Aggregate D-4791 January 2011

Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate

ASTM D-4791-95
(Modified)
This test method covers the determination of the percentages of flat and elongated particles in
coarse aggregates for asphalt production only. Flat and elongated particles are undesirable in
road construction because they interfere with consolidation. Elongated particles also have a
tendency to fracture when placed under a load.

Modifications: 1. Only the flat and elongated test shall be performed (3.1.2).
2. This procedure shall be run on all combined material
retained on the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve and above.

Key Elements:

1. Obtain sample (AASHTO T-2). The sample should be properly sampled by AASHTO T-2.

2. Reduce sample to testing size (AASHTO

T-248). Reduction should be done in strict
accordance with AASHTO T-248 to the
size listed under Section 7.2 of ASTM D-
4791. The sample must not be selected or
reduced to an exact predetermined weight.
If test is run on material previously
analyzed by the Gradation, no further
reduction is allowed; however, all
applicable material must be conserved and
used for this test.

3. Dry sample to a constant mass. Use an oven set at 110  5C (230 ± 9ºF) (8.1). Constant
mass is defined as after the initial drying the weight of the material decreases by less than
0.1% after a minimum of 10 minutes additional drying.
W1 – W2 x 100, W2 – W3 x 100, etc.
W2 W3

Note: For samples that only the ASTM D-4791 tests are performed, washing the
aggregate is advisable.

4. Separate sample on 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve. Care must be taken not to overload the sieve,
and to agitate and shake the sieve a sufficient length of time so that adequate sieving occurs.
To prevent overloading, the sample may be divided into smaller increments and sieved in
batches and recombined before test is performed (8.2).
Note: It is recommended that contractor representatives performing flat and
elongated quality control testing during aggregate crushing test individual
stockpile of material, as soon as possible.

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Aggregate D-4791 January 2011

5. Adjust caliper to the 3 to 1 setting. (8.4.1)

6. Perform the flat/elongated particle test. Set the larger opening on the caliper to the
greatest dimension of the individual particle. Lock the swing arm in place or otherwise
prevent it from moving. Place the least dimension of the particle through the smaller opening
on the caliper. The particle is flat and elongated if the particle can be placed through the
smaller opening (8.4.2).

7. Weigh the particles. Weigh the flat/elongated particles to the nearest 0.1 g. Combine the
flat/elongated and non-flat/elongated particles and weigh the combined (total) sample to the
nearest 0.1 g. (9.1)

8. Perform calculations.

% Flat and Elongated Particles = weight of flat/elongated particles x 100

weight of total particles

9. Report results. The results shall be reported to the nearest whole number.

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