Aggregates in Concrete

Why aggregates?

• 4.5 billion tons of aggregates in concrete used

worldwide

• Challenges –environmental concerns; shortage

and alternative resources
 Rocks Vs. Minerals

Aggregates are obtained from rocks, which, in turn, are

composed of minerals (either a single mineral, or a mixture
of minerals).

•A mineral is naturally occurring, inorganic, has an order

internal arrangement of atoms, and has a definite
composition (or range of compositions). For example,
quartz, halite, gypsum, opal, feldspar, biotite (mica), etc.

•An ore is a natural mineral that can be mined for a profit.

For example, bauxite, iron ore etc.
 Mineral properties
1.Colour
2.Streak (on a porcelain plate)
3.Lustre(metallic or non-metallic)
4.Hardness (typically represented on Moh’s scale,
where talc has a hardness of 1 and diamond a
hardness of 10)
5.Specific gravity
6.Cleavage
7.Fracture
8.Crystal form
9.Magnetism
10.Tenacity (brittle or ductile)
11.Diaphaneity (or transparency)
12.Striations
13.Reaction to acid (typically, HCl is used for this test)
Mineral Examples Characteristics

silica Quartz Crystalline, hard, weathering

resistant; strained form ASR
reactive
Opal Hydrous, amorphous; ASR
reactive
Chalcedony Fibrous; ASR reactive
Tridymite and High temp. forms; ASR reactive
Cristobalite
K: Orthoclase,
Feldspars microcline

Na: Albite,
plagioclase
Ca: Anorthite
 Mineral Examples Characteristics
Ferromagnesian Hornblende, augite, biotite Iron (and/or) magnesium
minerals silicates
Micaceousminerals Muscovites (light green), Foliation
biotites(dark), chlorites
(dark green), vermiculite
(brown)
Clay minerals Layered silicates < 1μm

Kaolinite, illite, chlorite Relatively stable, but absorptive

Smectite, montmorillonite Swelling, unstable

Zeolites
Hydrated alkali-aluminium
silicates; soft and light colored;
formed from hydrothermal
alteration of feldspars; can
contribute alkalis through cation
exchange!
 Minerals Examples Characteristics

Carbonate minerals Calcite and dolomite Soft, acid soluble

Sulphate minerals Gypsum, anhydrite Sulphate attack

Iron sulphide Pyrite, marcasite, May oxidise to

minerals pyrrhotite H2SO4, and form iron
oxides/hydroxides
that may stain
concrete

Iron oxides Magnetite, hematite, Hard; color providing

ilmenite, limonite
Types of rocks

• Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

• 95% of the outer 10 miles of the earth’s crust is

composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks, but
75% of the rocks exposed on the surface of the
earth are sedimentary
Igneous rocks

Igneous rocks are those which form as a result of cooling

from the molten state. These are further classified as:
1.Intrusive: when the molten matter cools slowly under
the earth’s surface, and results in the formation of large
rocks with typically large crystals, e.g., Granite, gabbro,
pegmatite.
2.Extrusive: when the molten matter cools rapidly on the
earth’s surface, resulting in the formation of rocks with
smaller crystals, e.g., Basalt, andesite, rhyolite.
3.Pyroclastics: these are formed due to the cementation
of extremely fine ash deposits which cool very rapidly
resulting in an amorphous rock, e.g., volcanic tuff,
pumice, breccia.
 Sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks are deposited in a fluid medium

due to lithification of weathered sediments.

• Lithification can occur as a result of cementation

(common cements being iron oxide, calcite, or quartz),
crystallization, or compaction (due to the application of
high temperature and pressure).

• Shale, sandstone, and limestone make up 46, 32,

and 22 % of all sedimentary rocks, respectively
 Metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic rocks are formed when pre-existing

rocks are subjected to heat and pressure.

•Re crystallization often occurs, and the resulting

rocks have typically large crystals with a well-defined
cleavage.

•For example, marble, gneiss, schist, phyllite, slate,

etc.
Engineering considerations of using various rocks as
concrete aggregate

Alkali silica reaction

Fine-grained siliceous materials in igneous and
sedimentary rocks can be susceptible to Alkali-silica
reaction.
•Amongst igneous rocks, rhyolite, andesite as well as
the rocks containing volcanic glass are prone to ASR.
The principal active siliceous ingredients are opal
(SiO2.nH2O)and chalcedony, which is a fibrous variety
of silica.
•Chert and greywacke among sedimentary rocks are
also highly prone to ASR.
•Among metamorphic rocks, phyllite and argillite are
susceptible to ASR because of the presence of strained
quartz.
 Alkali-carbonate reaction

Carbonate sedimentary rocks, limestone and

dolomite, are susceptible to Alkali-Carbonate
reaction when the minerals have a specific
texture.
 Other considerations

Very coarse grained rocks are undesirable because of poor

abrasion resistance

• Flat, flaky, and elongated pieces are obtained on crushing

metamorphic rocks. Such rocks will pose a problem if used
as concrete aggregates. Also, some metamorphic rocks
show directional properties because of their foliation.

• As dimension stone, igneous rocks are the best because

of their high resistance to weathering.

• Sedimentary rocks for use in dimension stone should be

carefully chosen
Some igneous rocks may have soluble minerals like zeolite;
also, in foundations, weathered igneous rocks should not be
used.

•In the case of sedimentary rocks, the source of rock is

important. Some rocks are less durable (e.g. stream gravels)
and some are extremely porous (e.g. conglomerates are
weak and porous), and not good for freezing conditions.

•Careful attention should also be paid to the presence of

cavities and conduits within limestone and dolomite among
sedimentary rocks, and marble among metamorphic rocks.