Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

EXPERIMENT NO 2
DETERMINATION OF THE FLAKINESS AND ELONGATION
INDEX FOR THE GIVEN AGGREGATE SAMPLE
CODE: BS-812

Table of Contents
2.1 SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE: ......................................................................... 15
2.2 APPARATUS ............................................................................................... 15
2.3 RELATED THEORY .................................................................................... 16
2.3.1 SHAPES OF PARTICLES..................................................................... 16
2.3.2 PREFERRED USE OF EACH SHAPE ................................................. 16
2.3.3 FLAKY .................................................................................................. 17
2.3.4 FLAKINESS INDEX .............................................................................. 17
2.3.5 ELONGATED PARTICLES ................................................................... 17
2.3.6 ELONGATION INDEX .......................................................................... 18
2.4 PROCEDURE ............................................................................................. 18
2.5 PRECAUTIONS .......................................................................................... 19
2.6 OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS ......................................................... 19
2.6.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS ................................................................................. 19
2.6.2 CALCULATIONS FOR FLAKY PARTICLES ......................................... 20
2.6.3 CALCULATIONS FOR ELONGATED PARTICLES............................... 20
2.7 COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 21

The University of Lahore 14

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.1 SCOPE & SIGNIFICANCE:

This test is used to determine the particle shape of the aggregate and each particle
shape being preferred under specific conditions.

The significance of flakiness & elongation index is as follows;

The degree of packing of the particles of one size depends upon their shape.
Due to high surface area to volume ratio, the flaky and elongated particles lower
the workability of concrete mixes.
Flaky and elongated particles are considered undesirable for base coarse
construction as they may cause weakness with possibilities of braking down
under heavy loads.
BS-1241 specifies a Flakiness index not exceeding 30% irrespective of the
aggregate size.
Maximum permitted Elongated index is 35, 40 or 45% for aggregate sizes
2 2, 1 & 3/8 respectively.
Both Flakiness and Elongation tests are not applicable to sizes smaller then
6.3mm i.e. sieve.

2.2 APPARATUS
Thickness/Flakiness Index Gauge
Length/Elongation Index Gauge
Aggregate sample to be tested

Figure 1 Flakiness & Elongation Index Gauge

The University of Lahore 15

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.3 RELATED THEORY

2.3.1 SHAPES OF PARTICLES
Rounded (river gravel)
Flaky (laminated rock)
Elongated
Angular( crushed rock)

2.3.2 PREFERRED USE OF EACH SHAPE

ROUNDED AGGREGATES
Rounded aggregates are preferred in concrete roads (rigid pavements) as the
workability of concrete increases due to the less friction between the surfaces.

Figure 2 ROUNDED AGGREGATES

ANGULAR SHAPE
Angular shape of the particles is desirable in granular base coarse (flexible pavement)
due to better interlocking and increased stability.

Figure 3 angular aggregates

The University of Lahore 16

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

FLAKY AND ELONGATED PARTICLES

Flaky and Elongated particles are considered as a source of weakness.

Flaky and elongated aggregates are to be avoided in flexible pavements. Because

these causes weakness and breakdown under heavy traffic loads. In concrete
pavements, these reduces the workability.

Figure 4 Flaky and elongated aggregates

2.3.3 FLAKY
A flaky particle is the one whose least dimension (thickness) is than 0.6 times
the mean size.
These are the materials of which the thickness is small as compared to the
other two dimensions.
Limit of flaky particles in the mixes is 30%. If the flaky particles are greater than
30% then the aggregate is considered undesirable for the intended use.

2.3.4 FLAKINESS INDEX

It is the percentage by weight of flaky particles in a sample.

2.3.5 ELONGATED PARTICLES

These are the particles having length considerably larger than the other two
dimensions and it is the particle whose greater dimension is 1.8 times its mean size.

Limit of elongated particles in the mixes is 45%. Thus, if the elongated particles are
greater than 45%, then the aggregate is considered undesirable for the intended use.

The University of Lahore 17

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.3.6 ELONGATION INDEX

It is the percentage by weight of elongated particles in a sample. The Elongated index
is calculated by expressing the weight of Elongated particles as percentage of total
weight of the sample.

2.4 PROCEDURE
Perform the sieve analysis on the given aggregate sample.
The aggregates are then arranged in the into a number of closely limited particle
size groups -stored on the test sieves into a number of closely limited particle
size groups 2 1 , 1 , 3/8 & 3/8 1/4
Each group (fraction) is weighed and tested for thickness on appropriate
opening of the thickness gauge by passing each particle through slot of
specified thickness along least dimension.
The weight of particles passing the thickness gauge is recorded for each
fraction. This is the weight of flaky particles.
The flakiness index is calculated by expressing the weight of flaky particles as
a percentage of total weight of the sample.

1 3/8
1 1
2 1 26 20 mm 14 10 mm
37.5 26 mm
50 37.5 mm

3/8

10 6.3 mm
20 14 mm

Figure 5 Elongated Gauge

The University of Lahore 18

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.5 PRECAUTIONS
While sieving, care must be taken that the particles that are chocked in the
sieve must not be forced down into the next sieve. Such particles should be
pushed back into the same sieve.
While placing different fractions on the table, place them some distance apart
so that no two fractions may get mixed.
Be careful while selecting the opening of the flakiness and elongation gauges
for any particular fraction.

2.6 OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

2.6.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS

Sample weight = 5000 gm.

Sieve Sieve Weight Percentage

size size Retained Cumulative passing
Percentage
Weight Retained
Passing Retained (gm) Retained (%) (%)
(%)
(inch) (inch)

2 1.5 416 8.32 8.32 91.68

1.5 1 1366 27.32 35.64 64.36

1 3/4 2172 43.44 79.08 20.92

3/4 1/2 708 14.16 93.24 6.76

1/2 3/8 172 3.44 96.68 3.32

3/8 1/4 166 3.32 100.00 0.00

=5000

The University of Lahore 19

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.6.2 CALCULATIONS FOR FLAKY PARTICLES

Sieve Sieve Weight Weight

size size Retained Percentage Individual Weighted
of Flaky
Retained Flakiness Flakiness
Passing Retained (gm) particles
(%) Index (%) Index (%)
(gm)
(inch) (inch)
2 1.5 416 8.32 198.00 47.60 3.96

1.5 1 1366 27.32 158.00 11.57 3.16

1 3/4 2172 43.44 202.00 9.30 4.04

3/4 1/2 708 14.16 114.00 16.10 2.28

1/2 3/8 172 3.44 36.00 20.93 0.72

3/8 1/4 166 3.32 14.00 8.43 0.28

=5000 =14.0 %
2.6.3 CALCULATIONS FOR ELONGATED PARTICLES

Sieve Sieve Weight Weight of

size size Retained Percentage Elongated Individual Weighted
Retained particles Elongated Elongated
Passing Retained (gm)
(%) Index (%) Index (%)
(inch) (inch) (gm)

2 1.5 416 8.32 0.00 0.00 0.00

1.5 1 1366 27.32 590.00 43.19 11.80

1 3/4 2172 43.44 160.00 7.37 3.20

3/4 1/2 708 14.16 118.00 16.67 2.36

1/2 3/8 172 3.44 40.00 23.26 0.80

3/8 1/4 166 3.32 94.00 56.63 1.88

=5000 =20.0 %

The University of Lahore 20

Highway and Traffic Engineering February 7, 2017

2.7 COMMENTS
After carried out the test, the flakiness index of the collected sample is
determined. By knowing the average index of about 14%, the sample collected
is very suitable for Base course.
This method is based on the classification of aggregate particles as elongated
when they have a length (greatest dimension) of more than 1.8 of their mean
size. For flaky particles, size should be less than 0.6 time the mean size of
particle.
Flakiness and Elongation tests are conducted on coarse aggregates to assess
the shape of aggregates. Aggregates which are flaky or elongated are
detrimental to the higher workability and stability of mixes. They are not
conducive to good interlocking and hence the mixes with an excess of such
particles are difficult to compact to the required degree.
According to standards the percentage of flaky and elongated particles should
not exceed 30% and 45%. Our result shows that it lies within range so our result
is suitable.

The University of Lahore 21