Aggregates Flashcards
definition
“Inert, granular, inorganic materials, which normally consist of stone or stone-like solids.”
Usage
- Alone – road bases, fill, drainage layers
- Particulate Composites
- Portland cement concrete
- Asphalt concrete
Functions:
- Economy – inexpensive filler
- Dimensional Stability – shrinkage/expansion control
- Durability – wear resistance, chemical attack
Classification by Specific Gravity:
- Heavyweight (>3.5)
- Normal-weight (1.5 – 3.0)
- Lightweight (<1.0)
Classification by Source
Natural:
* Naturally Occurring (sand, gravel)
* Modified (crushing, washing, sieving)
Artificial:
* Industrial wastes (blast furnace slag)
* Man-made (lightweight)
* Reclaimed (recycled concrete)
desirable characteristics
Hard, strong, durable
Free of undesirable impurities
Chemical stability (or beneficial reactivity)
Important Properties:
Shape and texture
Size gradation
Moisture content
Specific gravity
Bulk unit weight
Ideal aggregate particle for workability would be:
- Spherical (no corners, low surface-to-volume ratio)
- Smooth (less friction between particles)
Aggregate shape and texture directly affect the workability of fresh concrete.
Paste acts as ______ between particles
lubricant
mechanical properties of concrete are also affected by:
Particle shape and texture.
Higher surface-to-volume ratio increases the amount of surface area available for bonding.
Extreme changes in shape can induce stress concentrations.
Rough, textured surfaces improve mechanical bond
extreme changes in shape of aggregates can induce
stress concentrations
particle size distribution determines what?
Uniform Grading and Continuous Grading
Gap Grading and No-Fines Grading
Increased Maximum Aggregate Size
WHEN NON UNIFORM SIZE, LESS WATER AND PASTE NEEDED
Maximum Aggregate Size
The smallest sieve opening through
which the entire aggregate sample will pass
Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size
ASTM allows 5-10% retention on the largest sieve size
The choice of nominal maximum aggregate size is determined by job conditions to ensure consistency:
- 1/5 Narrowest dimension between forms
- 1/3 Depth of slabs
- 3/4 Clear spacing between reinforcing and/or forms
Grading Curve:
Graphical plot of the distribution of particle sizes in an aggregate sample.
Plotted as: Cumulative % Passing Sieve vs. Sieve Size.
no more than this percent should be retained between any two consecutive sieves
45%