American Journal of Civil Engineering

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An Examination of the Physio-mechanical Properties of Rock Lump and Aggregates in Three Leading Quarry Sites Near Accra

Received: 30 May 2016    Accepted: 26 July 2016    Published: 02 September 2016
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Abstract

In recent times, there has been an increasing indiscrimination in the choice of aggregate for the casting of concrete in the construction industry. The nearest available material is used without looking into its properties and strength. The source of aggregates and its physio-mechanical properties have an effect on the final product depending on the design mix. This study focusses on the determination of dry density, water content of rock materials, porosity, compressive strength of parent rock lumps material, rock aggregates and the grading of aggregates. Samples were picked from three leading quarries near Accra, Ghana and were tested quantitatively at the laboratory. Analysis shows that air spaces in rock lump samples with valued percentages varied from 29% to 34% and 41% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively, with a direct proportional effect on the water content of the rock lump. Invariably, the dry density for sampled igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks lump varied from 1.12g/cm3 to 1.57g/cm3 and 2.03g/cm3 respectively. There was a direct correlation between the impact resistance and load resistance results of the samples. Igneous rock recorded the highest impact resistance of 802 mm followed by sedimentary and then metamorphic rocks with 602mm and 201mm respectively with a corresponding load resistance of 57kn, 29kn and 13kn. The studies revealed rock aggregate moisture contents as 8.1%, 7.6% and 10.7% translating into its water absorption and porosity of 10.25%, 14.11% and 7.55% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively. The laboratory results with respect to grading of the aggregates for particle size distribution shows that sedimentary crush rocks showed a well graded particle size distribution, best suited for concrete works. Based on comparative laboratory analysis of the physio-mechanical properties of the three rocks, igneous rocks showed properties best suited for concrete mix design, whilst metamorphic rock samples proved to be the poorest.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11
Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 4, Issue 6, November 2016)
Page(s) 264-275
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Concrete, Physio-mechanical Properties, Rock Sample, Aggregates, Strength, Construction

References
[1] Wilberforce S. Buertey J. (2105), an examination of the effect of the physio-mechanical properties of concrete. Unpublished M Eng Thesis submitted to the Open University of Malaysia (2015).
[2] Rogers, C. A., and Senior, S. A., “Recent Developments in Physical Testing of Aggregates to Ensure Durable Concrete,” Advances in Cement and Concrete, Proceedings of Engineering Foundation Conference, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1994.
[3] Oduroh, P. K., Mahboub, K. C., and Anderson, R. M. (2000) Flat and elongated aggregates in Super pave regime. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 12, 124-130.
[4] BS 812; (1995) Methods for Sampling and Testing of Mineral Aggregates, Sands and Fillers, British Standard Institute.
[5] Jackson, N. and Ravindra, K. D. (1996) Civil Engineering Materials (fifth edition), Macmillian Press Publishers Ltd. London, UK.
[6] ASTM C 88 – 99a Standard Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate
[7] Coarse Aggregate Performance in Ontario,” Transportation Research Record 1301, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, pp. 97- 106, 1991.
[8] Gambir M. L., Concrete Technology, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing Companies, New Delhi 2006.
[9] Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction/Methods of Test for Concrete, A23. 1-00/A23. 2-00, 2000.
[10] Salihu, A. Y. (2011) Importance of Concrete Mix Design Quality Control Measure, Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cenresin Publications.
[11] Bryman, A. (2004). Social Research Methods. [2nd Ed]. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[12] ASTM D 6032, (2012) Standard Test Methods for Rock Quality Designation of Rock Core, American Concrete Institute.
[13] Standard Test Methods for Determination of rock material dry density (ASTM D2726-96).
[14] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content Rock by Mass ASTM D2216-10.
[15] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of porosity of rock material (ASTM D5084).
[16] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of the compressive load strength of rock material (ASTM D7012).
[17] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of rock material toughness in the laboratory (ASTM D5873).
[18] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory determination of Specific gravity test, Water absorption test and bulk density (ASTM C128).
[19] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory determination of Moisture content test (ASTM C566).
[20] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory determination of Porosity test (ASTM D4404).
[21] Standard Test Methods for Laboratory determination of Unit Weight and Void Ratio (ASTM D1556).
[22] Standard Test Methods for Grading of Aggregates (ASTM C33) and (ASTM C1716).
[23] Standard Test Methods for determination of Particle size distribution of coarse and fine aggregates (ASTM D6913).
[24] Neville A. M., Properties of Concrete, ELSB 5th Edition, Pearson Education Publishing Ltd. London 2005.
[25] American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AASHTO Guide Specification for Highway Construction, Section 56X, “Portland Cement Concrete Resistant to Excessive Expansion Caused by Alkali-Silica Reaction,” http://leadstates.tamu.edu/ASR/library/gspec.stm, 2000.
Author Information
  • Department of Built Environment, Pentecost University College, Accra, Ghana

  • Department of Built Environment, Pentecost University College, Accra, Ghana

  • Department of Project Management, Accra Institute of Technology, Accra, Ghana

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    Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey, Felix Atsrim, Samuel Wilberforce Offei. (2016). An Examination of the Physio-mechanical Properties of Rock Lump and Aggregates in Three Leading Quarry Sites Near Accra. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 4(6), 264-275. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11

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    Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey; Felix Atsrim; Samuel Wilberforce Offei. An Examination of the Physio-mechanical Properties of Rock Lump and Aggregates in Three Leading Quarry Sites Near Accra. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2016, 4(6), 264-275. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11

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    AMA Style

    Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey, Felix Atsrim, Samuel Wilberforce Offei. An Examination of the Physio-mechanical Properties of Rock Lump and Aggregates in Three Leading Quarry Sites Near Accra. Am J Civ Eng. 2016;4(6):264-275. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11,
      author = {Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey and Felix Atsrim and Samuel Wilberforce Offei},
      title = {An Examination of the Physio-mechanical Properties of Rock Lump and Aggregates in Three Leading Quarry Sites Near Accra},
      journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
      volume = {4},
      number = {6},
      pages = {264-275},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160406.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20160406.11},
      abstract = {In recent times, there has been an increasing indiscrimination in the choice of aggregate for the casting of concrete in the construction industry. The nearest available material is used without looking into its properties and strength. The source of aggregates and its physio-mechanical properties have an effect on the final product depending on the design mix. This study focusses on the determination of dry density, water content of rock materials, porosity, compressive strength of parent rock lumps material, rock aggregates and the grading of aggregates. Samples were picked from three leading quarries near Accra, Ghana and were tested quantitatively at the laboratory. Analysis shows that air spaces in rock lump samples with valued percentages varied from 29% to 34% and 41% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively, with a direct proportional effect on the water content of the rock lump. Invariably, the dry density for sampled igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks lump varied from 1.12g/cm3 to 1.57g/cm3 and 2.03g/cm3 respectively. There was a direct correlation between the impact resistance and load resistance results of the samples. Igneous rock recorded the highest impact resistance of 802 mm followed by sedimentary and then metamorphic rocks with 602mm and 201mm respectively with a corresponding load resistance of 57kn, 29kn and 13kn. The studies revealed rock aggregate moisture contents as 8.1%, 7.6% and 10.7% translating into its water absorption and porosity of 10.25%, 14.11% and 7.55% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively. The laboratory results with respect to grading of the aggregates for particle size distribution shows that sedimentary crush rocks showed a well graded particle size distribution, best suited for concrete works. Based on comparative laboratory analysis of the physio-mechanical properties of the three rocks, igneous rocks showed properties best suited for concrete mix design, whilst metamorphic rock samples proved to be the poorest.},
     year = {2016}
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    AU  - Joseph Ignatius Teye Buertey
    AU  - Felix Atsrim
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    T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
    JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
    JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
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    AB  - In recent times, there has been an increasing indiscrimination in the choice of aggregate for the casting of concrete in the construction industry. The nearest available material is used without looking into its properties and strength. The source of aggregates and its physio-mechanical properties have an effect on the final product depending on the design mix. This study focusses on the determination of dry density, water content of rock materials, porosity, compressive strength of parent rock lumps material, rock aggregates and the grading of aggregates. Samples were picked from three leading quarries near Accra, Ghana and were tested quantitatively at the laboratory. Analysis shows that air spaces in rock lump samples with valued percentages varied from 29% to 34% and 41% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively, with a direct proportional effect on the water content of the rock lump. Invariably, the dry density for sampled igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks lump varied from 1.12g/cm3 to 1.57g/cm3 and 2.03g/cm3 respectively. There was a direct correlation between the impact resistance and load resistance results of the samples. Igneous rock recorded the highest impact resistance of 802 mm followed by sedimentary and then metamorphic rocks with 602mm and 201mm respectively with a corresponding load resistance of 57kn, 29kn and 13kn. The studies revealed rock aggregate moisture contents as 8.1%, 7.6% and 10.7% translating into its water absorption and porosity of 10.25%, 14.11% and 7.55% for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks respectively. The laboratory results with respect to grading of the aggregates for particle size distribution shows that sedimentary crush rocks showed a well graded particle size distribution, best suited for concrete works. Based on comparative laboratory analysis of the physio-mechanical properties of the three rocks, igneous rocks showed properties best suited for concrete mix design, whilst metamorphic rock samples proved to be the poorest.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 6
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