THE UNIVERSITY OF

THE WEST INDIES

ST. AUGUSTINE

Experiment #
Aggregates
CVNG 3009 HIGHWAY
ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF
CIVIL &
ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING

NAME: JEROME HEADLEY

ID# 812003071
Date: DECEMBER 6, 2016
SUPERVISOR: Dr. Trevor Townsend
Mr. Lee Leon
Dr. Raymond Charles

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Contents
Aim ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
Materials and Apparatus................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Results ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Calculations ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Discussion.................................................................................................................................................... 14
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 15
References .................................................................................................................................................. 15

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Aim
To determine the gradation of a given mixture of aggregates to determine an aggregate blend that meets
gradation specifications for an asphalt mix.

Objectives

To determine the optimum combination of aggregates that meets specification for a specified
asphalt mix.

To perform a sieve analysis/gradation test on a mixture of aggregates to obtain the particle size
distribution.

Theory
The size distribution of an aggregate sample is a major quality factor with respect to the effective design
of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixes. Aggregate gradation and size affect HMA volumetric properties as well
as mixture permeability and workability. (Pavement Interactive)
Aggregate gradation helps to determine how an HMA mix will perform as a constituent material in a
pavement. The reason for this is that the gradation influences the HMA mix properties which include but
are not limited to; stability, durability, permeability, and workability.
HMA pavements are classified as flexible pavements since the total pavement structure deflects, or
flexes, under loading. A flexible pavement structure is typically composed of several layers of material.
Each layer receives the loads from the above layer, spreads them out, and then passes on these loads to
the next layer below. Hot mix asphalt is a mixture of fine and coarse aggregate with asphalt cement binder
that is mixed, placed, and compacted in a heated condition. The components are heated and mixed at a
central plant and placed on the road using an asphalt spreader. (Pavement Interactive)
A sieve analysis is carried out in accordance with AASHTO T 27 and ASTM C 136 (Sieve Analysis of Fine and
Coarse Aggregates) on the aggregate sample to determine the maximum aggregate size, and aggregate
size distribution; by passing a known weight of the sample through a series of sieves arranged on top of
each other with progressively smaller openings as the sieves go from top to bottom. The sieves separate

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the aggregate particles and the weight of the particles remaining of each sieve is measured; percentage
of the total sample retained on each sieve is calculated. (Pavement Interactive)
Gradation is most effectively expressed in a graphical format. Gradation graphs use concepts of maximum
density gradation and its expression in equation form to plot a special graph referred to as the FHWA 0.45
power graph. (Pavement Interactive)
After the completion of analyzing each aggregate and the percentage passing is determined for the
samples, a mathematical computation is used to determine the optimum proportions of the aggregates
to be used in the mix design. This is done using a trial and error method which is performed to get the
right proportions. In this method, several trial proportions for each aggregate are used to determine mix
proportions that would effectively fall within upper and lower limits for each sieve in a sieve analysis
test according to their respective types of pavements which are established by the AASHTO code of
practice. These types are:
1. Type A Base course for bituminous concrete pavement
2. Type B & C Base course for surface treatment
3. Type D Binder or levelling course
4. Type E Wearing course

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Materials and Apparatus

3/4 aggregate

3/8 aggregate

Limestone dust

Sharp sand

Sieves

Electronic balance

Bowl

Trays

Scoops

Oven

Mechanical Shaker

Three (3) metal bowls

Three (3) metal trays

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Method
This test is carried out as specified by AASHTO T 27 Sieve Analysis of Fine And Coarse
Aggregates:
I.

1000g of each aggregate type (3/4, 3/8, limestone dust and sharp sand) was weighed on the
electronic balance.

II.

Each sample of material was placed on a #200 sieve and washed until the water ran clear.

III.

The sample materials were then placed in the oven to dry and subsequently removed and left to
cool.

IV.

Each aggregate sample was placed on the top of a stack of sieves whose screen openings size
decreased with each sieve from the top to the bottom.

V.

The stack of sieves was placed in a mechanical sieve shaker for a period of 5 minutes.

VI.

For each aggregate sample, the weight of material remaining on each sieve was measured using
a cumulative method. That is, the material from the first sieve was weighed and its value
recorded, the next sieves contents were then added to first and the total weighed and
recorded. This was repeated until the weight of the material from all the sieves and the bottom
pan were added and the total weighed and recorded.

VII.

The results were recorded in tabular form for each aggregate sample depicting the measured
cumulative weight retained and the calculated cumulative percentage retained and percent
passing for each sieve size.

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Results
SAMPLE

3/4 "

QUANTITY

DESCRIPTION

Limestone

(g)

Cumm.

Cumm.

Standard

Alternate

(mm)

Weight

1000

Percentage

Percentage Passing (%)

Retained

Retained

(g)

(%)

19

3/4"

100

12.5

1/2"

306

30.6

69.4

9.5

3/8"

488

48.8

51.2

4.75

884

88.4

11.6

2.36

965

96.5

3.5

0.6

30

975

97.5

2.5

0.3

50

976

97.6

2.4

0.15

100

976

97.6

2.4

0.075

200

976

97.6

2.4

Table 1: Results for aggregates obtained from 3/4" bin

120

3/4 " Aggregate

Percentage Passing (%)

100
80
60
40
20
0
0.06

0.6

Sieve Size (mm)

Graph 1: Percent passing curve for 3/4" aggregates.

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60
3/4 " Aggregate

SAMPLE

3/8 "

QUANTITY

DESCRIPTION

Limestone

(g)

Standard Alternate

Cumm.

Cumm.

(mm)

Weight

1000

Percentage

Percentage Passing (%)

Retained

Retained

(g)

(%)

19

3/4"

100

12.5

1/2"

100

9.5

3/8"

100

4.75

788

78.8

21.2

2.36

933

93.3

6.7

0.6

30

959

95.9

4.1

0.3

50

964

96.4

3.6

Table 2: Results for aggregates obtained from 3/8" bin

120

3/8 " Aggregate

Percentage Passing (%)

100
80
60
40
20
0
0.06

0.6

Sieve Size (mm)

Graph 2: Percent passing curve for 3/8" aggregates.

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60
3/8 " Aggregate

SAMPLE

Stone

QUANTITY

DESCRIPTION

Dust

(g)

Standard Alternate

Cumm.

Cumm.

(mm)

Weight

1000

Percentage

Percentage Passing (%)

Retained

Retained

(g)

(%)

19

3/4"

100

12.5

1/2"

100

9.5

3/8"

100

4.75

12

1.2

98.8

2.36

168

16.8

83.2

0.6

30

470

47

53

0.3

50

583

58.3

41.7

0.15

100

670

67

33

0.075

200

752

75.2

24.8

Table 3: Results for aggregates obtained from Stone Dust bin.

Stone Dust

Percentage Passing (%)

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.06

0.6

Sieve Size (mm)

Graph 3: Percent passing curve for Stone Dust aggregates.

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60
Series1

SAMPLE

Sharp

QUANTITY

DESCRIPTION

Sand

(g)

Standard Alternate

Cumm.

Cumm.

(mm)

Weight

1000

Percentage

Percentage Passing (%)

Retained

Retained

(g)

(%)

19

3/4"

100

12.5

1/2"

100

9.5

3/8"

100

4.75

27

2.7

97.3

2.36

228

22.8

77.2

0.6

30

541

54.1

45.9

0.3

50

738

73.8

26.2

0.15

100

915

91.5

8.5

0.075

200

964

96.4

3.6

Table 4: Results for aggregates obtained from bin

120

Sharp Sand

Percentage Passing (%)

100
80
60
40
20
0
0.06

0.6

Sieve Size (mm)

Graph 4: Percent passing curve for Sharp Sand.

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60
Series1

SIEVE

3/4"

1/2"

3/8"

30

50

100

200

19

12.5

9.5

4.75

2.36

0.6

0.3

0.15

0.075

100

69.4

51.2

11.6

3.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

100

100

100

21.2

6.7

4.1

3.6

3.3

2.8

100

100

100

98.8

83.2

53

41.7

33

24.8

100

100

100

97.3

77.2

45.9

26.2

8.5

3.6

Specs (LL)

100

80

70

50

35

18

13

Mix

100

88.066

80.968

56.627

42.847

26.498

18.378

11.481

8.14

100

100

90

70

50

29

23

16

10

3/4 "
Limestone
3/8 "
Limestone
Limestone
Dust
Sharp
Sand

Design
Specs (UL)

Table 5 showing the percentage of all aggregates based on the trial mix design

Combined Gradation of Aggregates

120

Percentage Passing (%)

100
80
60
40
20
0

0.01

0.1

10

Sieve Size (mm)

LL

Mix Design

UL

Graph 5: Percent passing curve for combination of aggregates per design mix
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100

Calculations

Initial mass weighed out for each test = 1,000 g

Checking validation for each test:
3/4 Aggregates:
Total cumulative weight = 976 g


=(
) 100

= (9761,000) 100 = . %

= 100%
= 100% 97.6 = 2.4%
Using sieve size No. 8 to determine trial and error mix proportions
Percentage Passing
3/4 Limestone = 2.4%
3/8 Limestone = 2.8%
Limestone Dust = 24.8%
Sharp Sand = 3.6%
Mix Design Proportions
3/4 Limestone = 39%
3/8 Limestone = 10%
Limestone Dust = 24%

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Sharp Sand = 27%

Calculating total percent passing 0.15 mm sieve using design proportions:

. % = (2.4 0.39) + (3.3 0.1) + (33 0.24) + (8.5 0.27) = 11.48%
From the specifications, the percent passing the 0.15 mm sieve ranges from 8.14% to 18.3%. 11.48%
falls within this range and is therefore acceptable.

Aggregate

First Trial

Size

Proportion
%

3/4 "

39

0.39

10

0.1

24

0.24

27

0.27

100

Limestone
3/8 "
Limestone
Stone
Dust
Sharp
Sand

Table 6: Mix Design proportions

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Discussion
In pavement design a flexible concrete pavement comprises of several layers of material. Based on the
bearing capacity of the materials the layers are arranged in a specific order from the material which has
the highest capacity at the top and the material with the lowest at the bottom. These layers serve
different purposes.
Aggregates are classified as course or fine. Based on Asphalt concrete course aggregate is classified as
any materials retained above the No. 4 (4.75mm) sieve and the fine aggregates as the materials passing
through the N0. 4.
From the graphs, it was observed that the curves of graphs 1 and 2 exhibited steep curves and the
particle size was small in comparison to the other samples. These characteristics are properties of
uniformly graded mixes. It was also observed the curves flattens in the areas of grain deficiency. On the
other hand, it was observed from graphs 3 and 4 a gently varying slope which spans a wider range of
sizes. These characteristics are properties of gap-graded mixes.
Mix design requires the combination of two or more aggregates having different gradation. The main
objective in this is to determine the most economical balance of aggregates and void spaces to achieve
certain engineering properties. The maximum density can be achieved where particles are arranged in
the densest arrangement. However, this may not constitute the most desirable design because there
would be insufficient void spaces for the binding material thus creating a durable mixture.
It is known through research that graded aggregates are used along with binder in asphalt concrete.
With this design, less coarse aggregates are used, a greater proportion of the finer materials and a
binder are used. This composition is designed to provide low air void content after compaction, this
ensures flexibility and durability.
The composition of the mix design would usually vary based upon the functional requirements of the
component when used as wearing course, the mix composition must be tailored to accommodate
increased loading, skid resistance and resistance of water penetration. All these properties can be
achieved by altering the void to aggregate relationship. The gradation requirements for some mix design
have already been established and are used as guidelines for mix proportioning. These values are used
to determine the upper and lower limits of the gradation curve. The gradation for the required mix
design must lay between these parameters to function efficiently.

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Conclusion
The trial and error method was used to develop the mix design for the wearing course. The mix
proportion which satisfies the graduation requirements was found to be: 39% of 3/4, 27% Sharp Sand,
24% Limestone dust, 10% of 3/8 as shown in table 6 and in graph 5. From the graph, when plotted
between the upper and lower limits of pavement laver E, the mix proportion fell within the limits of the
graph. This indicates that the mix design presented in this lab is suitable for the wearing course
requirement and fits within the design standard range. The amount of fine materials will facilitate load
transfer via mortar mechanisms, reduce the void ratio and create a smooth surface for vehicular traffic.
The proportion of coarse aggregates should account for skid resistance and durability.

References
Federal Highway Administration 2009. Blending Aggregates. Accessed
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ (accessed November 2016)
SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATES, AASHTO T 27
http://www.in.gov/indot/div/mt/aashto/testmethods/aashto_t27.pdf (Accessed November 2016)
Pavement Interactive. 2010. 'HMA Pavement | Pavement Interactive'. Pavementinteractive.Org.
http://www.pavementinteractive.org/article/hma-pavement/. (Accessed November 2016)
U.S. Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration. 'User Guidelines for Waste and
Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction'.

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