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Engineering materials

Lecture 9

Aggregates
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Composition and structure

Natural aggregates are derived from rocks.
Classification:
Igneous(), sedimentary ()
and metamorphic ()
Fine or coarse
Heavy weight, normal weight and light
weight
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Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic

Igneous (basalt or granite ):
The rate of cooling determines the crystal size and hence the rock
properties -> fine-grained rocks with smaller grain size are
generally stronger.

Sedimentary (shale , limestone or sandstone):

Formed by the consolidation of deposits of the products of
weathering and erosion of existing rocks at the earth surface ->
weaker than Igneous surface -> anisotropic behavior.

Metamorphic (slate , marble or quartzite):

Formed by the formation of intense heat and pressure to
sedimentary rock deposits -> recrystallization and grain growth can
occur -> less porous, stringer and less anisotropic than
sedimentary rocks.
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Geometric properties
Particle shape
Round is good for workability

Particle size
A series of sieves or screen with different size
openings is used to obtain some estimate of
the particle size distribution
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Standard sieves
The standard sieve 3 76.0mm
sizes are 3/2 38.1mm
3/4 19.0mm
3/8 9.50mm
No.4 4.75mm
No.8 2.36mm
No.16 1.18mm
No.30 0.60mm
No.50 0.30mm
No.100 0.15mm
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Sieve analysis
To obtain Maximum-Size-Aggregate (MSA)
The smallest sieve opening through which the entire
aggregate sample passes

Purposes of MSA
Make sure concrete paste can go through reinforcing
steel bars
Together with MSA, the gradation determines the
specific surface area (surface area per unit volume) of
the particles in an aggregate sample.
For a continuously graded aggregate, the specific
surface area increases as the MSA decreases.
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Grading (gradation)
Grading: the distribution of particle size in an
aggregate sample, expressed as the cumulative
percentage of particles that are smaller or larger
than each of a series of sieve opening

Grading curve: the cumulative percentage

passing or retained on a particle sieve is plotted
against the sieve size
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Continuous vs. uniform gradation

Continuous (dense) gradation:
The aggregate contains every size of fraction
between the maximum and minimum particle size

Uniform (open) gradation:

Aggregates contain particles of only one size
fraction

Gap gradation:
Aggregates are missing particles of one or more
size fraction
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Continuous vs. uniform gradation

Continuous

Ref: Young et al., 1998

Uniform Gap
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Fine vs. Coarse aggregate

Fine aggregate: particle size smaller
than No. 4 or 5 mm.

Coarse aggregate: particle size larger

than No. 4 or 5mm.
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Fineness Modulus (FM)

The coarseness or fineness of an aggregate
gradation

By adding the total percentages of a sample of

the aggregate cumulatively retained on each of
a specified size of sieve and dividing the sum
by 100

Aggregates having the same fineness modulus

may not necessarily be identical in their grading
curve
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Fineness Modulus (FM), contd

An example of a sieve analysis and how to calculate FM:
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Fineness Modulus, example

One sample of different sands was found to have the following amounts retained on
each sieve: 3in=0g, 3/2 in=50g, 3/4 in=100g, 3/8 in=200g, No. 4=250g, No. 8=200g,
No. 16=150g, No.30=50g. (a) Plot the aggregate grading curve. (b) Calculate the
Fineness Modulus of the sample.

sieve weight weight Cumulative Cumulative 100

size retained retained % % retained % passing 90
3 in 0 0 0 100 80

Cumulative % Passing
3/2 in 50 5 5 95 70
60
3/4 in 100 10 15 85
50
3/8 in 200 20 35 65
40
4 250 25 60 40 30
8 200 20 80 20 20
16 150 15 95 5 10
30 50 5 100 0 0

50 0 0 100 0 0 20 40 60 80

100 0 0 100 0 Sieve size (mm)

pan 0 0
1000 F.M.=5.9
F.M. 5.9
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Properties
Physical Properties
Porosity: the volume inside individual particles that is
not occupied by solid material.
Voids content: the volume of the space between the
individual aggregate particles, i.e. interparticular
volume.
VMA: voids in mineral aggregates. Cause strength
variations. (same as Voids content)
Permeability: the susceptibility to passage or
penetration by fluids. Its a function of the porosity of
the aggregate, and has a significant effect on the
resistance of the aggregate to deteriorating
influences. Cause durability variations.
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Properties, contd
Moisture states:
1. Oven-Dry (OD) : All moisture is removed from the aggregate by
heating in an oven.
2. Air-Dry (AD) : All moisture is removed from the surface of the
aggregate, but the internal pores are partially full.
3. Saturated-Surface-Dry (SSD): All of the aggregate pores are filled
with water, but there is no film of water on the surface.
4. Wet : All of the aggregate pores are filled with water, and there is a
film of water on the surface.
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Absorption
WSSD - WOD
x100
Absorption capacity = WOD
WWET - WSSD
x100
Surface moisture = WSSD

WAGG - WOD
Moisture content = x100
WOD

If Moisture content > Absorption capacity , then the aggregate is wet.

Otherwise, It is air-dry.
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Durability
Unstable volume changes: expansion due to water
expansion, oxidation, hydration or carboration

Freeze - thaw deterioration: the volume change of water

undergoing solid-liquid phase transformation breaks
aggregates.

Alkali - aggregate reaction (): Na and K ions

replace Si ions, causing fracture.

Breakdown of aggregates during handling and

stockpiling
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Deleterious substances
Absorbent particle: shale, porous flint; frost
susceptible

Clay lumps and friable particles easily crumble,

especially when saturated

Coal or wood particles act as weak inclusions

Organic impurities

High aspect ratio particles