Aggregates:- Aggregates are inert granular materials such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone that, along with

water and portland cement, are an essential ingredient in concrete.

Classification:- Aggregates can be classified as (i) Normal weight aggregates, (ii) Light weight aggregates
and (iii) Heavy weight aggregates. Light weight aggregate and heavy weight aggregate will be discussed
elsewhere under appropriate topics. In this chapter the properties of normal weight aggregates will only be
discussed. Normal weight aggregates can be further classified as natural aggregates and artificial aggregates.
Natural:- Sand, Gravel, Crushed Rock such as Granite, Quartzite, Basalt and Sandstone.
Artificial:- Broken Brick, Air-cooled Slag, Sintered fly ash and Bloated clay.

Aggregates can also be classified on the basis of the size of the aggregates as coarse aggregate and fine
aggregate.

There are three kinds of rocks, namely, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. These classifications are based
on the mode of formation of rocks

Aggregates from Igneous Rocks

Cooling to molten magma or lava @ surface of crest (Trap & basalt), if deep beneath the crest (Granite).

Most igneous rocks make highly satisfactory concrete aggregates because they are normally hard, tough and
dense. The igneous rocks have massive structure, entirely crystalline or wholly glassy or in combination in
between, depending upon the rate at which they were cooled during formation.

Aggregates from Sedimentary Rocks

Formed by the weathering of rocks, especially available below the sea bed & subsequently lifted up.

The quality of aggregates derived from sedimentary rocks will vary in quality depending upon the cementing
material and the pressure under which these rocks are originally compacted. Some siliceous sand stones have
proved to be good concrete aggregate. Similarly, the limestone also can yield good concrete aggregate.

Aggregates from Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous and sedimentary rocks are metamorphosed due to extreme heat and pressure.

Many metamorphic rocks particularly quartzite and gneiss have been used for production of good concrete
aggregates. It may be mentioned that many properties of aggregates namely, chemical and mineral composition,
petro-graphic description, specific gravity, hardness, strength, physical and chemical stability, pore structure etc.
depend mostly on the quality of parent rock

Size
The largest maximum size of aggregate practicable to handle under a given set of conditions should be used
Using the largest possible maximum size will result in
(i) reduction of the cement content (ii) reduction in water requirement (iii) reduction of drying Shrinkage
However, the maximum size of aggregate that can be used in any given condition may be limited by the
following conditions
(i) Thickness of section
(ii) Spacing of reinforcement
(iii) Clear cover
(iv) Mixing, handling and placing techniques
Aggregates are divided into two categories from the consideration of size (i) Coarse aggregate and (ii)
Fine aggregate. The size of aggregate bigger than 4.75 mm is considered as coarse aggregate and aggregate
whose size is 4.75 mm and less is considered as fine aggregate.
Shape
The shape of aggregates is an important characteristic since it affects the workability of concrete.
o Rounded aggregates
o Irregular or partly rounded aggregates
o Angular aggregates
o Flaky aggregates
o Elongated aggregates
o Flaky and elongated aggregates

1. Rounded aggregates available at sea shores result the minimum percentage of voids (32 – 33%) hence gives
more workability. They require lesser amount of water-cement ratio. They are not considered for high strength
concrete because of poor interlocking behavior and weak bond strength.

2. These are available in the form of pit sands and gravel. Irregular aggregates may result 35- 37% of voids.
These will give lesser workability when compared to rounded aggregates. The bond strength is slightly higher
than rounded aggregates but not as required for high strength concrete.

3. These are obtained by crushing the rocks, Angular aggregates result maximum percentage of voids (38-45%)
hence gives less workability. They give 10-20% more compressive strength due to development of stronger
aggregate-mortar bond. So, these are useful in high strength concrete manufacturing.

4. When the least dimension of aggregate is less than the 60% of its mean dimension then it is said to be flaky
aggregate.

5. The length of aggregate is greater than 180% of its mean dimension. The above 3 types of aggregates are not
suitable for concrete mixing. These are generally obtained from the poorly crushed rocks.

Texture
Surface texture is the property, the measure of which depends upon the relative degree to which particle surfaces
are polished or dull, smooth or rough. It has been also shown by experiments that rough textured aggregate
develops higher bond strength in tension than smooth textured aggregate.
Glassy texture example Black flint
Smooth texture example Chert; slate; marble; some rhyolite
Granular texture example Sandstone; oolites
Honeycombed and porous texture example Scoria; Pumice, trass

Strength
The test for strength of aggregate is required to be made in the following situations:
(i) For production of high strength and ultra high strength concrete.
(ii) When contemplating to use aggregates manufactured from weathered rocks.
(iii) Aggregate manufactured by industrial process.
The list of strength test on aggregates are mentioned below
1.Aggregate crushing value test (Resistance to crushing)
2.Aggregate impact value (Toughness of stones)
3.Aggregate abrasion value (Resistance to wear or hardness)
a.)Devals attrition/abrasion test
b.)Dorry abrasion test
c.)Los angeles abrasion test