MATERIALS TESTING EQUIPMENT LTD
Gilwilly Industrial Estate Penrith Cumbria. UK CA11 9BQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1768 865302 Fax: +44 (0) 1768 890954

Aggregate Testing Equipment

A majority of materials used in construction consist of Aggregate. In general it is normal to test Aggregates for properties which include particle size, distribution, shape and texture; relative densities, Bulk and compacted; mechanical properties; soundness and resistance to attack by chemicals.

Sampling of Aggregates is a necessary part of the research, design and quality control sectors of most construction/civil engineering projects. The objective being to obtain a representative sample which reflects the average quality of the entire mass of the material in question. These representative samples are then subjected to a variety of tests to examine their physical, chemical and mechanical properties.

There are many tests a sample could undergo and these tests are often dependant upon the use to which the material will be put. Certain properties may be ideal for use in one situation, but undesirable in another. Rounded Aggregate, for example, can have beneficial effects in a concrete mix, facilitating improved workability for compaction or placing. The same property in an Asphalt mix could cause instability and lead to breaking up of the finished surface.

The equipment featured below forms only a fraction of the equipment we have to offer. For details of equipment not featured on this page please CONTACT US for further information.

Particle size characteristics are properties which can have severe effects on the final product in which an Aggregate is used. Its properties make Aggregate ideal for use in concrete mixes, hard wearing and durable asphalts, macadams and road courses. However the same properties that make it useful are also capable of rendering it unsuitable. The example of rounded Aggregate above is one example, another is the elongation of an Aggregate.

Elongated Aggregate has a length which, in relation, is much greater than the other two dimensions. Use of greatly elongated Aggregates in road wearing courses, could result in excessive wear on vehicle tyres, and result in reduced life expectancy of the road surface.

Sieves

A full range of sieves is available - many ex stock

60-05033 Sieve Brush, double ended brass & bristle
60-05035 Sieve Brush, double ended bristle.

Grid Sieves

Grid Sieves (EN933-3). Each sieve comprises of a series of parallel bars secured to a strong but lightweight metal frame.

60-60065 Grid Sieve 80mm - 63mm
60-60060 Grid Sieve 63mm - 50mm
60-60055 Grid Sieve 50mm - 40mm
60-60050 Grid Sieve 40mm - 31.5mm
60-60045 Grid Sieve 31.5mm - 25mm
60-60040 Grid Sieve 25mm - 20mm
60-60035 Grid Sieve 20mm - 16mm
60-60030 Grid Sieve 16mm - 12.5mm
60-60025 Grid Sieve 12.5mm - 10mm
60-60020 Grid Sieve 10mm - 8mm
60-60015 Grid Sieve 8mm - 6.3mm
60-60010 Grid Sieve 6.3mm - 5mm
60-60005 Grid Sieve 5mm - 4mm

Dimensions relate to passing/retained sizes

Flakiness and Elongation

Riffle Boxes

The values obtained for the particle density of Aggregates, as with other porous materials, is dependant upon the apparatus used, and the method of testing. Varying particle sizes within a sample may produce different density results. Particle density is expressed in Mg/m³

Bulk Density Measures

Air/Water Weighing Frame

Certain chemicals can greatly affect the physical properties of concretes. It is important that Aggregates used can resist excessive changes in volume (soundness) and other characteristic changes brought about by fluctuations in the physical environment. Knowing how these factors affect performance can enable precautions to be taken and relevant mix design alterations to be made.

Wire Baskets

60-12022 Wire Basket, 160mm high x 120mm diameter with 3.35mm mesh.

Used in the determination of Aggregate soundness as described in BS812

Drying Shrinkage

30-10811 Mould, Prism 50 x 50 x 200mm three gang for specimens.

Aggregates which are affected by drying shrinkage may change volume by as much as four times the original, when passing from a saturated wet state to dry.

30-12675 Quantab Chloride Titrator Strips

Excessive amounts of chloride when present in Aggregates can lead to problems with setting times, increased shrinkage and corrosion of steel reinforcement within concrete.

Suitable for estimating the chloride content of aqueous solutions for on-site testing, titrator strips are a quick and efficient method of monitoring chlorides in the range of 0.005% to 1% NaCI

With such a wide range of Aggregates available, an engineer must select a material suitable for the job in question. Certain mechanical properties may be undesirable in a particular project, whilst being imperative to another. Resistance to impact and abrasion may be important for Aggregates used in asphalts, but for an Aggregate used in an exposed finish decorative concrete these properties may be irrelevant.

Aggregate Crushing Value

35-09116 Aggregate Crushing Value Apparatus/TFV

As described in BS812, the equipment comprises of a 150mm diameter steel cylinder, plunger and baseplate. The equipment is used to determine the crushing properties of Aggregates.A smaller 75mm diameter set is also available for Aggregates smaller than 10mm

The same equipment is used for the Ten Percent Fines Vale, though the test methods differ.

Aggregate Impact Value

35-09218 Aggregate Impact Machine, supplied complete with tamping rod and cylindrical measure

35-09220 AIV Measuring Cylinder.

30-10225 Tamping Rod.

Manufactured from plated steel this apparatus is used to determine the Aggregate Impact Value (AIV), providing a relative measurement of an Aggregates resistance to sudden shock or impact as described in BS812