Aggregate Selection Guide
This guide will help you select the right Aggregate testing equipment for your specific needs. This is important because accurate aggregate testing is crucial for ensuring the quality and performance of construction materials like concrete, asphalt, and road base. Here’s a breakdown of common aggregate properties and the equipment used to test them:
Particle Size Distribution (Gradation):
- Test: Sieve Analysis
- Equipment: Sieves (various sizes), Sieve Shaker, Scales/Balances, Sample Splitter
- Considerations: Sieve sizes (mesh openings), shaker type (mechanical, vibratory), capacity of the shaker, accuracy of the scales, standards compliance (ASTM C136, EN 933-1).
Specific Gravity and Absorption:
- Test: Specific Gravity and Absorption Test
- Equipment: Wire Baskets, Water Tanks, Drying Oven, Scales/Balances
- Considerations: Capacity of the baskets, temperature control of the oven, accuracy of the scales, standards compliance (ASTM C127 for coarse aggregate, ASTM C128 for fine aggregate).
Abrasion Resistance:
- Test: Los Angeles Abrasion Test, Micro-Deval Test
- Equipment: Los Angeles Abrasion Machine, Micro-Deval Apparatus
- Considerations: Drum dimensions and rotation speed (for LA Abrasion), abrasive charge (steel spheres or rods), standards compliance (ASTM C131, AASHTO T96 for LA Abrasion; EN 1097-1 for Micro-Deval).
Particle Size Distribution (Gradation):
- Test: Sieve Analysis
- Equipment: Sieves (various sizes), Sieve Shaker, Scales/Balances, Sample Splitter
- Considerations: Sieve sizes (mesh openings), shaker type (mechanical, vibratory), capacity of the shaker, accuracy of the scales, standards compliance (ASTM C136, EN 933-1).
Specific Gravity and Absorption:
- Test: Specific Gravity and Absorption Test
- Equipment: Wire Baskets, Water Tanks, Drying Oven, Scales/Balances
- Considerations: Capacity of the baskets, temperature control of the oven, accuracy of the scales, standards compliance (ASTM C127 for coarse aggregate, ASTM C128 for fine aggregate).
Abrasion Resistance:
- Test: Los Angeles Abrasion Test, Micro-Deval Test
- Equipment: Los Angeles Abrasion Machine, Micro-Deval Apparatus
- Considerations: Drum dimensions and rotation speed (for LA Abrasion), abrasive charge (steel spheres or rods), standards compliance (ASTM C131, AASHTO T96 for LA Abrasion; EN 1097-1 for Micro-Deval).
