CE 2106: Sessional on Engineering Materials 32

RESISTANCE TO DEGRADATION OF SMALL-SIZE COARSE AGGREGATE

BY ABRASION AND IMPACT IN THE LOS ANGELES MACHINE

1. SCOPE

This test method covers a procedure for testing sizes of coarse aggregate smaller than 1.5 inch
(37.5 mm) for resistance to degradation using the Los Angeles testing machine.

2. REFERENCES

ASTM C136 Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

ASTM C131 Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C535 Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM E11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes

3. THEORY
Apart from testing aggregate with respect to its strength, testing the aggregate with respect to its
resistance to wear or degradation (hardness) is an important test for aggregate to be used for
roads, and in floor surfaces subjected to heavy traffic.

This test method covers a procedure for testing sizes of coarse aggregate smaller than 1.5 in (37.5
mm) for resistance to degradation using the Los Angeles testing machine. The Los Angeles test is
a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of standard gradings resulting from a
combination of actions including abrasion or attrition, impact, and grinding in a rotating steel
drum containing a specified number of steel spheres. This test has been widely used as an
indicator of the relative quality or competence of various sources of aggregate having similar
mineral compositions.

5. APPARATUS

Los Angeles testing machine: The machine shall consist of a hollow steel cylinder, closed at
both ends, having an inside diameter of 28 + 0.2 in. (711 + 5 mm), and an inside length 20 + 0.2
in. (508 + 5mm). The cylinder shall be mounted on stub shafts attached to the ends of the
cylinder but not entering it, and shall be mounted in such a manner that it may be rotated with the
axis in a horizontal position within a tolerance in slope of 1 in 100. An opening in the cylinder
shall be provided for the introduction of the test sample. A suitable, dust-tight cover shall be
provided for the opening with means for bolting the cover in place.

Fig 1: Loss Angeles Abrasion Test Apparatus

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 CE 2106: Sessional on Engineering Materials 33

The cover shall be so designed as to maintain the cylindrical contour of the interior surface unless
the shelf is to locate that the charge will not fall on the cover, or come in contact with it during
the test. A removable steel shelf extending the full length of the cylinder and projecting inward +
0.1 in. (89 + 2 mm) shall be mounted on the interior cylindrical surface of the cylinder, in such a
way that a plane centered between the large faces coincides with the axial plane. The shelf shall
be of such thickness and so mounted, by bolts or other suitable means, as to be firm and rigid.
The position of the shelf shall be such that the distance from the shelf to the opening, measured
along the outside circumference of the cylinder in the direction of rotation, shall be not less than
50 in (1.27m). The machine shall be so driven and so counterbalanced as to maintain a
substantially uniform peripheral speed.
Sieves
Balance – accurate within 0.1% of range required for test
Charge – the charge shall consist of steel spheres averaging approximately 46.8 mm in diameter
and each weighing between390 and 445 g. The charge, depending upon the grading of
the test sample, shall be as follows:

Grading Number of Spheres Weight of Charge, g

A 12 5000 +/- 25
B 11 4584 +/- 25
C 8 3330 +/- 20
D 6 2500 +/- 15

6. MATERIALS

The test sample shall be washed and oven-dried (105 to 115 °C) to substantially constant weight,
separated into individual size fractions, and recombined to the grading (Table 1) most nearly
corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as originally furnished.

7. SAMPLING:

The test sample shall be washed and oven-dried at 221 to 230°F (105 to 110°C) to substantially
constant weight separated into individual size fractions, and recombined to the grading of Table-1
most nearly corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as furnished for the work. The
weight of the sample prior to test shall be recorded to the nearest 1 g.

Table 1. Gradings of Test Samples

Sieve Size (Square Openings) Weight of Indicated Sizes, g

Grading
Passing Retained on A B C D
37.5 mm (1-1/2 in.) 25.0 mm (1 in.) 1250 +/- 25
25.0 mm (1 in.) 19.0 mm (3/4 in.) 1250 +/- 25
19.0 mm (3/4 in.) 12.5 mm (1/2 in.) 1250 +/- 10 2500 +/- 10
12.5 mm (1/2 in.) 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) 1250 +/- 10 2500 +/- 10
9.5 mm (3/8 in.) 6.3 mm (1/4 in.) 2500 +/- 10
6.3 mm (1/4 in.) 4.75 mm (No. 4) 2500 +/- 10
4.75 mm (No. 4) 2.36 mm (No. 8) 5000 +/- 10
Total 5000 +/- 10 5000 +/- 10 5000 +/- 10 5000 +/- 10

Department of Civil Engineering, KUET

 CE 2106: Sessional on Engineering Materials 34

8. PROCEDURE

8.1 Place the test sample and the charge in the Los Angeles testing machine
8.2 Rotate the machine at a speed of 30 to 33 rpm for 500 revolutions.
8.3 Discharge the material from the L.A. abrasion machine and separate the sample on a No. 12
sieve (1.70 mm).
8.4 Weigh the material coarser than the No. 12 sieve (1.70 mm) and record this as the final
weight.

Sample and Charge Separating final Material

9. CALCULATION

Calculate the L.A. abrasion loss as the difference between the original weight and the final
weight of the test sample as a percentage of the original weight of the test sample.

L.A. Abrasion Loss (%) = [(A - B)/A)] x 100

Where:
A = Mass of original test specimen, to the nearest 1 g
B = Mass retained on the 1.70-mm sieve after the specified number of revolutions, to the
nearest 1 g

Report the L.A. abrasion loss as a percentage (nearest 1%).

10. DISCUSSION

10.1 Discuss possible sources of error in test procedure or calculations which may have
affected the test results.
10.2 Comments on the quality of aggregate on the basis of your result.

12. QUESTIONS

1. How is the abrasive charge selected for Los Angeles abrasion test? Write down the
number of spheres and weight of charges for different cases.
2. What is the significance of Los Angeles abrasion test?
3. What is the rotational speed and number of total revolutions for this test?
4. What is the maximum allowable abrasion loss for concrete coarse aggregate as specified
in ASTM C33, Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregates?
5. Do your test results satisfy the abrasion loss requirements for concrete coarse aggregate
as specified in ASTM C33, Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregates?

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 CE 2106: Sessional on Engineering Materials 35

DATA SHEET

Name: __________________________ Roll No.: __________________ Date: ______________

Name of Experiment: ____________________________________________________________

Table 1: Data sheet for abrasion test

Sample Material:

Sample I.D.:

Nominal Max Size:

Grading: Number of Spheres: Weight of Charge (g):

Weight of Test Samples per Table 1, (to nearest gram)

Passing Retained on Tare (g) Tare + Material (g) Material (g)

19.0 mm (3/4 in.) 12.5 mm (1/2 in.)

12.5 mm (1/2 in.) 9.5 mm (3/8 in)

Original Total Weight, A (g):

Weight of Oven Dried Material Coarser Than 1.70 mm (#12 Sieve) (to nearest gram)

Final Weight + Tare (g):

Tare Weight (g):
Final Weight, B (g):

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS:

L.A. Abrasion Loss (%) = (nearest 1%)

____________________________
(Signature of the course teacher)

Department of Civil Engineering, KUET