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Aggregate Gradation
Use 0.45 Power Gradation Chart
Blend Size Definitions

Materials in Civil Engineering

BLENDING OF AGGREGATES

maximum size
nominal maximum size

Gradation Limits

Prepared by:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Deprizon Syamsunur
UCSI University

control points
restricted zone

NCAT

0.45 Power Grading Chart

INTRODUCTION

Percent Passing
100
80

Example:
60

Aggregates blending is the mixing of two or

more aggregates so as to obtain different
aggregate properties.

4.75 mm sieve plots at (4.75)0.45 = 2.02

40
20
0
0

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

NCAT

0.45 Power Grading Chart

Types of Gradations

Percent Passing

* Uniformly graded
- Few points of contact
- Poor interlock (shape dependent)
- High permeability

100
80

max
size

60

* Well graded
- Good interlock
- Low permeability
* Gap graded
- Only limited sizes
- Good interlock
- Low permeability
NCAT

40
20

maximum density line

0
0 .075 .3 .6 1.18 2.36

4.75

9.5 12.5

19.0

Sieve Size (mm) Raised to 0.45 Power

3

NCAT

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Sieve Analysis

NUMERICAL METHOD

Concept If two orthogonal dimensions of a

particle are greater than a given sieve, then the
particle is retained on it
The intermediate dimension controls the sieve
size on which the particle is retained

Numerical method
1.Trial and error
2.Basic formula

square
opening

Di = intermediate

dimension
< diagonal opening

Di

Gradation Repeatability

BLENDING OF AGGREGATES

Limestone Sample 67

Percent Passing

25.0
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1.00

19.0
12.5
9.5
4.75
2.36
Blacksburg 67 T rial_1
Blacksburg 67 T rial_2
Blacksburg 67 Manual

1.18
0.6
0.3

10.00

100.00

Sieve Sizes (mm)

0.15
0.075

REASONS FOR BLENDING

SIEVES SIZE
ENGLISH VS METRIC

Reasons for blending

1. Obtain desirable gradation
2. Single natural or quarried material not
3. Economical to combine natural and process
materials

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Specific Gravity, G

EXAMPLE

Ratio of the mass to volume of an object to

that of water at the same temperature

Mass Solid
Volume
Mass Water
Volume
16

SOLUTION

Specific Gravity Tests for Aggregates

Two tests are needed
Coarse aggregate (retained on the 4.75
mm sieve)
Fine aggregate (passing the 4.75 mm
sieve)

17

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF AGGREGATE

BLEND
Once the percentages of the stockpiles have
been established, the combined aggregate
specific gravities can also be calculated

Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity

ASTM C127
Dry aggregate
Soak in water for 24 hours
Decant water
Use pre-dampened towel to get SSD condition
Determine mass of SSD aggregate in bucket
Determine mass under water
Dry to constant mass
Determine oven dry mass
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Fine Aggregate Specific Gravity

Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity

ASTM C128

Dry aggregate
Soak in water for 24 hours
Spread out and dry to SSD
Add 500 g of SSD aggregate to pycnometer of known volume
Pre-filled with some water
Add more water and agitate until air bubble have been removed
Fill to line and determine the mass of the pycnometer, aggregate and water
Empty aggregate into pan and dry to constant mass
Determine oven dry mass

19

Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity

22

Fine Aggregate Specific Gravity

20

Coarse Aggregate Specific Gravity

23

Fine Aggregate Specific Gravity

Calculations

Gsb = A / (B - C)

A = mass oven dry

B = mass SSD
C = mass under water

Gs,SSD = B / (B - C)
Gsa = A / (A - C)
Water absorption capacity, %
Absorption % = [(B - A) / A] * 100
21

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Stockpiling

FINE AGGREGATE SPECIFIC GRAVITY

25

Fine Aggregate Specific Gravity

NCAT

28

COMBINED SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Calculations

Gsb = A / (B + S - C)

A = mass oven dry

B = mass of pycnometer filled with water
C = mass pycnometer, SSD aggregate and water
S = mass SSD aggregate

Gs,SSD = S / (B + S - C)
Gsa = A / (B + A - C)
Water absorption capacity, %
Absorption % = [(S - A) / A] * 100
26

Stockpiling

EXAMPLE

* Prevent segregation and contamination

* Good stockpiling = uniform gradations
-

Short drop distances

Minimize moving
Don't use "single cone" method
Separate stockpiles

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