Met

CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

AGGREGATE pavements; the requirement of cement paste is relatively

more.
Aggregate is granular material such as sand, gravel, crushed
stone, blast-furnace slag, and lightweight aggregates that usually 4. FLAKY AGGREGATES - The least lateral dimension of flaky
occupies approximately 60 to 75% of the volume of concrete. aggregate (thickness) should be less than 0.6 times the mean
Aggregate properties significantly affect the workability of plastic dimension. For example, the mean sieve size for an
concrete and also the durability, strength, thermal properties, aggregate piece passing through 50 mm and retained on 40
and density of hardened concrete. mm sieve is (50 + 40)/2 = 45.0 mm. If the least lateral
dimension is less than 0.6 × 45 = 27.0 mm, the aggregate is
classified as flaky.
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES:
(According to Source) 5. ELONGATED AGGREGATES - Elongated aggregate are
1. NATURAL AGGREGATE - natural sands and gravels are the those aggregate whose length is 1.8 times its mean
product of weathering and the action of wind or water. dimension. Flaky aggregate generally orient in one plane with
2. ARTIFICIAL AGGREGATE - may be either byproducts of an water and air voids underneath. They adversely affect
industrial process, in the case of blast-furnace slag, or durability and are restricted to maximum of 15 per cent.
products of processes developed to manufacture aggregates
with special properties, as in the case of expanded clay,
shale, or slate used for lightweight aggregates. Some AGGREGATE PROPERTIES AND TEST METHODS
lightweight aggregates such as pumice or scoria also occur
naturally. GRADING

Grading refers to the distribution of particle sizes present in an

CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES: aggregate. The grading is determined in accordance with ASTM
(According to Petrological Characteristics) C 136, “Sieve or Screen Analysis of Fine and Coarse
1. IGNEOUS ROCKS Aggregates.”
2. SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
3. METAMORPHIC ROCKS Well graded - means sizes within the entire range are in
approximately equal amounts, although there will be very small
amounts of the largest and smallest particles.
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES:
(According to Bulk Density or Unit Weight) Uniformly graded - means a large percentage of the particles
1. HEAVY WEIGHT AGGREGATE are approximately the same size.
2. NORMAL WEIGHT AGGREGATE
3. LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE Gap or skip graded - means that most particles are of a large
size or small size with very few particles of an intermediate size.

CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES: Uniformity coefficient - is a mathematical indication of how

(According to Size) uniform the aggregate is. It is determined by dividing the
1. FINE AGGREGATE diameter or size of the D60 (particle size that has 60% finer than
2. COURSE AGGREGATE its own size) by the diameter or size of the D10 (particle size that
has 10% finer than its own size). The smaller the answer the
more uniform in size the aggregate
CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES:
(According to Shape) Fine aggregates or sand - that portion of an aggregate passing
the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and predominantly retained on the 75
1. ROUNDED AGGREGATES - These are generally obtained µm (No. 200) sieve.
from river or sea shore and produce minimum voids (about 32
per cent) in the concrete. They have minimum ratio of surface Coarse aggregate - that portion of an aggregate retained on the
area to the volume, and the cement paste required is 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve. They may be available in several different
minimum. Poor interlocking bond makes it unsuitable for high size groups, such as 19 to 4.75 mm (3/4 in. to No. 4), or 37.5 to
strength concrete and pavements. 19 mm (1-1/2 to 3/4 in.).

2. IRREGULAR AGGREGATES - They have voids about 36 per Fineness Modulus (FM) - this numerical index is often
cent and require more cement paste as compared to rounded computed using the sieve analysis results. The FM is the sum of
aggregate. Because of irregularity in shape they develop the total percentages coarser than each of a specified series of
good bond and are suitable for making ordinary concrete. sieves, divided by 100. The specified sieves are 75.0, 37.5, 19.0,
and 9.5 mm (3, 1.5, 3/4, and 3/8 in.) and 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18
3. ANGULAR AGGREGATES - They have sharp, angular and mm, 600 µm, 300 µm, and 150 µm (No. 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, and 100).
rough particles having maximum voids (about 40 per cent). The coarser the aggregate, the higher the FM. For fine aggregate
Angular aggregate provide very good bond than the earlier used in concrete, the FM generally ranges from 2.3 to 3.1 as
two, are most suitable for high strength concrete and called for in ASTM C 33, but in some cases, fine sands are used
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with an FM less than 2.0 and in other cases, a coarser fine

aggregate with an FM higher that 3.1.

Procedure:
1. A sample of the aggregate is shaken through a series of wire-
cloth sieves with square openings, nested one above the
other in order of size, with the sieve having the largest
openings on top, the one having the smallest openings at the
bottom, and a pan underneath to catch material passing the
finest sieve.
2. After sieving, the mass of material retained on each sieve and
in the pan is obtained using a balance accurate to 0.1% of
the test-sample mass.
3. Results are recorded in tabular form with some or all of the
following quantities retained on each sieve, individual percent
retained on each sieve (and passing the sieve above), and
total percent of the whole sample passing each sieve.
4. Grading charts are often used to show the results of a sieve
analysis graphically. The percent passing is usually plotted on
the vertical axis, while the sieve sizes are plotted on the
horizontal axis. Upper and lower limits specified for the
allowable percentage of material passing each sieve may also
be included on the grading chart.

Notes:
- Sieve sizes commonly used for concrete aggregates are
detailed in Table 1, and various physical properties of
normal weight aggregates, with typical range values, are
shown in Table 2. Coarse and fine aggregates are generally
sieved separately.
- For an accurate determination of the amount of material
finer than the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve, a specimen is washed
in accordance with ASTM C 117. This may be done on the
sieve analysis sample before sieving (with the results
included in the sieve analysis) or it can be done on a
separate sample.

Example 1: Calculations for sieve analysis of fine aggregate

- A sample of fine aggregate with a mass of 510.5 g is passed
through the sieves shown in the following and the masses
retained on each sieve are as shown.
- Individual percent retained is the percentage of material
contained between successive sieves, recorded to the nearest
whole percent. It is calculated by dividing the mass retained on
each sieve (and passing the sieve above) by the sum of the
masses retained on each sieve and the pan and multiplying by
100.
- The total percent passing is calculated by subtracting the total
(cumulative) percent retained from 100.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

Notes:
- The total of masses retained may differ slightly from the
original sample mass due to loss or gain in the sieving process
or due to round-off error. Because the mass of material on
each sieve is determined to within 0.1% of the total sample
mass, the maximum difference should not exceed 0.1% times
the number of mass determinations.
- In this example, seven mass determinations were made, so the
difference should not exceed 0.7%.
- The total of masses retained differs from the mass of the
original sample by 2 g, or only 0.4%.
- If the difference had been too great, a check would have been
made for possible errors in mass determination, calculation,
accidental loss due to spillage, or material stuck in the sieve
openings.
- Normally, the sieve analysis calculations are done to the
nearest 0.1% and then reported to the nearest 1%, except for
the percent passing the No. 200 sieve, which is reported to the
nearest 0.1%
- The total mass of the material after sieving should check
closely with the original mass of the sample placed on the
sieves. If the amounts differ by more than 0.3%, based on the
original dry sample mass, the results should not be used for
acceptance purposes. Example 3: Calculations of FM for fine aggregate
- Given the following sieve analysis, determine the FM.
Example 2: Calculations for sieve analysis of coarse aggregate
- A sample of coarse aggregate with a mass of 8145 g is passed
through the sieves and the masses retained on each sieve are
as shown.

Notes:
- All of the FM sieves below the maximum size (that has nothing
retained, 3/8 in. in this case) must be included, and none of the
Notes: non-FM sieves can be included. For example, if a No. 200 or a
- Six mass determinations were made so the difference should 1/2 in. sieve were included in the sieve analysis, the cumulative
not exceed 0.6% of the total sample mass. percent retained on those sieves would not be included in the
- The total of masses retained differs from the original sample FM calculation because they are not in the FM series.
mass by 15 g or only 0.2%. - Although the FM is most commonly computed for fine
- See Example1 for steps to be taken if the difference had been aggregates, the FM of coarse aggregate is needed for some
too great. All other calculations are carried out as in Example1. proportioning methods. It is calculated in the same manner,
- If the test sample was first tested by ASTM C 117, include the while taking care to exclude sieves that are not specified in the
mass of material finer than the 75 µm (No. 200) size that was definition (for example, 25.0 and 12.5 mm [l and 1/2 in.] sieves)
obtained by washing in the sieve analysis calculation. Use the and to include all of the specified finer sieves.
total dry sample mass before washing as the basis for
calculating all the percentages and include the mass of the
passing No. 200 in the calculation.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

Example 4: Calculations of FM for coarse aggregate - The combined grading is shown in the table that follows. The
- Given the following sieve analysis, determine the FM. percent passing is calculated for each of the sieve sizes as
follows.
- Example: Calculate the percent passing the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.)
sieve of the combined blended aggregates. One hundred
percent of Aggregate 1 passes the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve, but
only 35% of this aggregate is used in the mixture. Similarly,
only 25 and 40%, respectively, of Aggregate 2 and 3 are used.

- Even though the 25 and 12.5 mm (l and 1/2 in.) sieves were
used in the sieve analysis, they are not included in the
calculation. Because the total percent retained on the 2.36 mm
(No. 8) sieve is 100%; 100% will also be retained on the
smaller sieves specified in the FM definition. Thus, the
calculation is as follows.

Example 5: Calculations of grading when two or more

aggregates are combined
- Suppose that three aggregates are combined in the mass
percentages indicated. For the given individual aggregate
grading, determine the grading of the combined aggregate.

- The FM of the combined aggregate can be determined by

adding the percentage retained on the specified series of
sieves. In this case, the total percentage retained on the 50.0
mm (2 in.), 25.0 mm (1 in.), 12.5 mm (1/2 in.), and 75 µm (No.
200) sieves should not be included in the calculation. For this
reason, they are shown struck out in the previous table.
- Therefore, Fineness modulus = 560/100 = 5.60
- The individual percentage of material between successive
sieves is sometimes of interest. This can be determined from
the grading of the combined aggregate as follows:

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

Maximum size - the smallest sieve opening through which the

entire amount of aggregate is required to pass.

Nominal Maximum Size - the smallest sieve opening through

which the entire amount of aggregate is permitted to pass .

Notes:
- Aggregate meeting the specification limits shown in the
following would have a maximum size of 37.5 mm (1-1/2 in.)
and a nominal maximum size of 25.0 mm (1 in.).

- The maximum nominal size of aggregate that can be used is

determined by the size and shape of the concrete member and
by the clear spacing between reinforcing bars.
Significance of Aggregate Grading: -
- Aggregates having a smooth grading curve and neither a In general, nominal maximum size should not be more than
one-fifth of the narrowest dimension between sides of forms,
deficiency nor excess of any one particle size generally
one-third the depth of slabs, or three-fourths of the minimum
produce mixtures with fewer voids between particles. Because
clear spacing between reinforcing bars.
cement costs more than aggregate and the cement paste - Use of the largest possible maximum aggregate size
requirement for concrete increases with increasing void
consistent with placing requirements is sometimes
content of the combined aggregates, it is desirable to keep the
recommended to minimize the amount of cement required and
void content as low as possible.
- If there is not enough fine aggregate to fill the voids between to minimize drying shrinkage of concrete.
- Aggregates of different maximum sizes, however, may give
coarse aggregate particles, the space must be filled with
different concrete strengths for the same water-cementitious
cement paste. Such under-sanded mixtures also tend to be
material ratio (w/cm).
harsh and difficult to finish. -
- On the other hand, aggregate combinations with excessive One of the most important characteristics of the fine aggregate
grading is the amount of material passing the 300 and 150 µm
amounts of fine aggregate or excessively fine sands may
(No. 50 and 100) sieves. Inadequate amounts of materials in
produce uneconomical concretes because of the larger
these size ranges can cause excessive bleeding, difficulties in
surface area of finer particles, which requires additional
pumping concrete, and difficulties in obtaining smooth
cement.
troweled surfaces.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (RELATIVE DENSITY)

Test methods for finding specific gravity of aggregates are

described in ASTM C 127, “Specific Gravity and Absorption of
Coarse Aggregate,” and ASTM C 128, “Specific Gravity and
Absorption of Fine Aggregate.”

Specific gravity of an aggregate - is the mass of the aggregate

in air divided by the mass of an equal volume of water. An
aggregate with a specific gravity of 2.50 would thus be two and
one-half times as heavy as water.

Bulk specific gravity of an aggregate - is the oven-dry mass

- When the surface area increases, more cement paste is divided by the mass of a volume of water equal to the SSD
needed to coat the additional surface; otherwise, the concrete aggregate volume; while SSD bulk specific gravity is the
would be too stiff. saturated surface-dry mass divided by the mass of a volume of
- The maximum size of coarse aggregate used in concrete also water equal to the SSD aggregate volume. Most normal weight
affects surface area and economy. Usually, as the maximum aggregates have a bulk specific gravity SSD between 2.4 and
size of well-graded coarse aggregate increases, the amount of 2.9.
paste required to produce concrete of a given slump or
consistency decreases. Four moisture conditions of aggregates depending on the
- If too many larger particles were added, however, there would amount of water held in the pores or on the surface of the
not be enough fines to fill the voids between them and voids particles:
would increase again due to the poor grading.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

1. Damp or wet - aggregate in which the pores connected Procedure: (Fine Aggregate)
to the surface are filled with water and with free water 1. Fine aggregate is dried to a constant mass at 100 to 110 °C
also on the surface. (212 to 230 °F), cooled in air, and either moistened to at least
2. Saturated surface-dry (SSD) - aggregate in which the 6% total moisture and sealed for 24 hours or immersed in
pores connected to the surface are filled with water but water for 24 hours. Immersion has the danger of allowing loss
with no free water on the surface. of fines and requires more drying time.
3. Air-dry - aggregate that has a dry surface but contains 2. Excess water is drained off and the sample is spread on a flat
some water in the pores surface exposed to a gentle current of warm air. The sample
4. Oven-dry - aggregate that contains no water in the pores is stirred frequently until it approaches a free-flowing
or on the surface. condition, after which a portion is placed in a mold and
tamped. If surface moisture is still present, the fine aggregate
Procedure: (Coarse Aggregate) will retain its molded shape after the mold is lifted. Drying is
1. Coarse aggregate is thoroughly washed, dried to constant continued with testing at frequent intervals until the tamped
mass at 100 to 110 °C (212 to 230 °F), cooled in air, and fine aggregate slumps slightly upon removal of the mold,
immersed in water for 24 hours. indicating that it has reached a saturated surface-dry
2. It is then removed from the water and dried to a saturated condition.
surface-dry state with a large absorbent cloth. Care is taken 3. Next, approximately 500 g of the surface-dried material is
to avoid evaporation of water from the aggregate pores placed in a glass flask, and water is added to fill it to its
during this operation. calibrated capacity or mark.
3. After the mass of the sample in air is determined, the coarse 4. The total mass of the flask, specimen, and water is
aggregate is placed in a wire basket suspended in water for determined.
determination of its apparent mass in water. The apparent 5. The fine aggregate is then carefully washed from the flask into
mass of the sample in water is less than that in air, and the a pan, oven-dried, and its mass determined.
loss in mass is equal to the mass of the water displaced. 6. Finally, the mass of the jar filled with water (and no aggregate)
Therefore, the loss in mass is the mass of a volume of water to its calibrated capacity is determined. The specific gravity
equal to the aggregate volume. values are then calculated as follows.
4. After the mass in water is determined, the sample is oven-
dried and its oven-dry mass is determined. The bulk specific
gravity and bulk specific gravity SSD are calculated as
follows.

Example 7: Specific gravity calculation for fine aggregate

Example 6: Specific gravity calculation for coarse aggregate

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

Significance of Specific Gravity:

- The specific gravity of an aggregate is used in mixture
proportioning calculations to find the absolute volume that a
given mass of material will occupy in the mixture. Absolute Total moisture content - is measured in accordance with ASTM
volume of an aggregate refers to the space occupied by the
C 566, “Total Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying,” by
aggregate particles alone; that is, the volume of solid matter
measuring the mass of a sample of the aggregate representative
and internal aggregate pores, excluding the voids between
of the moisture content in the supply being tested, drying the
particles.
sample, and obtaining the mass again.
- In a given concrete mixture, substituting one aggregate with
another of a different specific gravity will cause the volume of
concrete (yield) to change for the same batch mass. Because
concrete is often sold by volume, this change means either
that the purchaser is receiving less concrete than ordered or
the producer is supplying more concrete than purchased.
Changes in the aggregate specific gravity also cause the
concrete density to change. This is undesirable if a minimum Surface moisture content - surface of free moisture content of
density is specified, for example, in heavyweight concrete for an aggregate can be determined by subtracting the absorption
nuclear-radiation shielding. from the total moisture content.
- While the specific gravity of an aggregate is not a measure of
aggregate quality, a variation in the specific gravity may Alternative definition of surface moisture content:
indicate a change in the aggregate characteristics. - Some specifying agencies require proportions in terms of
saturated surface-dry aggregate masses prefer to define
Absolute Volume: surface moisture as a percentage of the saturated surface-dry
- To calculate the absolute volume an aggregate occupies in mass. If surface moisture is given in terms of the saturated
concrete, the mass of aggregate is divided by the absolute surface-dry mass, there is no need to convert saturated
density (previously termed absolute or solid unit weight), which surface-dry aggregate masses to oven-dry masses before
is the specific gravity multiplied by the density of water. If the calculating batch masses.
mass is in kg, the specific gravity is multiplied by the density of
water—1000 kg/m3 (62.4 lb/ft3 if the mass is in lb).

Example 8: Calculations of absolute volume of an aggregate

- A sample of oven-dry aggregate has a mass of 47.7 kg (105.0
lb). The bulk specific gravity is 2.60. Calculate the absolute
volume of the aggregate.
- A method for determining the surface moisture in fine
aggregate is described in ASTM C 70. To use this method, the
bulk specific gravity SSD of the aggregate must be known. The
mass of a sample to be tested for surface moisture is obtained
and the amount of water displaced by the sample is
determined using a pycnometer, a volumetric flask, a
graduated volumetric flask, or other suitable measuring device.
The mass and volume of the wet sample is then used to deter-
mine the mass of surface water as a percentage of the
saturated surface-dry mass. The formula is as follows.
- In a batch of concrete, the sum of the absolute volumes of
cementitious materials, admixtures, aggregate, and water, plus
the volume of air, gives the volume of concrete produced per
batch.

ABSORPTION AND SURFACE MOISTURE

Absorption - is a measure of the total pore volume accessible to

water, and is usually calculated using the results from a specific
gravity determination (ASTM C 127 and C 128). Absorption is
computed as a percentage by subtracting the oven-dry mass
from the saturated surface-dry mass, dividing by the oven-dry
mass, and multiplying by 100. In concrete technology, aggregate
moisture is expressed as a percent of the dry weight of the
aggregate.

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Example 9: Calculations of aggregate absorption BULK DENSITY (replace de-emphasized term “unit weight”)

Bulk density of an aggregate - The bulk density (previously

“unit weight” or sometimes “dry-rodded unit weight”) of an
aggregate is the mass of the aggregate divided by the volume of
particles and the voids between particles.

Example 10: Calculations of total and surface moisture Methods for determining bulk density are given in ASTM C 29/C
- An aggregate sample has an absorption of 1.2% and a mass 29M. The method most commonly used requires placing three
of 847.3 g when wet. After oven drying, it has a mass of 792.7 layers of oven-dry aggregate in a container of known volume,
g. Calculate the total moisture content and surface moisture rodding each layer 25 times with a tamping rod, leveling off the
surface, and determining the mass of the container and its
contents. The mass of the container is subtracted to give the
mass of the aggregate, and the bulk density is the aggregate
mass divided by the volume of the container. For aggregates
having a maximum size greater than 37.5 mm (1-1/2 in.), jigging
is used for compacting instead of rodding and, if a loose bulk
density is desired, the container is simply filled to overflowing
content. with a shovel before leveling it and determining its mass.
Notes:
- If an aggregate is air-dry (surface is dry but pores are partially Example 12: Calculations of the bulk density of an aggregate
filled with water), the total moisture content is less than the
absorption and the surface moisture content has a negative
value. This means that the aggregate will absorb water when
mixed in concrete. This can cause unexpectedly rapid slump
loss in the concrete if a significant amount of water is
absorbed into the aggregate.

Example 11: Calculations of surface moisture (SSD basis)

- The Chapman flask is a commonly used graduated volumetric
flask for calculating the surface moisture content of aggregate.
It is filled to the 200 mL mark with water and a sample of
previously weighed wet or damp aggregate is added to the
flask. After agitating to free any entrapped air bubbles, the
combined volume of water and aggregate is read off a scale on
the upper neck of the flask.
Factors affecting bulk density:
- Bulk density depends on the moisture content of the
aggregate.
- For coarse aggregate, increasing moisture content increases
the bulk density; for fine aggregate, however, increasing
- The bulk specific gravity SSD indicates that 1 g of water is moisture content beyond the saturated surface-dry condition
displaced by each 2.6 g of SSD aggregate. The portion of the can decrease the bulk density. This is because thin films of
sample that is surface moisture displaces 1 g of water for each water on the sand particles cause them to stick together so
1 g of surface moisture. Therefore, the wet sample displaces a that they are not as easily compacted.
greater volume of water than would an SSD sample of equal - The resulting increase in volume decreases the bulk density.
mass, and the increased displacement is used to calculate the This phenomenon, called “bulking”, is of little importance if the
surface moisture. aggregates for a concrete mixture are batched by mass, but
must be taken into account if volumetric batching is used and
moisture content varies.
- Other properties that affect the bulk density of an aggregate
include grading, specific gravity, surface texture, shape, and
angularity of particles.
- Aggregates having neither a deficiency nor an excess of any
one size usually have a higher bulk density than those with a
preponderance of one particle size. Higher specific gravity of
the particles results in higher bulk density for a particular
- The mass of water displaced can also be determined by using grading, and smooth rounded aggregates generally have a
a volumetric flask and a mass determination method similar to higher bulk density than rough angular particles of the same
that used to obtain the specific gravity of fine aggregate. mineralogical composition and grading. The rodded bulk
density of aggregates used for normal weight concrete
generally ranges from 1200 to 1760 kg/m3 (75 to 110 lb/ft3 ).

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PARTICLE SHAPE, ANGULARITY, & SURFACE TEXTURE 4. ASTM D 5821 - procedure involving the handling of each
particle is to count the particles with more than one (or
Particle shape - is defined in terms of “compactness,” which is sometimes more than two) crushed faces. This method is
a measure of whether the particle is compact in shape, that is, if usually applicable only to coarse aggregate, and is subject to
it is close to being spherical or cubical as opposed to being flat a wide variation in results, sometimes due to the opinion of
(disk-like) or elongated (needle-like). the operator as to what constitutes a face produced by
crushing.
Angularity - refers to the relative sharpness or angularity of the
particle edges and corners. The higher a particle’s compactness Significance of particle shape, angularity, & surface texture:
(the closer it is to a sphere or cube), the lower its surface area per - The shape, angularity, and surface texture of the individual
unit weight and therefore the lower its demand for mixing water particles of sand, crushed stone, gravel, blast furnace slag, or
in concrete and the lower the amount of sand needed in the lightweight aggregate making up an aggregate have an
mixture to provide workability. More angular and less spherical important influence on the workability of freshly mixed
coarse aggregates require higher mixing water and fine concrete and the strength of hardened concrete.
aggregate content to provide a given workability. - Fine aggregate particle shape and texture affect concrete
mainly through their influence on the workability of fresh
Surface Texture - refers to the degree of roughness or concrete. Other factors being equal, more mixing water is
irregularity of the aggregate particle surface. Surface texture is required to obtain a particular level of slump or workability in
usually described qualitatively using terms such as rough, fresh concrete using fine aggregates that are angular and
granular, crystalline, smooth, or glassy rather than being rough, rather than using fine aggregates that are rounded and
described quantitatively. Smooth particles require less mixing smooth. This in turn affects the required w/cm for a particular
water and therefore less cementitious material at a fixed w/cm to cementitious content, or the required cementitious content for
produce concrete with a given workability, but also have less a particular w/cm.
surface area than rougher particles to bond with the cement - Coarse aggregate shape and texture also affect requirements
paste. for mixing water and for the w/cm in a manner similar to that of
fine aggregate.
Test Methods: - Coarse aggregate particles, however, due to their much
smaller ratio of surface area to volume, affect strength through
1. ASTM D 4791 - the percentage of flat or elongated particles a more complex relationship between the bond between
in an aggregate is determined by measuring the length, width, aggregate and cement paste and the concrete w/cm.
and thickness of each particle in a sample using a special - Failure of a concrete strength specimen most often starts as
caliper and determining whether the width-to-thickness ratio microcracks between the paste or mortar and the surfaces of
exceeds 3 (flat particles), or the length-to-width ratio exceeds the largest coarse aggregate particles. This is a bond failure
3 (elongated particles). mode. Angular, rough-textured aggregates, for example, have
- This method is feasible only for coarse aggregate sizes. It is an increased surface area for bond to the cement paste when
tedious, involving the handling of each individual particle in compared with rounded, smooth particles of similar size.
the sample. Also, it provides no measure of the angularity or - Considering all of the factors that have an effect on concrete
roundness of the corners and edges, nor of surface texture. strength, the following appear to be most important:
1. The surface area available for bond to the cement paste.
2. ASTM C 1252 - provides a method for the determination of Here, the shape and texture of the largest particles is
percent voids in fine aggregate. The absolute volume of the most important.
solid mass of a sample in a container is determined by 2. The surface texture of the largest pieces, which affects
dividing the mass of the aggregate by the product of its bulk the bond strength per unit of surface area. The
specific gravity and the density of water. The void percentage mineralogy and crystal structure of these largest pieces
(percent voids) is the volume of the container minus the affects bond strength per unit area as well.
volume of the solid mass of the sample, expressed as a 3. The relative rigidity of the aggregate particles compared
percentage of the container volume. with the surrounding paste or mortar. The closer the
- The more angular and rough an aggregate, the greater the deformation characteristics of the aggregate are to that
percentage of voids. of the surrounding media, the lower are the stresses
- In addition, because the grading of the sample affects the developed at particle surfaces.
percentage of voids, the test must be run either using a 4. Maximum size of the aggregate. For a given w/cm, as the
standardized grading or measuring the percentage of voids size of the larger particles is increased, the likelihood of
in each size fraction. bond failure between paste and aggregate increases
because stresses at the interface are higher than those
3. ASTM D 3398 - The particle index I is determined by for smaller particles.
measuring the percentage of voids of each aggregate size
fraction at two levels of compaction, and then extrapolating
the straight line through the two data points back to the
loose-voids condition with no compactive effort. In essence,
this gives a property related to voids at loose compaction
without the problems of trying to reproduce a loose-voids
condition that is more difficult to standardize.
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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

ABRASION & IMPACT RESISTANCE - For fine-grained aggregates with low permeability (such as
some cherts), the critical particle size may be in the range of
Abrasion and impact resistance is a general measure of normal aggregate sizes.
aggregate quality and resistance to degradation due to handling, - It is higher for coarse-grained materials or those with pore
stockpiling, or mixing. systems interrupted by numerous pores too large to hold water
by capillary action. For these materials, the critical size may be
Abrasion resistance of an aggregate - is its ability to resist too large to be of consequence, even though absorption may
being worn away by rubbing or friction. be high.
- Also, if potentially vulnerable aggregates are dry when used or
Impact resistance of an aggregate - is its ability to resist are used in concrete subjected to periodic drying while in
shattering upon impact. service, they may never become sufficiently saturated to cause
failure under freezing-and-thawing cycling.
Test Methods: Los Angeles Machine Method
- The most common test method for abrasion and impact Pop-out - is the breaking away of a small portion of a concrete
resistance of coarse aggregate is the Los Angeles machine surface due to internal pressure that leaves a shallow, usually
method. conical, depression, as shown in Fig. 6.
- ASTM C 131 for aggregate between 2.36 and 37.5 mm [No. 8 - Pop-outs result from freezing and thawing of porous aggregate
sieve opening and 1-1/2 in.] that is critically saturated or from alkali-silica reaction.
- ASTM C 535 for aggregate between 19 and 75 mm [3/4 and 3 - Due to the critical size effect mentioned previously, pop-outs
in.] caused by freezing can sometimes be minimized by reducing
- This test method combines the effects of impact and abrasion the maximum aggregate size.
by tumbling aggregate particles together with steel balls in a - In other instances, however, it is necessary to remove harmful
slowly revolving steel drum. A specified quantity of aggregate substances such as chert, opaline shale, coal, or lignite that
is placed in the steel drum with an abrasive charge of steel also cause pop-outs.
balls of a specified diameter. The drum is rotated for 500 or
1000 revolutions, during which a shelf inside the drum tumbles
and drops the aggregate and balls. The percentage of the
aggregate worn away is determined by sieving the aggregate
using the 1.70 mm (No. 12) sieve and mass measurement.
Specifications often set an allowable upper limit on the
percentage loss of mass.
- ASTM C 33, “Concrete Aggregates,” specifies a maximum
mass loss of 50% for gravel, crushed gravel, or crushed stone.
- Comparisons of results of aggregate abrasion tests with those
of abrasion resistance of concrete do not generally show a
direct correlation, however. The abrasion resistance of
concrete is generally related to its compressive strength.

SOUNDNESS

Soundness of an aggregate - refers to its ability in concrete to Test Methods:

withstand aggressive exposure, particularly due to weather.
- In areas with severe or moderate winters, a major cause of 1. ASTM C 666 - concrete specimens are subjected to alternate
aggregate deterioration in exposed concrete is freezing and cycles of freezing, either in air or water, and thawing in water.
thawing. Deterioration is measured by the reduction in the frequency of
- If an aggregate particle absorbs so much water that its pores an energy wave passed through the specimens, which is
are nearly completely filled, it may not accommodate the related to the dynamic modulus of elasticity of the
expansion that occurs when water turns to ice. As ice forms, specimens.
the resulting expansion pushes unfrozen water through the
aggregate pores and the resistance to this flow results in 2. ASTM C 88 - This test consists of immersing a sample of the
pressures that may be high enough to crack the particle. These aggregate specimen in a sulfate solution for a prescribed
pressures may crack the aggregate particle, and, in concrete, number of cycles, oven-drying the sample, and determining
the surrounding concrete as well. This is known as “D- the percentage loss of mass. This test sometimes produces
cracking.” inconsistent results, in that aggregates behaving satisfactorily
- The developed pressure depends on the rate of freezing and in the test may produce concrete having low freezing-and-
the particle size above which the particle will fail if completely thawing resistance; conversely, aggregates performing poorly
saturated. This critical size depends on the porosity, pore size, may produce concrete with adequate resistance. This may be
and total pore volume of the aggregate; the permeability or rate attributed in part to the fact that the aggregates in the test are
of discharge of water flowing through the aggregate; and the not surrounded by cement paste as they would be when used
tensile strength of the particle. in concrete.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

CHEMICAL STABILITY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES IN AGGREGATES

Aggregates that are chemically stable will neither react Harmful substances that may be present in aggregates include
chemically with cement in a harmful manner nor be affected organic impurities, silt, clay, lignite, and certain lightweight and
chemically by normal external influences. soft particles.

In some areas, reactions can occur between aggregates made up These may occur naturally in the aggregate, or may be
of certain minerals and alkalis present in concrete, from internal introduced when the aggregates are transported in gondola cars,
or external sources. One such reaction, alkali-silica reaction barges, or trucks previously used to haul those contaminating
(ASR), involves certain silica minerals found in some aggregates. substances. Aggregate can be contaminated by oil during
The process starts when alkalis (sodium and potassium oxide) handling.
from concrete ingredients enter into solution and combine with
reactive siliceous minerals to form an alkali-silica gel that has a Effects of harmful substances:
tendency to absorb water and swell. This swelling may cause - Organic impurities such as peat, humus, organic loam, and
abnormal expansion and cracking of concrete in a characteristic sugar delay setting and hardening of concrete, and sometimes
random or map pattern (Fig. 7). lead to deterioration.
- Silt, clay, or other materials passing the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve
may be present as dust or may form a coating on aggregate
particles. Excessive amounts of this material may unduly
increase the water required to produce a given slump for the
concrete, or, if the amount of fine material varies from batch to
batch, may cause undesirable fluctuations in the slump, air
content, and strength. Thin coatings of dust on the coarse
particles may weaken the bond between cement paste and
coarse aggregate.
- Coal, lignite, lightweight cherts, and other lightweight or soft
materials such as wood, may affect the durability of concrete if
present in excessive amounts. If these impurities occur at or
near the concrete surface, they may result in pop-outs or
staining.

Another kind of harmful reaction is alkali-carbonate reaction

(ACR), which normally results from dedolomitization (the
conversion of magnesium-rich limestone to calcium-rich
limestone) and occurs between alkalis and argillaceous dolomitic
limestone with appreciable amounts of clay. These rocks have a
characteristic microstructure that can be recognized by an
experienced petrographer. ACR is less common than ASR.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

SAMPLING AGGREGATES Sampling methods: ASTM D 75, “Standard Methods of

Sampling Aggregates”
Variability in aggregates: - Samples should preferably be taken from conveyor belts or
- Aggregates vary from unit to unit and within each unit, flowing aggregate streams, but may also be taken from
however, and it is not economically feasible to test all of a unit, stockpiles.
whether that unit is an entire stockpile or a smaller batch. - In sampling from a conveyor belt, three approximately equal
Thus, a sampling procedure must be used. increments (explained in the following) are selected at random
from the unit being sampled and are combined to form a field
Sampling sample of a size equal to or exceeding the minimum
- A sample is a small portion of a larger volume or group of recommended.
materials such as a stockpile, batch, carload, or truckload - Sampling from stockpiles should be used only as a last resort,
about which information is wanted. particularly when the sampling is done for the purpose of
- Sampling is the process of obtaining samples. The properties determining aggregate properties that may depend on the
of the sample are considered to represent the properties of the grading of the sample. When samples must be obtained from a
larger unit from which it is taken. stockpile, it is necessary to design a sampling plan for the
specific case under consideration.
Significance of variability
- A series of samples can be used to provide information about Significance of sampling:
average properties and the variability of those properties. 1. Preliminary investigation of a possible source of supply,
- Test results on samples reveal the average properties of an whether a rock formation, an aggregate deposit, or an
aggregate and may also indicate the variability in these industrial by product. The supplier makes this investigation
properties. Acceptance or rejection of an aggregate must be before investing the money to extract and process aggregate.
made based on results of tests on samples, and reasonable 2. Acceptance or rejection of a source of supply by the buyer.
decisions can be made only if samples are taken correctly and This is preliminary determination. An inspection and tests are
in accordance with a sampling plan. made for this purpose by a prospective buyer who intends to
buy large quantities for one project or a series of projects.
Example 13: Variability in aggregates 3. Acceptance or rejection by the buyer of specified material
- Given two lots of sand, suppose that the FM of each needs to from the supplier. Inspection and tests are performed as a
be known. final check for conformance to the agreement at the time of
- A single sample could be taken from each lot, a sieve analysis delivery.
conducted, and the FM calculated. Further, suppose that in 4. Control of removal and processing operations. The supplier
both cases, the FM is 2.70. Both samples can be said to have assures himself that his product remains of consistent quality
the same FM, but what about the lots? Is it reasonable to say by testing it.
that the sand in each lot has a FM of 2.70? Perhaps not.
- There would be more confidence in a conclusion if the results Number and size of field samples:
of sieve analysis from several samples, all from the same lot, - The required size of field samples must be based on the type
were available. The following results might be obtained if five and number of tests to which the material is to be subjected.
samples were taken from each lot. Minimum sample size varies with nominal maximum size of the
aggregate, and recommendations are as follows.
- Test portions are extracted from the field sample using a
sample splitter or other appropriate methods as described in
ASTM C 702, “Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to Testing
Size”.

- The average of each five-sample set is still 2.70, so there

would be more confidence in concluding that the sand in each
lot has an FM of 2.70.
- Something else about the lots must be determined, however.
Assuming that the correct sampling and testing procedures
were used, it is obvious that Lot B is more variable than Lot A.
- For Lot B, the FM ranges from 2.47 to 2.95, while for Lot A, it
ranges only from 2.63 to 2.75.
- Concrete made with sand from Lot B is likely to be more
variable in quality than concrete made with sand from Lot A,
because aggregate fineness affects slump if water content is
held constant. Thus, the sand from Lot A would be preferable.

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

BLAST-FURNACE SLAG AGGREGATES Vermiculite and perlite are the most common aggregates used in
this type of concrete.
Slag has many noninterconnected internal voids, resulting in a
structurally strong aggregate with relatively low bulk specific Structural lightweight concrete - have densities ranging from
gravity and bulk density. Because the pores are coarse and not 1360 to 1920 kg/m3 (85 to 120 lb/ft3) and minimum compressive
interconnected, slag aggregate has good freezing-and-thawing strengths of 17.0 MPa (2500 psi). Their insulating efficiency is
durability. Slag aggregate is not harmed by alkalis, and it lower than that of low-density concretes, but substantially higher
contains no clay, shale, chert, organic compounds, or other than that of normal-weight concretes. The most common
harmful substances usually restricted in specifications for natural aggregates used in this type of concrete are expanded slags;
aggregates. sintering-grate expanded shale, clay, or fly ash; and rotary-kiln
expanded shale, clay, or slate.
Air-entraining agents are recommended to entrain air in concrete
with slag aggregates to aid workability even in nonfreezing and Moderate-strength lightweight concrete - have a density and
thawing applications. Entrained air should of course be used in strength approximately midway between those of low-density
all concrete exposed to freezing and thawing. Entrained air is and structural concretes, and are sometimes designated as fill
especially desirable when slag-aggregate concrete is to be concrete. They are usually made with pumice or scoria
pumped. It is also desirable to have the slag in a saturated aggregate.
condition before batching and mixing to ensure that mixing water
is not absorbed by the coarse aggregate. Properties of lightweight aggregates:
- The bulk specific gravity of lightweight aggregates is lower
Blast-furnace slag - is a nonmetallic combination of crystalline than that of normal-weight aggregates. The bulk specific
silica and other materials that form in a molten condition on the gravity of lightweight aggregates also varies with particle size,
surface of molten iron being produced in a blast furnace. being highest for fine particles and lowest for coarse particles.
This is because crushing destroys larger voids, producing finer
Air-cooled slag - when the molten slag is poured into pits or aggregates with lower porosity.
banks and permitted to cool and solidify slowly under - The bulk density of structural lightweight coarse aggregate is
atmospheric conditions. normally from 480 to 1040 kg/m3 (30 to 65 lb/ft3), significantly
lower than that of normal-weight aggregates.
Expanded blast-furnace slag - when molten blast-furnace slag - The bulk density of structural lightweight fine aggregate is
is rapidly agitated with a controlled amount of water, or when it is normally from 720 to 1120 kg/m3 (45 to 70 lb/ft3).
injected with a controlled amount of water, steam, or water- - Grading requirements for lightweight aggregates are similar to
bearing compressed air. those for normal-weight aggregates. Light-weight aggregates,
however, require a larger percentage by mass of material
Granulated slag - when the molten slag is suddenly quenched in retained on finer sieve sizes because the specific gravity
water. increases with the decreasing particle size.
- Lightweight aggregates, due to their cellular structure, can
absorb more water than normal-weight aggregates. In a 24
hour absorption test, they generally absorb from 5 to 20% by
LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES mass of dry aggregate, depending on the pore structure of the
aggregate.
Lightweight aggregates - are defined as aggregates of low - The maximum compressive strength attainable in concrete
density, such as: (a) expanded or sintered clay, shale slate, made with a given lightweight aggregate may depend on the
diatomaceous shale, perlite, vermiculite or slag; (b) natural aggregate itself.
pumice, scoria, volcanic cinders, tuff, and diatomite; or (c)
sintered fly ash or industrial cinders used in lightweight concrete. Strength ceiling:
- A mixture is near its strength ceiling when similar mixtures
Lightweight-aggregate concrete - has a substantially lower containing the same aggregates and with higher cement
bulk density than that of concrete made with gravel or crushed contents have only slightly higher strengths.
stone. This lower bulk density results from using lightweight - The strength ceiling represents a point of diminishing returns,
aggregates, either natural or manufactured. Many types of beyond which an increase in cement content does not produce
aggregates are classified as lightweight, and are used to produce a commensurate increase in strength.
concretes with a wide range of densities and strengths. These - This ceiling is influenced predominantly by the coarse
include: aggregate.
- low-density concretes, - The strength ceiling can be increased appreciably by reducing
- structural lightweight concretes, and the maximum size of the coarse aggregate for most lightweight
- moderate-strength lightweight concretes aggregates, especially weaker and more friable ones.
- As the maximum size of the aggregate is decreased, however,
Low-density concretes - density seldom exceeds 800 kg/m3 the density of the resulting concrete increases.
(50 lb/ft3), are used chiefly as insulation. While their thermal
insulation values are high, their compressive strengths are low,
ranging from approximately 0.7 to 7.0 MPa (100 to 1000 psi).

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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

RECYCLED AGGREGATES 4. Durability - Abrasion loss and sulfate soundness are usually
not of concern for recycled aggregate. Residual chlorides in a
When concrete pavements, structures, sidewalks, curbs, and mixture, as from application of deicing salts to a pavement,
gutters are removed, they become waste or can be processed for are usually below threshold values for both fine and coarse
reuse. The resulting concrete must either be disposed of in aggregates and are not a concern either.
landfills, or crushed for subsequent use as aggregate base - Recycled aggregates made from concrete exposed to salt
material or as aggregate in new concrete. Crushing the material water, however, should receive further chemical and
and using it as coarse aggregate in new concrete makes sense physical testing for their suitability for use in concrete.
because it reduces waste and reduces the need for virgin - Concretes with D-cracking aggregates should be tested
aggregate. Recycled aggregate may be of better quality than before being used as recycled aggregates in concrete that
some virgin aggregate. While recycled aggregate is handled will be subjected to freezing and thawing exposures.
similarly to new aggregate, some differences between new and - While recycled concrete can be used as coarse aggregate
recycled aggregate must be addressed. in new concrete pavements, its ASR potential should be
determined before such use.
Recycling aggregate involves breaking old concrete (typically
pavement), removing the reinforcement, and crushing the
resulting material to a specified size and gradation. SELECTED REFERENCES ON AGGREGATES

While any type of pavement or other concrete may be recycled, • ASTM C 29/C 29M, “Standard Test Method for Bulk Density
certain aggregates or certain types of mixtures may require (”Unit Weight”) and Voids in Aggregate.”
testing of the material to be recycled. Examples include
aggregates prone to D-cracking or concretes with ASR potential. • ASTM C 33-03, “Standard Specifications for Concrete
Aggregates.”
It is desirable to maximize the amount of coarse aggregate
produced when concrete is recycled. Recycled fine aggregate • ASTM C 40-04, “Standard Test Method for Organic Impurities
normally accounts for approximately 25% of the finished in Fine Aggregates for Concrete.”
recycled material. New concrete mixtures can contain both fine
and coarse recycled aggregate. While up to 100% of the coarse • ASTM C 70-94(2001), “Standard Test Method for Surface
aggregate can be recycled material, the percentage of fine Moisture in Fine Aggregate.”
aggregate is usually limited to 10 to 20%, with the remainder
being virgin material. This is because of the high absorption of • ASTM C 87-03, “Standard Test Method for Effect of Organic
recycled fine aggregates Impurities in Fine Aggregate on Strength of Mortar.”

Properties or recycled aggregates: • ASTM C 88-99a, “Standard Test Method for Soundness of
Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate.”
1. Gradation & surface condition - Almost any gradation can
be achieved with recycled aggregate. Crushing may leave • ASTM C 117-04, “Standard Test Method for Materials Finer
some residual dust on the aggregate surfaces. While this than 75-µm (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing.”
does not normally pose a problem, the aggregate must
sometimes be washed before use. • ASTM C 123-04, “Standard Test Method for Lightweight
Particles in Aggregate.”
2. Specific gravity - aggregate—The specific gravity of crushed
recycled aggregate is lower than that of otherwise identical • ASTM C 127-04, “Standard Test Method for Density, Relative
virgin aggregate, usually approximately 2.2 to 2.5 in the Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Coarse
saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition. As particle size Aggregate.”
decreases, so does specific gravity. Recycled sand has a
specific gravity of approximately 2.0 to 2.3 (SSD). • ASTM C 128-04, “Standard Test Method for Density, Relative
Density (Specific Gravity), and Absorption of Fine Aggregate.”
3. Absorption - Due to the cement mortar attached to the
particles, the absorption of recycled aggregates is much • ASTM C 131-03, “Standard Test Method for Resistance to
higher than that of otherwise identical virgin aggregates, Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
typically 2 to 6% for coarse aggregate and higher for fine Impact in the Los Angeles Machine.”
aggregate. This high absorption can make the resulting fresh
concrete less workable. To offset this, recycled aggregate • ASTM C 136-04, “Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of
should be sprinkled with water before the concrete is mixed, Fine and Coarse Aggregates.”
or extra water should be added to the mixture. Because fine
aggregate made by crushing concrete is very angular and has • ASTM C 142-97(2004), “Standard Test Method for Clay Lumps
a high absorption, it is generally necessary to limit it to and Friable Particles in Aggregates.”
approximately 10 to 20% of the total amount of fine
aggregate in the mixture. • ASTM C 227-03, “Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali
Reactivity of Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar-Bar
Method).”
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CE 405 - Construction Materials & Testing 2ND SEMESTER (AY 2019-2020)

• ASTM C 289-03, “Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali- • ASTM D 448-03a, “Standard Classification for Sizes of
Silica Reactivity of Aggregates (Chemical Method).” Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction.”

• ASTM C 294-04, “Standard Descriptive Nomenclature for

Constituents of Concrete Aggregates.”
GLOSSARY
• ASTM C 295-03, “Standard Guide for Petrographic
Examination of Aggregates for Concrete.” • Abrasion resistance—Ability of a surface to resist being worn
away by rubbing and friction.
• ASTM C 330-04, “Standard Specification for Lightweight
Aggregates for Structural Concrete.” • Absorption—The mass of water contained in the pores of a
saturated surface-dry aggregate expressed as a percentage of
• ASTM C 331-04, “Standard Specification for Lightweight the oven-dry mass of the aggregate; also the process by which
Aggregates for Concrete Masonry Units.” a liquid is drawn into a porous solid body.

• ASTM C 332-99, “Standard Specification for Lightweight • Admixture—A material other than water, aggregates, and
Aggregates for Insulating Concrete.” hydraulic cement that is used as an ingredient in concrete or
mortar and is added to the batch immediately before or during
• ASTM C 535-03ε1, “Standard Test Method for Resistance to mixing.
Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
Impact in the Los Angeles Machine.” • Aggregate—Granular material such as natural sand,
manufactured sand, gravel, crushed stone, and blast furnace
• ASTM C 566-97(2004), “Standard Test Method for Total slag that, when bound together by cement paste, forms
Evaporable Moisture Content of Aggregate by Drying.” concrete.

• ASTM C 637-98a(2003), “Standard Specification for • Air entrainment—The inclusion of air in the form of very small
Aggregates for Radiation-Shielding Concrete.” bubbles during the mixing of concrete.

• ASTM C 638-92(2002), “Standard Descriptive Nomenclature of • Alkali-aggregate reaction—Chemical reaction in mortar or

Constituents of Aggregates for Radiation-Shielding Concrete.” concrete between alkalis from portland cement or other
sources and certain constituents of some aggregates; under
• ASTM C 641-98ε1, “Standard Test Method for Staining certain conditions, harmful expansion of the concrete or mortar
Materials in Lightweight Concrete Aggregates.” may result.

• ASTM C 586-99, “Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali • Batch—Quantity of concrete or mortar mixed at one time.
Reactivity of Carbonate Rocks for Concrete Aggregates (Rock
Cylinder Method).” • Blast-furnace slag—The nonmetallic product, consisting
essentially of silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium and of
• ASTM C 702-98(2003), “Standard Practice for Reducing other bases, which is developed in a molten condition
Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size.” simultaneously with iron in a blast furnace.

• ASTM C 1137-97, “Standard Test Method for Degradation of • Bleeding—The flow of mixing water toward the surface of
Fine Aggregate Due to Attrition.” newly placed concrete caused by the settlement of solid
materials.
• ASTM C 1252-03, “Standard Test Methods for Uncompacted
Void Content of Fine Aggregate (as Influenced by Particle • Bulk density (replaces deprecated term “unit weight”)— For
Shape, Surface Texture, and Grading).” aggregate, the mass of a unit volume of aggregate material (the
unit volume includes the volume of individual particles and the
• ASTM C 1260-01, “Standard Test Method for Potential Alkali volume of the voids between the particles).
Reactivity of Aggregates (Mortar-Bar Method).”
• Cement, portland—The product obtained by pulverizing clinker
• ASTM C 1293-01, “Standard Test Method for Determination of consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates with calcium
Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Silica Reaction.” sulfates as an interground addition; when mixed with water it
forms the binder in portland cement concrete or other hydraulic
• ASTM C 1524/C 1524M-02a, “Standard Test Method for Water- cement concretes.
Extractable Chloride in Aggregate (Soxhlet Method).”
• Coarse aggregate—Aggregate predominantly retained on the
• ASTM C 1567-04, “Standard Test Method for Determining the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve.
Potential Alkali-Silica Reactivity of Combinations of
Cementitious Materials and Aggregate.” • Colorimetric test—A procedure used to indicate the amount of
organic impurities present in fine aggregate.
• ASTM D 75-03, “Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates.”
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• Concrete—A material consisting of a binder within which • Maximum size of aggregate—In specifications for, or
aggregate particles are imbedded; in hydraulic cement descriptions of, aggregate, the smallest sieve through which
concrete, the binder is a mixture of hydraulic cement and water. the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass.

• Crushed gravel—The product resulting from the artificial • Metamorphic rocks—Rocks altered and changed from their
crushing of gravel with nearly all fragments having at least one original igneous or sedimentary form by heat, pressure, or a
face resulting from fracture. combination of both.

• Crushed stone—The product resulting from the mechanical • Mineral admixture—Finely-divided mineral powder such as
crushing of rocks, boulders, etc., with substantially all faces of hydrated lime, fly ash, bentonite, and pulverized talc or stone
the particle having resulted from the crushing operation. used as an admixture for concrete.

• Elongated particle—A piece of aggregate having the ratio of • Mortar bar test—A procedure used to determine whether an
length to width of its circumscribing prism greater than a aggregate will expand excessively, due to the alkali-aggregate
specified value. reaction, when used in concrete.

• Fine aggregate—Aggregate passing the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve • Nominal maximum size of aggregate—In specification for, or
and almost entirely passing the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and descriptions of, aggregate, the smallest sieve through which
predominantly retained on the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve. the entire amount of aggregate is permitted to pass.

• Fineness modulus—A factor obtained by adding the total • Pop-out—The breaking away of small portions of a concrete
percentages of an aggregate sample coarser than each of a surface due to internal pressure that leaves a shallow, typically
specified series of sieves, and dividing the sum by 100; in the conical, depression.
U.S., the sieves are 150 µm, 300 µm, 600 µm, 1.18 mm, 2.36
mm, 4.75 mm, 9.5 mm, 19.0 mm, 37.5 mm, 75 mm, and 150 • Pozzolan—A siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material that
mm (No. 100, No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, No. 4, 3/8 in., 3/4 will, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture,
in., 1-1/2 in., 3 in., and 6 in.). chemically react with calcium hydroxide at ordinary
temperatures to form cementing compounds.
• Flat particle—A piece of aggregate having the ratio of width to
thickness of its circumscribing prism greater than a specified • Pycnometer—a vessel for determination of specific gravity of
value. liquids or solids

• Free moisture—Moisture not retained or absorbed by • Reactive aggregate—Aggregate containing substances capable
aggregate. Also called surface moisture. of reacting chemically with the products of solution or hydration
of the portland cement in concrete or mortar under ordinary
• Grading, Gradation—The distribution of particles of aggregate conditions of exposure, sometimes resulting in harmful
among various sizes; usually expressed in terms of total expansion, cracking, or staining.
percentages larger or smaller than each of a series of sieve
openings or the percentages between certain ranges of sieve • Roundness—A term referring to the relative sharpness or
openings. angularity of aggregate particle edges or corners.

• Gravel—Granular material predominantly retained on the 4.75 • Sand—Granular material passing the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve and
mm (No. 4) sieve and resulting from natural disintegration and almost entirely passing the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and
abrasion of rock or processing of weakly-bound conglomerate. predominantly retained on the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve, and
resulting from natural disintegration and abrasion of rock or
• Harsh mixture—A concrete mixture that lacks desired processing of completely friable sandstone.
workability and consistency due to a deficiency of mortar or
aggregate fines. • Saturated surface-dry—Condition of an aggregate particle
when the permeable voids are filled with water and no water is
• Igneous rocks—Rocks that have solidified from a molten on the exposed surfaces.
solution.
• Sedimentary rock—Rocks formed by the deposition of plant
• Lightweight aggregates—Aggregates that may range in dry and animal remains, and of materials formed by the chemical
loose mass (weight) from 96 to 1120 kg/m3 (6 to 70 lb/ft3) and decomposition and physical disintegration of igneous,
are used in making lightweight concrete. sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks.

• Los Angeles abrasion test—A procedure used to measure the • Sieve analysis—Determination of the proportions of particles
abrasion resistance of aggregates. lying within selected size ranges in a granular material by
separation on sieves of different size openings.
• Manufactured sand—See stone sand.
• Slag—See blast-furnace slag.

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• Slump—A measure of consistency of freshly-mixed concrete

obtained by placing the concrete in a truncated cone of
standard dimensions, removing the cone, and measuring the
subsidence of the concrete to the nearest 6 mm (1/4 in.).

• Soundness—For aggregate, the ability to withstand the

aggressive action to which concrete containing it might be
exposed, particularly that due to weather.

• Specific gravity—For aggregate, the mass of the aggregate

divided by the mass of an equal volume of water. Now
identified as relative density

• Sphericity—A property of aggregate relating to the ratio of

surface area to volume; spherical or cubical particles have a
higher degree of sphericity than flat or elongated particles.

• Stone sand—Fine aggregate produced by crushing rock,

gravel, or slag. Also called manufactured sand.

• Surface moisture—See free moisture.

• Surface texture—Degree of roughness or irregularity of the

exterior surfaces of aggregate particles or hardened concrete.

• Water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm)—The ratio of the

amount of water, exclusive only of that absorbed by the
aggregates, to the amount of cementitious material in a
concrete, preferably stated as a decimal by mass.

• Workability—That property of freshly mixed concrete or mortar

that determines the ease and homogeneity with which it can be
mixed, placed, compacted, and finished.

• Yield—The volume of freshly mixed concrete produced from a

known quantity of ingredients, usually calculated by dividing
the total mass of ingredients by the density of the freshly mixed
concrete.

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APPENDIX

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