Aggregate - Introduction

 Aggregates are defined as inert materials (naturally occurring

or manufactured) which when bonded together [WITH A
BINDER LIKE LIME / CEMENT] as a dense mass forms concrete.
 Generally as a building material for CONCRETE / MORTAR
the aggregate are classified into fine and coarse aggregates.
 This mass occupies about 70 – 75% of the total volume and
hence the proportion of the coarse and fine aggregates
greatly affects the properties of concrete such as workability,
strength, mobility and economy.
 The aggregates are useful not only in bringing down the cost
of concrete but also in securing volumetric stability and
durability.
Pics of Fine and Coarse aggregate

Fine aggregate

Coarse aggregate
 Aggregate - Introduction
 GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:
 The size of aggregate used in concrete varies from 150 mm to 150
micron. In any mix, particles of different Sizes are used and the particle
size distribution is called grading. “All-in” [SAME SIZE
AGGREGATE] aggregate is used for low grade concrete, but
for providing good quality concrete, aggregate is used at least
in two size groups:
1) Fine aggregates (sand) of particle sizes less than 4.75 mm.
2) Coarse aggregates comprising materials 4.75 mm and larger.
Aggregates derive, from the parent rock, their properties of composition,
specific gravity, hardness, strength, physical and chemical stability, pore
structure, colour, etc.
Particle size, shape, surface texture and absorption properties are rendered
during the processing stage. [REMEMBER DRESSING AND SEASONING]
 COARSE
AGGREGATE
 Coarse Aggregate
 These may be uncrushed, crushed or partially crushed gravel
or stone most of which is retained on 4.75 mm IS sieve.
 They should be hard, strong, dense, durable, clear and free
from adherent coatings; and free from injurious amounts of
disintegrated pieces, alkali, organic matter and other
deleterious substances.
 Flaky and elongated aggregate should be avoided as far as
possible.
 The functions of coarse aggregate are almost same as that
of fine aggregate. [DENSE MASS in CONCRETE]
 TESTS ON AGGREGATES
Question is why tests on aggregates are conducted in the first
place ??
 The size, shape, grading of aggregate and their surface

moisture affect directly the workability and strength of

concrete whereas soundness, alkali-aggregate reaction and
presence of deleterious substances adversely affect the
soundness and durability of concrete.
 The following tests are conducted to ensure satisfactory

performance of aggregate.
 PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION TEST
 Sample of fine aggregate, coarse aggregate or all-in-aggregate,
as required to be tested, are taken in sufficient quantities. Either
particle size distribution curves are drawn and aggregates are
zoned as per ZONE 1 TO ZONE 5 or Fineness modulus is
calculated.
 Arrangement of sieve for different types of aggregate is as follows.

Aggregate will not be

pass through 4.75 mm
Particles will not be
sieve
retained on 10 mm
sieve
Typical Particle size distribution chart
(TYPICAL FOR AGGREGATES)
 FINENESS MODULUS
 Definition: Fineness modulus of aggregates represents the
average size of the particles in the aggregate by an
index number. Thus Fineness modulus of aggregate is an
index number which represents the mean size of the
particles in the given sample.
 Procedure:
 It is calculated by performing sieve analysis with standard
sieves. [for both coarse and fine aggregates]
 To find fineness modulus of coarse aggregate we need sieve sizes of
80mm, 40mm, 20mm, 10mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm,
0.3mm and 0.15mm.
 To find the fineness modulus of fine aggregate we need sieve sizes of
4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm, 0.3mm and 0.15mm.
 Contd…
 Procedure:
 After sieving, the sample weights retained on each sieve
is recorded.
 The cumulative percentage retained on each sieve is added
and divide with 100 then we will get the value of fineness
modulus.
 Higher the aggregate size higher the Fineness modulus hence
fineness modulus of coarse aggregate is higher than fine
aggregate. [REMEMBER THE FINENESS INDEX IS NUMBER
WHICH REPRESENTS THE MEAN SIZE OF AGGREGATE IN THE
SAMPLE]
SAMPLE CALCULATION OF FINENESS MODULUS

 Let us say the dry weight of sample taken = 1000gm

 After sieve analysis the weight retained on each sieve are
tabulated as “WEIGHT RETAINED”:
Sieve size / Weight Cumulative weight Cumulative percentage
Sieve no. retained (g) retained (g) weight Retained (%)

4.75mm (6) 0 0 (0 / 1000) x 100 = 0

2.36mm (5) 100 0 + 100 =100 (100 / 1000) x 100 = 10

1.18mm (4) 250 100 + 250 = 350 (350 / 1000) x 100 = 35

0.6mm (3) 350 350 + 350 = 700 (700 / 1000) x 100 = 70

0.3mm (2) 200 700 + 200 = 900 (900 / 1000) x 100 = 90

0.15mm (1) 100 900 + 100 = 1000 (1000 / 1000) x 100 = 100

Total 1000 gms 275

 Contd…
 Therefore, fineness modulus of aggregate
= (cumulative % retained) / 100
= (275/100) = 2.75
 Fineness modulus of aggregate is 2.75. It means the

average value of aggregate is in between the 2nd sieve

and 3rd sieve. It means the average aggregate size is in
between 0.3mm to 0.6mm as shown in below figure.
 Limits of Fineness Modulus of
Fine aggregate
 Fineness modulus of fine aggregate varies from
2.0 to 3.5.
 Fine aggregate having fineness modulus more than 3.2 should
not considered as fine aggregate. [AS YOU GET HARSH MIX]
 Various values of fineness modulus for different sands are
detailed below.
Type of sand Fineness modulus range
Fine sand 2.2 – 2.6
Medium sand 2.6 – 2.9
Coarse sand 2.9 – 3.2
 SAMPLE CALCULATION OF FINENESS MODULUS
Sieve size / Weight retained
Sieve no. (g)

80mm 0

40mm 250

20mm 1750

10mm 1600

4.75mm 1400

2.36mm 0

1.18mm 0

0.6mm 0

0.3mm 0

0.15mm 0

Total 5000 gms

 SAMPLE CALCULATION OF FINENESS MODULUS
Sieve size / Weight retained Cumulative weight Cumulative percentage weight
Sieve no. (g) retained (g) Retained (%)

80mm 0 0 0

40mm 250 250 5

20mm 1750 2000 40

10mm 1600 3600 72

4.75mm 1400 5000 100

2.36mm 0 5000 100

1.18mm 0 5000 100

0.6mm 0 5000 100

0.3mm 0 5000 100

0.15mm 0 5000 100

Total 5000 gms 717

 Limits of Fineness Modulus of
Coarse aggregate
 Fineness modulus of coarse aggregate varies from
5.5 to 8.0.
 Range of fineness modulus for coarse aggregate of
different maximum sized aggregates is given below.
Maximum size of coarse
Fineness modulus range
aggregate
20mm 6.0 – 6.9
40mm 6.9 – 7.5
75mm 7.5 – 8.0
150mm 8.0 – 8.5
Flakiness Index and Elongation Index Test

Issues of Flakiness and elongated coarse aggregates:

 Because of large number of flaky / elongated particles
in the coarse aggregate more voids are formed in the
concrete consequently more mortar is required to fill
the voids, resulting in uneconomy. Also, durability of
concrete will be affected.
 For construction of bituminous [TAR ROAD] and cement
concrete types, the presence of flaky and elongated
particles are considered undesirable as these cause
inherent weakness with possibilities of breaking down
under heavy loads.
Flakiness Index and Elongation Index Test

 For flakiness index (F.I) and elongation index (E.I) sufficient

quantity of aggregate is taken so as to provide at least 200
pieces of any fraction to be tested. The sample is sieved
through I.S. sieves as given in the table.
Flakiness Index and Elongation Index Test

 The Flakiness index of aggregates is the

percentage by weight of particles whose least
dimension (thickness) is less than three - fifths
(0.6times) of their mean dimension.
 The Elongation index of an aggregate is the
percentage by weight of particles whose greatest
dimension (length) is greater than nine-fifths
(1.8times) their mean dimension.
 This test is not applicable for sizes smaller than
6.3mm.
Flakiness Index and Elongation Index Test

 For determining F.I the aggregate retained on sieves are

separated. Now, each aggregate piece is passed through
the corresponding slot in the thickness gauge as shown.

 Flakiness index is given by,

Flakiness Index and Elongation Index Test

 For determining E.I the aggregate retained on sieves are

separated. Now, each aggregate piece is passed through
the corresponding slot in the length gauge as shown.

 Elongation Index is calculated as

 Ten Per Cent Fines Test
 The ten per cent fines value gives a measure of the resistance of
an aggregate to crushing, that is, applicable to all aggregates.
The material for the test consists of surface-dry aggregate
passing a 12.5 mm sieve and retained on a 10 mm sieve.
 The weight of material comprising the test sample is determined
(weight A). The cylinder of the test apparatus is put in position on
the base-plate and the test sample is added in thirds, each being
subjected to 25 strokes from the tamping rod.
 The apparatus with the test sample and plunger in position is then
placed in the compression testing machine. The load is applied at
a uniform rate so as to cause a total penetration of the plunger in
10 minutes for a desired penetration (15 mm – 20 mm)
 Contd…
 After reaching the required maximum penetration, the
load is released and the whole of the material removed
from the cylinder is sieved on a 2.36 mm sieve. The fines
passing the sieve are weighed (Weight B), and expressed
as a percentage of the weight of the test sample.
 Percentage of fines = (Weight B/ Weight A) * 100
 ATTRITION TEST
 Purpose: To determine the resistance of aggregates
to surface wear usually caused by grinding action of
traffic.
 Any of the following three tests can be conducted for this
purpose.
 LosAngeles test
 Deval test
 Dorry’s test

 However Los Angeles test gives good correlations with

the field performance.
 Contd…
 The Los angeles testing machine consists of 0.5m long hollow cylinder
of 0.7m inner diameter with both ends closed.
 It is mounted on a frame so that it can be rotated about the
horizontal axis.
 With the specified weight of specimen, a specified number of cast
iron balls of 48mm diameter are placed in cylinder.
 Then the drum is rotated at a speed of 30-33 rpm for a specified
number of rotations (500-1000). The aggregate which gets crushed is
then removed and sieved on 1.7mm IS sieve. The weight of aggregates
is found and the Los Angeles value is found as

 The recommended values for road works are

 For bitumen mixes: 30 %
 For Base course: 50 %
Los Angeles testing machine, cast iron
charges and 1.7mm sieve (figures)
 IMPACT TEST
 Purpose: To determine the resistance of stones to impact.
 The impact testing machine consists of a frame with
guides in which a metal hammer weighing 13.5 – 15 kg
can fall freely from a height of 350mm.
 Aggregate of size 10 – 12.5mm are filled in a cylindrical
cup in three equal layers, each layer being tamped 25
times.
 Then the cup is kept is kept in the machine and the
hammer is allowed to fall freely on the specimen 15
times.
 The specimen is then sieved through a 2.36mm sieve.
𝑾𝟐
𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 =
𝑾𝟏
Low impact values are good to be used for civil engineering purposes.
For stones used as road metal the Impact value should be less than
40%.
Figure of Impact testing machine
 Other tests include
 Determination of light weight aggregates like Coal,
lignite
 Determination of soft particles in coarse
aggregates
 Specific gravity and Water absorption test
 Determination of Bulk density and voids of
aggregate
 Determination of deleterious substances.
 PROPERTIES OF GOOD COARSE
AGGREGATE
 The properties to be considered while selecting aggregate for
concrete are strength, particle shape, specific gravity, bulk density,
voids, porosity, moisture content and bulking.
 Strength: The strength should be at least equal to that of the concrete.
Rocks commonly used as aggregates [EXAMPLE IGNEOUS ROCKS]
have a compressive strength much higher than the usual range of
concrete strength. The comparative stress-strain curve is shown
below.
 Contd…
 Stiffness: The modulus of elasticity of concrete is approximately
equal to the weighted average of the moduli of the cement paste
and the aggregate, as such the modulus of the coarse aggregate
has an important influence on the stiffness of concrete. A high value
reduces the dimensional changes due to creep and shrinkage of
cement paste, but at the cost of higher internal stresses.
 Bond strength: Due to difference between the coefficients of thermal
expansion of paste and aggregate and owing to the shrinkage of
cement paste during hardening, concrete is in a state of internal
stress even if no external forces are present. The strength of the
bond between aggregate and cement paste thus has an important
influence on the strength of concrete. There is no standard test for
bond but it is known that the rougher the surface texture of the
particles, the better the bond.
 Contd…
 Shape and texture: The shape influences the properties of fresh
concrete more than when it has hardened. Rounded aggregate are
highly workable but yield low strength concrete. Same is the case
with irregular shaped aggregate. Flaky aggregate require more
cement paste, produce maximum voids and are not desirable.
Angular shape is the best.
 Moisture content: The surface moisture expressed as a percentage
of the weight of the saturated surface dry aggregate is known as
moisture content. A high moisture content increases the effective
water/cement ratio to an appreciable extent and may render the
concrete weak.
However this phenomenon is more important for fine aggregates,
especially BULKING OF SAND.
 FINE
AGGREGATE
 Fine Aggregate
 Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed
of finely divided rock / mineral particles.
 The sand particles consist of small grains of SILICA (SiO2). It
is formed by the decomposition of SANDSTONES due to
various weathering agents, like water, air, temperature
variations.
 It is an important ingredient of MORTAR / CONCRETE.
 Classification of sand can be categorised under the
following THREE heads:
 Natural sources of formation
 Size of sand particles
 Composition of sand
Fine Aggregate [SAND]
CLASSIFICATION OF SAND ON THE BASIS OF
NATURAL SOURCES OF FORMATION

 According to NATURAL SOURCES OF

FORMATION, from which the sand is obtained, it is
categorized into 3 types
 Pit Sand

 River Sand

 Sea Sand
 PIT SAND
 This sand is found as deposits in soil and it is obtained
by forming pits into soil. It is excavated from a depth of
1m to 2m from the ground level.
 The pit sand contains SHARP ANGULAR GRAINS which
are free from salts and it proves to be EXCELLENT
material for mortar or concrete work.
 For making mortar, the clean pit sand free from organic
matter and clay should only be used. When rubbed
between fingers, the fine pit sand should not leave any
stain on the fingers. [Indicates earthy / clayey matter]
 If there is any stain, it indicates the coating of oxide of iron
over the sand grains, which should be removed before
usage.
Pics of Pit sand extraction
 RIVER SAND
 This sand is obtained from banks or beds of rivers.
The river sand consists of FINE ROUNDED GRINS
probably due to mutual attrition [RUBBING] under
the action of water current.
 The colour of river sand is almost white.
 As river sand is usually available in clean condition,
it is widely used for all purposes.
Pics of River sand extraction
 SEA SAND
 This sand is obtained from sea shores. The sea sand, like
river sand, consists of fine rounded grains.
 The colour of sea sand is light brown.
 The sea sand contains salts [ALKALI]. These salts attract
moisture from the atmosphere. Such absorption causes
dampness, efflorescence and disintegration of work.
 The sea sand also retards the setting action of cement.
Due to all such reasons, it is the general rule to avoid sea
sand for engineering purposes except for filling of
basement, etc.
 It can however be used as a local material after being
thoroughly washed to remove salt.
Pics of Sea sand extraction
 IMPORTANT POINTS
Classification Examples
Rounded River or seashore areas, Desert and wind blown soils
Irregular / Pit sands and crushed rocks
Angular
Flaky Laminated rocks

 From the point of economy in the CEMENT MORTAR /

CONCRETE requirements rounded aggregates are
preferred over angular aggregates.
 Whereas angular aggregates have greater durability,
interlocking nature, higher surface area and higher bond
characteristics, resulting in higher strengths.
 Flaky and elongated aggregates make MORTAR /
CONCRETE poor.
 CLASSIFICATION OF SAND ON THE
BASIS OF SIZE
 Depending on the percentage of the various sizes of sand
present in a sample, sand for m . concrete is grouped into
five zones - Zone I to Zone V (very coarse to very fine as shown
in the grading curves). [“Grading” refers to the particle size
distribution]
 Fine sand if the major part of size is less than 0.6mm and
Coarse sand if major part of size is more than 0.6mm.
 Fineness increases from ZONE 1 to ZONE 5.
 CLASSIFICATION OF SAND ON THE
BASIS OF SIZE
 As per Soil mechanics, depending on the size of
sand particles can be classified into [REMEMBER
THE FIRST SLIDE OF THIS LESSON, fine aggregates
have size less than 4.75mm]

4.75mm
CLASSIFICATION OF SAND BASED ON
COMPOSITION
 Sand can be classified on the basis of composition as
 Clean Sand:
 These are well graded sand containing mostly quartz
(SiO2). It is free from any organic or inorganic
impurities. It is perfect for construction purposes.
 Silty Sand:
 These are poorly graded sand with considerable
amount of Silt. The size of silt particles are very small
and form lump. Not good for construction purpose
 Clayey Sand:
 This sand have prominent clay fraction and plastic
fines. Traditionally [ANCIENT CIVILIZATION] used
for the construction of walls. Today, used as mortar
for bricks because of its high adhesive property.
 SAND FOR CONCRETE WORKS
 Ok, the size of sand particles is now known, but then what is
used for concrete works?
 Very fine sands (Zone IV and V sands) are not
recommended for structural concrete unless field tests show
that they can be used.
 Very coarse sand shows difficulties in surface finishing of
concrete but provides good strength.
 Fine sand provides more cohesion than coarse sand and
hence, less sand will be needed if fine sand is used.
 While making concrete, coarse aggregates [greater than
4.75 mm size] from rocks (of irregular size) will need more
sand than rounded coarse aggregates such as river gravel.
 In most of the cases, the concrete mix can be designed
to fit the available sand and coarse aggregates.
 SAND FOR MORTAR &
PLASTERING WORKS
 For making mortars and plasters for buildings, in most of
the situations, one has to make use of the sand available
near the site of the work.
 In general, sharp sand gives higher mortar strength, but is
unsuitable for bricklaying as it lacks plasticity or
workability.
 Mortar made of very coarse sand does not adhere easily
to the bricks during bricklaying. This factor should be given
special attention in mountain areas, where only coarse
sand may be available in plenty.
 Contd..
 To conclude, even though coarse sand is used in MORTAR
works, Fine sand is preferred in PLASTERING works.
 Recommended grading of sand for various works is as
per Table below.
 SAND FOR FILLING
 Sand is also used in building construction for filling
underground floors and also filling behind retaining
walls, etc.
 In each situation, it should satisfy the specific
requirements for its use.
 Sand used for filling underground floors has to reduce the
capillary suction by which water will travel from foundation soil
to the floor. This will require coarse sand with large voids
between the grains.
 On the other hand, for sand required for filling behind
retaining walls, the only requirement is that it should be free
draining and non-expansive. [CLAY SOILS ARE EXPANSIVE]
 Most of the sands are not expensive as they get saturated at
low water content. Thus, most of the free draining sands are
suitable for general filling purposes.
Pics for sand used for filling
 TESTS FOR QUALITY OF SAND
 The principal tests for sand are:
1) Test for grading
This test is made by sieve analysis using different sieves. It
will give us the data regarding the zone into which the sand
can be placed. The various zones are classified as very
coarse, coarse, fine or very
2) Test for organic impurities
This is an important test for dirty sands. A 350-ml graduated
glass bottle is filled to 75 ml with 3% solution of sodium
hydroxide. Sand is added to this solution till 125 ml mark is
reached, and then, it is made up to 200 cc by adding more
of the above solution. The bottle is stoppered, shaken
vigorously to enable the organic matter to be digested and
allowed to stand for 24 hours. The colour of the liquid above
the sand indicates whether or not there is dangerous amount
of organic matter.
 Contd..
A colourless water, which indicates limited or no organic matter, is not
objectionable. On the other hand dark colour indicates objectionable
amount of organic substances. In such cases, the sand should be washed
before it is used and a retest is done to test its washing.

3) Test for clay and silt content

A sedimentation test as carried out in Soil Mechanics can be carried out
for this purpose. The test consists of taking a dry sample of 300 gm of a
passing 4.75 mm I.S. sieve and placed in 300 ml of dilute sodium
oxalate (as a dispensing agent for silt and clay. The jar is then shaken
thoroughly for 15 minutes. The silt and clay will go into suspension. The
suspension is then poured into a 1000 ml measuring cylinder. The residue
is washed again with the sodium oxalate solution, the washing being
poured into the cylinder. After all the clay and silt has been washed out
of the sand, the volume in the cylinder is made up to 1000 cc. The
contents are once again shaked well and a sample is drawn immediately
by a pipette and dried to find the silt and clay content.
 Contd..
Other tests which can be done include,
 The colour of sand will indicate the purity of sand. The
size and sharpness of grains may be examined by
touching and observing with eye.
 BULKING OF SAND
 Bulking is the increase in volume of a given mass of sand caused by
the films of water pushing the sand particles apart. Thus increase in
volume of a given mass of fine aggregates in the presence of
water is known as Bulking.
 Compared to its dry or completely saturated volume, moist fine
aggregate tends to increase in volume due to capillary effect. The
capillary action between sand particles does not allow the
particles to come closer to each other. Thus this phenomenon causes
Bulking.
 In completely dry or completely wet state there is no capillary
action and hence there is no, bulking. However in moist state
correction must be made for the volume of sand for use in concrete.
 For example for a moisture content of 5 to 8 %, the bulking of
sand can be as much as 20 to 40% depending upon sand.
 However bulking is not considered when the mix design is
based on Weight and only to be considered when Volumetric
proportioning of Sand is done.
Contd..
 Issues of Bulking of sand ?
 If proper measures are not accounted for bulking of
sand then, it results in increased cost of concrete /
mortar
 Also it results in under sanded mixes [Less sand than
required] which are harsh and difficult in working
and placing.
Chart showing Bulking of sand
 SUBSTITUES FOR SAND
 In place of sand, other materials such as crushed stone, burnt
clay or surkhi, cinder or ashes [FLY ASH & BOTTOM ASH]
from coal, coke dust etc.,. may be used to prepare MORTAR
or CONCRETE.
 The crushed stones are sharp and impart more strength to the
mortar. They are generally used for big construction projects like
concrete dams, bridges, etc.,. where sand in huge quantities is not
available near the place of work.
 They should however be properly screened to remove the stone
dust.
 The surkhi is the popular substitute for sand. It is obtained by
finely grinding burnt clay. It should be clean and free from any
impurities. It plays the same functions as those of sand. But in
addition, it gives strength and improves hydraulic property of the
mortar.
 However it disintegrates under the action of air and humidity, the
mortar with surkhi should not be used for external plaster or
pointing work.
Pics of Crushed Stone Sand
 Alkali Aggregate Reaction
 Aggregates are defined as inert materials (naturally occurring or
manufactured) which when bonded together [WITH A BINDER LIKE
LIME / CEMENT] as a dense mass forms concrete. [VERY FIRST SLIDE
WE DISCUSSED THIS REMEMBER ??]
 However practice has shown that, aggregates are not fully inert.
 In fact some of the aggregates contains reactive silicates [which
react with alkalis (Na2O and K2O] present in cement. [REMEMBER
THE COMPOSITION OF ALKALIS IN CEMENT ??]
 Alkali-Silicate gel is formed, either in planes of weakness OR pores
in the aggregate OR on the surface of aggregate particles.
 This gel formed is of ULTIMATE SWELLING TYPE as it imbibes water
with CONSEQUENT TENDENCY to INCREASE in VOLUME.
 As the gel is confined by surrounding hydrated cement paste, it
results in internal pressure and eventually leads to expansion,
cracking and disruption of hydrated cement paste / Concrete.
 CONSTITUENTS OF CEMENT
[REMEMBER THIS SLIDE ??]
Constituent % Importance
composition
Alkalies Traces • Presence of alkalis in cement leads to
efflorescence and staining of
(Na2O, structures in which cement is used.
Average <
K2O) • This is due to the alkalis absorbing
1% moisture leading to development of
white-grey spots.
• Also higher alkali content of cement
when used in CONCRETE causes
ALKALI AGGREGATE REACTION,
causing cracks and overall collapse of
structure.
• Also accelerates setting time of
cement.
Concept clarity
Pics of Alkali Aggregate Reaction
 Factors affecting Alkali Aggregate
Reaction
1) Reactive type of aggregates [REACTIVE SILICA], have been
found to have serious effects IF PRESENT IN SMALL
QUANTITIES BUT NOT if it constitutes the whole of
aggregate.
2) High alkali content of cement. If there is very small amount
of alkalis in cement and very reactive silica it is not a
problem, however the increase in alkali content [> 0.6 %] of
cement posses issues of AAR.
3) Availability of Moisture Content. AAR occurs ONLY in the
presence of moisture, which is the reason why AAR is NOT
observed in the interior mass of concrete.
4) Temperature Conditions should be favourable, generally in
the range of 10 to 380C.
 Control of Alkali Aggregate reaction
a) By selecting non – reactive aggregate.
b) By using Low Alkali Cement.
c) By controlling Moisture Content.
d) By using Puzzolonas [REACTIVE SILICA]
 The aggregates are found to be reactive when they contain
silica in a particular proportion and fineness. When fly-ash
or surkhi or dust is added this optimum condition of silica
being in particular proportion and fineness is disturbed and
the aggregates become passive.
e) By adding air-entraining agents.
 Alkali silica gel which imparts pressure over the set cement
gel, can be negated with the addition of air entraining
agents which absorb the osmotic pressure.
Characteristics of Good Quality Sand

1) It should be chemically inert.

2) It should be clean and coarse. It should be free from
organic matter.
3) It should contain sharp, angular and durable grains.
4) It should not contain salts, which attract the moisture from
atmosphere. [ELSE ALKALI AGGREGATE REACTION]
5) It should be well graded (i.e.) should contain particles of
various sizes in suitable proportions.
 THANK YOU
&
ALL THE VERY
BEST
 MCQs
 Fine Aggregates should pass through which IS sieve?
a) 2.36mm
b) 45µ
c) 4.75mm
d) 75µ
 In the ratio 1:4:8, which number indicates quantity
of fine aggregates [SAND]?
a) 1
b) 4
c) 8
d) None
 MCQs
 What is the size of coarse aggregates?
a) 4.75mm
b) < 4.75mm
c) > 4.75mm
d) 12mm
 Sand obtained from river is used as

a) Course aggregate
b) Fine aggregate
c) Filling materials
d) Substitute
 MCQs
 Impact value Test is used to measure
a) Hardness
b) Toughness
c) Wheel load
d) Strength
 For ensuring good quality of concrete, use

a) Single sized aggregates

b) two sized aggregates
c) graded aggregates
d) coarse aggregates
 MCQs
 The standard sand now a days used in India, is obtained from
A. Jaipur (Rajasthan)
B. Jullundur (Punjab)
C. Ennore (Madras)
D. Cuttuck (Orissa).
 MCQs

TRUE

TRUE
 CONVENTIONAL QUESTIONS
 What is alkali-aggregate reaction? What are the
factors which affect this reaction? How can this
reaction be controlled?
 Define fineness modulus and explain its significance?
 What is meant by bulking of sand? Explain how
bulking of sand is found using the experiment.
 What are the main types of sand according to the
natural source?
 What are the important characteristics of good
quality sand?
 CONVENTIONAL QUESTIONS
 Write short notes on properties of good coarse
aggregates.
 Briefly describe the tests to be carried out on
aggregates? Also describe the tests to ascertain
good quality sand?
 Briefly describe the following tests on aggregates:
 (a) Clay and silt content
 (b) Organic impurities