteristic is measured by
the impact value test.
The aggregate impact value is a determining measure of resistance to sudden impact or
shock, which may differ from its resistance to gradually applied compressive load.
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Uses of the test
1. To determine the impact value of the aggregates used in pavement construction(Road);
2. To assess their suitability in road layers (base course, surface course ) construction on the
basis of impact value.
Apparatus used in Impact test
The apparatus of the aggregate impact value test consists of:
1. A testing machine weighing 45 to 60 kg and having a metal base with a plane lower surface
of not less than 30 cm in diameter. The level and plane concrete floor of a minimum of 45
cm thickness are used to support it. The base of the machine should also have provisions for
fixing its base.
2. A cylindrical steel cup of internal diameter 102 mm, depth 50 mm, and minimum thickness
6.3 mm.
3. A metal hammer or tup weighing 13.5 to 14.0 kg the lower end is cylindrical in shape, 50 mm
long, 100.0 mm in diameter, with a 2 mm chamfer at the lower edge and case hardened. The
hammer is arranged in such a way that it should slide freely between vertical guides and be
concentric with the cup. It is arranged that the free fall of the hammer should be within
380±5 mm.
4. A cylindrical metal measure has an internal diameter of 75 mm and a depth of 50 mm for
measuring aggregates.
5. One end rounded tamping rod 10 mm in diameter and 230 mm long.
6. A balance of capacity not less than 500 g, and readable and accurate up to 0.1 g.
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Fig1. Aggregate impact value test set-up
Procedure of Aggregate Impact value test
The test sample: normally aggregates sized 10.0 mm to 12.5 mm. the aggregates should be
dried by heating at 100-110 0C for a period of 4 hours and cooled.
1. Sieve the material through 12.5mm and 10.0 mm IS sieves. The aggregates passing through
the 12.5 mm sieve comprise the test material.
2. Then, just 1/3 rd depth of the measuring cylinder is filled with aggregate by pouring.
3. Compact the material by giving 25 gentle blows with the rounded end of the tamping rod in
the cylinder.
4. Two more layers are added in a similar manner, to make the cylinder full.
5. Strike off the surplus aggregates.
6. Determine the net weight of the aggregates to the nearest gram (W1).
7. Bring the impact machine to rest without wedging or packing upon the level plate, block, or
floor, so that it is rigid and hammer guide columns are vertical.
8. 25 gentle strokes with a tamping rod are used to compact the test sample by fixing the cup
firmly in position on the base of the machine with placing the whole of the test sample in it.
9. After that raise the hammer until its lower face is 380 mm above the surface of the
aggregate in the cup and allow it to fall freely on the aggregate sample. 15 such blows at an
interval of not less than one second between successive falls are acted on it.
10. Remove the crushed aggregate from the cup and sieve it through 2.36 mm IS sieves until no
further significant amount passes in one minute. Weight the fraction passing the sieve to an
accuracy of 1 gm (W2). The fraction retained in the sieve is weighed.
11. Note down the observations in the proforma and compute the aggregate impact value. The
‘Aggregate Impact Value’ is the mean of two observations, rounded to the nearest whole
number.
Precautions
1. Place the plunger centrally so that it falls directly on the aggregate sample and does not
touch the wall of the cylinder in order to ensure that the entire load is transmitted on the
aggregates.
2. In the operation of sieving the aggregates through a 2.36 mm sieve, the sum of weights of
fractions retained and passing the sieve should not differ from the original weight of the
specimen by more than 1 gm.
3. The tamping is to be done properly by gently dropping the tamping rod and not by
hammering action. Also, the tamping should be uniform over the surface of the aggregate
taking care taking care that the tamping rod does not frequently strike against the wall of
the mold.
Aggregates used in road construction, should be strong enough to resist crushing under traffic
wheel loads if the aggregates are weak, the stability of the pavement structure is likely to be
adversely affected. The strength of coarse aggregates is assessed by aggregates impact test.
The aggregate impact value provides are lative measure of resistance to crushing under a
gradually applied compressive load. To achieve a high quality of pavement, lower aggregate
impact value should be preferred. Toughness is the property of a material to resist impact.
Due to traffic loads, the aggregate are subjected to the pounding action or impact and there is
possibility of stones breaking into smaller pieces. The aggregate should therefore be tough
enough to resist fracture under impact. The aggregate impact test has been standardized by
the British Standard Institution and the Indian Standard Institution. The aggregate impact
value indicates a relative measure of the resistance of aggregate to a sudden shock or an
impact, which in some aggregates differs from its resistance to a slow compressive load. The
method of test covers the procedure for determining the aggregate impact value of coarse
aggregates
OBJECTIVE
To determine the aggregate impact value of a coarse aggregate
APPARATUS
1. Aggregate impact testing machine
2. IS sieve 14mm, 10mm, 2.36mm
3. a cylindrical measure
4. rod and balance
5. Bristle brush
6. Weighing Scale
APPARATUS
Aggregate Impact Value Instrument
PROCEDURE
1. Fill the measure about 1/3 full with aggregate and using the round end of a
2. Repeat the procedure twice for the remaining 2/3 portions, adding each time 1/3 of the
volume and tamping it. Note down the weight of the sample.
3. Transfer the sample to the cylinder in three layers of one third volume and tamp it as
usual.
4. Measure the cylinder and record it.
5. Place the cylinder in its position in the impact testing machinery firmly.
6. Allow the load to fall 15 times at one blow per second at constant rate.
7. Take the sample out of the cylinder carefully measure the cylinder and record it.
8. Sieve the sample on 2.36mm sieve. Weigh the portion passing through the 2.36mm
sieve and record it.
9. Calculate the aggregate value. Repeat this for remaining two samples
