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C Edwards Offices Gweal Pawl Redruth Cornwall TR15 3AE
Petrolab Ltd Registered in England & Wales No. 4777735

Simplified petrographic description of aggregate (BS EN 932-3: 1997)

Report / sample details
Client

A Client

Report title

Thames gravel

Analysis required

Petrographic examination of aggregate sample in accordance with BS EN 923-3: 1997

Client order ref.

--

Client contact

A Client

Report ID & issue date OP2 Example

Issue note

Initial issue

Client sample ref.

Thames gravel

Date received

xx/xx/xxxx

Petrolab sample ID#

####

Date examined

xx/xx/xxxx

Sample type

Natural aggregate

Sample mass

1649 g

Sample condition

Damp

Advised grading

0 / 4 mm

Sampled by

Client (no certificate of sampling

received)

Advised source

Quarry, London

Examined by

R Garside BA MSci

Checked by

J Fletcher BSc MSc

Remarks

A standard petrographic thin section was prepared from the sample.

Examination findings
QUARTZ sand

Aggregate type
Abnd.1 Constituent

Particle roundness,
sphericity

Surface texture

Coating / encrustation

Grade2

Major+

Quartz

Angular to rounded,
low to high sphericity

Moderately rough to smooth

None seen

Major

Chert

Angular to rounded,
low to high sphericity

Slightly rough to smooth

Common iron oxide staining

Iron oxide staining

Shell
Minor

Trace

Angular to sub-rounded, low

Moderately rough to smooth
to high sphericity

Limestone

Rounded, high sphericity

Slightly rough

Iron oxide staining

Sandstone

Sub-rounded, high sphericity

Rough to slightly rough

Common iron oxide staining

Iron oxides

Sub-rounded, high sphericity

Rough to smooth

None seen

Dolerite

Sub-rounded, high sphericity

Slightly rough

Iron oxide staining

Feldspar

Sub-angular, low sphericity

Moderately rough

Iron oxide staining

II

Glauconite

Rounded, high sphericity

Smooth

None seen

Comments
The findings of this examination relate only to the sample submitted and examined in the laboratory and to any materials
properly represented by the sample.
Based on UK experience, the sample examined could be classified as potentially having normal alkali-silica reactivity in
accordance with BRE Digest 3303.

1
2

Abundance: Major+ (50%), Major (10 to <50%), Minor (2 to <10%), Trace (<2%).
Weathering grade applies only to rocks & minerals. Grade I (Fresh): unchanged from original state; Grade II (Slightly Weathered):
slight discolouration, slight weakening; Grade III (Moderately Weathered): considerably weakened, penetrative discolouration, large
pieces cannot be broken by hand; Grade IV (Highly weathered): large pieces can be broken by hand, does not readily disaggregate
(slake) when dry sample immersed in water; Grade V (Completely Weathered): considerably weakened, slakes, original texture
apparent; Grade VI (Residual soil): soil derived by in situ weathering but retaining none of the original texture or fabric.
BRE Digest 330, Alkali-silica reaction in concrete, 2004. Building Research Establishment, Garston, UK.

Report: OP2 Example

Issued by Petrolab Ltd

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