Aggregate Test

The main test of aggregates for pavement design are:I. Impact test for Toughness
II. Abrasion value test for Hardness
III. Polished stone value test or accelerated polishing test
IV. Aggregate crushing value test
V. Shape test- Flakiness index, Elongation test, angularity number
VI. Soundness test or Durability test or accelerated weathering test
VII. Specific gravity test
VIII. Water absorption test
IX. Stripping value test of aggregates

Impact Value Test

This test is done by Impact Testing Machine for measuring Toughness of
aggregate.
The specimen consist of metal base and cylindrical steel cup of diameter
of 102mm and depth of 50mm.
And metal hammer of 13.5 to 14 kg having a free fall from 380mm
height.
The toughness property of aggregate may be reported as;Impact value (%)
Toughness property
Less than 10
Exceptionally tough / strong
10 to 20
Very tough / strong
20 to 30
Good for pavement surface course
Above 35
Weak for pavement surface
For bituminous macadam Impact value should not exceed 35%
For Water bound macadam impact value should not exceed 40%
According to MORTH, Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) binder course
and Semi-Dense Bituminous Concrete (SDBC) surfacing should not
exceed 27%
For bituminous concrete surface course impact value should not exceed
24%.

LOS Angeles Abrasion Test

This test is done by the LOS Angeles Machine for determining hardness
of aggregate.

 The machine consist of a hollow cylinder closed at both ends, having

inside diameter of 700mm and length of 500mm and mounted so as to
rotate about its horizontal axis.
It also having the Abrasive charge consisting of cast iron sphere of
diameter 48mm and weight of 390 to 445g placed in the machine.
Test Results:I. Abrasion value for good aggregate acceptable for bituminous
concrete is less than 30%.
II. For cement concrete pavement and dense bituminous macadam
(DBM) the abrasion value is 35%.
III. In granular base courses (like wet mix macadam and WBM) the
allowed abrasion value is up-to 40%.

Dowrys Abrasion Test

This test is done by Dowrys abrasion testing machine and a Balance
for determining coefficient of hardness.
The machine consist of cast steel disc which revolve in horizontal plane
about a vertical shaft.
Coefficient of hardness = 20-(loss in weight/3).
Test result

Coefficient of hardness

Aggregate quality

17
14 to 17
14

Good stone
Medium quality stone
Unsuitability of stone for road work

Crushing Value Test

This test is done by compression testing machine for determining
brittleness of aggregate.
The machine consist of cylindrical mould of diameter 152mm.with a
base plate and plunger.
Fill dry aggregate in mould which is pass from 12.5mm IS sieve and
retained at 10mm sieve by providing proper tamping in suitable
manner.
Applying load of 40 tonne on mould at the rate of 4 tonne per minute.
Test result:I. For base course should not exceed 45%
II. For wearing surface should not exceed 30%.

Soundness Test
To study the resistance of aggregates to weathering action by
conducting accelerated weathering test cycles.
According to BIS, the resistance to disintegration of aggregates is
determined by using saturated solution of sodium sulphate and
magnesium sulphate.
For pavement construction, loss in weight of aggregate after 10 cycle is
I. Should not exceed 12% when sodium sulphate solution is used.
II. Should not exceed 18% when magnesium sulphate solution is
used.

Flakiness Index Test

Flakiness index (FI) of aggregate is the percentage by weight of
aggregates particles the least dimensions /thickness of which is less
than three fifth or 0.6 of their mean dimensions.
This test is applicable for sizes larger than 6.3mm.
Test result: (according to IRC)
I. FI of aggregate used in bituminous concrete and surface dressing
should not exceed 255
II. FI of aggregate used in water bound macadam (WBM) and
bituminous macadam (BM) should not exceed 15%

Elongation Index Test

Elongation index (EI) of aggregate is the percentage by weight of
particles, the greatest dimension or its length is greater than four fifth
or 1.8 times of their mean dimensions.
For every type of road construction the elongation index should not
exceed 15%.

Angularity Number Test

The degree of packing of particles of single sized aggregates depends
on shape and angularity of aggregates. Angularity is defined as 67%solid volume.
AN=67 100W/ (CG of aggregates).
The range of angularity number for road construction is vary from zero
to 11.