Aggregate - Mechanical Properties

• Bond

• Both the shape and the surface texture of aggregate influence

considerably the strength of concrete, especially for high strength.

• Flexural strength is more affected than compressive strength.

• Rougher texture results in greater adhesion or bond between the

particles and the concrete matrix.

• Larger surface area of a more angular bond provides a greater bond.

Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Bond

• Generally, texture characteristics which do not permit penetration of

the paste particles are not conducive to good bond.

• Softer, porous and mineralogically heterogeneous particles result in a

better bond.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Bond

• Determination of quality of bond is rather difficult and no accepted

test exists.

• If bond is good, a crushed concrete specimen should contain some

aggregate particles broken right through, in addition to the more
numerous ones separated from the paste matrix.

• However, excess of fractured particles suggests that the aggregate is

too weak.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength

• Compressive strength of concrete cannot significantly exceed that of

the major part of the aggregate contained therein.

• It is not easy to determine the crushing strength of the aggregate

itself.

• Required information about the aggregate particles has to be

obtained from indirect tests ~~ crushing strength of prepared rock
samples ~~ crushing strength of bulk aggregate ~~ performance of
aggregate in concrete.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength

• Performance of aggregate in concrete ~~ either previous experience

with the given aggregate or trial use of the aggregate in a concrete
mix.

• Required aggregate strength is considerably higher than the normal

range of concrete strength ~~ actual stresses at the points of contact
of individual particles may be far in excess of nominal applied
compressive stress.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength

• On the other hand, aggregate of moderate or low strength and

modulus of elasticity can be valuable in preserving the integrity of
concrete.

• Volume changes, for hygral or thermal reasons, lead to a lower stress

in the cement paste when the aggregate is compressible.

• Where as rigid aggregate might lead to cracking of the surrounding

cement paste.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - ACV

• Aggregate crushing value (ACV) is a useful measure when dealing with

aggregate of unknown performance.

• ACV test is made on single sized aggregate passing 12.5 mm and

retained on 10 mm sieve.

• Aggregate is placed in a cylindrical mould and a load of 40 tons (400

kN) is applied gradually through a plunger over a period of 10
minutes.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - ACV

• After releasing the load, the aggregate is removed and sieved on 2.36
mm standard size.

• Ratio of the mass of material passing this sieve to the total mass of
the sample is called the ACV.

• ACV is restricted to 30% for concrete used for roads and pavements
and 45% may be permitted for other structures.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - ACV

• There is no explicit relationship between the aggregate crushing value

and its compressive strength.

• But, in general, the crushing value is greater for a lower compressive

strength.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - ACV

• For crushing values of over 25 to 30, the test is rather insensitive to

the variation in strength of weaker aggregate.

• Having been crushed before the full load of 400 kN (40 tons) has been
applied, these weaker materials become compacted so that the
amount of crushing during the later stages of the test is reduced.

• For this reason, a ten per cent fines value test is introduced.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - ACV

• For crushing values of over 25 to 30, the test is rather insensitive to

the variation in strength of weaker aggregate.

• Having been crushed before the full load of 400 kN (40 tons) has been
applied, these weaker materials become compacted so that the
amount of crushing during the later stages of the test is reduced.

• For this reason, a ten per cent fines value test is introduced.
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength – Ten per cent fine value test

• Apparatus of the standard crushing test is used to determine the load

required to produce 10 per cent fines from the 12.5 to 10 mm
particles.

• Achieved by applying a progressively increasing load on the plunger so

as to cause its penetration in 10 minutes of about
• 15 mm (0.6 in.) for rounded or partially rounded aggregate.
• 20 mm (0.8 in.) for crushed aggregate.
• 24 mm (0.95 in.) for honeycombed aggregate (such as expanded
shale or foamed slag)
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - Ten per cent fine value test

• Penetration should result in a percentage of fines passing a 2.36 mm

sieve of between 7.5 and 12.5.

• If y is the actual percentage of fines due to a maximum load of x tons,

then the load required to give 10 per cent fines is given by
Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - Ten per cent fine value test

• Unlike the standard crushing value test, a higher numerical result denotes a
higher strength of aggregate.

• BS 882: 1992 prescribes a minimum value of (for aggregate to be used in)

• 150 kN (15 tons) ~~ heavy-duty concrete floor finishes.

• 100 kN (10 tons) ~~ concrete pavement wearing surfaces.

• 50 kN (5 tons) ~~ other concretes.

Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Strength - Ten per cent fine value test

• Unlike the standard crushing value test, a higher numerical result denotes a
higher strength of aggregate.

• BS 882: 1992 prescribes a minimum value of (for aggregate to be used in)

• 150 kN (15 tons) ~~ heavy-duty concrete floor finishes.

• 100 kN (10 tons) ~~ concrete pavement wearing surfaces.

• 50 kN (5 tons) ~~ other concretes.

Aggregate - Mechanical Properties
• Toughness

• Can be defined as the resistance of aggregate to failure by impact.

• Usual procedure is determination of aggregate impact value of bulk

aggregate.
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• Los Angeles Test - Procedure

• Test sample and the abrasive charge shall be placed in the Los
Angeles abrasion testing machine and the machine rotated at a speed
of 20 to 33 rev/min.

• For gradings A, B, C and D, the machine shall be rotated for 500

revolutions; for gradings E, F and G, it shall be rotated for 1 000
revolutions.