Lab Tests On Aggregates
Lab Tests On Aggregates
Lab Tests On Aggregates
Strength
Toughness
Hardness
Shape
Water Absorption etc.
Following are the different types of aggregate tests conducted to ascertain the suitability of
aggregates:
After performing the test, the crushed material is separated and calculated in terms of percentage
of the original weight taken in the mould. This percentage is known as a crushing value of
aggregate. This percentage should not exceed 30% of the total weight of aggregate taken for the
test. The aggregate crushing value test result should not be more than 30 % for the concrete used
for roads and pavements and, in case of other structures; it may be permitted up to 45%.
(c) Standard Guidelines for Crushing Test:
Followings are the standard guidelines for the crushing test on aggregates:
IS 2386(Part 4):1963
BS 812–110:1990
(d) Apparatus of Crushing Test:
Compressive Testing Machine
Crushing Mould: A steel cylinder 15 cm diameter with plunger and base plate.
Weighing machine,
Sieve: Size of 12.5 mm, 10 mm and 2.36 mm
The crushing mould is filled in three layers with aggregates. Then the weight (W1) of the
aggregate in the crushing mould is noted. After that, the mould is placed in the compression
testing machine and loaded at gradually applied load so that it reaches a load of 40 tons in 10
minutes. The load is then released and the aggregates are then removed from the mould.
Aggregates are then sieved through a 2.36 mm sieve and weight (W2) is measured. The crushing
value of aggregates is calculated as (W1/W2) *100 and value is expressed in %.
02. Abrasion Test on Aggregates
This test is carried out to determine the abrasion value of the coarse aggregate. The principle of
the Los Angeles abrasion test is to find the percentage wear due to relative rubbing action
between the aggregate and steel balls used as an abrasive charge.
(a) Importance of Abrasion Test:
Abrasion test on aggregate indicates the hardness of aggregate. It shows the ability of aggregate
to resist wear and tear.
(b) Recommended Result of Abrasion Test:
Abrasion value of aggregate should not be more than 30 percent for aggregate used for surface
wearing course and, should not be more than 45 percent for surface other than wearing course.
(c) Standard Guidelines for Abrasion Test:
Followings are the standard guidelines for the abrasion test on aggregates:
IS 2386(Part 4):1963
BS 812-113:1990
IS 2386(Part 4):1963
(d) Apparatus of Impact Test:
Aggregate impact apparatus,
IS sieves (12.5 mm, 10.0 mm and 2.36 mm),
Cylindrical measure and cylindrical cup,
Weighing balance,
Tamping rod.
Take a sample of aggregate passing through a 12.5 mm sieve and retained on a 10 mm sieve. Fill
the sieved aggregates in a cylindrical cup. Place the mould in the aggregate impact testing
machine and administer 15 numbers of blows of a metal hammer. After that, remove the crushed
aggregate and sieve it through a 2.36 mm sieve. The aggregate impact value is measured as % of
aggregates passing through the 2.36mm sieve (W2) to the total weight of the sample (W1).
IS 2386(Part 1):1963
BS 812-105.1:1989
Water absorption of aggregate gives an idea about the internal structure of aggregate. If
aggregates have more absorption capacity, they are called porous in nature. Such aggregates are
unsuitable and generally not preferred for any construction.
(a) Importance of Specific Gravity and Water Absorption:
The specific gravity and water absorption test on aggregates measures strength or quality of the
aggregate. This property helps in general identification of aggregates.
(b) Recommended Result of Test:
The specific gravity of aggregates generally used in construction ranges from about 2.5 to 3.0
and water absorption ranges from about 0.1 % to 2.0 %
(c) Standard Guidelines for Test:
Followings are the standard guidelines for the specific gravity and water absorption test on
aggregates:
IS 2386(Part 3):1963
BS 812-2:1995
Apparatus of Test:
Density basket,
Weighing balance,
Water tank,
Tray,
sieves- 10mm and 20mm.
Take a sample of aggregates of 2kg. Place the aggregates in a wire basket and immerse it in
distilled water for 24 hours. Then, take the weight of aggregates and basket in water as A1. After
that, remove the basket and aggregates from water and take the weight of basket suspended in
water as A2. Dry those aggregates with a dry cloth and then take the weight of these dry
aggregates, and denote it as B. Next, place the aggregates in the oven for 24 hours and measure
the weight of oven-dried aggregates as C.
Now calculate, Specific gravity= C/(B-A) and water absorption = 100 (B-C)/C according to this
formula.
To know more read, Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregates: Its Importance & Test Procedure
07. Bitumen Adhesion Test on Aggregates
Bitumen gets well bonded to all the normal types of road aggregates provided they are dry and
free from dust. In the absence of water, there is no adhesion problem in bituminous construction.
Adhesion problem arises when the aggregate is wet and cold. This problem can be dealt with by
removing moisture from the aggregate by drying and increasing the mixing temperature.
For finding bitumen adhesion, the stripping value test is conducted. Stripping value of aggregates
is determined as the ratio of the uncovered area observed visually to the total area of aggregates
which is ultimately expressed in percentage.
(a) Importance of Bitumen Adhesion Test:
Bitumen adhesion test on aggregates determines the adhesion of bituminous binder to aggregate
in the presence of water.
(b) Recommended Result of Bitumen Adhesion Test:
Recommended result (stripping value) of bitumen adhesion test should not exceed 5 percent.
(c) Standard Guideline for Bitumen Adhesion Test:
Followings are the standard guidelines for the bitumen adhesion test on aggregates:
IS:6241- 1971
(d) Apparatus of Bitumen Adhesion Test:
Water Bath,
Oven,
Sieve,
Mixer to mix aggregate and bitumen.
Take a sample of 200 gm of dry aggregates passing a 20mm sieve and retained on 12.5mm sieve
and 5 % by weight of bitumen binder. Mix the binder and the aggregates till they are fully
coated. Then transfer the mixture into a 500ml beaker and allow to cool at room temperature for
about 2 hours. Next, add distilled water and immerse the coated aggregates. Cover the beaker
and keep in a water bath for 24 hours. Now take the beaker out and let it cool at room
temperature. The uncovered area needs to be observed visually.
Reasons for the Failure of Tests on Aggregate (All Tests Mentioned Above) & Some
Suggestions to Deal with them
If aggregate tests results are not in the range of recommendations, there can be many reasons like
weak or poor aggregates, error in the testing procedure, error in the test appliance etc. If any of
tests on aggregates fail first of all, ensure that there is no error in the test appliance or the
procedure. If that seems to be the likely reason, the aggregates should be retested. However, if
the test appliances are in order, test procedures are followed religiously, and yet the test result
have failed; it is advisable not to use those aggregate for structural as well as for non-structural
purpose.
To understand importance of the entire test, it becomes necessary to understand all the properties
of aggregates. So, let’s take a look at all the important properties of aggregates as mentioned
below.
The Important Properties of Aggregates
01. Strength of Aggregate
The coarse aggregates to be used in construction should be sufficiently strong to withstand the
loads because; it is the prime construction material in the building as well as pavement.
According to ‘A. M. Neville’ (Honorary member of the American Concrete Institute and author
of Properties of Concrete), the strength and elasticity of aggregate depend on its composition,
density, texture and structure. For a high-quality pavement, the aggregate should possess high
resistance to crushing, and to withstand the stresses due to traffic load.
02. Hardness of Aggregate
When the aggregates are used in the surface course, they are subjected to constant rubbing or
abrasion due to the constant movements of traffic on the pavement. Hence, they must be hard
enough to resist the wear and tear occurring due to the abrasive action of traffic load. The
abrasive action is severe over the aggregate exposed on the top surface. Not much but some
amount of abrasion may be induced due to the friction between particles of aggregate in
concrete.
03. Toughness of Aggregate
According to ‘M.S. Shetty’ (Author of Concrete Technology Theory and Practice), toughness is
the resistance of the aggregates to impact. Aggregates used in the construction of buildings and
pavements are also subjected to impact due to sudden load in buildings and moving wheel loads
on pavements. Hence, the resistance to impact is the desirable property of aggregates.
04. Durability of Aggregate
The property of aggregate to withstand the adverse action of weather and other chemical
reactions can be termed as soundness. The aggregate used in the construction of buildings and
pavements should be durable i.e. it should have long life and should resist disintegration due to
the weather action. The aggregates are subjected to various physical and chemical reactions of
rain water, soil, water percolated in ground and many other impurities. Hence, aggregate must be
sound enough to withstand such reactions as well as the weathering action.