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The_Effect_of_Aggregate_Gradation_and_Fineness_on_Concrete_Properties
07-04-2015 08.08.11
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Effects of Aggregate Gradation and Fineness on Concrete

Properties
This document describes the effects of aggregate gradation on concrete performance.

How to Maintain Concrete Economy and Integrity With Aggregates

A concrete mix basically consists of sand and rock of various sizes glued together with a mixture of cement
and water. Concrete aggregates displace a significantly large portion of the volume of a cubic yard of
concrete. For example, in a typical 600-pound cement mix with entrained air, the fine and coarse aggregate
will make up approximately 67 percent of the total volume. With leaner mixes, the aggregate takes up even
more volume. The gradation and overall fineness of the aggregate used will affect the physical properties
and the cost of the mix.

The gradation of the aggregate, or distribution of particle sizes, should meet the specifications outlined in
ASTM C33, "Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates." ASTM C33 suggests that the gradation curve
be smooth, with neither a deficiency nor excess of material of any one size. A smooth gradation curve
decreases the voids between the aggregate particles in a homogeneous concrete mix, and, because the
voids must be filled with a mixture of cement and water, it therefore decreases the amount of cement
required. (The paste portion of the concrete can also be increased by adding water, but this increases the
water-cement ratio and decreases strength.) Cement is usually the most expensive component in concrete,
so minimizing the amount needed makes the mix more economical.

In order to see the effects of gradation on concrete cost, pack a beaker with 1-inch-diameter rock and
measure the amount of water needed to fill up the beaker. This water represents the volume of the voids in
the beaker (see the following illustration). Then, take the same beaker, packing it with a homogeneous
mixture of 1-inch-diameter and -inch-diameter rock and again measure the quantity of water needed to fill

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the beaker.

Less water will be needed to fill the beaker with the two sizes of stone. Every time another size is added to
the mix, the void content in the beaker will decrease. This is what happens in a cubic yard of concrete, as
well, except that the voids are filled with cement and water.

Another factor that can affect the economy of a concrete is the fineness of the aggregate. Because all
surfaces of all particles in the mix must be covered with cement paste, the more surface area present in the
concrete, the more cement and water needed to do the job.

This can be illustrated by imagining a 1-inch-by-1-inch-by-1-inch cube of stone, with a total surface area of 6
square inches. If this cube is then sliced in half, the weight of the stone remains the same, but the surface
area is increased to 8 square inches, and more cement paste is needed to cover the surfaces and glue them
together. Imagine what would happen if the cube of stone were sliced 1,000 times!

By checking the gradation of your aggregate to ensure compliance with ASTM C33, you will minimize the
amount of paste, and therefore the amount of cement, required in your concrete mixes.

Other Considerations for Fine Aggregate

ASTM C33 suggests that the fineness modulus be kept between 2.3 and 3.1. Very fine sand will increase
the water demand of the mix, while very coarse sand could compromise its workability.

ASTM C33 requires that the sand be less than 45 percent retained on any one sieve. Too much material on
one sieve means gap-grading, which will increase the water demand of the mix.

The amount of material passing the #50 and #100 sieves will affect workability, slab surface texture, and
bleeding. Increased bleeding will occur as the portion passing the #50 sieve increases. The flatwork
finishability of a mix also increases as the portion passing the #50 sieve increases.

ASTM C33 limits the amount of material passing the #200 sieve to 3 percent for natural sand that contains
clay. Clay is a very fine particle that greatly increases the water demand of a mix, reduces strength
significantly, and promotes bleeding.

Other Considerations for Coarse Aggregate

1. The larger the maximum size of the coarse aggregate, the lower the water demand of the mix. For
example, a mix containing 1-inch-maximum-size aggregate will require about 5 gallons less water
per cubic yard than a mix using -inch-maximum-size aggregate when both mixes are adjusted to
the same slump.
2. ASTM C33 generally limits the amount of material passing the #200 sieve to 1 percent for natural
coarse aggregate containing clay. As stated above, clay is a very fine particle that greatly increases
the water demand of a mix, reduces strength significantly, and promotes bleeding.

Lafarge North America is committed to providing the best possible service to our customers. For more

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information about concrete or concrete materials, please contact your Lafarge sales representative or
technical sales engineer.