Relationship between retrographical and physical properties of aggregates

Abstract

The relationship between petrographical and physical properties of limestone, basalt, granite and gneiss was investigated. Petrographical data were quantified from polished thin sections with a polarising microscope to determine the modal composition. The properties of resistance to fragmentation and abrasion were determined by Los Angeles abrasion test and crushing test. The shape characteristic was measured by Flakiness index test. The experimental results indicate that abundance of fine- to medium-grained minerals (especially of plagioclase, quartz and feldspar) are prime, and strong micrographic intergrowth texture with interlocking grain boundaries have the great positive influence on the physical properties. It is also indicated that petrographical properties and surface texture of rocks can decide the potentiality of rocks as raw materials with high quality on resisting fragmentation and abrasion. Analysis of Integration of petrographical data and mechanical properties is ideal for the selection of aggregates used in asphalt concrete.

Keywords

aggregate / petrography / physical properties / flakiness index

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