CHAPTER 2

AGGREGATE
 Type of
aggregate

Content

Physical

Gradation
of Properties of
aggregate 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 How its form

1.

2.

3.
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  Aggregate that

through 4.75mm retain on a 4.75mm
sieve seive
 Properties of aggregate

Physical
- Shape (angularity, flakiness, elongation)
- Size Chemical
- Surface texture - Solubility
- Specific gravity , absorption - Surface change
- Soundness - Reactivity to chemical
- Pore structure, porosity - Etc
- Unit weight
- 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.
Air dry
by keeping aggregates
under room temperature
and humidity. Pores inside
the aggregate are partly the pores of the aggregate are
filled with water
Saturated surface dry
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.
Wet
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 =0.3‐0.6
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