CHAPTER 2 : AGGREGATES
2.1 Classification of Aggregates
2.2 Type of Aggregates
2.3 Physical Properties
2.4 Grading of Aggregates
2.5 Particle Shape and Surface
Texture of Aggregate
2.6 Alkali-Aggregate Reaction
INTRODUCTION
2.1 CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
Aggregate can be classified according to their density/unit weight.
A. Light Weight Aggregate (LWA)
Particle density ≤ 2000 kg/m3
Dry loose bulk density ≤1200 kg/m3
Water absorption High
Type of LWA Pumice, expanded shale, expanded clay
Workability of concrete i. Quick stiff.
ii. Aggregate require wetting before mixing in the mixer.
Concrete mixing Water and aggregates are usually premixed
operation prior to addition of cement
Others (concrete using i. coarse surface texture
LWA) ii. lower tensile strength
iii. lower Modulus of Elasticity
iv. Higher creep and shrinkage
Clay
Pumice Shale
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
B. Heavy Weight Aggregate (HWA)
Specific Gravity 2.8 to 2.9
Unit Weight 2800 to 2900 kg/m3
Type of HWA Magnetite, heamatite, limonite and barites
Compressive strength (in concrete) 20 to 21 N/mm2
Others i. Produce dense and crack free concrete.
ii. Not suitably graded and difficult to have
adequate workability without segregation.
Magnetite Heamatite Barites Limonite
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
C. Normal Aggregate (NA)
Specific gravity 2.5 to 3.0
Bulk density 1450 to 1750 kg/m3
BS EN 12620: Classify according to size:
2002+A1:2008 i. Coarse aggregate
ii. Fine aggregate (sand)
iii. All-in aggregate
Grading limit in percentages by weight for
coarse aggregate
BS EN 933-1: 2012 Determination of particle size distribution
i. Coarse Aggregate Retain on 5 mm (3/16 inch)
a) Uncrushed Gravel or Uncrushed Stone
Coarse aggregate resulting from natural disintegration of rock.
b) Crushed Stone or Crushed Gravel
Coarse aggregate produced by crushing hard stone and gravel
respectively.
c) Partially Crushed Gravel or Stone
A product of blending of uncrushed and crushed gravel or
blending stone.
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
C. Normal Aggregate (NA)
ii. Fine Aggregate Pass through 5 mm (3/16 inch) BS 410 test sieve.
Sand - Lower size limit of about 0.07mm
Silt - size limit between 0.06 to 0.002mm
Clay - smaller particles
a) Natural Sand
Fine aggregate resulting from natural disintegration.
b) Crushed Stone Sand or Crushing Gravel Sand
Fine aggregate produced by crushing hard stone or natural
gravel respectively.
BS EN 12620: 2002+A1:2008: The coarseness or fineness is
indicated by the zone in which the grading falls.
Higher zone number indicates a finer material.
iii. All-In Aggregate Compose of a mixture of coarse and fine aggregate.
Not graded.
Used in unimportant work.
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
Bulk Density
Bulk density is a property of particulate materials.
It is the mass of particles of the material divided by the volume they occupy.
The volume includes the space between particles as well as the space inside
the pores of individual particles
Specific Gravity (SG)
Specific gravity is a special case of relative density defined as the ratio of the density
of a given substance, to the density of water.
Substances with a specific gravity greater than 1 are heavier than water, and those
with a specific gravity of less than 1 are lighter than water.
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2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
Grading Limit for Coarse and Fine Aggregates
(Derived from BS EN 12620:2002+A1:2008)
2.2 TYPES OF AGGREGATES
Typical Grading Curves for A Zone 2 Fine Aggregate and A Graded
20 mm Coarse Aggregate
FINENESS MODULUS OF FINE AGGREGATE
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2.3 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1. STRENGTH
Aggregate cannot transmit tensile force from one particle to another, but very well in
resisting compressive forces.
In real practice the application of aggregate such as concrete, foundation and etc. in
terms of random arrangement of particles contribute to spreading of concentrated
loading effectively.
However, the aggregate should be compacted for significant contact between particles
in distributing of loading and reducing settlement.
The advantage of angular particles and rough aggregates can create better interlocking
system and tendency to resist forces from developed friction compare to rounded
particles with smooth surface contributes to less frictions resistance and easy to slide.
High compressive strength of aggregate is useful to enhance the capability in resisting
compressive force especially for composite materials such as concrete, asphalt
concrete and etc.
Example:
Concrete Strength Aggregate Strength
20 N/mm2 to 50 N/mm2 70 N/mm2 to 350 N/mm2
2.3 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Igneous rocks are much stronger than sedimentary or metamorphic rock
in selection of aggregate types.
Igneous Rock Sedimentary Rock Metamorphic Rock
Definition Rocks formed by Rocks formed Rocks are created
solidification of from sediments of by changes induced
cooled magma by the earth’s at high
crystallizing into land area. temperature
a mosaic of and/or high
materials. pressure.
Environment Underground: and Deposition basin: Mostly deep inside
as lava flows. mainly sea. mountains chains.
Rock strength Uniform high Variable low Variable high
strength
Major types Granite (90 MPa), Sandstone Schist, slate
with basalt (160Mpa) (40Mpa),
compressive limestone, clay
strength
2.3 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Test to measuring strength of
aggregate
Aggregate crushing value
Aggregate impact test
Ten percent fines Abrasion Test
value
2.4 GRADING OF AGGREGATES
Sieve analysis test is used in grading of aggregate. Sieve analysis consists of
determining the proportionate amounts of particles retained or passing through
each of a set of sieves arranged in decreasing sizes. It is expressed in terms of
percentages.
1. Plot a graph for COARSE aggregate. 2. Plot a graph for FINE aggregate.
Dry weight for used material=2000g Dry weight for used material=500g
Sieve Size Mass retain (g) Sieve Size Mass retain (g)
according BS (mm) according BS (mm)
37.5 0 10.0 0
20.0 120 5.0 10
14.0 500 2.36 50
10.0 543 1.18 50
5.0 705 0.6 95
Pan 130 0.3 175
TOTAL 0.15 85
0.075 20
Pan 15
TOTAL
Sieve Size Mass retain Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
according (g) retained (%) percentage percentage
BS (mm) retained (%) passing (%)
37.5 0
20.0 120
14.0 500
10.0 543
5.0 705
Pan 130
TOTAL
Sieve Size Mass retain Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
according BS (g) retained (%) percentage percentage
(mm) retained (%) passing
10.0 0
5.0 10
2.36 50
1.18 50
0.6 95
0.3 175
0.15 85
0.075 20
Pan 15
TOTAL
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FM = (2+12+22+41+76+93)/100 = 2.5 (fine FM)
2.5 Particle Shape and Surface Texture of Aggregate
Particle Shape of Aggregate
Rounded
Full water-worn or completely shaped by attrition or abrasion.
Example: river or sea shore gravel.
Irregular
Naturally irregular or partly shaped by attrition and having rounded
edges. Example: Other gravel land or dug flint.
Angular
Processing well defined edges formed at the intersection or
roughly planes faces. Example: Crushed rocks of all types.
Flaky
A material of which the thickness is small relative
to other two dimensions. E.g. Laminated rock
Elongated
The aggregate is usually angular, is shape, and the length is considerably
larger than the other two dimensions.
Flaky and Elongated
Material having the length which is considerably
larger than the width, and the width is considerably
larger than the thickness
Surface Texture of
Aggregate SIX types of surface texture:
i. Glassy
ii. Smooth
iii. Granular
iv. Rough
v. Crystalline
vi. Honeycombed
An aggregate with rough and porous texture
may increase the aggregate-cement bond up
to 1.75 times, in which may increase the
compressive and flexural strength of concrete
up to 20%.
2.6 Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR)
In most concrete, aggregates are more or less chemically inert. However, some aggregates
react with the alkali hydroxides in concrete, causing expansion and cracking over a period of
many years. This alkali-aggregate reaction has two forms: alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and
alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR)
Alkali-carbonate reaction (ACR) is observed
with certain dolomitic rocks. Dedolomitization,
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is of more the breaking down of dolomite, is normally
concern because aggregates containing associated with expansion. This reaction and
reactive silica materials are more common. subsequent crystallization of brucite may
In ASR, aggregates containing certain cause considerable expansion. The
forms of silica will react with alkali deterioration caused by alkali-carbonate
hydroxide in concrete to form a gel that reactions is similar to that caused by ASR;
swells as it adsorbs water from the however, ACR is relatively rare because
surrounding cement paste or the aggregates susceptible to this phenomenon
environment. These gels can induce are less common and are usually unsuitable for
enough expansive pressure to damage use in concrete for other reasons. Unlike ACR,
concrete. the use of supplementary cementing materials
Typical indicators of ASR are random map does not prevent deleterious expansion due to
cracking and, in advanced cases, closed ACR. It is recommended that ACR susceptible
joints and attendant spalled concrete. aggregates not be used in concrete.