Highway and Traffic Engineering

2015

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
Determination of flakiness and elongation index for the given aggregate
sample.

Flaky particle:
A flaky particle is the one whose least dimension (thickness) is less than 0.6
times the mean size.
Elongated particle:
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.
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

Department of Civil Engineering

The University of Lahore

Highway and Traffic Engineering

2015

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

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The University of Lahore

2 1/2 2

2015

2 1 1/2

1 1 1/2

1 3/4

3/4 1/2

3/8

Highway and Traffic Engineering

1 1/4 1

Thickness/Flakiness Index Gauge

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 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 Sieve Analysis:
Sieve Size

Weight Percentage Cumulative Percentage

weight
passing
Passing Retained Retained Retained
(kg)
(%)
retained
(%)
(in.)
(in.)
(%)
2
1
1

3/8

1
1

3/8

Pan
=

Department of Civil Engineering

The University of Lahore

Highway and Traffic Engineering

2015

Calculation for Flaky Particles:

Sieve Size

Weight Percentage Weight Individual Weighted

of Flaky Flakiness Flakiness
Passing Retained Retained Retained
(gm)
(%)
Particles
Index
Index
(in.)
(in.)
(kg)
(%)
(%)
2
1
1

3/8

1
1

3/8

Pan
=

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.
3/8
1
26 20 mm 14 10 mm
2 1
50 37.5 mm

1 1
37.5 26 mm

20 14 mm

Length/Elongation Index Gauge

Department of Civil Engineering

3/8
10 6.3 mm

The University of Lahore

Highway and Traffic Engineering

2015

Calculation for Elongated Particles:

Sieve Size

Weight Percentage
Weight
Individual Weighted
of
Elongation Elongation
Passing Retained Retained Retained
(gm)
(%)
Elongated
Index
Index
(in.)
(in.)
(%)
(%)
Particles
(kg)
2
1
1

3/8

1
1

3/8

Pan
=

PRECAUTIONS:
1- While sieving, care must be taken that the particles that are chocked in the
sieve must not 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.
COMMENTS:

Department of Civil Engineering

The University of Lahore