Exp 2 Aggregate Angularity Number

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
Determination of Angularity Number for the given aggregate
sample.
This test is also carried out for determining shape of the aggregates. Based upon shape
the aggregates may be classified as Rounded, Angular or Flaky. Angular particles
possess well defined edges formed at the intersection of roughly planer faces and are
commonly formed in aggregates prepared by crushing of rocks.

Angularity in general is the absence of rounding of particles of an aggregate. This test is

performed to determine the angularity number i.e. the absence of roundedness or the
degree of angularity of the aggregate specimen.

RELATEDTHEORY

SHAPES OF PARTICLES
The usual shapes of the particles are;

1. Rounded (river gravel)

2. Flaky (laminated rock)
3. Elongated
4. Angular (crushed rock)
ANGULARITY
It is the absence of roundness. An aggregate particle, which is more rounded, is less
angular and vice versa.

ANGULARITY NUMBER
Angularity number of an aggregate is the amount (to the higher whole number) by which
the percentage of voids in it after compacting in a prescribed manner exceeds 33.

Where, “33” is the percentage of volume of voids, in a perfectly rounded aggregate. “67”
is the percentage of volume of solids in a perfectly rounded aggregate.

The value of angularity number generally lies between 0 & 11. In road construction
angularity number of 7 – 10 is generally preferred.
SIGNIFICANCE
 The degree of packing of particles of single sized aggregate depends upon the angularity
of aggregate.
 The angularity of the aggregate can be estimated from the properties of voids in a sample
of aggregate compacted in a specified manner.
 The angularity number ranges from 0 for a highly rounded grave to about 11 for freshly
crushed angular aggregates.
 Higher the angularity number, more angular and less workable is the concrete mix.
 In cement concrete roads (rigid pavements) rounded aggregates are preferred because
of better workability and higher strength.
 In bituminous or water bound macadam construction (like flexible pavements), angular
aggregates with high angularity number are preferred because of high stability due to
better interlocking and friction.
 Higher the angularity number, more angular and less workable is the concrete mix.
 In road construction, angularity number of 7 -10 is generally preferred.
APPARATUS

1 – A metal cylinder of about 3-liter capacity.

2 – Temping rod of circular cross-section, 16mm Φ, 60cm in length. Rounded at one end.

3 – A metal scoop.

4 – A weighing balance.
PROCEDURE

This procedure is for aggregate size ¾ to No.4. If aggregate is coarser than ¾, a

cylinder of large capacity shall be required but amount of compactive effort or energy

should be proportional to the volume of the cylinder.

10 Kg of the sample is taken for the test. The material should be oven dried. The
aggregate is compacted in three layers, each layer being given 100 blows using the
standard tamping rod at a rate of 2 blows/second by lifting the rod 5 cm above the surface
of the aggregate and then allowing it to fall freely. The blows are uniformly distributed
over the surface of the aggregate. After compacting the third layer, the cylinder is filled to
overflowing and excess material is removed off with temping rod as a straight edge.

The aggregate with cylinder is then weighed. Three separate determinations are made
and mean weight of the aggregate in the cylinder is calculated.

Calculations & Results

Method – 1
Add measured quantity of water in the compacted aggregate till all the voids are filled and
water appears to the surface. Volume of water added is approximately equal to the
volume of voids in the compacted aggregate.

Angularity Number = (Volume of water added/Total volume ) x 100-33

Method – 2
Angularity Number = 67-(100W/CGs)

where,
W = mean weight of the aggregate filling cylinder.
C = Weight/Volume of water that can completely fill the cylinder (= 3 liters = 3000 ml – in
our lab)
Gs = Specific Gravity of the aggregate.
Notes:

1- Method – 1 determines the angularity number from the solids point of view.
2- Method – 2 determines the angularity number from the voids point of view.

Observations & Calculations

Specific gravity of the aggregate = 2.67

Total volume of the cylinder = 3042.18 cm3

 Weight (grams) Angularity Number
Volume
of
Cylinder + Water
Empty Cylinder + Aggregates added
Cylinder Aggregates + Water Aggregate (ml) Method 1 Method 2

5040 9948

5040 10032
Mean
Value 5040 9935
to be
used 5040 9971.67 11233 4931.67 1261.33 8 6
Specific gravity of the aggregate = 2.67
Total volume of the cylinder = 2970 cm3

Weight (grams) Volume Angularity Number

of
Cylinder + Water
Empty Cylinder + Aggregates added
Cylinder Aggregates + Water Aggregate (ml) Method 1 Method 2

5040 9948

5040 10032
Mean
Value 5040 9935
to be
used 5040 9971.67 11233 4931.67 1261.33 9 5
COMMENTS

In the first table we have used the volume written on the container but in the second
container we poured water and then measured the volume , the container was not fully
filled, So we can say the first table is more reliable and the difference between both
the methods may be due to the face that we did not measure the specific gravity. We
used 2.67 which can be different then the actual value but both the methods should give
the same result.