TITLE

Abrasion of surfacing aggregates

INTRODUCTION
Aggregates are subjected to crushing and abrasive wear during the manufacture, placing and
compaction of asphalt paving mixes. They are also subjected to a abrasion under traffic loads.
There is also subjected abrasion under traffic loads. There does not appear to be a really
satisfactory test for measuring resistance to abrasion but the Los Angeles Test is one of those
most applied. This test is both an abrasion and impact test and appears to be more suitable for
aggregates used in the wearing course surface dressing than for asphalt concrete in other
layers. Resistance to abrasion is necessary for maintaining surface macrotexture but the
tougher an aggregate is, the more likely it is to polish under the action of vehicles tyres.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is to assess the resistance to crushing and abrasive wear of
an aggregate by means of the Los Angeles Abrasion Machine.

MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

1) Los Angeles Abrasion Machine
2) Sieve shaker
3) Sieve size : 1.7 mm
4) Steel balls
5) Electronic balance machine
6) Scoops
7) Laboratory oven

PROCEDURE
1) The Los Angeles machine is constructed according to the dimensions and specification
of ASTM C131.
2) Take 2.5 kg of sample for 10 mm grading and 2.5 kg of sample for 14 mm grading.
3) The sample was washed and dried.
4) The sample was placed in the Los Angeles Abrasion Machine and 11 of steel balls were
added in the machine based on the table 1 and table 2.
5) The drum was rotated for about 500 revolutions at 30 to 33 rpm.
6) After being rotated, the sample was removed from the machine and was sieved on 1.70
mm IS sieve.
7) The sample that was retained on the sieve was washed and dried.
8) The weight of the sample was taken after the sample is cooling down.

Figure 1 : Los Angeles Abrasion Machine

Table 1: Grading of test samples ( ASTM, 1994 )

Sieve size (square Mass of indicated sizes, g
openings), mm
Passing Retained on Grading
A B C D
37.5 25.0 1250 25
25.0 19.0 1250 25
19.0 12.5 1250 25 2500

10
12.5 9.5 1250 25 2500

10
9.5 6.3 2500

10
6.3 4.75 2500

10
4.75 2.35 5000

10
 Total 5000 5000 5000 5000

10 10 10 10

Table 2 : Grading and mass of charge

Grading Number of balls Mass of charge, g
A 12 5000 25
B 11 4584 25
C 8 3330 20
D 6 2500 15

RESULT
Table 3: Data of calculation
Aggregate size Weight of aggregate (g)
(mm)
Original weight of Weight of Weight passing Los Angeles
aggregate aggregate 1.7 mm IS sieve Abrasion value
(g) retained after abrasion (g) ( %)
(g)
10 2500 5000 4192.0 = 5000 4192.0 16.16
14 2500 = 808

Calculation:

Weight passing 1.7 mm IS sieve after abrasion

= Original weight of aggregate Weight of aggregate retained

= 5000 4192

= 808 gram
 Percentage of Loss Angeles Abrasion value

= (808 5000) 100

= 16.16 %

DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles Abrasion test is done by inserting a specified weight of
aggregate into the LA machine with a number of steel balls to simulate the abrasion to the
aggregate in real life. Once the test is completed, the data is tabulated with sample
calculation to determine the values of weight passing 1.7 mm IS sieve after abrasion and
percentage of loss which is 808 g and 16.16% respectively. The lower value of percentage
passing is indicated, the aggregate resists tougher and more to abrasion. Based on ASTM
C131 specification, Los Angeles Abrasion test is adequate for coarse aggregate of
different size and the maximum value of percentage passing is 40%. Since the value is
less than 40%, the aggregate is suitable to used in pavement.
Then, some precautions in this experiment is the drum must be cleaned before use
because it may affect the result of the experiment. Next, the condition of the LA machine
may also affect the reading because some smaller particles of aggregates may escape from
the machine. Next, the aggregates should be weighed at a closed space so that there will
be no wind effect to the weighing scale.

CONCLUSION
The objective of this experiment was achieved. The LA abrasion value for the
aggregate used in this experiment has been successfully established as 16.16 %. The
aggregate is suitable to be used as a material for the subbase, base course and bituminous mix
as it complies with the requirements from specifications of ASTM C131and JKRs AT(J)
5/85; Manual on Pavement Design.

REFERENCE
1. Los Angeles Abrasion. Retrieved from
http://www.pavementinteractive.org/article/los-angeles-abrasion/ on 4th April 2017.
2. Determination of Los Angeles Abrasion Value. Retrieved from
http://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/determination-of-los-angeles-
abrasion-value/1361/ on on 4th April 2017.
3. Determination of Los Angeles Retrieved from
https://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/determination-of-aggregate-
impact-value/1355/ on 4th April 2017.