Influence of mineralogical and chemical composition of aggregates on strength and adhesion property

The strength and adhesion properties are greatly influenced by mineralogical and chemical composition of aggregates. Aggregates selected for this research work were from 9 different regions based on geological classification & all of them belongs to igneous group; Granite (5), Basalt (2) and Dolerite (2). The minerals determined were quartz, k-feldspar, plagioclase, augite and mica and the chemical constituents determined were silica (SiO₂), alumina (Al2O₃), magnesium (MgO), calcium (CaO), sodium (Na₂O), potassium (K₂O), iron (FeO), manganese (MnO₂). The aggregates were characterized for their strength properties and stripping potential. Presence of minerals like Quartz and K-feldspar reduces the strength of the aggregates and increases stripping potential. Aggregates having high Augite content were found to be very strong. Oxides of calcium, magnesium and iron are found to reduce the stripping potential. The relative high content of sodium oxide and relative low content of potassium oxide increases the moisture sensitivity.