Road Materials pt.

1
Aggregates
Construction aggregate, or simply "aggregate", is a broad category of coarse to medium
grained particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag,
recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates. Aggregates are the most mined materials in the
world.
Aggregates to be classified as good quality, must undergo various test enumerated as follows:
1. Test for strength
2. Test for soundness
3. Test for affinity and swell
4. Test for shape and texture
5. Test for resistance to polishing
6. Degradation test

TEST FOR STRENGTH

The criterion for aggregate strength test is the Los Angeles Rattler Test briefly
conducted as follows:
1. Rattler test is done in a hollow cylinder closed at both ends. The cylinder measures
70 centimeters inside diameter by 50 centimeters long provided with steel shelf
projecting radially inward 3 ½ inches mounted with its axis horizontally on stub shaft
and fastened at the ends.
2. The cylinder is rotated 500 revolutions at speed of 30 to 33 rounds per minute.
3. After testing, the sample is passed on to no. 12 sieve. Those that passes through it
are set aside, the amount of loss is the difference between the original and final
weight expressed in percent.
4. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommended that aggregates for a
dense graded mixture shall have 50 or less coefficient of wear.
5. For open graded mixture, the requirement is 40 or less. However, percentage may
be set in cases where excellent aggregates are abundantly available.

TEST FOR SOUNDNESS

Soundness refers to the resistance of materials to deteriorate from the effect of action
like freezing and thawing. The common test for soundness is the application with sodium or
magnesium sulfate,
1. A sample of fine or coarse aggregate is dried, and then, immersed in a saturated
solution of sodium or magnesium sulfate, followed by draining, and oven drying.
2. The application of liquid solutions will cause splitting, crumbling, cracking or flaking
of the particles surface. The application is conducted in five immersion and drying
cycles.
 3. After washing and drying, aggregate samples are examined carefully and sieve to
determine the changes in the particle sizes. The result is recorded as percentage
loss.
4. Some road agencies do not require soundness test for aggregate intended for
asphalt pavement particularly in areas where temperature of the pavement does
not fall below freezing point.

TEST FOR AFFINITY AND SWELL

Strong and durable pavement must have binder that adhere or stick firmly to the
aggregate particles. If the binder separates or strip’s-off from the aggregate, the pavement will
disintegrate under traffic.
Another reaction of the pavement is to pit when aggregates are pulled-off caused by
running wheels. In the event that pavement mixture swells, the interlock and friction between
the particles are destroyed resulting to collapse of the pavement stability.
1. Hydrophilic is the term used when the aggregate has greater affinity for water that
asphalt. Meaning, they like water than asphalt in contrast to hydrophobic which
means fear, or against water.
2. If an aggregate is hydrophilic, the chemical bond between the aggregates and water
is much stronger than those between aggregates and asphalt. On the contrary, if the
aggregate is hydrophobic, pinholes will develop on the asphalt and water penetrates
the surface until it reaches the aggregates.
3. Such water aggregate interferences may develop at the sharp edge of crushed
particles and in due time, water will destroy the aggregate and asphalt bond.
4. Sometimes, the stripped asphalt flushes to the surface of the pavement making it
slicky, and after stripping, fine aggregates that are susceptible to swelling will
expand when moistened, then disrupt the pavement structure.
5. The immersion compression test indirectly measure the tendency of aggregate to
strip or swell under the effects of water. The stripping problem of aggregate has long
been perennial problem, although, many experienced engineers know which of the
aggregates being used will or will not be affected.

SHAPE AND TEXTURE OF AGGREGATES

1. A relatively rounded smooth aggregate particle like natural gravel is recommended
for Portland cement concrete pavement because the mixture is workable. Meaning,
easily managed and consolidated inside the forms.
2. The angular or cubical shape and rough surface texture aggregate has been proven
excellent material for asphalt pavement because it has stronger interlocking action
and well adherence of asphalt binder to the particles.
3. A thin or elongated piece of dirt is considered undesirable material for either asphalt
or concrete pavement.
4. The AASHTO Standard Specifications for asphalt pavement aggregate has no specific
stipulation as to the control of the shape or surface texture.
TEST FOR RESISTANCE TO POLISING
One good criterion for pavement design is the high coefficient of friction between the
tire and the road surface.
A good asphalt or concrete road design is when “the rubber tire is in direct contact with
the aggregate and not with the binder” measured under the following considerations:
1. If in so short a time, the aggregate surface of the road becomes polished and sticky,
the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the tire will be dangerously
low.
2. The skid resistance has bearing relation with the polishing of the aggregate,
prompting the road agency to consider the skid resistance measurement or existing
road to be included and part of the road inventory.
3. Aggregates produced from limestone are practically susceptible to polishing. On the
other hand, if the parent rocks are sandstone or fine grain igneous type, polishing is
not severe.
4. Limestone coarse aggregate containing larger amount of sand that are insoluble in
diluted hydrochloric acid, are found to be resistance to polishing.
5. Likewise, the friction factor between the tire and the road surface will increase
substantially if silica sand is included in the mixture.

DEGRADATION TEST
Some aggregates degrade in the presence of water. This is measured through
mechanical agitation in water under designation test.
1. About 2.5 kilograms of coarse aggregate that is retained on No. 4 sieve are washed
thoroughly and agitated for 10 minutes.
2. Sedimentation test like the sand equivalent test for soil is done on the sample
passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) particles generated. The durability index result
ranges from 0 to 100, but the FHWA specifications set a minimum valve of 35.
3. For fine aggregate that passes the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve test is the same as the
above procedures except that the sample size is only ½ kilogram.
4. The sand equivalent test is performed after 10 minutes to establish durability index
of 35.