EXP. NO.
2
Aggregate Crushing Value Test
[IS 2386 part IV (1963)]
OBJECTIVE
Determination of strength of course aggregate using aggregate crushing test apparatus.
INTRODUCTION
The Aggregate Crushing Value of an aggregate is determined by crushing a prepared confined
aggregate sample under a specified, gradually applied compressive load and determining the
percentage of the material crushed finer than a specified size.
REQUffiED MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT
( 1) Stone aggregate of proper size.
(2) Steel cylinder with open ends, and internal diameter 25.2 cm, square base plate
plunger having a piston of diameter 15 cm, with a hole provided across the stem of
the plunger so that a rod could be inserted for lifting or placing the plunger in the
cylinder.
(3) Cylindrical measure having internal diameter of 11.5 cm and height 18 cm.
(4) Steel temping rod with one rounded end, having a diameter of 1.6 cm and length 45 to
60 cm
(5) Balance of capacity 3 kg with accuracy up to I g.
(6) Compressions testing machine capable of applying load of 40 tonnes, at a uniform
rate of loading of 4 tonnes per minute.
_ __.._ Plunger _4------~
0 to 11.5 cm
~-------- _.,___
.,._-JS cmdia 18 cm
45 to 60 cm
r Cylinder I 1.5 cm
13 to 14 - -1---
cm 15.2 cm dia dia
1.6 cm dia
Cylindrical Steel
Measure Tamping Rod
Aggregate Crushing Test Apparatus
THEORY AND CALCULATIONS
properties required in road stones are (i) Satisfactory resistance to
Tl1e Principal mechanical •
·ng under the roller during construction •
• an d (.11') Ad equate resistance r.
to sur,ace abras1on
crus h1 • 'd • f h •1 I d d • I d
under traffic. Also surface stresses under ng1 tyre rims o eav1 y oa e anima ra\\ n
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vehicles are high enough to consider the crushing strength of rond uggregntes ns t111 esscntlul
requirement. The strength of coarse aggregates is assessed by aggregntes crushing test. The
aggregate crushing value provides a relative measure of resistance to crushing under u
gradually applied compressive load. To achieve a high quality of pavement. uggrcgute
possessing low aggregate crushing value should be preferred.
Total weight of dry sample taken = g.w;
Weight of the portion of crushed material passing 2.36 mm IS sieve= W2g.
The aggregate crushing value is defined as a ratio of the weight of fines passing the specified
IS sieve to the total weight of the sample expressed as a percentage. The value is usunlly
recorded up to the first decimal place.
l00xW2
Aggregate Crushing Value=--~
Wi
Desirable Aggregate crushing values
Values Type of Cou rsc
<45% Base Course
<30% Surface Course
PROCEDURE
(I) The aggregate passing 12.5 mm IS sieve and retained on IO mm IS sieve is selected for
standard test.
(2) The aggregate should be in surface dry condition before testing. The aggregate may be
dried by heating at a temperature I00°C to l l 0°C for a period of 4 hours and is testt:d
after being cooled to room temperature.
(3) The cylindrical measure is tilled by the test sample of aggregate in three layers or
approximately equal depth, each layer being tamped 25 times by the rounded end of the
tamping rod.
(4) After the third layer is tamped, the aggregates at the top of the cylindrical measure is
level led off by using the tamping rod as a straight edge.
(5) About 6.5 kg of aggregate is required for preparing two test samples. The test sample
thus taken is then weighed. The same weight of the sample is taken in the repeat test.
(6) The cylinder of the test apparatus is placed in position on the base plate.
(7) One third of the test sample is placed in this cylinder and tamped 25 timt:s by the
tamping rod. Similarly, the other two parts of the test specimen are added, each layer
being subjected to 25 blows. The total depth of the material in the cylinder after
tamping shall however be IO cm.
(8) The surface of the aggregates is levelled and the plunger inserted so that it rests on this
surface in level position.
(9) The cylinder with the test sample and plunger is placed in position on compression
testing machine.
( I0) Load is then applied through the plunger at a uniform rate or 4 tonnes per minute
until the total load is 40 tonnes, and then the load is released.
( 11) Aggregates including the crushed portion are removed from the cylinder and sieved on
a 2.36 mm JS sieve. The material which passes this sieve is collected.
( 12) The above crushing test is repeated on second sample of the same weight in accordance
with above test procedure, and average value is taken.
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/
RESULJ:S'
The mean of the crushing value obtained in the two tests is reported as the aggregate crushing
value.
OBSERVAT ION SHEET: AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE TEST
Sample
Total weight
of dry
Wt. of fines
passing 2.36
value
-
Aggregate crushing
m;
,-x 100% Average
No. mltl )S sieve, W2
sample,W1 g g ~
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Quality' of Aggregate: ................ ................ . .
