ABSTRACT

The utilisation of two types of aggregate for concrete work is investigated in this report. Normal
concrete is being produced from different types of aggregate and this imparts different property to the
resulting concrete. The most important property of concrete is its compressive strength. For the
purpose of this work, two types of coarse aggregates, Sakhi Sarwar and Sargodha were used.

The fine aggregate is normal sand obtained from a borrow pit. Preliminary laboratory investigation was
conducted to ascertain the suitability of using the aggregates for construction work. Tests conducted
include sieve analysis, bulk density, and specific gravity. Nominal mix (1:2:4) was adopted for this work
and mix compositions were calculated by absolute volume method.

For each type of coarse aggregate 12 cubes and 12 cylinders were cast to allow the compressive
strength to be monitored at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Test result show that concrete made from Sakhi
Sarwar crush has the highest workability followed by Sargodha aggregates. Highest compressive
strength at all ages was noted with concrete made from Sargodha aggregate followed by Mix proportion
sample then by Sakhi Sarwar aggregate. Compressive strength models were proposed as a function of
age at curing.

There is strong evidence that aggregate type is a factor in the strength of

concrete. In this report we compared concretes with the same mix proportions containing two different
coarse aggregate types. They concluded that, in concretes, higher strength coarse aggregates typically
yield higher compressive strengths,
 1 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT
1.1 BACKGROUND

Since up to approximately 80 percent of the total volume of concrete consists of

aggregate, aggregate characteristics significantly affect the performance of fresh and
hardened concrete and have an impact on the cost effectiveness of concrete.Aggregate
characteristics of shape, texture, and grading influence workability,
finishability, bleeding, pumpability, and segregation of fresh concrete and affect strength,
stiffness, shrinkage, creep, density, permeability, and durability of hardened concrete.
Construction and durability problems have been reported due to poor mixture
proportioning and variation on grading.
Except for water, aggregate is the most inexpensive component of portland
cement concrete. Conversely, cement is the most expensive component and, typically, is
responsible for about 60 percent of the total cost of materials. Paste, cement plus water, is
the part of concrete that produces shrinkage, heat generation, and durability problems
although, at the same time, is the element that fills aggregate voids, the glue that keeps
aggregates together after hardening and the element that provides workability to the mix
in fresh concrete.

1.2 Compressive Strength of concrete

The compressive strength of concrete depends on the water to cement ratio, degree of compaction,
ratio of cement to aggregate, bond between mortar and aggregate, and grading, shape, strength and
size of the aggregate Concrete can be visualized as a multi-phase composite material made up of three
phases; namely the mortar, mortar/aggregate interface, and the coarse aggregate phase. The coarse
aggregate in normal concrete are mainly from rock fragments characterised by high strength. Therefore,
the aggregate interface is not a limiting factor governing the strength requirement The onset of failure is
manifested by crack growth in the concrete. For normal concrete the crack growth is mainly around the
cement paste or at the aggregate/cement paste interfacial zone. The strength of concrete at the
interfacial zone essentially depends on the integrity of the cement paste and the nature of the coarse
aggregate.
The effect of using Sargodha Crush and Sakhi Sarwar crush as coarse aggregate on the mechanical
properties of high-performance concrete was investigated. The outcome of the study revealed that the
strength, stiffness, and fracture energy of concrete for a given water/cement ratio depend on the type
of aggregate.
1.3 Research Methdology

Now it is well recognized that coarse aggregate plays an important role in concrete.
Coarse aggregate typically occupies over one-third of the volume of concrete, and
research indicates that changes in coarse aggregate can change the strength and
fracture properties of concrete. To predict the behavior of concrete under general
loading requires an understanding of the effects of aggregate type, aggregate size, and
aggregate content. This understanding can only be gained through extensive testing
and observation.
The crushing strength of the coarse Aggregates being used was determined by performing different
tests and then the results obtained from compression test of hardened concrete are related to find the
effect of crushing of aggregates on its strength.The results are represented in graphical form and the
conclusions are made.