Job # 02

DETERMINATION OF THE FLAKINESS AND THE ELONGATION INDEX FOR THE

GIVEN AGGREGATE SAMPLE
FLAKY PARTICLE:

A flaky particle is the one whose least dimension (thickness) is less than 0.6 times the mean size.

ELONGATED PARTICLES:

These are the particles having length considerably larger than the other two dimensions and it is
the particle whose greater dimension is 1.8 times its mean size.
SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE:

It is use to determine the particle shape under unspecific conditions.

The significance of flakiness & elongation index is as follows:

 The degree of packing of the particles of one size depends upon their shape.
 Due to high surface area to volume ratio, the flaky and elongated particles lower the
workability of concrete mixes.
 Flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable for base coarse construction as they
may cause weakness with possibilities of braking down under heavy loads.
 BS-1241 specifies a Flakiness index not exceeding 30% irrespective of the aggregate size.
 Maximum permitted Elongated index is 35, 40 or 45% for aggregate sizes 2 ½’’ – 2’’, 1 ½’’ –
¾’’ & ½’’ – 3/8’’.
 Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes smaller then 6.3mm i.e. ¼’’
sieve.
Related Theory:

SHAPES OF THE PARTICLES:

The usual shapes of the particles are

 Rounded (river gravels)

 Flaky (laminated rock)

 Elongated

 Angular (crushed)

PREFFERED USE OF EACH SHAPE:

 Round aggregates are use in the concrete roads as workability increase due to less friction
between the surfaces.

 Angular shape is use in granular base coarse due to better interlocking and stability.

 Flaky and elongated particles are considered as a source of weakness.

APPARATUS:

o Thickness or flakiness index gauge.

o Length elongation index gauge.

o Aggregate sample to be tested.

FLAKY:

 A flaky particle is the one whose least dimension is less then 0.6times the mean size

 These are the particles of which the thickness is small as compared to the other two
dimension

 Limit of flaky particle in the mixes is 30%. Then the aggregate is considered undesirable for
the intended use
FLAKINESS INDEX: It is the percentage by weight of flaky particle in a sample.

PROCEDURE:

 Perform the sieve analysis on sample

 These are then arranged into number of closely limited particles size group -2 ½” -2, 1 ½”-
₃ ⁄₄” and ½”-3/8, 3/8”-₁ ⁄₄”.

 Each group is tested for weighed and then tested for thickness by passing each particle
through slot of specified thickness along least dimension.

 Record each fraction this is the weighed of flaky particles

 The flakiness index is calculated by the weighed particle of flaky particles as a percentage of
total weighed of the sample.

ELONGATED PARTICLES:

 These have length larger then two dimension and particle whose dimension is 1.8 times
larger its mean size

 Limit of the elongated particles is 45% thus it elongated particles are greater then 45% then
aggregate are considered as undesirable for the intended use.

ELONGATION IONDEX:

It is the % by weight of elongated particles in a sample. The elongated index is calculated by

expressing the total weight of the sample.
PRECAUTION:

 While sieving, care must be taken that the particles that are chocked in the sieve must not
be forced down into the next sieve. Such particles should be pushed back into the same
sieve

 Be careful while selecting opening of the flakiness and elongation gauge for any particular
fraction.

Calculation for Sieve Analysis:

Sieve Size
Cumulative
Weight Percentage Percentage
Retained weight
Passing Retained Retained passing
retained
(in.) (gm)
(in.) (%) (%)
(%)
Calculation for Flaky Particles:

Sieve Size
Weight of Individual Weighted
Weight Percentage
Retained Flaky Flakiness Flakiness
Passing Retained Retained
Particles Index Index
(in.) (gm)
(in.) (%)
(gm) (%) (%)

ELONGATED PARTICLES:

These are the particles having length considerably larger than the other two dimensions and it is
the particle whose greater dimension is 1.8 times its mean size. Limit of elongated particles in
the mixes is 45%. Thus, if the elongated particles are greater than 45%, then the aggregate is
considered undesirable for the intended use.

ELONGATION INDEX:

It is the percentage by weight of elongated particles in a sample. The Elongated index is calculated
by expressing the weight of Elongated particles as percentage of total weight of the sample.
Calculation for Elongated Particles:

Sieve Size Weight Percentage Weight of Individual Weighted

Retained Retained Elongated Elongation Elongation
Passing Retained (gm) Particles Index Index
(%)
(in.) (in.) (gm) (%) (%)

Comments:

Job#03

Standard test method for resistance to degradation of small size coarse

aggregate by abrasion and impact in Los Angeles abrasion machine.
Los Angeles abrasion test is a common test used to indicate aggregate toughness and abrasion
characteristic s.

RELATED THEORY:
ABRASION

It is defined as the, “resistance of a material against wear, scratching or degradation.”

POUNDING ACTION

Striking action of an object on a surface for a short instant of time is called the pounding
effect.

LOS ANGELES ABRASION VALUE

It is an indicative of the abrasion strength of the aggregates. It can be computed by using

the relationship;

Orignal Weight  Final Weight

Los Angeles Abrasion Value   100
Orignal Weight

Where,

Final weight = Weight retained on sieve #12

SPECIFICATIONS:

The test has been standardized by ASTM and AASHTO.

SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE

This test is used to assess the hardness of the aggregate used in road construction. The
road aggregate is subjected to wearing action by the moving traffic and therefore resistance to
wear or hardness is an essential property of the aggregate. The aggregate should be hard enough
to resist abrasion due to traffic.

Los Angeles Abrasion test is used to find out the percentage wear due to relative rubbing
action between aggregate and steel balls used as abrasive charges. Pounding action of these balls
also exists while conducting the test. The test is considered more dependable as rubbing and
pounding action simulate field conditions.
 AASHTO T 96, recommendations are that Base Course has a percent wear of 40% or less.
For Sub-base Course the requirement is 50% or less.

NOTES

 Larger the LAA value, softer will be the aggregate and vice versa.
 If we have two samples to be used in the wearing surface having LAA value of 0% & 10%,
then we should use the one having LAA value of 10% (note this is true only for wearing
surface and the opposite is true for sub-grade, sub-base and base coarse). This is because,
even though 0% will provide a good hard surface but its coefficient of friction will be too
high and it will severely damage the tires.
 If two different samples are obtained from the same source, then the results of the LAA
value will be same for both of the samples because LAA value is a material property.
APPARATUS

 Los Angeles Abrasion machine – consists of

a hollow steel cylinder closed at both ends,
having inside diameter of 28’’ and inside
length of 20’’. The cylinder is mounted on
stub shafts in such a way that it rotates
about horizontal axis at 30-33 rpm.
 An opening in the cylinder with a dust tight
cover is provided for the introduction of
test sample. A steel shelf extending full
length of the cylinder and projecting 3.5’’
inward is mounted on interior surface of the
cylinder.
 Abrasive charges (consisting of steel spheres 1 27/32’’ in diameter
 Sieves confirming to ASTM Standards.
 Balance
PROCEDURE:

 The sample taken should be representative and confirming to any of the grading given in
the table.
 The sample is placed in the cylinder along with the abrasive charges and the machine is
rotated for the required number of revolutions (500 – 1000).
 After the required number of revolutions, material is discharged from the machine and
sieved through #10 US sieve.
 Wash the material coarser than #10 sieve, oven dry and weigh. Then compute the LAA
value

Orignal Weight  Final Weight

Los Angeles Abrasion Value   100
Orignal Weight

Where,

Final weight = Weight retained on sieve #10

NOTES

 If a large rock piece is provided for the test, first of all crush it then sieve it and then
proceed in the same manner.
  If the amount of aggregate collected in the lower sieves is less than the required
amount, then crush the aggregate in the higher sieves to get the required quantity in
the lower sieves.
 If the amount of aggregate collected in the top sieves is less than the required amount,
then sieve more aggregate in order to collect enough quantity of aggregate.

GRADINGOF TESTSAMPLE (LOSANGELES ABRASIONTEST):

Typical L.A. Abrasion Loss Values:-

Rock Type L.A. Abrasion Loss (by percent weight)

General Values

Hard, igneous rocks 10

Soft limestone’s and sandstones 60

Ranges for specific rocks

Basalt 10 – 17

Dolomite 18 – 30

Gneiss 33 – 57

Granite 27 – 49

Limestone 19 – 30

Quartzite 20 – 35

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Grading used for the test

Number of abrasive charges used
Original weight of the sample, W1 (gm)
Final weight after test (retained on sieve #10), W2(gm)

LOS ANGELES ABRASION VALUE=