Aggregates

Nilanjan Mitra
 Aggregates

• Natural sand/gravel deposits : deposited glacial formations, river deposits, or along

beaches of lakes and seas. E.g. : limestone, granite, sandstone, etc.
• Crushed rock :
 Igneous rocks e.g. : basalt, granite.
 Sedimentary rocks e.g. : limestone, gypsum, shale, dolomite, sandstone
 Metamorphous rocks e.g. : slate, marble, quartzite, gneiss.
• Slag and mine refuse : Blast furnace slag, Industrial materials such as certain types of light
volcanic rock, plastics used to produce lightweight concrete.
• Pulverized concrete and bituminous pavements substitute for natural aggregates which are
costly; bituminous layers can be recycled and used in pavements.
• Other recycled and waste material : Crushed glass, rubber pellets, bricks, building rubble…
 Classification

• Fine aggregates-
4.75 mm (sieve No.4) to 75 microns (Sieve No.200)
• Coarse aggregate-
Greater than 4.75 mm (no.4)
• Fines-
Less than 75 microns (no.200)
 Grading of Aggregates
(Sieve analysis - ASTM C 136)
- Variation in grading can seriously affect the properties of concrete.
- The cement required for concrete is proportional to void content of combined agg.
- ASTM C33 grading for Fine-Aggregates (refer table in pg. 34)
- Fine agg. must not be more than 45% retained between any two consecutive
standard sieves
- Fineness modulus 2.3 to 3.1 (do not vary between 0.2 from agg. source)
(higher FM --- coarser aggregate)
Percent Finer
(cumulative Percent Coarser
Weight percent (cumulative %
Sieve Size Retained Percent Retained passing) retained)
Sieve # (mm) (g) (%) (%) (%)
3/8" 9.5 0 0 100 0
#4 4.75 60 2.84 97.16 2.84
#8 2.26 150 7.11 90.05 9.95
#16 1.18 400 18.96 71.09 28.91 Fineness
#30 0.60 500 23.70 47.39 52.61 Modulus = 2.71
#50 0.30 510 24.17 23.22 76.78
#100 0.15 488 23.13 0.09 99.91 Average sieve size
Pan - 2 0.09 0 100.00 = No 30
Total 2110      
Particle size distribution graph of
fine aggregates
Max value 100

90
Sample
80

70
Percent Finer (%)

60 Min. value
50

40

30

20

10

0
0.1 1 10

Sieve Opening (mm) logarithmic scale

• Absorption, Porosity and Permeability
 Absorption relates to the particle’s ability to absorb a liquid.
 Porosity is a ratio of the volume of the pores to the total volume of the
particle.
 Permeability refers to the particle’s ability to allow liquids to pass through.
• Surface Texture
The pattern and the relative roughness or smoothness of the aggregate
particle. Plays a big role in developing the bond between an aggregate and a
cementing material. A rough surface texture gives the cementing material
something to grip, producing a stronger bond, and thus creating a stronger
hot mix asphalt or Portland cement concrete.
• Strength and Elasticity
Strength is the measure of ability of an aggregate particle to stand up to
pulling or crushing forces. Elasticity measures the “stretch” in
a particle. High strength and elasticity are desirable in aggregate
Base and surface courses. These qualities minimize the rate of
disintegration and maximize the stability of the compacted material.
• Strength and Elasticity
measure of ability of an aggregate particle to stand up to pulling or
crushing forces. Elasticity measures the “stretch” in a particle. High
strength and elasticity are desirable in aggregate base and surface
courses. These qualities minimize the rate of disintegration and maximize
the stability of the compacted material.
• Density and Specific Gravity
Density is the weight per unit volume of a substance. Specific gravity is the
ratio of the density of the substance to the density of water. Helps in
determining the amount of asphalt needed in the hot mix asphalt.
• Aggregate voids
There are aggregate particle voids and voids between aggregate
particles. Most aggregate particles have voids, which are natural pores
that are filled with air or water. It influence the specific gravity and
absorption of the aggregate materials.
 Physical tests of Aggregates

• Specific gravity and water absorption

• Abrasion Resistance
• Soundness
• Impact Value Test
• Particle size and shape
• Aggregate voids
 Specific gravity (Relative density)
- ratio of the weight of the aggregate to the weight of an equal absolute volume
of water (water displaced on immersion).
- These specific gravity of aggregates can be determined both at oven-dry state
and at SSD state.
- Specific gravity at oven dry state --- Apparent SG
- Specific gravity at SSD state --- Bulk SG
- typically values range from 2.4-2.9 for natural aggregates

Absorption capacity &

Moisture content
- AC = (SSD weight – OD weight) * 100 / (OD weight)
- MC = (Sample weight – OD weight) * 100 / (OD weight)
- If MC of sample > AC  WET else DRY
- If WET then Surface Moisture = MC – AC
- Fine agg have higher surface moisture (surface tension) (2-6%)
compared to Coarse agg (0.5-2%)
- Typically coarse agg. AC = 0.2-4% fine agg = 0.2-2%
- Bulking is increase in total volume of moist fine agg over same dry weight
(due to surface tension). Finer the sand – higher bulking.