Effect of coarse aggregate size on strength and workability of concrete

Abstract

The properties of concrete were studied when the proportions of 37.5 and 19.5 mm stone in the coarse aggregate were varied. With the cement content of 160 kg/m3 and the ratio of water/cement (w/c) greater than 0.9, the compressive strength is maximum at 25 percent by weight (w/o) of 37.5 mm stone. Conversely, for the cement content of 350 kg/m3 and w/c ratios of less than 0.50, maximum compressive strength is substantively reduced. For both 160 kg/m3 and 350 kg/m3 cement contents, workability improves slightly as the proportion of the 37.5 mm stone is increased. For 100 mm fixed slumps and cement content of less than 160 kg/m3, there was little change in compressive strength as the proportion of 37.5 mm stone increased. However, when cement content was increased from 190 to 350 kg/m3, maximum compressive strength was observed, which shifted downward from 50 w/o to 25 w/o of 37.5 mm stone. In general, to maintain a 100 mm slump, water demand decreased as the proportion of 37.5 mm stone in the coarse aggregate fraction increased.Key words: concrete, compressive strength, workability, slump, aggregate, size, cement.