Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Concrete and asphalt are by far the most common construction materials used today. Concrete is a composite material consisting of cement, water, air, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregates. Fine aggregates are typically sands and coarse aggregates are natural or crushed rocks. Chemical admixtures to modify certain specific properties are also commonly used (i.e., superplasticizers to make the concrete fluid during casting). Asphaltic mixes consist primarily of asphalts, coarse aggregates, and fine aggregates, in addition to a number of emulsifiers and other additives used to improve viscosity during placement.
In both concrete and asphaltic mixes, aggregates make up a very significant portion of the mix volume, as economy requires that the amount of cement and asphalt be minimized. Two types of aggregates are commonly recognized: coarse aggregates, defined as particles larger than about 4.75mm (rocks), and fine aggregates, consisting of smaller particles (sands). Other important characteristics of aggregates are that they be rigid, durable, and chemically inert with respect to the concrete mortar or asphalt. Aggregates are intended to be fillers, but they are not intended to play a key role in the behavior of either material. However, the stiffness and strength of the aggregates needs to be higher than the concrete mortar or asphalt, so as not to be the controlling phase.
For effective performance, several characteristics of the aggregates, ranging from their mechanical and chemical properties to their size distribution, need to be taken into consideration in the aggregate mix design. Moreover, both concrete mixes undergo very different behavior when being placed, with the materials resembling a Newtonian fluid, and when in their hardened configuration, with the materials resembling an elastic solid. Additionally in the case of asphalt, the service temperature range is very important, as the properties of asphalts are temperature-dependent within the usual serviceability temperature range.
In this laboratory, we will examine the basic properties of aggregates that are needed to develop successful concrete mix designs. The properties needed for asphalts are very similar, but sometimes utilize different testing techniques. The primary characteristics that we will look at are the size distribution, specific gravity, absorption, moisture content, and bulk density, all of which will be described and measured in this laboratory exercise. Other important characteristics that will not be addressed in this module are the shape and angularity of the particles, abrasion and impact resistance, chemical stability, as well as the soundness and presence of harmful organics.
Table 1: Fine Aggregate Moisture Test Data
| Oven dry weight (A) | 486.0 g |
| Weight of flask + water (B) | 617.4 g |
| Weight of flask + water + sample (C) | 926.8 g |
| SSD weight in air (D) | 502.3 g |
From the above data (Table 1), the specific gravity values and absorption are calculated as follows (Table 2):
Apparent Specific Gravity (dry) = A / (B+A-C)
Bulk Specific Gravity (dry) = A / (B+D-C)
Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) = D / (B+D-C)
Absorption = ((D-A) / A) x 100%
Table 2: Summary of Moisture Test Results
| Apparent Specific Gravity (dry) | 2.75 |
| Bulk Specific Gravity (dry) | 2.52 |
| Bulk Specific Gravity (SSD) | 2.60 |
| Absorption % | 3.35% |
Table 3 illustrates the calculation of the fineness modulus. An interpretation of the fineness modulus might be that it represents the (weighted) average sieve of the group upon which the material is retained, No. 100 being the first, No. 50 the second, etc. Thus, for sand with a FM of 3.00, sieve No. 30 (the third sieve) would be the average sieve size upon which the aggregate is retained. In our case, a fineness modulus of 2.92 indicates that there are many fine particles in our aggregate sample, as a high fineness modulus indicates that many particles were trapped in the smaller sieves.
Table 3: Sample Calculation in Determining Fineness Modulus
| Sieve No. | Wt. Retained | Cumulative Wt. Retained | Cumulative % Retained |
| 4 | 30 | 30 | 12.2 |
| 8 | 40 | 70 | 28.5 |
| 16 | 30 | 100 | 40.7 |
| 30 | 35 | 135 | 54.9 |
| 50 | 45 | 180 | 73.2 |
| 100 | 50 | 230 | 93.5 |
| 200 | 6 | 236 | 95.9* |
| Pan | 10 | 246 | 100 |
Fineness Modulus of Sand = Cumulative % retained/100
= (12.2+28.5+40.7+54.9+73.2+93.5)/100 = 3.02
* #200 sieve should not be included in computing the FM.
Three important characteristics of aggregates used in concrete mixes were examined in this laboratory exercise. The first is the moisture content and absorption capacity. These quantities are needed to properly determine the amount of water to be added to a concrete mix. The second characteristic is the specific gravity. This value is needed because it is sometimes necessary to go from volumes to weights and vice versa in batching concrete mixes. The third characteristic is the size distribution or gradation. A suitable gradation of an aggregate in a Portland cement concrete mixture is desirable in order to secure workability of the concrete mix and economy in the use of cement. For asphalt concrete, suitable gradation will not only affect the workability of the mixture and economy in the use of asphalt, but also will significantly affect the strength and other integral properties.
In the design of concrete and asphaltic mixes, it is always desirable to maximize the use of fine and coarse aggregates, as they are the least expensive component of these mixes. Concrete mixes are used in many construction projects, ranging from building bridges to power plants and industrial facilities. Appropriate use of gradation, moisture content, and the fineness modulus will result in durable and efficient infrastructure projects.
Concrete and asphalt are by far the most common construction materials used today. Aggregates make up a very significant volume of these materials. Coarse and fine aggregates are mixed with concrete paste or asphalt binder, providing surfaces for the material to bind to. Measuring and controlling particle size of these inexpensive fillers allows aggregates to occupy as much volume as possible.
Because aggregates are typically stored in the open, the way aggregates behave in contact with water must be tested as well. Aggregates should also be rigid, durable, strong, and chemically inert with respect to the concrete or asphalt they are used in.
In this video, we will examine the basic properties of aggregates that are needed to develop successful concrete mix designs. The primary characteristics that we will look at are size distribution or gradation, specific gravity, and moisture content and absorption capacity.
Aggregates are considered to be coarse if they are larger than about 4.75 millimeters, and fine if they are smaller particles. As they are mainly used as fillers in concrete and are relatively inexpensive, it is important that they occupy as much volume as possible.
When comparing a properly graded aggregate to one that has uniform distribution, less paste is needed to fill the voids. If there are too many fine particles, however, the increased surface area that needs to be coated results in a concrete mix that is too stiff.
Sieve tests are run to determine the amounts and distribution of particles. The smallest sieve number that all of the aggregate can pass through is the maximum size, while 95 percent can pass through the nominal size sieve. The sum of the cumulative weight percentages for the six standard sieve sizes, divided by 100, is the fineness modulus, FM. Smaller values indicate finer aggregates, and larger values indicate coarser aggregates.
In addition to size, the water condition of aggregate must be known. Because aggregate makes up so much of the mix, a small change in moisture content has an enormous impact on the water-to-cement ratio. Oven dry, which contains no water, and saturated surface dry, when the surface is dry but the pores are saturated, are two of the conditions studied. The saturated surface dry, or SSD condition, is assumed when designing mixes. In practice, water typically needs to be added or removed from aggregates to achieve the SSD condition prior to mixing.
The slump test is used to test for the SSD condition. In this test, a conical mold is packed with aggregate, and inverted; if the material slumps slightly when the mold is removed, it is in SSD condition. If the mold holds its shape, it is in the damp or wet condition.
Measurements of the weights of the sample that are oven dry and SSD can be used to calculate the absorption capacity and the moisture content, as well as the specific gravity in regards to both oven dry and SSD samples.
In the next section, we will measure moisture content, specific gravity, and perform sieve analysis for a fine aggregate sample.
Prepare roughly two kilograms of a fine aggregate such as sand, the day before testing, by drying it in an oven. Leave the aggregate in the oven for at least 24 hours with the temperature set above 220 degrees fahrenheit, so that all of the water evaporates. Add approximately one kilogram of the oven-dried aggregate to a flattened metal pan.
Finding the SSD condition is a trial-and-error procedure. Begin by adding a few drops of water to the aggregate, and then thoroughly mixing. Now, test the mixture by performing a slump test. To perform the test, hold a slump cone firmly on the flat metal pan with the large diameter down. Loosely fill the mold until the aggregate is heaping over the top, and then lightly tamp the aggregate into the mold with 25 light drops of the tamping rod. Start each drop about a quarter inch above the surface, and permit the rod to fall freely each time. As you are tamping, try to distribute the drops evenly over the surface.
Now, clear away any loose aggregate around the base, and then carefully lift the mold vertically. If the aggregate slumps slightly, it indicates that it has reached an SSD condition. However, if the cone retains its shape, the aggregate is still too dry, and if it collapses, the aggregate is too wet.
Adjust the mixture by adding more oven-dry aggregate or water as appropriate and thoroughly mixing. Continue adjusting and testing until SSD conditions have been achieved. Now, take approximately 400 grams of the SSD aggregate and record the exact weight as D.
Next, fill a flask with 500 milliliters of water and record the total weight of water and flask as B. Pour out the water and fill the now-empty flask with the SSD sample you just weighed. Add some additional water to the flask until the level is about half an inch above the aggregate.
Now, apply vacuum and a rolling action to the sample for at least five minutes to remove the air entrapped in the aggregate. After the sample is degassed, remove the vacuum and fill the flask with water up to the 500 milliliter mark. Record the total weight of the flask, water, and aggregate as C. Finally, pour the entire contents of the flask into a pan, and if necessary, use additional tap water to wash all of the aggregate out of the flask.
Place the pan in the oven and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours with the temperature set above 220 degrees fahrenheit. When the aggregate is dry, record the final weight as A. You now have four weight measurements that you can use to calculate the apparent specific gravity, bulk specific gravity, and absorption of the aggregate.
For this test, we will use a set of eight-inch diameter, standard sieves. Assemble sieve numbers 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, and 100 in an ordered stack, with the number 4 sieve on top, so that the clean opening is reduced in subsequent tiers, moving downward. Attach the emptied pan to the bottom of the stack.
Weigh out approximately 400 grams of fine, dry aggregate. After recording the final weight, pour the aggregate in the top sieve and cover the stack with the lid. When the lid is in place, secure the sieves in a mechanical shaker and shake the assembly for five minutes. Now remove the stack and carefully separate the sieves. Separately weigh and record the aggregate retained on each of the sieves and in the pan.
Confirm that the total weight of aggregate is less than 0.6 percent different than the original sample weight. If not, repeat the procedure. Adding the weight in each sieve to the cumulative weight in higher sieves computes the cumulative weight retained at each tier. Subsequently, dividing these results by the total weight gives us the cumulative percentages retained in each tier.
Finally, the fineness modulus is the summation of the cumulative percentages for the six standard sieve sizes, divided by 100. The fineness modulus for this test is 3.02, indicating a relatively coarse aggregate. The cumulative percent passing each sieve can be found by subtracting the percent retained from 100 percent. The sieve size opening can then be plotted against the cumulative percent passing each sieve, resulting in the gradation curve for the aggregate.
Now that you appreciate the importance of aggregate used in making concrete, let’s see how it is used in the world around us.
Tall buildings are not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of structures made of concrete. But application-specific concrete mixes help the western hemisphere’s tallest free-standing structure, the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, soar to over 553 meters.
Concrete is commonly used for dam construction. The world’s tallest concrete dam is the Grande Dixence, in Switzerland. The dam is 285 meters tall, and was finished in 1961 after eight years of construction, and six million cubic meters of concrete. Tests like those shown in this video are necessary for ensuring consistency between batches.
You’ve just watched JoVE’s introduction to aggregates for concrete and asphaltic mixes. You should now understand the importance of water absorption slump testing, and size distribution of aggregates.
Thanks for watching!
