EXPERIMENT NO.
5: SHAPE TEST ON COARSE AGGREGATES
Objective:
Determine the Flakiness and elongation index of coarse aggregates.
Theory:
The particle shape of the aggregate mass is determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated
particles in it. Aggregates which are flaky or elongated are detrimental to higher workability and stability
of mixes.
• Shape of crushed aggregates determined by the percentage of flaky and elongated particles.
• Shape of gravel determined by its angularity number.
• Flaky and elongated aggregate particles tend to break under heavy traffic loads.
• Rounded aggregates preferred in cement concrete pavements as more workability at less water
cement ratio.
• Angular shape preferred for granular courses/flexible pavement layers due to better interlocking
and hence more stability.
• Flakiness Index is the percentage by weight of particles in it, whose least dimension (Thickness) is
less than three-fifths of its mean dimension. The test is not applicable to particles Smaller than
6.3 mm in size.
• Elongation Index is the percentage by weight of particles in it, who’s largest dimension (Length) is
greater than one and four-fifths times its mean dimension. The test is not applicable to particles
smaller than 6.3 mm in size.
Size of aggregate Thickness Gauge Length Gauge mm
Passing through Retained on IS mm
IS sieve Sieve
1 2 3 4
63mm 50mm 33.90 -
50mm 40mm 27.00 81.0
40mm 31.5mm 19.50 58.5
31.5mm 25mm 16.95 -
25mm 20mm 13.50 40.5
20mm 16mm 10.80 32.4
16mm 12.5mm 8.55 25.6
12.5mm 10mm 6.75 20.2
10mm 6.3mm 4.89 14.7
Table 5.1
Apparatus:
1. A standard thickness gauge
2. A standard length gauge
3. Tray, a balance of capacity 5 kg, readable and accurate up to 1 gm.
4. IS sieves of sizes 63, 50, 40, 31.5, 25, 20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3 mm.
Sample:
A quantity of aggregate shall be taken sufficient to provide the minimum number of 200 pieces of any
fraction to be tested.
Fig.5.1: Thickness gauge and length gauge
Procedure for using Gauge for Flakiness Index:
1. The sample is sieved through IS sieve sizes 63, 50, 40, 31.5, 25, 20, 16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3 mm.
2. Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm).
3. Separate the flaky material by using the standard thickness gauge.
4. Weigh the flaky material passing the respective gauge to an accuracy of at least 0.1 percent of the test
sample.
Flakiness Index
The amount of flaky material is weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the test sample If W1, W2… Wi
are the total weights of each size of aggregates taken; If X1, X2, X3…….Xi are the weights of material
passing the different thickness gauges then:
Record of Observation:
Weight of sample taken = W1 kg
Size of Aggregate Wt. of sample Total wt. of Flakiness index
Passing through Retained on IS passing the sample passing %
IS sieve sieve thickness gauge (kg)
(Kg) W2
63mm 50mm 1.66 6.166
50mm 40mm 0.394 3.514
40mm 31.5mm 0.482 2.588
31.5mm 25mm 0.200 1.039
20.42%
25mm 20mm 0.088 0.450
20mm 16mm 0.050 0.250
16mm 12.5mm 0.020 0.126
12.5mm 10mm 0.004 0.064
10m 6.3mm - -
Result:
The flakiness Index is the total weight on the material retained on the various thickness gauges
expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
Flakiness Index = ( )
w2
w1
X100 % = (
2.898
14.192 )
X100% = 20.42%
Procedure for using Gauge Elongation index:
1. The sample is sieved through sieve sizes, 50, 40, 25, 20,16, 12.5, 10 and 6.3
2. Minimum 200 pieces of each fraction to be tested are taken and weighed (W1 gm
3. Separate the elongate material by using the standard length gauge.
4. Weigh the elongated material retained on the respective gauge to an accuracy of at least 0.1 percent
of test sample.
Elongation Index
The amount of elongated material is weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 percent of the test sample If W1,
W2… Wi are the total weights of each size of aggregates taken. If X1, X2… Xi are the weights of material
retained on different length gauges then:
Record of Observation:
Size of Aggregate Wt. of sample Total wt. of Elongation index
Passing through Retained on IS passing the sample passing %
IS sieve sieve length gauge (Kg) (kg)
W2
63mm 50mm - 6.166
50mm 40mm 3.354 3.514
40mm 31.5mm 2.452 2.588
31.5mm 25mm - 1.034
93.45%
25mm 20mm 0.380 0.450
20mm 16mm 0.250 0.280
16mm 12.5mm 0.106 0.126
12.5mm 10mm 0.052 0.064
10m 6.3mm - -
Result : the Elongation Index is the total weight on the material retained on the various length gauges
expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
Elongation Index = ( WW 21 )X100% = ( 6.534
6.992 )
x 100% = 93.45%
Limits:
i) Flakiness index for bituminous concrete and surface dressing = max. 25%
ii) Flakiness index for water bound Macadam and bituminous Macadam = max. 15%
iii) Elongation index for bituminous or non-bituminous mixes. = max. 15%
iv) Flakiness index for concrete mix = max. 15%
Precautions:
1. After the test, clean the sieve by a smooth brush.
2. Leakage should be avoided during the test.
3. Before test gauges should be cleaned properly.
EXPERIMENT NO. 6 – TO DETERMINE VISCOSITY OF BITUMEN
Objective: To determine the viscosity of a given bituminous material as per IS: 1206.
Apparatus:
A orifice viscometer (one of 4.0mm diameter used to test cut back grades 0 and 1 and 10mm
orifice to test all other grades),
water bath,
stirrer and
thermometer.
Theory: Viscosity is defined as the increase of fluidity. The degree of fluidity at the application
temperature greatly influences the ability of bituminous material to spread, penetrate in to void and
also coat the aggregates and hence affects the strength characteristics of the resulting paving mixes.
There is an optimum value of fluidity or viscosity for mixing and compacting for each aggregate
gradation of the mix and bitumen grade. At high fluidity or low viscosity, the bitumen binder simply
"lubricates" the aggregate particles instead of providing a uniform film thickness for binding action.
Similarly, low fluidity or high viscosity does not enable the bitumen to coat the entire surface of
aggregates. It will increase the compactive force or effort. The test is conducted as per IS: 1206.
Procedure:
> The tar cup is properly levelled and water in the bath is heated to the temperature specified for the
test and is maintained throughout the test.
> The sample material is heated at the temperature 20 above the specified test temperature
and the material is allowed to cool. During cooling the material continuously, stirred.
> When material reaches slightly above test temperature, the same is poured in the tar cup, until the
levelling
peg on the value rod is just immersed.
> A graduate receiver (cylinder) and a 20m1 of mineral oil or one percent by weight solution of soft
soap is poured.
> When the sample material reaches the specified test temperature within ±0.1°C and then valve is
opened.
