FLAKINESS AND ELONGATION INDEX

SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE:

This test is used to determine the particle shape of the aggregate and each particle shape being
preferred under specific conditions.
The significance of flackiness & elongation index is as follows :

The degree of packing of the particle of one size depen upon their shape
Due to high surface area to volume ration, the flaky and elongated particle lower the
workability of concrete mixes.
Flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable for base coarse construction
as they may cause weakness with possibilities of braking down under heavy loads.
BS-1241 specifies a Flakiness index not exceeding 30% irrespective of the aggregate size
Maximum permitted Elongated index is 35, 40 or 45% for aggregate size 2 2 ,
1- & -3/8 .
Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes smaller than 6.3mm i.e.
sieve

RELATED THEORY:
SHAPES OF PARTICLES

The usual shapes of the particles are:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Rounded(river gravel)
Flaky(laminated rock)
Elongated
Angular(crushed rock)

PREFERRED USE OF EACH SHAPE

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Rounded aggregate are preferred in concrete road (rigid pavement) as the workability of
concrete increases due to the less friction between the surfaces.
Angular shape of particle is desirable in granular base course(flexible pavement) due to better
interlocking and increased stability
Flaky and Elongated particles are considered as a source of weakness

APPARATUS:

Thickness/flackiness index gauge

Length/Elongation index gauge
Aggregate sample to be tested

FLAKY
A flaky paticle is the one whose least dimension (thickness) is than 0.6 times the mean
size
These are the material of which the thickness is small as compared to the other two
dimension
Limit of flaky particles in the mixes is 30%. If the flaky particles are greater than 30%
then the aggregate is considered undesirable for the intended use.

FLAKINESS INDEX
It is the percentage by weight of flaky particles in a sample.

PROCEDURE
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1. The sieve analysis on the given aggregate sample is perform

2. The aggregates are arranged in the into a number of closely limited particle size groups
store orted on the test sieves into a number of closely limited particle size groups - 22. 1 - & -3/8
3. Each group (fraction) is weighed and tested for thickness on appropriate opening of the
thickness gauge by passing each particle through slot of specified thickness along least
dimension
4. The weight of particle passing the thickness gauge is recoreded for each fraction. This is
the weight of flaky particles.
5. The flakiness index is calculated by expressing the weight of flaky particle as a
percentage of total weight of the sample

Calculation for flaky particles:

Sieve Size
Passing
2
1
1

8-Mar

Retained
1
1

8-Mar

Pan

Weight
Retained

Percentage
Retained

(gm)

(%)

Weight of
Flaky
Particles
(gm)

Individual
Flakiness
Index
(%)

Weight
Flakiness
index
(%)

ELONGATED PARTICLE
These are the particles having length considerably larger than the other two dimensions and it is
the particle whose greater dimension is 1.8 times its mean size.
Limit if elongated particle in the mixes is 45%. Thus , if the elongated particles are greater than
45%, then the aggregate is considered undesirable for the intended use.

ELONGATION INDEX
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It is the percentage by weight of elongated particle in sample. The elongated index is calculated
by expressing the weight of Elongated particle as percentage of total weight of the sample

Sieve Size
Passing
2
1
1

41341

Retained
1
1

41341

Pan

Weight
Retained

Percentage
Retained

(gm)

(%)

Weight of
Elongated
Particles
(gm)

Individual
Elongated
Index
(%)

Weight
Elongated
index
(%)

PRECAUTION
1. While sieving , care must be taken that the particles that are checked in the sieve must not
be forced down into next sieve. Such particles should be pushed back into the same sieve.
2. While placing different fraction on the table, place them some distance apart so that no
two fractions may get mixed.
3. Be careful while selecting the opening of the flakiness and elongation gauges for any
particular fraction.

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