DETERMINATION OF FLAKINESS AND ELONGATION INDEX OF
AGGREGATES
Objective
• To determine the flakiness index of aggregates.
• To determine the elongation index of aggregates.
Requirements
• Apparatus
o Flakiness gauge (Thickness gauge)
o Elongation gauge (Length gauge)
o IS Sieve (20 mm, 16.5 mm, 12 mm and 10mm)
o Weighing balance
• Material
o Aggregates
Theory
The particle shape of aggregates is determined by the percentages of flaky and elongated
particles contained in them. For the base course and construction of bituminous and
cement concrete types, the presence of flaky and elongated particles is considered
undesirable as these cause inherent weakness with the possibility of breaking down under
heavy loads. Thus, evaluation of the shape of the particles, particularly concerning
flakiness and elongation is necessary.
The Flakiness index of aggregates is the percentage by weight of particles whose least
dimension (thickness) is less than three-fifths (0.6 times) of their mean dimension. This
test is not applicable to sizes smaller than 6.3 mm.
The Elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of particles whose
greatest dimension (length) is greater than nine-fifths (1.8 times) their mean dimension.
This test is also not applicable for sizes smaller than 6.3 mm. [1]
It is not desirable to use flaky particles in the construction of roads especially in the surface
course. This is because when the load acts along the thin axis (along the axis of minimum
moment of inertia) of the flaky particles then they may get broken down easily. In order
to avoid such conditions, the particles have to be tested for their flakiness index values to
check their suitability for the construction of roads.
Designation of the flakiness gauge and elongation gauge as per the least dimension
required [2]:
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Table 1: Flakiness and elongation gauge dimension
Size of aggregates
Passing through IS Retained on IS Thickness Length
sieves sieve gauge gauge
63 mm 50 mm 33.90 mm 0
50 mm 40 mm 27.00 mm 81.0 mm
40 mm 31.5 mm 19.50 mm 58.5 mm
31.5 mm 25 mm 16.95 mm 0
25 mm 20 mm 13.50 mm 40.5 mm
20 mm 16 mm 10.80 mm 32.4 mm
16 mm 12.5 mm 08.55mm 25.6 mm
12.5 mm 10 mm 06.75 mm 20.2 mm
10 mm 6.3 mm 04.89 mm 14.7 mm
Figure 1 : Flakiness gauge
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Figure 2 : Elongation gauge
The acceptable limits of flakiness and elongation index vary depending on the type and
purpose of the pavement or concrete structure. According to the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the limits of the flakiness index and elongation index
for different types of pavement are given as:
Table 2: Limit of flakiness index for pavement
S.N. Type of Pavement Maximum limit of flakiness index ,%
1. Bituminous carpet 30
2.i. Bituminous / asphaltic concrete
ii. Bituminous penetration macadam
25
iii. Bituminous surface dressing
iv. Built-up spray grout
3.i. Bituminous macadam
15
ii. WBM base coarse and surface coarse
Table 3: Limit of elongation index for pavement
S. No. Type of Pavement Maximum limit of elongation index, %
1 Bituminous concrete 25
2 Water Bound Macadam 15
Procedure
1. The given aggregate sample was sieved through the arrangement of sieves (63 mm
to 6.3 mm).
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2. At least 200 pieces of each fraction were taken and weighed for the test.
3. For the flaky materials, each fraction was gauged for thickness on a thickness
gauge. The width of the slot used was taken as the dimension specified in column
3 of Table 1.
4. The flaky materials passing the gauge were weighed to an accuracy of 0.1 percent
of the test sample.
5. For the elongated materials, each fraction was gauged for length on a length
gauge. The width of the slot used was taken as the dimension specified in column
4 of Table 1.
6. The elongated materials passing the gauge were weighed to an accuracy of 0.1
percent of the test sample.
Observation
For the flakiness index :
Size of aggregates Weight of Weight of
aggregates in aggregates in Total weight
Passing each fraction each fraction not of the
Retained on IS passing passing aggregates
through IS
Sieve (mm) thickness gauge thickness gauge (gm)
Sieve (mm)
(gm) (gm)
20 16 50 454 504
16 12.5 36 194 230
12.5 10 10 114 124
Total 96 762 858
96
Flakiness index = 858 ∗ 100 = 11.19%
For the elongation index :
Size of aggregates Weight of
Weight of
aggregates in Total weight
aggregates in
Passing each fraction of the
Retained on IS each fraction
through IS retained on aggregates
Sieve (mm) passing length
Sieve(mm) length gauge (gm)
gauge (gm)
(gm)
20 16 60 362 422
16 12.5 100 156 256
12.5 10 82 50 132
Total 242 568 810
4
242
Elongation index = 810 ∗ 100 = 29.88%
Figure 3: Elongation test Figure 4: Flakiness test
Result
The flakiness index and the elongation index for the given aggregate sample were found
to be 11.19% and 29.88% respectively.
Discussion
The obtained value of the flakiness and elongation index was 11.19% and 29.88%
respectively. According to Table 2 [1] and Table 3 [1], the particular aggregate can be used
in bituminous carpets with an observed flakiness index of less than 30% and elongation
index of more than 25%.
A Flakiness index of 11.19% indicated that out of the total aggregate sample, 11.19% of
the sample has the least dimension lesser than 0.6 times the mean dimension. The
elongation index of 29.88% indicated that out of the total aggregate sample, 29.88% of
the sample has the greatest dimension greater than 1.8 times the mean dimension.
The shape tests give only a rough idea of the relative shapes of aggregates. Flaky and
elongated particles should be avoided in pavement construction, particularly in surface
course. If such particles are present in appreciable proportions, the strength of the
pavement layer would be adversely affected due to the possibility of breaking under
loads. Workability is reduced for cement concrete. [1]
Conclusion
Hence, the flakiness and elongation indices of the aggregates can be determined.
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Precautions
• During the elongation test, the longest side of the aggregate should be chosen to
pass through the gauge.
• During the flakiness test, the thinnest portion of the aggregate should be chosen
to pass through the gauge.
• Sieving should be done properly.
References
[1] G. Mishra, "Flakiness Index and elongation index test on coarse aggregates," The
Constructor, 07 November 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://theconstructor.org/transportation/shape-tests-on-aggregates/1397/.
[2] B. Mahajan, "Flakiness and Elongation Index test of coarse aggregate," Civiconcepts, 09
November 2023. [Online]. Available: https://civiconcepts.com/blog/flakiness-and-
elongation-index.
