Effect of Aggregate Shapes on the Properties of Concrete

Abstract
Aggregates constitute more than 90% of concrete and significantly determine the strength of concrete. In this study, the shape characteristics such as flakiness and elongation were determined using elongation and thickness gauge. The aggregate used for the study is granite. Aggregate crushing value and aggregate impact value tests were performed on the aggregate while slump test, water absorption test, compressive strength test and flexural strength test were carried out on concrete. A total of one hundred and thirty-two concrete cubes were produced using 1:2:4 and 1:3:6 mix each for the compressive strength test and forty-eight reinforced concrete beams were produced for flexural strength test. The slump for all the samples tested was examined to be true. The compressive strength of the concrete cube was greatly affected by the shape of aggregate used and it was noted that; for lower percentage of flaky and elongated aggregate the compressive strength is moderately high compared to when the percentage is high. The highest obtained compressive strength, 15N/mm2 is in compliance with the concrete compressive strength of normal 1:2:4 mix as stipulated in ASTM C109, Also, with 30% of elongated aggregate and 30% of flaky, the flexural strength of 7.03 N/mm2 was obtained. This shows that aggregate shape is a very important property of coarse aggregate that must be put into consideration in production of quality concrete for construction works.