Concrete Technology 18CV44

Aggregates
1.2.1 Introduction

Aggregates are defined as inert, granular and inorganic materials that normally consist of stone
or stone like solids. Aggregates can be used alone (in road bases and various types of fill) or can
be used with cementing materials (such as Portland cement or asphalt cement) to form composite
materials or concrete.

Since aggregates constitutes about 3/4th of the volume of concrete, it contributes significantly to
the structural performance of concrete especially strength, durability and volume stability.
Aggregates are formed from natural sources by the process of weathering and abrasion or by
artificially by crushing a large parent rocks.

1.2.2 Classification of aggregates

Aggregates can be divided into several categories according to different criteria.

a) In accordance with size:

Coarse aggregate: if particle size is greater than 4.75mm are regarded as coarse aggregates

Fine aggregates: if particle size in between 75μ & 4.75mm are regarded as fine aggregates

b) In accordance with sources:

Natural aggregates: This kind of aggregates is taken from natural deposits without changing
their nature during the process of production such as crushing and grinding. Some examples in
this category are sand, crushed limestone and gravel.

Manufactured aggregates: This is a kind of man-made materials produced as main product or

an industrial by-product. Some examples are blast furnace slag, lightweight aggregate (e.g.
expanded perlite), and heavy weight aggregates (e.g. iron ore or crushed steel)

c) In accordance with unit weight:

Light weight aggregates: the unit weight of aggregates is less than 1120kg/m3. The
corresponding concrete has a bulk density less than 1800kg/m3. (Cinder, blast-furnace slag,
volcanic pumice).

Normal aggregates: The aggregates have unit weight of 1520-1680kg/m3. The concrete made
with this type of aggregates has a bulk density of bulk density of 2300-2400kg/m3.

Heavy weight aggregate: The unit weight is greater than 2100kg/m3. The bulk density of the
corresponding concrete is greater than 3200kg/m3. A typical example is magnesite limonite, a
heavy iron ore. Heavy weight concrete is used in special structures such as radiation shields.

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Fine Aggregates
1.2.3 Quality of a good aggregate

 Good sand should have coarser and angular grains of pure silica.
 The particles of aggregates should be hard, strong, durable and tough in nature.
 The aggregates should be free from silt, clay or any deleterious materials.
 The aggregate should not contain any organic substances.
 The aggregate should be well graded.
 The aggregate should not be porous in nature.

1.2.4 Function of Aggregates

 It fills the voids existing in coarse aggregates.
 It reduces shrinkage and cracking of concrete.
 It helps in hardening of cement by allowing water through its voids.
 By varying the proportions of fine aggregates, concrete can be prepared economically for any
required strength.
 To form hard mass of silicates.

1.2.5 Grading of aggregates

 Particle size distribution of an aggregate is determined by sieve analysis is known as
‘grading of the aggregate’
 Aggregate comprises about 55% of the volume of mortar and about 85% of volume of
concrete. Mortar contains aggregates of size 4.75mm and the concrete contains aggregates
upto a max. size of 150mm.
 Strength of concrete is dependent upon water-cement ratio. One of the most important factors
for producing workable concrete is good grading of aggregates.
 Grading of aggregates are of 3 types

Good graded or well graded: It implies that a given sample of aggregates contains all standard
fractions such there will be minimum number of voids.

Uniformly graded or poor graded: It contains aggregate particles that are almost of the same
size. This means that the particles pack together, leaving relatively large voids in the concrete.

Gap graded: It consists of aggregate particles in which some intermediate size particles are
missing.

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A sample of good grading of aggregate containing min. voids will require min. paste to fill up
the voids in the aggregate and this will produce a higher strength, lower shrinkage and greater
durability.

Sieve: It is a circular disc consists of wire mesh of square apparture.

Sieve analysis: This is the name given to the operation of dividing the given sample of
aggregates into various fractions each consisting of particles of same size. The sieve analysis is
conducted to determine the particle size distribution in a sample of aggregates which is also
called as Gradation.

 The aggregates used for making concrete are normally of the maximum size 80 mm, 40 mm,
20 mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 600 micron, 300 micron and 150 micron.

 The aggregate fractions from 80 mm to 4.75 mm are termed as coarse aggregate and those
fractions from 4.75 mm to 150 micron are termed as fine aggregate.

Sieves are placed one above the other, maximum size is placed at the top and minimum size in
the bottom. Sieving can be done either manually or by mechanically with sieve shaker. From the
sieve analysis, the particle size distribution in a sample is found out; from this fineness modulus
can be determined.

Fineness Modulus: It is a relative index which indicates the particles are either coarser or finer.
The sum of cumulative percentage retained on the sieves divided by 100 gives fineness modulus
of given sample of aggregates.

For sand the following limits are taken as guidelines

Fine sand → 2.2 – 2.6

Medium sand → 2.6 – 2.9

Coarse sand → 2.9 – 3.2

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1.2.6 Tests on Fine aggregates

Specific Gravity:

 The specific gravity of an aggregate is the ratio of the mass of solid in a given volume of
sample to the mass of equal volume water at the same temperature.

 They are of two types 1) absolute specific gravity and 2) apparent specific gravity.

 Absolute specific gravity is defined as ratio of mass of solid to the mass of an equal void-
free volume of water. If the volume of aggregate includes the voids, then resulting specific
gravity is called apparent specific gravity.

 Average specific gravity of the rocks varies from 2.6 to 2.8.

 It’s required for calculation of the quantity of aggregate for a given volume of concrete.

1) Determination of Specific gravity of fine aggregates by Pycnometer method

Procedure

1. Find the weight an empty Pycnometer with stopper. Let it be W1 gms.

2. Take about 1/3rd the volume of Pycnometer full of sand. Find the weight of Pycnometer with
sand and let it be W3 gms.

3. Now fill the Pycnometer to its half with water so as to submerge the sand inside. Allow the
entrapped air from sand to escape. Then fill the Pycnometer with water. Replace the stopper and
find the total weight Pycnometer with its constituents and let it be W3 gms.

4. Remove the constituents from the Pycnometer and clean it. Fill completely with water and
replace the stopper. Find the weight with water and let it be W4 gms.

(W2 − W1 )
Specific gravity =
(W2 −W1 )−(W3 −W4 )
2) Bulking of sand

Bulking can be defined as that property of sand by virtue of which it expands in volume
when it is wet. This is because, when water is added to the sand, each particle will be coated by
a film of water and keeps far apart from each other due to surface tension. Hence it is necessary
to take the moisture content into account while measuring the sand by volume for proportioning
concrete. Bulking increases with the increase in water content up to 4% by weight and then
decreases. Bulking also increases with fineness of particles.

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Procedure

1. Take about 300gms of dry sand and pour it into a measuring jar. Note down the initial volume
of sand.

2. Transfer the sand into a non absorbent pan and add 1% (by weight of sand) of water. Mix the
sand thoroughly with a glass rod so that a uniform color is obtained.

3. Then pour the wet sand into the measuring jar and note down the rise in volume.

4. Again transfer the san into the pan and add another 1% of water by weight of sand. Mix
thoroughly and pour back into the jar and note down the new volume.

5. Repeat this process by increasing the water content at the rate of 1% up to 3, 4, 5, 6% and so
on until the volume starts decreasing.

6. Plot a graph of % increase in volume V/S % of water added.

3) Measurement of moisture content for fine aggregate

Moisture content means free water held on the surface of aggregate which includes the
absorbed water and the water held in the interior portion of the aggregate.

1. Drying method:
2. Displacement method:
3. Calcium Carbide method:
4. Electrical meter method:
5. Automatic measurement:

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