ABSTRACT

The Los Angeles test is a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of standard

gradings resulting from a combination of actions including abrasion or attrition, impact, and
grinding in a rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel spheres. The Los Angeles
(L.A.) abrasion test is a common test method used to indicate aggregate toughness and abrasion
characteristics. Aggregate abrasion characteristics are important because the constituent aggregate
in hot mix asphalt must resist crushing, degradation and disintegration in order to produce a high
quality hot mix asphalt. The apparatus used in the laboratory exercise are 11 steel spherical balls,
Los Angeles abrasion machine, and sieves. In the conduct of the test, we first prepare the sample
by the portion of an aggregate sample retained on the No. 12 sieve and place in a large rotating
drum that contains a shelf plate attached to the outer wall. Prepared sample is placed in the
abrasion-testing machine. A specified number of steel spheres are then placed in the machine and
the drum is rotated for 500 revolutions at a speed of 30 - 33 revolutions per minute. The material
is then separated into material passing the 1.70 mm (No. 12) sieve and material retained on the
1.70 mm (No. 12) sieve. Calculate L.A Abrasion value by calculating the difference between the
retained material (larger particles) compared to the original sample weight. The difference in
weight is reported as a percent of the original weight and called the "percent loss". The L.A.
Abrasion test is an empirical test; it is not directly related to field performance of aggregates. L.A.
abrasion loss is unable to predict field performance. Specifically, the test may not be satisfactory
for some types of aggregates. Some aggregates, such as slag and some limestones, tend to have
high LA. Abrasion loss but perform adequately in the field. The soft aggregates will be quickly
ground to dust, whilst the hard aggregates are quite resistant to crushing effect. The test also will
determine the quality of the aggregate.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS

The Los Angeles (L.A.) abrasion test is a common test method used to indicate aggregate
toughness and abrasion characteristics. Aggregate abrasion characteristics are important because
the constituent aggregate in hot mix asphalt must resist crushing, degradation and disintegration
in order to produce a high quality hot mix asphalt. The standard L.A. abrasion test subjects a coarse
aggregate sample (retained on the No. 12 (1.70 mm) sieve) to abrasion, impact, and grinding in a
rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel spheres. The L.A. abrasion test measures
the degradation of a coarse aggregate sample that is placed in a rotating drum with steel spheres.
As the drum rotates the aggregate degrades by abrasion and impact with other aggregate particles
and the steel spheres (called the charge). 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. Therefore, lower L.A. abrasion loss values indicate aggregate that is tougher and more
resistant to abrasion. A sample of aggregate retained on the No. 12 (1.70 mm) sieve is placed inside
a rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel spheres or charge. As the drum
rotates, a shelf inside the drum picks up the aggregate and steel spheres. The shelf carries them
around until they drop on the opposite side of the drum, subjecting the aggregate to impact and
crushing. Then, the aggregate is subjected to abrasion and grinding as the drum continues to rotate
until the shelf picks up the contents, and the process is repeated. The drum is rotated for a specified
number of revolutions. Afterward, the aggregate is removed from the drum and sieved on a No.
12 (1.70 mm) sieve. The aggregate retained on the sieve is weighed and the difference between
this weight and the original weight is expressed as a percentage and reported as the L.A. abrasion
loss value. If we refer to the tabulation of data, we used the grading B method, the original mass
of the aggregates sample is 5000 grams, with a mass retained on No.12 sieve of 3990 grams. The
LA Abresion value computed is 25.31%.
CONCLUSION

The aggregate used in surface course of the highway pavements are subjected to wearing
due to movement of traffic. When vehicles move on the road, the soil particles present between
the pneumatic tyres and road surface cause abrasion of road aggregates. The steel reamed wheels
of animal driven vehicles also cause considerable abrasion of the road surface. Therefore, the road
aggregates should be hard enough to resist abrasion. Resistance to abrasion of aggregate is
determined in laboratory by Los Angeles test machine. The principle of Los Angeles abrasion test
is to produce abrasive action by use of standard steel balls which when mixed with aggregates and
rotated in a drum for specific number of revolutions also causes impact on aggregates. The
percentage wear of the aggregates due to rubbing with steel balls is determined and is known as
Los Angeles Abrasion Value. The L.A. Abrasion test is widely used as an indicator of the relative
quality or competence of mineral aggregates.

Steel ball bearings in hardness test to produce the abrasive action by use of standard steel
balls which when mixed with the aggregate and rotated in a drum for specific number of revolution
cause impact on aggregate. The L.A Abrasion value wear due to rubbing with steel balls is
determined and is known as abrasion value. Aggregate used in highway pavement should be hard
and must resist wear due to the loading from compaction equipment, the polishing effect of traffic
and the internal abrasion effect. The road aggregate should be hard enough to resist the abrasion
of aggregate. Resistance to abrasion is determined in laboratory by loss angles abrasion test.
 Laboratory Exercise No.7

LOS ANGELES ABRASION TEST OF COARSE AGGREGATES

FINAL DATA SHEET

Trial Numbers
Descriptions 1 2
Grading B
Number of Balls 11
Original Mass of Sample, g 5000
Mass retained on No. 12 sieve, g 3990
Los Angeles Abrasion Value, % 25.31
Average LAV, %