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ompaction Difficulties

As compared to cubic shaped particles (ones with relatively equal diminsions in all
directions) flat or elongated particles tend to impede compaction. These particles
tend to lock up with adjacent aggregate particles more readily than cubic particles
and resist reorientation into a more dense configuration. Therefore, significant
numbers of flat or elongated particles can increase the compactive effort required
to achieve a given density for a given HMA mixture. In other words, flat and
elongated particles make HMA compaction more difficult.

Effect on HMA Behavior


Flat or elongated particles also have a tendancy to fracture along their weak,
narrow dimension when subjected to compaction loading. If they are present in large
enough quantity, this fracturing can effectively change the aggregate gradation as
larger flat and elongated particles are broken into smaller, more cubic particles
(Figure 3). The resulting greater number of fine particles will fill existing void
spaces and reduce the VMA. This reduction in VMA can result in too little room
available for the asphalt binder to coat the aggregate particles, which can result
in mixture instability (rutting and shoving). Also, the resulting lower VMA may
make the HMA mixture highly sensitive to small variations in asphalt binder
content. Thus, a small increase in asphalt binder content associated with typical
manufacturing tolerances that would normally be absorbed in an HMA with adequate
VMA, may result in low stability in a low VMA mixture. Also, the fracturing of flat
and elongated particles within the HMA will create aggregate faces that are
uncoated with asphalt binder, which can increase durability problems. test lays
down the procedures for determining the elongation index of coarse aggregate.
SAMPLE - A quantity of aggregate shall be taken sufficient to provide the minimum
number of 200 pieces of any fraction to be tested. Sample will be taken by sieving
the total sample of aggregate and 200 sample will be taken from volume ratio, the
flaky and elongated particles lower the workability of concrete mixes.
Flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable for base coarse
construction as they may cause weakness with possibilities of braking down under
heavy loads.
BS-1241 specifies a Flakiness index not exceeding 30% irrespective of the aggregate
size.
Maximum permitted Elongated index is 35, 40 or 45% for aggregate sizes 2 ��� �
2��, 1 ��� � ��� & ��� � 3/8��.
Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes smaller then 6.3mm
i.e. ��� sieve.
RELATEDTHEORY:

SHAPES OF PARTICLES

The usual shapes of the particles are;

Rounded (river gravel) Flakiness and Elongation Index


Flaky (laminated rock) Flakiness and Elongation Index
Elongated Flakiness and Elongation Index
Angular( crushed rock)

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