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 ½’’ – 2’’, 1
½’’ – ¾’’ & ½’’ – 3/8’’.
Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes smaller then 6.3mm i.e. ¼’’
sieve.
RELATEDTHEORY:
SHAPES OF PARTICLES
The usual shapes of the particles are;
1. Rounded (river gravel) Flakiness and Elongation Index
2. Flaky (laminated rock) Flakiness and Elongation Index
3. Elongated Flakiness and Elongation Index
4. Angular( crushed rock) Flakiness and Elongation Index
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.
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.
FLAKINESS INDEX Flakiness and Elongation Index
It is the percentage by weight of flaky particles in a sample.
Procedure
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 ½’’
– 2’’, 1 ½’’ – ¾’’ & ½’’ – 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:
Weight of Individual Weighted
Weight Percentage Flaky Flakiness Flakiness
Sieve Size Retained Retained Particles Index Index
Passing Retained (gm) (%) (gm) (%) (%)
(in.) (in.)
2 1½ 2007.8 22.52 80.5 4.01 0.9
1½ 1 2926.4 32.83 853.1 29.15 9.6
1 ¾ 2177.7 24.43 585.6 26.89 6.57
¾ ½ 1076.2 12.07 291.7 27.1 3.27
½ 8-Mar 460.2 5.16 155.5 33.79 1.74
8-Mar ¼ 211.8 2.38 88.3 41.69 0.99
¼ Pan 53.4 0.6
Σ=
8913.5 Σ = 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.
Calculation for Elongated Particles:
Weight Weight of Individual Weighted
Retained Percentage Elongated Elongation Elongation
Sieve Size (gm) Retained Particles Index Index
Passing Retained (%) (gm) (%) (%)
(in.) (in.)
2 1½ 2007.8 22.52 1561.5 77.77 17.52
1½ 1 2926.4 32.83 950 32.46 10.66
1 ¾ 2177.7 24.43 1113.8 51.15 12.5
¾ ½ 1076.2 12.07 467.5 43.44 5.24
½ 41341 460.2 5.16 185.5 40.31 2.08
41341 ¼ 211.8 2.38 80.9 38.2 0.91
¼ Pan 53.4 0.6
Σ=8913.5 Σ = 48.91