CHAPTER

CHAPTER
2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

To study the effect of sizes and shapes of coarse aggregate on compressive strength
of concrete

CHAPTER
CHAPTER
2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF SIZES AND SHAPES

OF

COARSE

AGGREGATE

ON

COMPRESSIVE

STRENGHT OF CONCRETE

Submitted by
Name
No.
1.
Ali

Roll

(Group

Imdad
Leader)

12CE05
2.
Baig

Shah

12CE07

To study the effect of sizes and shapes of coarse aggregate on compressive strength
of concrete

CHAPTER
CHAPTER
2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

3.
Baker

Shah
Hussain

12CE10
4.
Bagar

Shah

12CE11
5.
Aziz

Sartaj

12CE35
6.
r

Zahoo
Ahmed

12CE45

Session 2012-13
Supervised by
DR. SALAH UDDIN
Department of Civil Engineering
BALOCHISTAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
KHUZDAR

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................................1
1.1

Background.................................................................................................... 1

1.2

Aim of Project................................................................................................ 2

1.3

Objective of project........................................................................................2
1.4
Scope of
Project..2

1.5

Thesis structure.............................................................................................. 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................... 4

2.1

Introduction.................................................................................................... 4

To study the effect of sizes and shapes of coarse aggregate on compressive strength
of concrete

CHAPTER
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2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

2.2
2.3

Concrete

Coarse Aggregate........................................................................................... 4
2.3.1

Size of coarse aggregate..........................................................................5

2.3.2

Shape of coarse aggregate.......................................................................6

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY................................................................................ 7
3.1

Materials Collection and Testing....................................................................7

3.1.1

Cement.................................................................................................... 7

3.1.2

Water.......................................................................................................8

3.1.3

Coarse aggregate.....................................................................................8
3.1.4
Fine
aggregate.8

3.2

Sample shape and size....................................................................................9

3.3

Test specimen.................................................................................................9

3.4

Preparation of specimen
10

3.5

Curing of specimen...................................................................................... 10
3.6
Testing of
specimen..10

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Different modification in concrete such as using different shapes
and sizes of coarse aggregate, admixtures etc. have been used to
improve the compressive strength of concrete. Using different
shapes and sizes of coarse aggregate have been an interesting
and innovative area of modern technique to improve the
compressive strength of concrete.
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of concrete

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CHAPTER
2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

Concrete is being consumed on large scale, it is being used for

construction of massive structures such as dams, apartment
blocks, bridges, tunnels, sewerage systems, pavement, roads and
runways, multi-story building and more. In order to increase
compressive load bearing capacity and life span of these civil
engineering structure the compressive strength of concrete
should be enhanced. In this regard, the sizes and shapes of
coarse aggregate greatly influence the compressive strength of
concrete. The sizes and shapes of coarse aggregate not only
increase the compressive strength but also effect the economy
such as using large coarse aggregate typically lower the cost of
concrete mix by reducing the cement requirements, the most
costly ingredients.
In this project, different sizes (3/4 and 0.5) and shapes (angular
and rounded) of coarse aggregates were used with cement, fine
aggregate (sand) and water to study the effect on compressive
strength of concrete with 28 days curing. Concrete was prepared
in four batches using constant mix ratio 1:2:4 with water-cement
ratio of 0.5 in civil engineering laboratory. Out of four batches,
two batches consist of different sizes of coarse aggregate using
and 0.5 sizes and the other two batches consists of different
shapes using angular and rounded shapes. Each batch consists of
4 cylinders. Compressive strength test of the cylinders will be

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of concrete

CHAPTER
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2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

carried out according to the specification of ASTM C39/C39M-12a,

in Civil Engineering Department BUET Khuzdar.

1.2 Aim of project

The Aim of this project is to check out how coarse aggregate size
and shape influences the compressive strength of normalconcrete.

1.3

Objectives of project
The variables of this research are as follows;

1) To study the effect of compressive strength of normal-strength

concrete using different sizes of coarse aggregates.
2) To study the effect of compressive strength of normal-strength
concrete using different shapes of coarse aggregates.

1.4 Scope of project

The limitations of this project are as follows:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Using
Using
Using
Using
Using
Using

different sizes of coarse aggregates.

different shapes of coarse aggregates.
fine aggregate (sand) from a single source.
mix ratio of 1:2:4.
constant water-cement ratio of 0.5.
ASTM guidelines for compressive Strength test on

cylindrical specimen

1.5 Thesis structure

The thesis is organized as follows:

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of concrete

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CHAPTER
2. Literature
3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

Chapter 1 gives the background, aim, objectives, scope of the

research.
Chapter 2 provides an overview of the literature on historic
background of concrete, its invention and its usages, and
advantages of using coarse aggregates with different sizes and
shapes, and review of other past research works on shapes and
sizes of coarse aggregate from other researchers.
Chapter 3 discusses the methodology. It describes materials
collection and testing, sample shape and size, test specimen,
preparation of specimen (cylinder), curing of specimens, and
testing of specimen.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.5 Introduction
Different shapes and sizes can be used to increase the normal
compressive strength of the concrete. Aggregate Shapes and
sizes have their unique advantages for an instant angular shape
provide greater interlocking between the particles and the
rounded provided greater workability a larger aggregate size

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3. Methodology
CHAPTER
Review
1.Introduction

produce low compressive strength in concrete compared to the

concrete containing small aggregates (Bloem and Ganor, 1963).
Increasing in aggregate size from 10 to 64mm result in decrease
the compressive strength by 10% (Walker and Bloem) and
rounded

aggregate

is

more

workable

but

have

lesser

compressive strength than angular( Young and Sam, 2008).

As we are concerned with the compressive strength of concrete
using different size and shape of coarse aggregate so literature
review focuses on history of concrete, its invention and more
importantly past research on sizes and shapes of coarse
aggregate.

2.2 Concrete
Concrete

is

composite

material,

consist

of

three

major

components Portland cement, water and aggregate. It is one of

the most widely used construction materials in the world. Its
worldwide consumption is over ten billion tons per year, which
means, each person on earth consumes more than 1.7 ton of
concrete per year. It is more than ten times of consumption by
weight of steel. (1)
Concrete was used by the ancient Romans in the construction of
walls and roofs, but concrete has its first modern record as early
as 1760, when in Britain John Smeaton used it in the first lock on

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1.Introduction

the river Calder. The walls of the lock were made of stone filled in
with concrete. In 1796, J. Parker rediscovered the Roman natural
cement, and 15 years later Vicat burned a mix of clay and lime to
produce cement. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin manufactured Portland
cement in Wakefield, Britain. It was called Portland cement
because when hardened it resembled stone from the quarries of
the Isle of Portland. (2)
Neville, 1981, rightly observed that concrete is among the most
commonly

used

structural

materials

alongside

steel.

The

knowledge of the properties of concrete makes possible the

selection of a more suitable economic mix. The strength of the
concrete is of essence. It is the maximum load (stress) that the
concrete can carry (Jackson and Ravindra, 1996) . As the strength
of concrete increases, its other properties usually improve. Tests
for strength, particularly in compression, are easily performed;
concrete

compressive

strength

is

commonly

used

in

the

construction industry for the purpose of specification and quality

control. The Engineer knows his target flexural strength and will
express it in terms of compressive strength. Several factors affect
the compressive strength of concrete. The coarse aggregate
which is the largest component of the concrete, needs to be
seriously taken into consideration as it would doubtlessly play a
major role in the strength improvement of the concrete.

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of concrete

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3. Methodology
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1.Introduction

2.3 Coarse aggregate

Coarse aggregate is cheaper than cement and it is therefore,
economical to put into the mix as much of the former and as little
of the latter as possible. But economy is not the only reason for
using

coarse

aggregate.

It

confers

considerable

technical

advantages on concrete, which has a higher volume stability,

strength and better durability than hydrated cement paste alone.
(3)

At least three-quarters of the volume of concrete is occupied by

coarse aggregate, it is not surprising that its sizes and shapes is
of considerable importance. Not only

the aggregate limit the

strength of concrete, as the size and shapes of coarse aggregate

greatly influence the strength of concrete. (4

2.3.1 Size of coarse aggregate

Walker and Bloem (1960) studied the effects of coarse aggregate
size on the properties of normal-strength concrete. Their work
demonstrates that an increase in aggregate size from I0 to 64
mm results in a decrease in the compressive strength of concrete,
by as much as 10 percent; however, aggregate size seems to
have negligible effects on flexural strength. The study also shows
that the flexural-to compressive strength ratio remains at

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1.Introduction

approximately

12

percent

for

concrete

with

compressive

strengths between 35 MPa (5,100 psi) and 46 MPa (6,700 psi). (5)
Bloem and Gaynor (1963) studied the effects of size and other
coarse aggregate properties on the water requirements and
strength of concrete. Their results confirm that increasing the
maximum aggregate size reduces the total surface area of the
aggregate,

thus

reducing

the

mixing

water

requirements;

however, even with the reduction in water, a larger size

aggregate still produces lower compressive strengths in concrete
compared to concretes containing smaller aggregate. Generally,
in lower strength concretes, the reduction in mixing water is
sufficient to offset the detrimental effects of aggregate size.
However, in high-strength concretes, the effect of size dominates,
and the smaller sizes produce higher strengths. (6)

2.3.2 Shape of coarse aggregate

The particle shapes of a coarse aggregate influence the
properties of freshly mixed concrete more than the properties of
hardened concrete. Angular particles require more water to
produce workable concrete than do rounded aggregates. Hence,
aggregate particles that are angular require more cement to
maintain

the

same

water

cement-ratio.

However,

with

satisfactory gradation, both crushed and non-crushed aggregates

(of the same rock types) generally give essentially the same
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1.Introduction

strength for the same cement factor. The bond between cement
paste and a given aggregate generally increases as particles
change from smooth and rounded to rough and angular. This
increase in bond is a consideration in selecting aggregates for
concrete where high compressive strength is needed. (7)
The strength of concrete is its major characteristic. Neville, 1981
stated that aggregates are inert materials that are dispersed
through-out the cement paste whose strength depends majorly
on its shape, surface texture, and cleanliness. In his research
findings, he published that entirely smooth coarse aggregates
lowered the strength of concrete by 10% than when the
aggregates were roughened. (8)
Young and Sam, 2008 [14] also stated that smooth rounded
aggregates was more workable but yielded a lesser compressive
strength in the matrix than irregular aggregates (angular) with
rough surface texture. (9)

CHAPTER 3

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CHAPTER
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3. Methodology
CHAPTER
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1.Introduction

METHODOLOGY
3.2 Introduction
Concrete, which is the most used construction material, has a far
greater compressive strength than mortar and sand Crete of the
same cement. This exceeding strength is found to be triple (or
more) that of mortar. Coarse aggregates of different size and
shapes, which are the interest of this study, make the difference.
Two different sizes and shapes of coarse aggregates were
employed in the investigation. The sizes and shapes of coarse
aggregate are , 0.5 and angular, rounded respectively.

The

mix ratio and water/cement ratio adopted for the study was 1:2:4
and 0.5 respectively. Four concrete cylinders were cast for each
size and shape of coarse aggregates. All cylinders were cured for
28 days. Compressive strength of concrete is the value of test
strength below which not more than a prescribed percentage of
the test results should fall. Therefore cylinders were tested to
investigate the effect of sizes and shapes of coarse aggregates on
the compressive strength of concrete.
This study was carried out into following six steps:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Materials Collection
Sample shape and size
Test Specimen
Preparation Of Specimen (Cylinder)
Curing Of Specimens
Testing of Specimen

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3. Methodology
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1.Introduction

3.2

Materials collection and testing

Materials along with specification, which are going to be used for

this experimental program, are summarized below:

3.2.1 Cement
Ordinary Port Land cement was used in this study, as it has been
frequently used in previous researches. The specific gravity of
port land cement is around 3.15.

3.2.2 Water
Ordinary tap water, from university water supply, was used for
the entire experimental work.

3.2.3 Coarse Aggregate

Coarse aggregate of different shapes and sizes are used as load
bearing material throughout this study. Coarse aggregate are
passed through sieve no 26 and sieve no 12 to obtaine the
and 0.5 sizes respectively. The sieve analysis was carried out in
accordance with ASTM------------ for the coarse aggregate. Coarse

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1.Introduction

aggregate are obtained from Crushing Plant of Khuzdar city and

Khatan river.

3.2.4

Fine aggregate

Fine aggregate was used in this investigation as filling materials

which make the concrete economical. In entire project work, sand
from one source was used which was purchased from local store
of Khuzdar city in dry state , graded between 4.75mm (No.4)
sieve and 150 m (No.100) was used. The sieve analysis was
carried out in accordance with ASTM C136 04 for the sand.

3.3 Sample shape and size

According

to

ASTM

C109/C109M13

use

---in

cylindrical

specimens for compressive strength test of normal-strength

concrete.

3.4 Test specimen

The mix ratio of 1:2:4 was used for different sizes and shapes of
coarse aggregate for preparing test specimens using a constant
water cement ratio of 0.5. For each size and shapes, 4 cylinders

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1.Introduction

were prepared. All the cylinders were cured for constant curing
period for 28 days which are shown in table.

Shape of
coarse
aggregat
e

Size of
coarse
aggregate

Angular

Rounded

Table Test specimens

NO. OF
MIX
Cylinders for
RATIO

Total No
of
Cylinders

CURING
DAYS

28

28

each size of
coarse
aggregate

1:2:4
0.5
1:2:4
0.5

3.5 Preparation of Specimen

Specimen were prepared according to ASTM-------------- as given
below:
1) Cement, fine aggregates and required coarse aggregates
were mixed thoroughly in concrete mixer in civil department
laboratory to get a uniform color in dry state.
2) Use a water-cement ratio of 0.5 was used for cement.
3) Water was added to mix according to given
specifications and mixed them thoroughly to get a
workable concrete.

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1.Introduction

4) The cylinders of 12 x 6 were filled with three layers

using vibrating machine for the well compaction of each
layer.
5) The surfaces of specimen were made smooth with the help
of trowel.

3.6

Curing Of Specimens

After 24 hours each specimen was removed from the mould and
labeled with the date and kept in water tub for curing till 28 days
at room temperature [23 2 C].

3.7 Testing of Specimen

Compressive strength test of specimens will be done using
compression testing machine in MT lab at Civil engineering
department BUET Khuzdar. The tests on the specimens will be
performed according to ASTM guidelines the compressive test on
the cylinder will be done after 28 days of curing. . Maximum load
is noted and stress corresponding to that force is calculated by
the following formula.

=P/A

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1.Introduction

Where P = load in pounds (lbs.)

A = area of sample in contact with bearing of

machine in sq.in

EFFECTS OF AGGREGATE TYPE, SIZE, AND

CONTENT ON CONCRETE STRENGTH AND FRACTURE ENERGY
By

Rozalija Kozul
David Darwin
5,6

Aggregates for Concrete

http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/concrete/PCA_manual/Chap05.pdf

To study the effect of sizes and shapes of coarse aggregate on compressive strength
of concrete