AGGREGATES

Impact Test on Aggregates

Impact Test on Aggregates
Aggregate may be subjected to the sudden shock or impact
during and after the construction. These loads are different
from the gradually applied compressive load. Due to such kind
of load, aggregate breaks down into smaller pieces. In order
to evaluate the resistance to impact of aggregate, the
aggregate impact test is conducted. Aggregate impact value
gives the idea about how much impact load can be resisted by
aggregate. Thus, aggregate should be sufficiently tough to
resist their disintegration due to impact. This distinctive
property is measured by impact value test.
Use of Impact Test:
Impact test on aggregates indicates the toughness of
aggregate. It shows the ability of aggregate to resist the
sudden shock or impact.

Recommended Result of Impact Test:

Aggregate impact value is the same as the abrasion test
result. Impact value of aggregate should not exceed 30
percent for aggregate used for surface wearing course and
should not exceed 45 percent for surface other than
wearing course.
Apparatus for Aggregate Impact Test
Aggregate impact
apparatus
IS sieves (12.5 mm,
10.0 mm and 2.36 mm)
Cylindrical measure
and cylindrical cup
Weighing balance
Tamping rod

Impact Test Apparatus Image

The Procedure of Impact Test on
Aggregates:
 Aggregates for the test sample can be decided by passing it through 12.5 mm sieve
and retained on 10 mm sieve.
 The sieved aggregates should be dried in an oven and then filled in a cylindrical
steel cup and tamped with 25 strokes by temping rod.
 The test sample is filled in 3 layers and each layer is tamped for 25 numbers of
blows.
 Metal hammer (weighing approx. 14 kg) is pre-arranged to drop with a free fall of
380mm. The test specimen is subjected to 15 numbers of blows each at not less
than 1 second.
 The crushed aggregate is removed from the test specimen and sieve it through the
2.36 mm IS sieve.
 An impact value is measured as % of aggregates passed through the 2.36mm sieve
(W2) to the total weight of the sample (W1).
Aggregate impact value
(The value of aggregate impact test) =
(W1/W2)*100

The value of aggregate impact test should not be more than

45% by weight of aggregates, used for concrete other than
wearing surface. An impact value 35% is permissible for the
bituminous macadam. Maximum permissible impact value for
the water bound macadam is 40%.
Observations of Impact Test
Observations Sample 1 Sample 2

Total weight of dry sample (W1 gm)

Weight of portion passing 2.36 mm sieve

(W2 gm)

Aggregate Impact Value (percent) = W2 /

W1 X 100

Mean = Result of Impact Test

Aggregate Impact Value = Recommended Aggregate Impact Test Values

Classification of aggregates using
Aggregate Impact Value

Aggregate Impact Value Classification

<20% Exceptionally Strong

10 – 20% Strong

20-30% Satisfactory for road surfacing

>35% Weak for road surfacing

Specified limits of percent aggregate impact
value for different types of road
construction Aggregate impact value not
Sl No Type of pavement
more than

1. Wearing Course

a) Bituminous surface dressing

b) Penetration macadam 30

c) Bituminous carpet concrete

d) Cement concrete

2. Bitumen bound macadam base course 35

3. WBM base course with bitumen surfacing 40

4 Cement concrete base course 45

AGGREGATES
Bulking of sand
Bulking of Sand
Bulking of sand means increase in it’s volume due to
presence of surface moisture . The volume increases
with increase in moisture content . The volume may
increase up to 20 to 40% when moisture content is 5
to 10 %.
As fine grained sands have higher voids than medium
and coarse grained sands, the percentage of moisture
absorbed and the percentage volume increase is the
highest.
When water is added to sand, a thin film of water is
formed around the sand particles. The film exerts
surface tension on particles, making them move apart.
This leads to increase in volume because there is no
direct contact among particles.
Apparatus
 Measuring Cylinder  Steel Rod (6mm Dia)
 Container  Sample sand
 Steel Rule

Procedure
 Take a 250 ml capacity of measuring cylinder.
 Fill the sand up to 200 ml and shake well then record the level as a.
 Add 100 ml water to the cylinder to saturate the sand completely and stir
well.
 Now add the measured sand to the container and wait for some time to settle
down.
 The sand will be below the 200 ml mark. Note this level as b
 Repeat the same procedure for 2 more samples
Calculation
bulking of sand = {(200-b)/b} x 100

Observation Table
SAMPLE NO.
S.No DESCRIPTION
SAMPLE I SAMPLE II SAMPLE III

1 Volume of Loose Sand

2 Volume of Saturated Sand

Bulking of Sand= {(200-b)/b}x100 %