Lecture #3:

Aggregate Moisture and

Physical Characteristics
 Particle Shape and
Surface Texture

•Results from processing

•Difficult to characterize
•Function of:
•Angularity:
•Sphericity:
•Described in terms of particle
dimensions:
a) angular b) rounded c) flaky d) elongated
e) flaky and elongated
•Surface texture:
 Physical Properties: Porosity & Voids Content

Moisture Content States

Moisture Content Equations

WSSD  WOD
AC %  x100
WOD

WAGG  WOD
MC %  x100
WOD
Moisture Analysis

Water 500kg
cement 250kg
coarse agg 800kg (SSD) AC = 1.50%
fine agg 450kg (SSD) AC = 0.75%

•If MCca = 1% and the MCfa = 1% what

is the stock water amount to maintain the
same water demand?
•Will the aggregate absorb or release water?
 Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight oa a unit volume of material to the
Weight of the same volume of water at 20º to 25ºC.

Wt
γ
G= V =
Wt w γ H O
2
V
where :
G = specific gravity
Wt = weight of material
V = volume
Wt w = weight of water
Archimedes Principle
Wod  WSW  WDispl H 2O ; Vagg  VDispl H 2O

H2O

w od  Wsw  w Displ H 2O
ssd
OD Wg. of OD
Aggregate Aggregate under H2 O
WOD WSW

WOD
Ga =
WOD  WSW
 Apparent Specific Gravity
Overall volume of the aggregate exclusive of the volume of the pores or
Capillaries which become filled with water in 24 hrs of soaking

WOD
Ga 
 Vs  Vip   H2O
where:
Ga = apparent specific gravity of solids (aggregate)
WOD  oven dry weight of aggregae
Vs = volume of solids
Vip = volume of impermeable pores
γw = unit weight of water (1 g/ml)
Bulk Specific Gravity

Wssd
Gb ssd  =
 Vs  Vip  Vpp  *  H2O
WOD
Gbod  =
 Vs  Vip  Vpp  *  H2O
WtOD  oven dry weight of aggregate
Vs = volume of solids
Vip = volume of impermeable pores
Vpp = volume of water permeable pores
w = unit weight of water 1 g/ml 
Specific Gravity Equations

WOD
GbOD   Bulk Specific Gravity
WSSD  WSW
WSSD
Gb ssd   Saturated Surface-Dry
WSSD  WSW
WOD Apparent Specific Gravity
Ga =
WOD  WSW

WOD
Ga  Lab Formula
Wpyc w  WOD  Wpyc  wagg
Specific Gravity Test for Sand

OD Aggregate Container Container

with H2O with H2O
and with
Aggregate
Specific Gravity Relationships

Gb < Gb(ssd)< Ga < Gtrue

Moisture Content in Field

WAGG  WOD
MC %  x100
WOD

Ga
WOD  Wsw
Ga  1
Aggregate Strength and Toughness

•Aggregate strength dependent upon:

a) properties of constituent minerals
b) bonding between grains
c) porosity

•These properties are difficult to measure.

•LA Abrasion test measures aggregate
degradation
•Affects particle breakdown
Aggregate Surface Chemistry

•Aggregate surface chemistry affects bonding to cement

Hydrophobic: water-repellent such as limestone and dolomites

have a positive surface charge. Work well in asphalt concrete.

Hydrophilic: water-attracting such as gravels and

silicates (acidic) have a negative surface charge. Gravels may
tend to create a weaker interfacial zone in concrete than lime-
stone aggregates.

•Surface coating (dust of clay, silt, gypsum, etc.)

tend to reduce bond strength.
Aggregate Durability

•Physical durability: resistance to physical processes

1. Unstable volume changes: due to freezing of
absorbed water.
2. Mechanical breakdown during handling,
stockpiling, or placement.

•Chemical durability: resistance to chemical processes

1. Alkali-silicate reaction
Alkali-Silica Reactivity
What is ASR?

 ASR only a concern if deleterious, e.g. causes

cracking.

 Needs three factors to be deleterious :

- Source of alkali - Internal and external

- Reactive silica (aggregate)

- Water ( humidity) > 80 %

What is ASR?

Onset of ASR results in formation of expansive gels

which produce internal stresses which may cause
cracking of concrete. Problem is often
misdiagnosed.

Environmental factors such as freeze-thaw cycles,

wetting/drying cycles, and traffic loading
propagate cracking.

Deicing salts, marine environments, can accelerate ASR

expansion and deterioration processes. ASR can
accelerate corrosion deterioration.
What is ASR?
Deleterious Substances

•Absorbent particles: shale, leached chert, or porous flint

•Clay lumps

•Coal or wood particles

•Organic impurities

•Flat or elongated particles

Clay Lumps