Classification of Aggregates Mechanical properties of aggregates Objectives: To explain the following classifications of aggregates: o o o Size classification Petrographic classification

n Shape and texture classification

To explain the following mechanical properties of aggregates: o o o o Bond Strength Toughness Hardness

CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATE

1. Size Classification Based on the size of the particles of aggregates, following classification is made:

Fine aggregate: aggregate particles smaller than 5 mm (3/16 in.) or No.4 ASTM sieve size Coarse aggregate: aggregate particles equal to or larger than 5 mm (3/16 in.) or No.4 ASTM sieve size

2. Petrographic (i.e. Geological) Classification

From the petrological standpoint, aggregates can be classified into several groups of rocks having common characteristics, as classified by BS 812: Part 1, and presented in the following table: Petrographic examination of aggregates is useful for the following purposes: o Assessing quality of aggregate o Comparing a new aggregate with an aggregate which quality is already known o Detecting the adverse properties of aggregate such as the presence of some unstable forms of silica

Table 3.1: Rock type classification of natural aggregates according to BS 812: Part1 : 1975 Basalt Group Andesite Basalt Basic porphyrites Diabase Dolerites of all kinds including theralite and teschenite Epidiorite Lamprophyre Quartz-dolerite Spilite Granite Group Gneiss Granite Granodiorite Granulite Tuff Syenite Limestone Group Dolomite Limestone Marble Flint Group Chert Flint Gabbro Group Basic diorite Basic gneiss Gabbro Hornblende-rock Norite Peridotite Picrite Serpentinite

Gritstone Group (including fragmental volcanic rocks) Arkose Greywacke Grit Sandstone Quartz-diorite

Hornfels Group Contact-altered rocks of all kinds except marble Pegnatite

Porphyry Group Quartzite Group Aplite Ganister Dacite Quartzitic sandstones Felsite Re-crystallized Granophyre quartzite Keratophyre Microgranite Porphyry Quartz-porphyrite Rhyolite Trachyte

Schist Group Phyllite Schist Slate I All severely sheared rocks

3. Shape and Surface Texture Classification A broad classification of aggregates on the basis of shape is presented in the following table, as given by BS 812: Part 1: Table 3.2: Particle shape classification of aggregates according to BS 8U: Part 1: 1975; with examples Classification Rounded Irregular Flaky Angular Description Fully water-worn or completely shaped by attraction Naturally irregular, or partly shaped by attrition and having rounded edges Material of which the thickness is small relative to the other two dimensions Possessing well-defined edges formed at the intersection of roughly planar faces Material, usually angular, in which the other two dimensions Material having the length considerably larger than the width, and the width considerably larger than the thickness Examples River or seashore gravel; desert, seashore and wind blown sand Other gravels; land or dug flint Laminated rock Crushed rocks of all types; talus; crushed slag -

Elongated Flaky and elongated

A shape classification sometimes used in USA is as follows:

Well rounded: no original face left Rounded: faces almost gone Subrounded: considerable wear, faces reduced in area Subangular: some wear but faces untouched Angular: little evidence of wear

Following are the terms related to the shape of aggregate: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) Angularity number Sphericity Mean size Elongated particle Flaky particle Elongation index Flakiness index

(i) Angularity number

Rounded gravel particles possess lesser voids (mostly 33%, i.e. 67% solids, by volume) as compared to the angular particles Angularity number measures the percentage of voids in angular particles in excess of that in the rounded gravel particles Angularity number = % of solid volume in a vessel filled with aggregate in a standard manner - 67 (i.e. % volume of solids of the rounded gravel) The higher the angularity number, the more angular the aggregate. The range of angularity number for practical aggregates is between 0 and 11

(ii) Sphericitv

Sphericity is defined as a function of the ratio of the surface area of the particle to its volume. Sphericity is influenced by the following:
o

bedding and cleavage (i.e. split) of the parent rock types of crushing equipment

Higher sphericity lowers the workability of the concrete. Higher sphericity also adversely affects the durability of concrete. Elongated and flaky particles are found to have higher degree of sphericity and therefore their presence in excess of 10 to 15% of the mass of coarse aggregate is generally considered undesirable

Typical shapes of aggregates. (iii) Mean size The mean size of an aggregate particle is defined as the arithmetic mean of the sieve size on which the particle is just retained and the sieve size through which the particle just passes.

(iv) Flaky particle An aggregate particle is said to be flaky if its thickness (least dimension) is less than 0.6 times its mean size

(v) Elongated particle An aggregate particle is said to be elongated if its length (largest dimension) is more than 1.8 times its mean size

(vi) Flakiness index Flakiness index is the mass of flaky particles, expressed as a percentage of the mass of aggregate sample As per the BS 882:1992, the flakiness index of the combined coarse aggregate should be less than 50 for uncrushed gravel and should be less than 40 for crushed rock or crushed gravel

(vii) Elongation index

Elongation index is the mass of elongated particles, expressed as a percentage of the mass of aggregate sample

The classification of the surface texture is based on the degree to which the particle surfaces are polished or dull, smooth or rough The classification of aggregates based on their surface texture, as given by BS 812: Part 1, is presented in the following table: Table 3.3: Surface texture classification of aggregates according to BS 812: Part 1: 1975 with examples Group _______ 1 2 Surface Texture ________________ Glassy Smooth Characteristics __________________ Conchoidal fracture Water-worn, or smooth due to fracture of laminated or fine-grained rock Fracture showing more or less uniform rounded grains Rough fracture of fine or medium-grained rock containing no easily visible crystalline constituents Containing easily visible Examples _______________ Black flint, vitreous slag Gravels, chert, slate, marble, some rhyolites Sandstone, oolite

Granular

Rough

Basalt, felsite, porphyry, limestone

Crystalline

Granite, gabbro,

crystalline constituents 6 Honeycombed With visible pores and cavities

gneiss Brick, pumice, foamed slag, clinker, expanded clay

Effect of the shape and surface texture of aggregate: The shape and surface texture of aggregate, especially of fine aggregate, have a strong influence on the water requirement of the mix More water is required when there is a greater void content of the loosely-packed aggregate Generally, flakiness and shape of the coarse aggregate have an appreciable effect on the workability of concrete The workability decreases with an increase in the angularity number

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AGGREGATES 1. Bond The bond between the surface of the aggregate particles and cement matrix is a decisive factor for the strength of concrete

Both the shape and surface texture of aggregate influence considerably the bond and therefore the strength of concrete A rougher texture results in a greater adhesion or bond between the particles and the cement matrix The larger surface area of a more angular aggregate provides a greater bond. However, workability is reduced. Softer, porous and mineralogical heterogeneous particles, allowing penetration by the paste, possess a better bond than those textures which do not permit the paste penetration There is no test for determining the quality of bond. However, as a thumb rule, the bond is said to be good if a crushed concrete specimen contain some aggregate particles broken right through

2. Strength The compressive strength of aggregate is generally more than that of the concrete Following indirect tests are conducted to determine the strength of aggregate: (i) (ii) Crushing strength test on prepared rock samples Aggregate crushing value (ACV) test on aggregate particles

(i) Crushing strength test on a prepared rock sample

Tests on prepared rock samples are rarely used in practice Average value of crushing strength of a rock sample is about 200 MPa (30,000 psi) However, excellent rock for aggregate may have crushing strength of 80 MPa (12,000 psi)

(ii) Aggregate crushing value (ACV) test on aggregate

ACV test (prescribed by BS 812: Part 110) provides useful information pertaining to the strength of aggregate The aggregate to be tested should pass a 1/2in. sieve and should be retained on 3/8in. sieve In this test, the aggregate sample is crushed using a compression testing machine through which a pressure of 3200 psi is applied for a period of 10 min After releasing the load, the crushed sample is sieved through 2.36 mm (No.8 ASTM) sieve The ACV is taken as the percentage of powder passing through 2.36 mm sieve (expressed as a fraction of the total weight of the sample) A higher ACV is an indication of a lower compressive strength of aggregate For ACVs greater than 25 to 30, this test is insensitive to the variation in strength of weaker aggregates For this reason, ten percent fines value test is used

3. Toughness

Toughness can be defined as the resistance of aggregate to failure by impact Toughness of aggregate is determined by aggregate impact value (AIV) test, which is similar to the ACV test with only difference that the load applied is impact The impact is provided by a standard hammer falling 15 times under its own weight upon the aggregate in a cylindrical container Following are the recommended AIVs: o 25% when the aggregate is to be used in heavy duty concrete floor finishes
o

30% when the aggregate is to be used in concrete pavement wearing surfaces 45% when to be used in other concrete

o 4. Hardness

Hardness, or resistance to wear, is an important property of concrete used in roads and floor surfaces subjected to heavy traffic Hardness is expressed in terms of aggregate abrasion value of the bulk aggregate, determined using the Los Angeles test

More will be the abrasion value, less will be the aggregate hardness