CHAPTER 2

AGGREGATE

Type of
aggregate

Content
Physical

Gradation
of
aggregate

Properties of
aggregate
Mechanical

Chemical

AGGREGATE is a mass
crushed stone, gravel,
sand predominately
composed of individual
particle.
Use of aggregate
underlaying material for foundation and
pavements
Ingredients in portland cement and asphalt
concrete to form composite material or
concrete

Source of aggregate

Example:

Example:

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Geological classification

Types

1.
2.
3.

How its form

Classification of aggregate in accordance to

unit weight
1. High weight aggregate

Unit weight of aggregate > 2100 kg/m3

Bulk density > 3200 kg/m3

2. Normal weight aggregate

Unit weight of aggregate = 1520 - 1680 kg/m3

Bulk density = 2300 2400 kg/m3

3. Lightweight weight aggregate

Unit weight of aggregate < 1120 kg/m3

Bulk density < 1800kg/m3

Bulk density = it is mass of particles of the material divided by the

volume they occupy (include pores and space between them!)

Classification of aggregate in accordance to

size
1. Fine aggregate

2. Course aggregate

Aggregate that pass

through 4.75mm
sieve

Aggregate that
retain on a 4.75mm
seive

Properties of aggregate
Physical
- Shape (angularity, flakiness, elongation)
- Size
- Surface texture
- Specific gravity , absorption
- Soundness
- Pore structure, porosity
- Unit weight
- Etc

Chemical
- Solubility
- Surface change
- Reactivity to chemical
- Etc

Mechanical
- Strength
- Toughness
- Abrasion resistance
- Etc

Shape and texture of aggregate

Shape and texture of aggregate influence the
properties of freshly mixed concrete more than
the properties of hardened concrete
Shape and texture of aggregate particles
determines how the material will pack into dense
configuration and mobility of aggregate within
the mix
Rough textured, angular and elongated
aggregate required more water to produce
workable concrete than smooth rounded
compact aggregate.
Rough aggregates, there is better mechanical
bond in the hardened concrete, so strength is
higher .

Strength
The strength of an aggregate is rarely tested and
generally does not influence the strength of
conventional concrete as much as the strength of
the paste and the paste-aggregate bond.
For high strength concrete, aggregate plays an
important role.
Aggregate tensile strengths range from 2 to 15 MPa
and compressive strengths from 65 to 270 MPa
(10,000 to 40,000 psi).

Toughness, hardness & abrasion

Aggregates undergo substantial wear and tear
throughout their life. In general, they should be hard
and tough enough to resist crushing, degradation
and disintegration from any associated activities
including manufacturing stockpiling production,
placing and compaction
Abrasion resistance is essential when the aggregate
is to be used in concrete subject to abrasion, as in
heavy-duty floors or pavements.

 Los Angeles abrasion test (rattler

method) performed in
accordance with ASTM C 131
(AASHTO T 96) or ASTM C535.
In this test a specified quantity of
aggregate is placed in a steel
drum containing steel balls, the
drum is rotated, and the
percentage of material worn
away is measured

Once the test is complete, the

calculated mass of aggregate
that has broken apart to smaller
sizes is expressed as a
percentage of the total mass of
aggregate

The moisture condition of aggregates refers to the

presence of water in the pores and on the surface of
aggregates.
There are 4 types of moisture condition.

Oven dry

by keeping aggregates at
temperature of 1100C for a
period of time long enough
to reach a constant
weight.

Saturated surface dry

(SSD)

the pores of the aggregate are fully

filled with water and the surface is
dry. This condition can be obtained
by immersion in water for 24 hours
following by drying of the surface
with wet cloth.

Air dry

by keeping aggregates
under room temperature
and humidity. Pores inside
the aggregate are partly
filled with water

Wet

the pores of the aggregate are

fully filled with water and the
surface of aggregate is
covered with a film of water.

Moisture condition calculation

To make concrete, aggregates are mixed with water and cement.

Since concrete properties at both the fresh and hardened states are
strongly affected by the water content, it is very important to ensure
that the right amount of water is added to the mix .
In designing concrete mix, the moisture content under SSD condition is
used as reference because that is an equilibrium condition at which the
aggregates will neither absorb water nor give up water to the paste.
Thus, if MCSSD value for a batch of aggregates is positive, there is surface
moisture on the aggregates. If it is negative, it means that the pores in
aggregates are only partly filled with water.
Since the aggregates may give out or absorb water, the amount of
water added to the mix need to be adjusted according to the MCSSD
value. This is particularly important for concrete with low water content
as the amount of adjusted water can be a significant portion of the
total amount.

Specific gravity (SG)

It defines as ratio of the mass of a substance relative
to the mass of an equal volume of water at a
specified temperature.
How much heavier is an aggregate particle
compared to an equal volume of water?
Common value
Granite : SG = 2.65
Marine Limestone : SG = 2.53
Gneiss : SG = 2.74
Other material
Water : SG = 1
Steel : SG = 7.9
Wood : SG =0.30.6
Concrete : SG =2.4
Aluminum : SG =2.6

There are 4 types of specific gravity. Please provide explanation,

diagram and formula.
(1)Bulk
(2)Bulk, saturated surface dry
(3)Apparent
(4) Effective

GRADATION
It describes as particle size distribution of the
aggregate.
Large aggregate are economically advantageous
in portland cement and asphalt concrete, as they
have less surface area, hence require less binder.
But large aggregate more difficult to work into
place.
Construction consideration e.g equipment
capacity, dimension of structural member,
clearance between reinforcing steel

SIEVE ANALYSIS

Range of particle sizes found in aggregate for use

in concrete.

The grading and grading limits are usually expressed

as the percentage of material passing each sieve

ASTM defines
Coarse aggregate retain on 4.75mm (no. 4) sieve

Fine aggregate pass 4.75mm sieve

Filler pass 0.0075mm (no 200) sieve

Fine aggregate grading

depends on the type of work, the richness of the
mixture, and the maximum size of coarse aggregate
desirable for workability
best economy will sometimes be achieved by
adjusting the concrete mixture to suit the gradation of
the local aggregates

Fine aggregate grading limit according to ASTM C33

Coarse aggregate grading

The grading for a given maximum-size coarse
aggregate can be varied over a moderate range
without effect on cement and water requirement of a
mixture if the proportion of fine aggregate to total
aggregate produces concrete of good workability.

The maximum size of coarse aggregate used in

concrete has a bearing on the economy of concrete
Usually more water and cement is required for smallsize aggregates than for large sizes, due to an increase
in total aggregates surface area.

 Aggregates of different maximum sizes may give

slightly different concrete strengths for the same
water-cement ratio.
The maximum size of aggregate that can be
used generally depends on the size and shape of
the concrete member and the amount and
distribution of reinforcing steel.

ASSIGNMENT 1 (GROUP)
Harmful substances may present in aggregate and
may cause deleterious effect on concrete. Table 1
shows the substances and its effect on concrete..
Choose two from the table to be discussed in further.
Prepare a report using Microsoft PowerPoint
(maximum 10 slide) and send through Edmodo.
Please write your group name as file name.
Due date: 28 September 2015

Table 1