Aggregates

Introduction
• One of the main ingredients of Concrete.

• Derived from igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic

rocks.

• Occupy 70-80 % of the volume of concrete and have

considerable influence on the properties of concrete.

• There are two types:

• Coarse Aggregate
• Fine Aggregate
Classifications
• Geological origins

• Natural: Obtained from quarries of igneous, sedimentary

and metamorphic rocks.
• Gravel and sand reduced to their natural size also fall in
this category.
• Most widely used aggregate – Igneous Origin

• Artificial Aggregate
• Broken bricks, blast furnace slag and synthetic aggregates are
artificial aggregates.
Based on Size
Coarse Aggregate:
Aggregate retained on 4.75 mm sieve – Coarse
Maximum size can be 80 mm.
Fine Aggregate:
Aggregate passing through 4.75 mm sieve – Fine
Example – Natural sand.
The smallest size is 0.06 mm.
All-in-aggregate:
Naturally available aggregates of different fractions of fine and
coarse sizes are known as all-in-aggregate.
Note Recommended for quality concrete.
Based on Size
Based on Shape
Rounded Aggregate:
• Generally obtained from
river or sea shore and
produce minimum voids
in concrete.
• They have minimum
ratio of surface area to
the volume and the
cement past required is
minimum.
• Poor interlocking bond
makes it unsuitable for
high strength concrete
and pavements.
Based on Shape
Irregular Aggregates:
Have voids of about 36 % and requires more cement paste
as compared to rounded aggregates.

Because of irregularity in shape they develop good bond

and are suitable for making ordinary concrete.
Based on Shape
Angular Aggregates:
They have sharp, angular and
rough particles having
maximum voids (about 40 %).
Angular aggregates provide
very good bond than rounded
or irregular aggregates, thus
most suitable for high strength
concrete and pavements.
The requirement of cement
paste is relatively more.
Based on Shape
Flaky Aggregates:
Also known as Elongated
aggregates.
Flaky aggregates generally
orient in one plane with water
and air voids underneath.
They adversely affect the
durability of concrete and are
restricted to a maximum of 15
per cent of total aggregates.
Based on Unit Weight
Classified as Normal-weight, Heavy-weight and Light-weight
depending on weight and specific gravity.

Aggregate Specific Gravity Unit Weight Bulk Density Examples

(KN/m3)

Normal Weight 2.5 – 2.7 23 - 26 1520-1680 Sand, gravel

Heavy Weight 2.8 – 2.9 25 - 29 >2080 Magnetite

Light-weight - 12 <1120 Clay

Fine Aggregates
Sand (>0.07 mm) is used as
fine aggregate in mortar and
concrete.

The standard sand should

be of quartz, light gray or
whitish in color, free from
silt and organic impurities
and should pass through
600 micron sieve.
Fine Aggregates
Characteristics of Aggregates
Strength:
Strength of aggregate should be at least equal to concrete.
Rocks used as aggregates in concrete have a compressive strength
much higher than the usual range of concrete strength.
The values are generated by conducting the following tests:
Crushing Test: Aggregates must have 45 % limit on the crushing
value.
Impact test: Should not exceed 30 % for wearing surface and 45 %
for remaining concretes.
Abrasion (Hardness) test: the abrasion value is restricted to 30%
for wearing surfaces and 50% for other concretes.