Concrete Aggregate Gradation

What is good? and How do we get it good?

Doran Glauz - Caltrans

Why is Gradation Important?

Well graded aggregate produces concrete that is easier to place. Well graded aggregate produces stronger concrete.

Specified Responsibility
Section 90-1.01 paragraph 11
The Engineer will determine the mix proportions for pavement concrete.

Section 90-3.04
... shall be designed so that aggregates are combined in proportions that will produce a mixture within the grading limits for combined aggregates the relative proportions shall be as ordered by the Engineer

What is Mix Proportions?

The relative amount of each ingredient.
Cementitious material Fine Aggregate 25 x 4.75 mm Aggregate 37.5 x 19 mm Aggregate

Proportions: Easy as 1:2:3 ?

1 part cement 2 parts sand 3 parts gravel Bulk volume measures
outcome depends on compaction in measure Net volume = 3.5 to 4.0
Cement Fine Aggregate Coarse Aggregate

Absolute Volume
Air Cement Fine Aggregate

Coarse Aggregate

Absolute Volume
16 % 11 % 27 %
Air Water Cement Fine Aggregate

7% 14 % 31 %

43 %
Volume

Coarse Aggregate

48 %
Mass

Definitions
Aggregate
Coarse Fine
Retained on 4.75 mm Passing 4.75 mm

Primary Aggregate Nominal Size Maximum Size Aggregate Segregation

Primary Aggregate Nominal Size

37.5 x 19

25 x 4.75

Fine

Segregation

Primary Aggregate Nominal Size

37.5 x 19

25 x 4.75

Fine

Gradations
100

Percent Passing by volume

Series1

75

Sand 25x4.75 mm 37.5x19 mm

50

Upper Limit Lower Limit

25

0.01

0.1

10

100

Sieve Size (log scale)

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Aggregate Size
% 50 mm 37.5 mm 25 mm 19 mm 9.5 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 37.5 40 100 95 36 14 6 3 25 15 100 100 98 79 16 3 9.5 WCS 5 40 Combined 100 100 100 100 100 98 100 100 74 100 100 62 90 100 49 18 98 42 4 84 34

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Aggregate Size
% 50 mm 37.5 mm 25 mm 19 mm 9.5 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 37.5 40 100 95 36 14 6 3 25 9.5 WCS 15 5 40 Combined 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 98 98 97 100 100 74 79 72 100 100 62 16 38 90 100 49 3 5 18 98 42 1 4 84 34

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Proposed 37.5 Upper 37.5 Lower

Percent Passing by volume

75

50

25

0.01

0.1

Sieve Size (log scale)

10

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Aggregate Size
% 50 mm 37.5 mm 25 mm 19 mm 9.5 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 37.5 46 100 95 36 14 6 3 25 18 100 100 98 79 16 3 9.5 WCS 6 30 Combined 100 100 100 100 100 98 100 100 70 100 100 57 90 100 41 18 98 32 4 84 25

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Proposed 37.5 Upper 37.5 Lower

Percent Passing by volume

75

50

25

0.01

0.1

Sieve Size (log scale)

10

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Aggregate Size
% 50 mm 37.5 mm 25 mm 19 mm 9.5 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 37.5 59 100 95 36 14 6 3 25 0 100 100 98 79 16 3 9.5 WCS 0 41 Combined 100 100 100 100 100 97 100 100 62 100 100 49 90 100 45 18 98 42 4 84 34

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Proposed 37.5 Upper 37.5 Lower

Percent Passing by volume

75

50

25

0.01

0.1

Sieve Size (log scale)

10

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Aggregate Size
% 50 mm 37.5 mm 25 mm 19 mm 9.5 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 37.5 38 100 95 36 14 6 3 25 21 100 100 98 79 16 3 9.5 WCS 7 34 Combined 100 100 100 100 100 98 100 100 75 100 100 63 90 100 46 18 98 36 4 84 29

100

Combining the Primary Aggregates

Proposed 37.5 Upper 37.5 Lower

Percent Passing by volume

75

50

25

0.01

0.1

Sieve Size (log scale)

10

100

Aggregate Shape & Texture

Rough

Smooth

Aggregate Shape & Texture

Rounded

Sub-angular

Angular

Aggregate Shape & Texture

Rounded

Angular

Aggregate Shape & Texture

100

Percent Passing by volume

75

Rounded Angular 37.5 Upper 37.5 Lower

50

25

0.01

0.1

Sieve Size (log scale)

10

100

Overview End