1.

0 INTRODUCTION

The particle shape of aggregates is determined by the percentages of flaky and elongation
particles. Flaky and elongation particles are considered undesirable as they cause weakness
of the pavement. Rounded aggregates are preferred in cement concrete pavements as the
workability of concrete improves. Regular shapes of particles are desirable for granular base
course due to increased stability desired from better interlocking. When the shape of
aggregates deviates more from the spherical shape, as in the case of angular, flaky and
elongation aggregate the void content increase and hence the grain size distribution of the
aggregates has to be suitable altered in order to obtain minimum voids in the dry mix on the
maximum density.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

To determine the flakiness and elongation indices of the given aggregate sample.

3.0 FLAKINESS INDEX

Aggregate particles are classified as flaky when they have a thickness (smallest dimension)
of less than 0.6 of their mean sieve size. The flakiness index of an aggregate sample is found
by separating the flaky particles and expressing their mass as a percentage of the mass of the
sample tested. This test is not applicable to aggregate passing 6.30mm sieve and retained as
63.0 mm sieve.

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3.1 APPARATUS

1. Metal thickness gauge

2. Test sieve

3. Balance

4. Metal length gauge

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3.2 PROCEDURE

1. The sieve sample with sieves mentioned in Table 7.1. Weight each of the
individual size fraction (w1, w2, w3…..)retained on these sieve, other than the
63.0 mm sieve and store them in separate trays marked with their size.
2. Gauge each fraction from the respective slots in the thickness gauge weigh
pieces which pass through the slots (x1, x2, x3…..etc).

3.3 CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

Flakiness index = x1 + x2 + x3 + …. x 100
w1 + w2 + w3 + ….

Where x1, x2,…etc. are the weight of the fractions passing from the thickness gauge.
w1, w2…etc are the weight of the original sample retained as the corresponding sieve

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4.0 ELONGATION INDEX
Aggregate particles are classified as elongation when they have a length (greatest
dimension) of more than 1.8 of their mean sieve size. The elongation index is found by
separating the elongation particles and expressing their mess as a percentage of the mass of
sample tested. The test is not applicable to material passing 6.30 mm sieve or retained on
50 mm sieve.

4.1 APPARATUS
1. Metal length gauge
2. Sieve
3. Balance
4. Tray

4.2 PROCEDURE
1. Sieve the sample with sieve mentioned in table (3) weight each of the individual
size fractions (w1, w2, w3…. Retained on these sieves other than the 50.0 mm
sieve.
2. Gauge each fraction as follows, select the length gauge appropriate to the single
fraction under test and gauge each particle separately by hand. Elongated
particles are those whose greatest dimension prevent them from passing through
the gauge. Weigh each fraction which doesn’t pass through the gauge (y1, y2,
…etc)
4.3 CALCULATION AND RESULTS
Elongation index = x1 + x2 + x3 + …. x 100
w1 + w2 + w3 +
….

Where: y1, y2, y3, ….weight of the fractions not passing through the length gauge
w1, w2, w3,….are the weight of the original sample on the corresponding sieve.

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 Aggregate Shape Test

Size of aggregate Width of the Weight on Weight on

Passing Retained on friction aggregate in each aggregate in
through IS IS sieve, mm contesting of at fraction passing each fraction
sieve, mm last 200 piece, g thickness gauge, g retained on
length gauge, g

1 2 3 4 5
63 50 W1mm…. X1mm…. Y1mm….
50 37.5 W2mm…. X2mm…. Y2mm….
37.5 28 W3mm…. X3mm…. Y3mm….
28 20 W4mm…. X4mm…. Y4mm….
20 14 W5mm…. X5mm…. Y5mm….
14 10 W6mm…. X6mm…. Y6mm….
10 6.3 W7mm X7mm…. Y7mm….
Total

𝑥1+𝑥2+𝑥3+⋯
Flakiness index = [ ] × 100
𝑤1+𝑤2+𝑤3+⋯

𝑥1+𝑥2+𝑥3+⋯
Elongation index = [ ] × 10
𝑤1+𝑤2+𝑤3+⋯

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Table 2 data for Determination of Flakiness Index

Aggregate Size Fraction Width of slot in Minimum mass for

BS test sieve nominal aperture size thickness Gauge subdivision
100% passing 100% retained or special sieve

mm mm mm kg
63.0 50.0 33.9 ± 0.3 50
50.0 37.5 26.3 ± 0.3 35
37.5 28.0 19.7 ± 0.3 15
28.0 20.0 14.4 ± 0.15 5
20.0 14.0 10.2 ± 0.15 2
14.0 10.0 7.2 ± 0.1 1
10.0 6.3 4.9 ± 0.1 0.5

This dimension is equal to 0.6 times the mean test sieve size

Table 3 data for Determination of Elongation Index

Aggregate Size Fraction Width of slot in

BS test sieve nominal aperture size thickness Gauge or Minimum mass
100% passing 100% retained special sieve for subdivision

mm mm mm kg
50.0 37.5 78.7 ± 0.3 35
37.5 28.0 59.0 ± 0.3 15
28.0 20.0 43.2 ± 0.15 5
20.0 14.0 30.6 ± 0.15 2
14.0 10.0 21.6 ± 0.2 1
10.0 6.3 14.7 ± 0.2 0.5

This dimension is equal to 1.8 times the mean test size

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6.0 DISCUSSION

The Flakiness Index is the mass of particles in that aggregate expressed as a percentage of the
total mass of that aggregate which will pass the slot or slots of specified width for the
appropriate size fraction. While elongation index test is used to determine the quantity of
aggregate particles that are elongated instead of cubicle in shape. The particles are classified
as flaky or elongated particles according to the rather arbitrary assumption that are particles is
flaky if its flaky is less than 0.6 times the sieve size and that a particle is elongated if its long
is greater than 1.8 times the sieve size. In this experiment, flakiness index was used as
independent variables and other properties such as gradation are kept constant as far as their
properties met the specification required for the asphalt mixture. According to Malaysian
Standard Institution classifies aggregate into six classes that are rounded, irregular, angular,
flaky and elongated and elongated. The rounded, irregular and angular for special purpose are
group into the category an equidimensional or cuboidal. The aggregate are flaky, elongated,
flaky and elongated or equal dimension are determined by the ratio of the shortest, the largest
and average diameter of the particles. From the experiment, firstly we separate aggregate
sample by sieving into different size fraction, each falling within a narrow size function is
essentially a single-size aggregate. From the data experiment, we made the calculation and
discussed by the all group member. When this experiment is doing, we make some
experimental error such as when sieving process is being take place. For examples, the
aggregate may not trough sieve by machine and some of aggregate we shake manually by hand.
Besides, the error do occur when the weighing the amount of aggregate that we need. The
careless attitudes that we gauge the particles separating by hand. Maybe we pass the particles
to the wrong gauge. It is because we have separate too many particles in the short time.

7.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the objective for this experiment is to identify the flakiness and elongation index of
the given aggregate samples, we identified the flakiness and elongation is not influenced each
other. We get the value for the flakiness index is 28.79% and for the elongation index is
19,93%. Not so much different between both of the two values. Aggregate particles are
classified as flaky when they have a thickness (smallest dimension) of less than 0.6 of their
mean sieve size. The flakiness index of an aggregate sample is found by separating the flaky
particles and expressing their mass as a percentage of the mass of the sample tested. Aggregate
particles are classified as elongation when they have a length ( greatest dimension) of more

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than 1.8 of their mean sieve size. As a conclusion, the sample that we tested are flaky and
elongated, which is not suitable to use in parameter design. This will cause the increase of void
in the mix.

REFERENCES
1. British Standards Methods of determination of particle shape BS 812, Part 105, 1989.
2. Kenneth N. derucher and George P .Korfiatis, Material for civil and highway engineers,
Prentice Hall, NJ 2nd edition, 1988.
3. Harold N. Attkins, Highway materials, soils and concrete, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall,
1990.