EXPERIMENT NO.

Determination of the flakiness and the elongation index for the

given aggregate sample.

SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE:

This test is used to determine the particle shape of the aggregate and
each particle shape being preferred under specific conditions.
The significance of flakiness & elongation index is as follows;
The degree of packing of the particles of one size depends upon
their shape.
Due to high surface area to volume ratio, the flaky and
elongated particles lower the workability of concrete mixes.
Flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable for
base coarse construction as they may cause weakness with
possibilities of braking down under heavy loads.
BS-1241 specifies a Flakiness index not exceeding 30%
irrespective of the aggregate size.
Maximum permitted Elongated index is 35, 40 or 45% for
aggregate sizes 2 2, 1 & 3/8.
Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes
smaller then 6.3mm i.e. sieve.

RELATED THEORY:
SHAPES OF PARTICLES
The usual shapes of the particles are;
i - Rounded (river gravel)
ii - Flaky (laminated rock)
iii - Elongated
iv - Angular( crushed rock)
PREFERRED USE OF EACH SHAPE
Rounded aggregates are preferred in concrete roads (rigid pavements)
as the workability of concrete increases due to the less friction between the
surfaces.

Angular shape of the particles is desirable in granular base coarse

(flexible pavement) due to better interlocking and increased stability.
Flaky and Elongated particles are considered as a source of
weakness.

APPARATUS:

Thickness/Flakiness Index Gauge

Length/Elongation Index Gauge
Aggregate sample to be tested

FLAKY
A flaky particle is the one whose least dimension (thickness) is than
0.6 times the mean size.
These are the materials of which the thickness is small as compared to
the other two dimensions.
Limit of flaky particles in the mixes is 30%. If the flaky particles are
greater than 30% then the aggregate is considered undesirable for the
intended use.

1 1/4

2 1/2
2

2 1
1/2

1 1
1/2

3/4
1

1/2
3/4

3/8

3/8

FLAKINESS INDEX
It is the percentage by weight of flaky particles in a sample.

Thickness/Flakiness Index

Procedure
Gauge
Perform the sieve analysis on the given aggregate sample
The aggregates are then arranged in the into a number of closely
limited particle size groups -stored orted on the test sieves into a

number of closely limited particle size groups 2 2, 1

& 3/8
Each group (fraction) is weighed and tested for thickness on
appropriate opening of the thickness gauge by passing each particle
through slot of specified thickness along least dimension.
The weight of particles passing the thickness gauge is recorded for
each fraction. This is the weight of flaky particles.
The flakiness index is calculated by expressing the weight of flaky
particles as a percentage of total weight of the sample.
Calculation for Flaky Particles:
Sieve Size
Passin
Retain
g
ed
(in.)
(in.)
2
1
1

3/8

1
1

3/8

Pan

Weight
Retain
ed
(gm)

Percent
age
Retaine
d
(%)

2007.8
2926.4
2177.7
1076.2
460.2
211.8
53.4
=
8913.5

22.52
32.83
24.43
12.07
5.16
2.38
0.60

Weight
of
Flaky
Particl
es
(gm)
80.5
853.1
585.6
291.7
155.5
88.3

Individ
ual
Flakine
ss
Index
(%)
4.01
29.15
26.89
27.10
33.79
41.69

Weight
ed
Flakine
ss
Index
(%)
0.90
9.60
6.57
3.27
1.74
0.99
=
23.07

ELONGATED PARTICLES
These are the particles having length considerably larger than the
other two dimensions and it is the particle whose greater dimension is 1.8
times its mean size.
Limit of elongated particles in the mixes is 45%. Thus, if the
elongated particles are greater than 45%, then the aggregate is considered
undesirable for the intended use.
ELONGATION INDEX
It is the percentage by weight of elongated particles in a sample. The
Elongated index is calculated by expressing the weight of Elongated
particles as percentage of total weight of the sample.

2 1
50 37.5
mm

1 1
37.5 26
mm

1
26 20
mm

3/8
14 10 mm

3/8

20 14 mm 10 6.3 mm

Length/Elongation Index
Gauge
.

Calculation for Elongated Particles:

Sieve Size
Passin Retain
g
ed
(in.)
(in.)

2
1
1

3/8

1
1

3/8

Pan

Weight
Retain
ed
(gm)

Percent
age
Retaine
d
(%)

2007.8
2926.4
2177.7
1076.2
460.2
211.8
53.4
=891
3.5

22.52
32.83
24.43
12.07
5.16
2.38
0.60

PRECAUTIONS:

Weight Individu Weighte

of
al
d
Elongat Elongati Elongati
ed
on
on
Particle
Index
Index
s
(%)
(%)
(gm)
1561.5
77.77
17.52
950.0
32.46
10.66
1113.8
51.15
12.50
467.5
43.44
5.24
185.5
40.31
2.08
80.9
38.20
0.91
=
48.91

1- While sieving, care must be taken that the particles that are chocked in
the sieve must no be forced down into the next sieve. Such particles
should be pushed back into the same sieve.
2- While placing different fractions on the table, place them some
distance apart so that no two fractions may get mixed.
3- Be careful while selecting the opening of the flakiness and elongation
gauges for any particular fraction.