STRENGTH

Strong aggregate can not make strong concrete.

When the cement paste of good quality is provided and its bond with the aggregate is
satisfactory, then the mechanical properties of the rock will influence the strength of concrete.
The test carried for strength purposes is aggregate crushing value
Aggregate Crushing Value
The different rock samples are found to give different compressive strength varying from a
minimum of about 45 MPa to 545 MPa.
Strength of rock is found out by making a test specimen of cylinder shape of size 25 mm
diameter and 25 mm height. This cylinder is subjected to compressive stress.
Test is made on single sized aggregate passing 12.5 mm and retained on 10 mm sieve. The
aggregate is placed in a cylinder mould and a load of 40 ton is applied through a plunger.
The material crushed to finer than 2.36 mm is separated and expressed as a percentage of the
original weight taken in mould. This percentage is referred as aggregate crushing value.
Aggregate crushing value = B/A X IOO
Where B = weight of fraction passing the appropriate sieve, and
A = weight of surface-dry sample.
This aggregate crushing value is restricted to 30 % for concrete used for roads and pavements and for 45
% may be permitted for other structures.
10 % fines value
DETERMINATION OF TEN PERCENT FINES VALUE
Object - This method of test covers the procedure for determining the
ten percent fines value of coarse aggregates.
NOTE - The ten percent fines value gives a measure of the resistance of an aggregate to
crushing, that is, applicable to all aggregates.
Specific Gravity (Relative Density)
The relative density (specific gravity) of an aggregate is the ratio of its mass to the mass of an
equal absolute volume of water.
Specific Gravity=
( density of material)/( density of water)
The typical value of specific gravity= 2.65
That ranges from 2.65 to 2.9.
Moisture Content
Absorption or surface moisture determination is important in order to maintain the desired w/c
ratio in mix design.
Average sand 1.0%
Ranges from 1.0 % to 7 %
The moisture conditions of aggregates are shown in Fig. They are designated as:
1. Ovendryfully absorbent
2. Air drydry at the particle surface but containing some interior moisture, thus still somewhat
absorbent
3. Saturated surface dry (SSD)neither absorbing waterfrom nor contributing water to the concrete
mixture
4. Damp or wetcontaining an excess of moisture on the surface (free water)

Bulking factor
Bulking is the increase in total volume of moist fine aggregate over the same mass dry. Surface
tension in the moisture holds the particles apart, causing an increase in volume.

Grading of Aggregate
Grading refers to the determination of the particle-size distribution for aggregate.
Grading limits and maximum aggregate size are specified because grading and size affect the
amount of aggregate used as well as cement and water requirements, workability, pumpability,
and durability of concrete.
In general, if the water-cement ratio is chosen correctly, a wide range in grading can be used
without a major effect on strength.
When gap-graded aggregate are specified, certain particle sizes of aggregate are omitted from
the size continuum. Gap-graded aggregate are used to obtain uniform textures in exposed
aggregate concrete.
Close control of mix proportions is necessary to avoid segregation.
SIEVE ANALYSIS
The sieve analysis is conducted to determine the particle size distribution in a sample of
aggregate, which is called gradation.
The aggregate used for making concrete are normally of the maximum size 80 mm, 40 mm, 20
mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 600 micron, 300 micron and 150 micron.
4.75 mm sieve retained called CA and passed called FA
Sieving can be done either manually or mechanically.
From the sieve analysis the particle size distribution in a sample of aggregate is found out. In this
connection a term known as Fineness Modulus (FM) is being used.