ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this laboratory exercise is to let the civil engineering
students determine proper and right materials to be used in construction
specifically the aggregates. This material undergoes a substantial wear and tear
throughout its life. In general, it should be hard and tough enough to resist
crushing, degradation and disintegration from any associated activities
including manufacturing, stockpiling, production, placing and compaction. The
very reason why this material is subjected to the Los Angeles Abrasion test. This
will also help the students to identify which of the samples of the aggregates are
suitable for use in road construction. Also, poor resistance to abrasion can
produce excessive dust during hot mix asphalt production resulting in possible
environmental problems as well as mixture control problems.
 PHOTOS OF THE SET-UP

The securing of the test machine’s lock(left) and the

actual rotation of the machine (right)

The discharged sample fresh from the testing machine

(left) and the sieving of the discharge into no. 12
(1.70mm) sieve (right).
 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
OF DATA AND RESULTS
Laboratory exercise no. 7, Los Angeles Abrasion Test of Coarse
Aggregates measures the degradation of the sample that is placed in a rotating
drum with steel spheres. It is an empirical test and not directly related to field
performance of aggregates. Field observations generally do not show a good
relationship between L.A. abrasion values and field performance and it cannot
necessarily compare distinctly different sources.

Now to start the exercise, the group started sieving the separated
aggregates to the standard sieve sizes used for coarse aggregates. Then
recorded its overall original mass which is 5041.86g and recombined to put it
inside the test machine that is set to rotate 30-33 revolutions per minute. As the
drum rotates the aggregate degrades by abrasion and impact with other
aggregate particles and the steel spheres or also called charge. Once the test is
complete, the calculated mass of aggregate that has broken apart to smaller
sizes is 3913.50 g.

For the results, the group A calculated a 28.8225% of the total mass of
aggregate and 33.077% for the group B. And overall, the class computed an
average of 30.95%. Incorrect number of spheres, total charge mass outside
tolerances, not setting counter properly or into the instructed revolutions, drum
not rotated at constant speed – slip and backlash, not removing all material
from drum and improper seal between hatch and drum are he errors that can
be encountered during the test. These errors can make a huge difference in this
laboratory exercise.
 Laboratory Exercise No. 7
Los Angeles Abrasion Test for Coarse Aggregates

FINAL DATA SHEET

TRIAL NUMBERS
DESCRIPTION 1 2
GRADING A A
NUMBER OF BALLS 12 12
ORIGINAL MASS OF SAMPLE, g 5010.83 g 5041.86 g
MASS RETAINED ON NO. 12 SIEVE, g 3765.35 g 3913.50 g
LOS ANGELES ABRASION VALUE, % 33.077 % 28.8325 %
AVERAGE LAV, % 30.95 %
 COMPUTATION

M1 − M2
LAV = X 100
M2
5041.86 𝑔 − 3913.50𝑔
LAV = X 100
3913.50𝑔
𝐋𝐀𝐕 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟖𝟑𝟐𝟓 %

LAV1 + LAV2
Average LAV =
2
33.077 % + 28.8225%
Average LAV =
2
𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐀𝐕 = 𝟑𝟎. 𝟗𝟓%
 CONCLUSION
To rundown this laboratory exercise, the group were able to familiarize
themselves to the Los Angeles Abrasion Test Machine and to its importance and
actual use. Also, they are now knowledgeable as to what factors of the
aggregates are to be considered to be able to fit in the standards for
construction materials with the help of the test because it indicates that the
aggregate that is tougher is more resistant to abrasion. Overall, the group were
able to absorb the relevance of these in their future careers as civil engineers.