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2758 0-2009 (+a1)
2758 0-2009 (+a1)
0—2009
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)
AS 2758.0—2009
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ISBN 0 7337 9227 8
AS 2758.0—2009 2
PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee CE-012, Aggregates and
Rock for Engineering Purposes.
This Standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 (April 2016). The changes required by the
Amendment are indicated in the text by a marginal bar and amendment number against the
clause, note, table, figure or part thereof affected.
This Standard is part of a series that covers specification of aggregate and rock. The other
parts are as follows:
AS
2758 Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes
2758.0 Part 0: Definitions and classification (this Standard)
2758.1 Part 1: Concrete aggregates
2758.2 Part 2: Aggregate for sprayed bituminous surfacing
2758.4 Part 4: Aggregate for gabion baskets and wire mattresses
2758.5 Part 5: Asphalt aggregates
2758.6 Part 6: Guidelines for the specification of armourstone
2758.7 Part 7: Railway ballast
This objective of this Standard is to present in one document the definitions and
information and guidance applicable to AS 2758 series of Standards, Aggregates and rock
for engineering purposes.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the
appendix to which it applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
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guidance.
CONTENTS
Page
1 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................ 4
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS .................................................................................. 4
3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................ 5
APPENDICES
A GUIDANCE ON TYPICAL SAMPLING .................................................................... 7
B AGGREGATE COMPOSITION, SHAPE AND TEXTURE ....................................... 8
C RECOMMENDED LIMITS FOR ESTABLISHING UNSOUND STONE ................ 17
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AS 2758.0—2009 4
STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
Australian Standard
Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes
1 SCOPE
This Standard sets out essential definitions for aggregate specifications.
NOTES:
1 Guidance on typical sampling is given in Appendix A.
2 Information on aggregate composition, shape and texture is given in Appendix B.
3 Recommended limits for establishing unsound stone are given in Appendix C.
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1141 Methods for sampling and testing aggregates
1141.3 Method 3: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Sampling of
aggregates and rock
1141.14 Method 14: Particle shape, by proportional caliper
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1141.15 Method 15: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Flakiness index
1141.16 Method 16: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Angularity number
1141.20.1 Method 20.1: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Average least
dimension—Direct measurement (nominal size 10 mm and
greater)
1141.20.2 Method 20.2: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Average least
dimension—Direct measurement (nominal sizes 5 mm and 7 mm)
1141.20.3 Method 20.3: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Average least
dimension—Calculation (nomograph)
1141.25.1 Method 25.1: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Degradation
factor—Source rock
1141.26 Method 26: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Secondary
minerals content in igneous rocks
1141.28 Method 28: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Ball mill value
1141.29 Method 29: Methods for sampling and testing aggregates—Accelerated
soundness index by reflux
1141.30.1 Method 30.1: Methods for sampling and testing of aggregates—Coarse
aggregate quality by visual comparison
1726 Geotechnical site investigations
ASTM
C295 Standard Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates for Concrete
Aggregates
3 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of AS 2758 series, the definitions below apply.
3.1 Aggregate
Granular material produced from crushed rock, gravel, sand, metallurgical slag, or
reclaimed material, used to make concrete, and more generally in construction work.
3.2 Coarse aggregate
A1
Aggregate in which the majority of particles are retained on a 4.75 mm AS sieve.
3.3 Fine aggregate
Aggregate whether formed naturally in sand deposits or purpose-made by crushing and
A1 processing (manufactured sand) and in which the majority of particles pass a 4.75 mm AS
sieve.
3.4 Graded aggregate
A1
An aggregate of which more than 15% (by mass) of the total material is retained on at least
each of three consecutive sieve sizes in a set.
NOTES:
1 The typical sieve set used in Australia includes sieves with the following aperture sizes:
75.0 mm, 53.0 mm, 37.5 mm, 26.5 mm, 19.0 mm, 13.2 mm, 9.50 mm, 6.70 mm, 4.75 mm,
2.36 mm, 0.600 mm and 0.075 mm. This selection of sieves is approximately a quarter series.
2 Crushed rock that consists of a mixture of fine and coarse aggregates, the coarse fraction
being graded, is considered a graded aggregate for the purpose of the AS 1141 series.
3.5 Nominal size
A1
Designation of an aggregate that gives an indication of the largest size particle present.
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NOTE: The concept of nominal size of an aggregate is for convenience of reference and ordering.
The nominal size is expressed as one size in the set 75 mm, 60 mm, 40 mm, 28 mm, 20 mm,
14 mm, 10 mm, 7 mm, or 5 mm. The size used is that above the smallest sieve aperture size in the
sieve set 75.0 mm, 53.0 mm, 37.5 mm, 26.5 mm, 19.0 mm, 13.2 mm, 9.50 mm, 6.70 mm, and
4.75 mm, through which at least 85% of the aggregate passes. This is summarized as follows:
millimetres
Nominal size 5 7 10 14 20 28 40 60 75
Sieve size through which at least 85% pass 4.75 6.70 9.50 13.2 19.0 26.5 37.5 53.0 75.0
3.8 Sample
A1
The material that is sampled in accordance with AS 1141.3.1 or as required by the works
specification and is forwarded for examination or testing, or both.
NOTES:
1 In most cases, the sample is representative of the parent material and is derived from
combining sample increments and then dividing into a suitable amount for examination or
testing.
2 Occasionally, a sample may represent a contaminant in the parent material or it may be
derived from a single increment.
3.9 Sample increment
A1
For aggregates and sands, the amount of the material taken directly from the conveyor, bin,
truck or section of a stockpile or from a placed layer in earthworks or a pavement layer.
Where mechanical samplers are used, the amount of material collected in a single pass of
the sampler head.
3.10 Single sized aggregate (also known as one sized aggregate)
A1
An aggregate of which at least 60% of the mass of the whole material passes a sieve, which
is immediately less than the nominal size of the aggregate, and is retained on the sieve
immediately following the selected sieve in the selected set.
NOTE: The typical sieve set used in Australia include sieves with the following aperture sizes:
75.0 mm, 53.0 mm, 37.5 mm, 26.5 mm, 19.0 mm, 13.2 mm, 9.50 mm, 6.70 mm, 4.75 mm,
2.36 mm, 0.600 mm and 0.075 mm. This selection of sieves is approximately a quarter series.
3.11 Source rock
The in situ rock mass located in a quarry, which is used or proposed to be used in the
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APPENDIX A
GUIDANCE ON TYPICAL SAMPLING
(Informative)
The number of sample taken should be in accordance with the quantity to be represented, as
given in Table A1. Where variability within sections is evident, the number of samples may
be increased.
TABLE A1
MINIMUM NUMBER OF SAMPLES
1 251 501 1001 2001 4001 8001
Total mass to be represented
to to to to to to to
(tonnes)
250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16 000
Minimum number of samples 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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APPENDIX B
AGGREGATE COMPOSITION, SHAPE AND TEXTURE
(Informative)
For details on primary and secondary mineralogy and some information on the effects of
mineralogy on the engineering properties of aggregate, reference should be made to
ASTM C295.
TABLE B1
IDENTIFICATION OF ROCKS FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES—
SEDIMENTARY AND PYROCLASTIC ROCKS
Grain size
Bedded rocks (mostly sedimentary)
mm
More Grain At least 50% of
than size At least 50% of grains grains are of fine-
20 description are of carbonate grained volcanic
rock
CONGLOMERATE
20_ Rounded boulders, cobbles and Fragments of SALINE
gravel cemented in a finer matrix volcanic ejecta in a ROCKS
finer matrix
RUDACEOUS
Breccia
Irregular rock fragments in a Rounded grains
Calcirudite* Halite
6_ finer matrix AGGLOMERATE
Angular grains
SANDSTONE Cemented
Coarse
Medium
Quartzite
Quartz grains and siliceous
Calcarenite TUFF
cement
0.2_ Arkose
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Greywacke
Many rock chips
0.06_
Calcareous mudstone
Calcilutite
ARGILLACEOUS
SILTSTONE
MUDSTONE Fine-grained TUFF
Mostly silt
CHALK
0.002_
Calcilutite
Less SHALE CLAYSTONE Very fine-grained
than Fissile Mostly clay TUFF
0.002_
Amorphous Flint—Occurs as bands of nodules in the chalk COAL
or crypto-
Chert—Occurs as nodules and beds in limestone and
crystalline LIGNITE
calcareous sandstone
CARBON-
SILICEOUS CALCAREOUS SILICEOUS ACEOUS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Granular cemented rocks vary greatly in strength and some sandstones are stronger than
many igneous rocks. Bedding may not show in hand specimens and is best seen in outcrop.
Only sedimentary rocks, and some metamorphic rocks derived from them, contain fossils.
Calcareous rocks contain calcite (calcium carbonate), which effervesces with dilute
hydrochloric acid.
* A more detailed classification is given in Clark, A.R. and Walker, B.F. Geotechnique, 1977, 27(1), 93–99
TABLE B2
IDENTIFICATION OF ROCKS FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES—
METAMORPHIC AND IGNEOUS ROCKS
Obviously foliated rocks Rocks with massive structure and crystalline texture Grain size
(mostly metamorphic) (mostly igneous) mm
GNEISS MARBLE
Well-developed but _20
COARSE often widely spaced COARSE GRANITE 1 Diorite 1,2 GABBRO 3 Peridotite
foliation sometimes
with schistose bands QUARTZITE
_0.06
Mylonite Amorphous
Found in fault zones, 5 or crypto-
Obsidian Volcanic glass
mainly in igneous and crystalline
metamorphic areas
TABLE B3
ROCK TYPES COMMONLY USED FOR AGGREGATES
Petrological term Description
Adamellite An acid intrusive rock that consists predominantly of quartz and equivalent
percentages of plagioclase and orthoclase; the coarse-grained equivalent of
rhyodacite.
Agglomerate A pyroclastic rock with fragments greater than 32 mm.
Amphibolite A metamorphic rock consisting of amphibole and plagioclase.
Andesite An intermediate extrusive or hypabyssal rock with sodic plagioclase and little or
no quartz. The fine-grained equivalent of diorite.
Arenite A sedimentary rock consisting of sand-sized particles, irrespective of mineralogy;
sandstone.
Argillite A sedimentary or meta-sedimentary rock consisting of clay or silt-sized particles
but generally more indurated than claystone or siltstone.
Arkose Sandstone consisting of more than 25% feldspar particles.
Basalt A basic extrusive or hypabyssal rock comprised primarily of calcic plagioclase
and pyroxene, with or without olivine—The fine-grained equivalent of a gabbro
or dolerite; olivene basalts contain no quartz; tholeiitic basalts contain no olivine
and may contain minor quartz.
Breccia A sedimentary or volcanic rock containing coarse angular fragments, such as
fault breccia, talus breccia and volcanic breccia.
Caliche (var. calcrete) Duricrust formed by groundwater deposition of calcium carbonate.
Chert Cryptocrystalline‡ quartz formed by precipitation of silica.
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TABLE B3 (continued)
Recycled aggregates Aggregates derived from the processing of materials previously used in a product
and/or from construction that would otherwise be put into landfill. Common
types are as follows:
(a) Recycled concrete aggregates—Produced by the reclamation, crushing and
screening of demolition concrete waste.
(b) Reclaimed aggregates:
(i) Produced from unused fresh concrete returned to its manufacturer in a
state such that separation of the aggregates from the cement paste is
still possible by washing and or screening.
(ii) Produced from crushing selected surface rock from excavation works.
Rhyolite An acidic extrusive, dominated by orthoclase and quartz; the fine-grained
equivalent of granite.
Sandstone A sedimentary rock consisting of sand-sized particles, usually dominated by
quartz but may be dominated by feldspars and/or lithic fragments (see arenite,
arkose, greywacke, quartzite).
Schist A metamorphic rock in which the minerals are arranged in nearly parallel bands
or layers. Plate-like or elongated minerals such as mica or hornblende cause
fissility in the rock, which distinguishes it from a gneiss.
Serpentinite A metamorphic rock type consisting predominantly of serpentine. The rock is
derived from metamorphism of ultra-basic or silicified limestone parent rocks.
Silcrete Duricrust formed by groundwater deposition of silica; also known colloquially as
‘billy’ or ‘gidgee stone’.
Siltstone Sedimentary rock consisting predominantly of silt-sized particles.
(continued)
TABLE B3 (continued)
TABLE B4
PARTICLE SHAPE (see Note)
Classification Description
Rounded Edges are completely abraded away to form curved surfaces.
Irregular Dimensions difficult to categorise.
Angular Sharp edges, very little or no evidence of attrition.
Cubical Roughly planar faces of approximately equal size (x ≈ y ≈ z).
Flaky Material of which the thickness is small relative to the other two dimensions
(z<<x and y – ‘platy’).
Elongated Material, usually angular, in which the length is considerably larger than the
other two dimensions (z>>x and y – ‘rod-shaped’).
Flaky and elongated Material having the length considerably larger than the width, and the width
considerably larger than the thickness (x>>y>>z).
NOTE: See also Figure B1.
TABLE B5
SURFACE TEXTURE
Surface texture group
Characteristics
(see Note)
Glassy Conchoidal fracture.
Smooth Water-worn or smooth due to fracture of laminated or fine-grained rock.
Granular Fracture showing more or less uniform rounded grains.
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Angular
Subangular
Subrounded
Rounded
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APPENDIX C
RECOMMENDED LIMITS FOR ESTABLISHING UNSOUND STONE
(Informative)
C1 DEFINTIONS
C1.1 Marginal rock
That material, whether in the source or as spalls or as crushed particles, that—
(a) in the case of igneous (except basic igneous) and metamorphic rock, has a range of
degradation factor-source rock values less than the minimum value for sound rock
specified in the works specification, but representing material quality still acceptable
in small quantities;
(b) in the case of basic igneous rock, has a range of secondary mineral content values
greater than the maximum value for sound rock or a range of accelerated soundness
values less than the minimum value for sound rock specified in the works
specification (see Note 1); or
(c) in the case of sedimentary rock, has a range of ball mill values greater than the
maximum value for sound rock specified in the works specification (see Note 1).
NOTES:
1 The range of values represents material quality still considered acceptable in small quantities.
2 In the absence of a works specification suitable values are recommended in Table C1 of this
document.
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(d) in the case of sedimentary rock, has a ball mill value greater than the maximum value
for the marginal rock specified in the works specification.
NOTE: In the absence of a works specification, suitable values are recommended in Table C1.
Some rock sources contain secondary minerals or exhibit other properties that may affect
the long-term durability of the product and give rise to poor service performance.
AS 1141.30.1 provides a method for visual comparison with reference specimens to allow
quality assessments. Suggested values for a variety of rock types, using test procedures
found to be appropriate based on the experience of VicRoads and used to classify the
reference specimens are as Table C1 below.
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TABLE C1
RECOMMENDED LIMITS FOR ESTABLISHING UNSOUND STONE
Minimum Maximum Maximum ball
Minimum
degradation secondary mill value
accelerated
Rock type factor mineral content (see Note 4)
soundness index
(see Note 1) (see Note 2)
(see Note 3)
% % %
Sound rock
Acid igneous
Granitic rocks 50
Other acid igneous 45
Intermediate igneous
Trachyte 50
Other intermediate igneous 45
Basic igneous 25 94
Metamorphic
Hornfels 40
Other metamorphic 45
Sedimentary
Argillaceous sediments 30
Arenaceous sediments 45
Marginal rock
Acid igneous
Granitic rocks 35–49
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NOTES:
1 The recommended test procedure is AS 1141.25.1.
2 The recommended test procedure is AS 1141.26.
3 The recommended test procedure is AS 1141.29.
4 The recommended test procedure is AS 1141.28.
5 Basic igneous source rock which does not comply with specified secondary mineral content requirements
but from which aggregates of proven satisfactory performance have been produced may be acceptable
based on records of acceptable field performance for comparable load and exposure conditions
AS 2758.0—2009
REVISED TEXT
SUMMARY: This Amendment applies to the Inside front cover and Clauses 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.9 and
3.10.
Published on 8 April 2016.
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