Aggregates | Civil Engineering SSC JE (Technical) - Civil Engineering (CE) PDF Download

Chapter 5
AGGREGATES

•  Properties of the aggregates like its shape & texture effects the characteristics of the mixture prepared from it.
•  Aggregate are generally found to have round, angular or flaky shape round shaped aggregates results in the formation of highly workable mixture due to it minimum surface area over which lubrication is to be provided by cement paste.
•  Angular aggregates results in the formation of high straight mixture due to stronger inter particle bonding  higher bond strength available due to more surface area.
•  Flaky agg. results in the formation of poor mixture which neither posses accessibility  nor any strength.

•  Angularity of the aggregates is measured in terms of the parameter angularity number that represents the %ge of voids present in the aggregates.
  -If the void content of the aggregate is 33% the angularity of such aggregate is considered 0. If the void is 44%, the angularity number of such aggregate is considered 11.
  -The normal aggregate which are suitable for making concrete may have angularity number anything from 0 to 11.
  -Angularity number 0 represents the most practicable rounded aggregate.
  -Angularity number 11 indicates the most angular aggregate that could be used for making concrete.
• Smooth texture aggregates resume in the formation of highly workwise mixture but rough aggregates impart more strength to the mixture due to higher  availability of surface area.

Testing of Aggregates:–

(a) Aggregate Crushing Value test:

Aggregate crushing value gives the Crushing strength of aggregate up to which it can bear the load without fail. To conduct crushing strength test we need compression testing machine, cylindrical measure, plunger and Isa sieves.

First sieve the sample aggregate, aggregate passing 12.5mm sieve and retaining 10mm sieve is oven dries at 100-110⁰C for 3-4 hrs. The cylinder is filled with aggregate in 3 layers, 25 strokes of tampering for each later. Note down its weight and insert the plunger and placed it on compression testing machine. Apply the load at uniform rate of 40 tonnes load in 10 minutes. Then stop the machine and crushed aggregate is sieved through 2.36mm sieve and aggregate passing 2.36mm sieve is weighed.
Aggregate crushing value can be obtained from below formula:

Aggregate crushing value = (W2/W1) *100 %

(b) Aggregate Impact value test:
Impact value of aggregate will give aggregate capability against sudden loads or forces. For this test also aggregate passing through 12.5mm and retained on 10mm sieve is taken and oven dried.

Fill the cylinder with aggregate in 3 layers, 25 strokes of tamping for each layer. Weight w1 noted. The cylinder is placed in impact testing machine which consist a hammer. After placing the cylinder, hammer is raised to 380mm and release freely. Then it will blow the aggregates. Repeat it for 15 such blows. After that take down the sample and aggregate passing through 2.36mm sieve is weighed as w2.

Aggregate impact value = (W2/W1) *100 %

(c) Aggregate Abrasion value test :–

Hardness property of aggregate is determined by conducting abrasion test. Los Angeles abrasion testing machine is used to conduct this test.

For this test, the sample taken should be clean and dried. The sample is weighed W1 and placed in Los Angeles testing machine and the machine is operated. Machine should be rotated at a speed of 20-33 revolutions per minute. After 1000 revolutions the sample is taken out and sieved through 1.7mm sieve. Sample retained on 1.7mm is washed and dried and note down its weight W2.

Aggregate abrasion value = {(W1-W2)/W2} x 100% 

(d) Shape Tests:
The particle shape of the aggregate mass is determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated particles in it. Aggregates which are flaky or elongated are detrimental to higher workability and stability of mixes.
-Flakiness Index Test :
-F. I. of the aggregate is the percentage of the particles present in it having their least size smaller the 3/5^th of their mean size.
-This test is not valid for the aggregate having size smaller than 6.3 mm.
-In order to perform  this test sufficient quantity of aggregate is taken such that 200 pieces of each fraction can be tested.
-This test is performed with the help of metal thickness gauge which consists of no of openings through which aggregate of different fractions are passed piece by piece & the wt. of the aggregate passing through all the openings expressed as the percentage of original wt. of aggregates, is termed as Flakiness Index.

-Elongation Index Test:
The elongation index of an aggregate is defined as the percentage by weight of particles whose greatest dimension (length) is 1.8 times their mean dimension. This test is applicable to aggregates larger than 6.3 mm. Elongation gauge is used for this test. This test is also specified in (IS: 2386 Part-I). However there are no recognized limits for the elongation index.