EXP NO 4

DATE: 19/02/2016

TEST ON AGGREGATES - II

AIM
To determine the following values of coarse aggregates
1. Aggregates Crushing Value
2. Aggregate Impact Value
3. Aggregate Abrasion Value
TEST 1 AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE
The aggregate crushing value gives a relative measure of the resistance of an aggregate crushing
under gradually applied compressive load. It is a measure of strength of the aggregate.
IS 2386 (Part 4) relates to the experiment procedure for the Aggregate Crushing Value.
Apparatus:
1. A steel cylinder 15 cm diameter with plunger and base plate.
2. A straight metal tamping rod 16 mm diameter and 45 to 60 cm long rounded at one end.
3. A balance of capacity 3 kg readable and accurate to one gram.
4. IS sieves of sizes 12.5 mm, 10 mm and 2.36 mm
5. A compression testing machine of 40 tons capacity which applies load at 4 t/min
6. Cylindrical metal measure

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Fig. Aggregate Crushing Test Apparatus

Procedure:
1. Coarse aggregate passing through IS sieves 12.5 mm and retained on 10 mm sieve is

taken. The aggregates shall be dried at a temperature of 100 - 110C for 4 hours
2. The initial weight of the cylindrical vessel shall be recorded.
3. The appropriate quantity may be found conveniently by filling the cylinder. Measure in
three layers of approximately equal depth, each layer being tamped 25 times with the
tamping rod and finally leveled off using the tamping rod as straight edge.
4. The weight of the aggregates with the cylindrical vessel shall be recorded.
5. The plunger is inserted and rests horizontally on the surface
6. The apparatus with plunger shall be kept under a compression testing machine and load
shall be applied at a rate of 4 ton per minute to a maximum of 40 tons.
7. The plunger shall be removed and the specimen to be sieved in a IS 2.36 mm sieve.
8. The weight of sample retaining or passing shall be recorded.

Fig. Aggregate Crushing Test Apparatus

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The Aggregate Crushing Value =

A
100
B

A Weight of aggregates passing through 2.36 mm sieve after compression

B Weight of aggregates
Observations:
Weight of cylinder and aggregate (kg)
Weight of Cylinder(kg)
Weight of Aggregates (kg) B
Weight of aggregate retained (kg)
Weight of aggregates passing through 2.36 mm(kg) A
Aggregate Crushing Value

6.784
3.954
2.830
2.199
0.631
22.30%

TEST 2 AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE

The Impact test is a measure of toughness of aggregates. It is a measure of resistance to sudden
impact on aggregates which is differs from the gradual load. The movement of vehicles causes
sudden impact and leads to breakdown of aggregates. So aggregates should have sufficient
toughness to resist impact.
IS 2386 (Part 4) relates to the experiment procedure for the Aggregate Impact Value.
Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Impact Testing Machine

Cylindrical measure of depth 50 mm and diameter 75 mm
IS sieve 10 mm, 12.5 mm and 2.36 mm
Tamping Rod
Oven
Weighing Balance

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Fig. Impact testing machine

Procedure:
1. The aggregates passing through 12.5 mm sieve and retained on 10 mm sieve is taken. The
samples are dried in an oven at 100-110C for 4 hours.
2. The sample shall be taken and filled up to 1/3rd volume of the cylindrical measure and
tamped for 25 times.
3. Add two layers in similar way so that cylinder is full
4. Determine the net weight of the aggregates
5. The impact machine is set up and the aggregates are kept in the cup which is secured at
the base of the machine
6. The hammer is raised to and allowed to freely fall at a rate of not less than one fall per
second. A total of 15 blows are delivered.
7. The aggregates are taken and sieved under IS 2.36 mm sieve.
8. The weight of the aggregates passing through or retained are measured.
9. Minimum of two trials shall be taken.
Aggregate Impact Value is measured as

X
100
Y

X Weight of aggregates passing through 2.36 mm sieve

Y Total Weight of aggregates
Observations:
DESCRIPTION
Empty weight of container(kg)
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TRIAL 1
1.778

TRIAL 2
1.702
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Weight of container with compacted aggregates(kg)

Weight of compacted aggregates (kg) Y
Weight of aggregates retained on IS 2.36 mm sieve (kg)
Weight passing through IS 2.36 mm sieve (kg) X
Impact value (%)

2.105
0.327
0.3
0.027
8.26

2.036
0.334
0.311
0.023
6.89
7.57

TEST 3 AGGREGATE ABRASION VALUE

The aggregates used in the surface course of the roadways are subjected to wearing due to traffic
movement. The soil particles between the tires and the surface course cause abrasion on the
aggregates. So the aggregates should be hard enough to resist the abrasion.
The abrasion resistance of aggregates is found by many tests:
1. Los Angeles Abrasions test (Most commonly used)
2. Dorry Abrasion test
3. Deval Attrition test
Los Angeles Abrasion test is prescribed by IS 2386 (Part 4). This test produces abrasion action
by standard steel balls when mixed with aggregates and rotated in a drum for a fixed number of
revolutions. This also causes impact on the aggregates.
Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Los Angeles Machine

Steel Abrasive charges
IS 1.7 mm sieve
Oven
Weighing Balance

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Fig. Los Angeles Abrasion testing machine

Procedure:
1. A sample of clean aggregates shall be taken which shall be oven dried at a temperature of
100-110C for 4 hours.
2. The sample size shall be determined by the following table:
3. The grading shall be chosen such that it conforms to the grading used in construction to
maximum extent.
4. For grading A, B, C, D, 5 kg sample shall be taken and for grading E, F and G it is 10 kg.
5. The steel abrasive charges shall be determined by following table:
6. The test sample and the steel abrasive charges shall be kept in the Los Angeles Testing
Machine.
7. The machine is rotated at 20 33 rev/min for 500 revolutions for grading A, B, C, D and
1000 revolutions for grading E, F & G.
8. After rotation the sample shall be discharged from the machine and sieved in IS 1.7 mm
sieve
9. The weight of aggregates passing or retained on the sieve is measured.

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The Aggregate Abrasion value =

W
100
Z

Observations:
Grading of Aggregates
Weight of aggregates retained between 20 mm and 12.5 mm sieves (kg)
Weight of aggregates retained between 12.5 mm and 10 mm sieves (kg)
Total Weight of aggregates (kg) Z
No of steel charges
Weight of aggregates retained on 1.7 mm sieve (kg)
Weight of aggregates passing through 1.7 mm sieve (kg) - W

B
2.5
2.5
5
11
3.961
1.039

Abrasion Value (%)

20.78

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INFERENCES
Test 1 Aggregate Crushing Value
According to IRC 019, the maximum value of crushing value is 30% for wearing course and
40% for Base course. Since the test results fall below the permissible limits, these aggregates
shall be used for all types of highway pavements and courses.
Test 2 Aggregates Impact Value
According to IRC 019,

The test results show values way less that the permissible values so the aggregates are of
exceptionally strong quality.
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Test 3 Aggregate Abrasion Value

According to IRC 019, the maximum value of abrasion value is 30% for wearing course and
40% for Base course. Since the test results fall below the permissible limits, these aggregates
shall be used for all types of highway pavements and courses.

REFERENCES:
1. IS 2386 (Part 4) - Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete - Mechanical Properties
2. IRC 019 - Standard Specifications and Code of Practice for Water Bound Macadam
3. IRC 015 - Standard Specifications and Code of Practice for Construction of Concrete
Roads.
4. http://gnindia.dronacharya.info/civildept/downloads/labmanuals/transpo_lab_manual_vse
m.pdf

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