Transportation Engineering Laboratory, IITG
EXPERIMENT NO.
NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT: FLAKINESS INDEX TEST
AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT: To determine the Flakiness Index of the given
sample of coarse aggregate.
TEST DESCRIPTION:
In order to calculate the flakiness index of the entire sample of aggregates,
first the weight of each fraction of aggregate passing and retained on the
specified set of sieves is noted. Each piece of these are tried to be passed
through the slot of the specified thickness of the thickness gauge are
found and weighed. Then the flakiness index is the total weight of the
material retained on the various thickness gauges, expressed as a
percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE TEST:
A balance which is having accuracy in measuring of 0.1% of the
weight of the sample.
Metal Gauge: The metal gauge shall be of the pattern shown in Fig.
4.1 with elongated slots of dimensions as indicated. The tolerance on
dimensions shall be 0.20 mm for dimensions equal to or more than
50 mm and 0.10 mm for dimensions less than 50 mm.
Sieves: IS Sieves of sizes of 25 mm, 20 mm, 16 mm, 12.5 mm, 10
mm and 6.3 mm.
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Transportation Engineering Laboratory, IITG
Fig.1: Flakiness Index metal gauge sketch
Fig.2: Flakiness index
metal gauge
RELEVANT CODES:
ASTM 4791-10: Standard Test Method for Flat Particles, Elongated Particles
or Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse Aggregate, American Society for
Testing and Materials
IS 2386 (Part I)-1963 Methods of Test for aggregates for Concrete; Particle
size and shape; Bureau of Indian Standards
PROCEDURE:
1. The sample of aggregates to be tested is sieved through a set of sieves and separated
into specified size ranges.
2. Minimum 200 pieces of any fraction to be tested are taken and weighed properly.
3. To separate the flaky material, the aggregates which pass through the appropriate
elongated slot of the thickness gauge are found.
4. The width of the appropriate slot would be 0.6 times the average of the size range.
5. The flaky material passing the appropriate slot from each size range of test aggregates
are added up and weighed.
6. This weight is then divided by the total weight of sample taken from different size
ranges and the ratio is expressed in percentage which is the required flakiness index.
PRECAUTIONS:
Use safety shoes, mask & aprons at the time of test.
Thoroughly clean & dry the gauge before testing.
Special care should be taken that no outer air enters when using the
balance.
All parts of the equipment should always be kept clean.
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Transportation Engineering Laboratory, IITG
After the end of the test sieve should be clean by smooth brush.
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