Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

Introduction:
Impact value of an aggregate is the percentage loss of weight particles passing
2.36mm sieve by the application of load by means of 15 blows of standard hammer and drop,
under specified test condition. The aggregate impact value gives a relative measure of the
resistance of an aggregate to sudden shock or impact, which in some aggregates differs from
their resistance to a slowly applied compressive load.
The property of a material to resist impact is known as toughness. Due to movement
of vehicles on the road the aggregates are subjected to impact resulting in their breaking
down into smaller pieces. The aggregates should therefore have sufficient toughness to resist
their disintegration due to impact. This characteristic is measured by impact value test. The
aggregate impact value is a measure of resistance to sudden impact or shock, which may
differ from its resistance to gradually applied compressive load.
In this laboratory activities, students are required to set up an aggregate test in order to
evaluate the strength (toughness and durability) characteristics of the aggregates. Students are
encouraged to develop their critical analysis skills by analyzing and presenting the
experimental results appropriately.
Aggregate Impact Value Test important to determine:
1. Aggregates toughness property (property of a material to resist impact)
2. Classify the stone aggregates with respect to toughness property as given below.
Aggregate impact value (%)

Toughness Properties

<10

Exceptionally tough / Strong

10 20

Very tough / Strong

20 30

Good for pavement surface course

>35

Weal for pavement surface course

Objective:

UiTM Shah Alam

Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

To determine the aggregates impact value (AIV) of aggregate.

Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Steel cylinder
Tamping rod
Mould
Hammer
2.36mm sieve

Procedures:
1. The aggregates sample is prepared by first sieved the aggregate and obtain the
portion passing 14.0mm test sieve and retained on the 10.0mm test sieve.
2. The aggregate portion is washed and dried in the laboratory oven at constant
temperature of 100C and 110C for not more than four hours. The aggregates
sample is cooled to room temperature prior to test.
3. The aggregates is filled into the smaller steel cylinder in three layers. Each layer
of aggregate is tamped for 25 times using a tamping rod. The tamping rod is
adjusted to fall freely from about 50mm above the aggregate surface and it must
be well uniformly spread over. The surface is levelled with the tamping rod as a
straight edge to prepare the sufficient amount of aggregate on the top layer.
4. The aggregate is put into the bigger mould and applied 25 times tamping for each
layer.
5. The cylinder and aggregates are weighted and the data is recorded.
6. The sample in the apparatus is assembled and the hammer is released to fall freely
on the aggregates from a fixed vertical height of 380 5mm. the sample is
subjected to at total of manual-controlled 15 blows.
7. The aggregates sample tested is removed from the mould and sieved through
2.36mm sieve openings.
8. The aggregate fraction passing the 2.36mm test sieve is weighted.
9. The test for the same batch of aggregate sample is repeated twice.
Results:

Mass of mould (g)

UiTM Shah Alam

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

2762

2762

2762

Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

Mass of mould + aggregate (g)

3140.5

3062

3077

Mass of aggregate, M1 (g)

378.5

300

315

Mass of sieve pan, 2.36mm (g)

241

241

241

Mass of sieve pan + aggregate (g)

372

322

306.4

Mass of passing aggregate, M2 (g)

131

81

65.4

AIV (%)

34.6

27

20.8

Mean value:

34.6+ 27.0+20.8
3

= 24.5%

Discussion:
Toughness is the property of a material to resist impact. Due to movement of vehicles
on the road, the aggregates are subjected to impact which causes them to break into smaller
pieces. So, the aggregates that are going to be used in the road or highway must have
UiTM Shah Alam

Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

sufficient toughness where the AIV test should be 10%-20%, to resist their disintegration due
to impact.
From the data obtained and the Aggregate Impact Value Test (AIV) that we have done, it
shows that our mean value from all three samples is 24.5%. Based from the Aggregate Impact
Standard, for the aggregate impact value of 24.5% which is 20% - 30% is satisfactory strong
for road surfacing. It shows that this aggregate is satisfactory in term of impact value of the
road aggregates and its suitability in road construction on the basis of impact value.
A lot of advantages can be obtained from the AIV test, and one of the advantages of
aggregate impact test is that the test equipment and the test procedure are simple and it can
obtain the resistance and impact of stones simulating field condition. The test also can be
done in short period of time whether it is at construction site or stone quarry. Higher
resistance to impact can be provided in well-shaped cubical stones compared to flaky and
elongated stones. The first specimen is essential to be tested from each sample of aggregate
which is equal in volume; this can be ensured by taking the specimen in the measuring
cylinder in the specified manner by tamping in three layers. Height of these specimens will be
equal and the height of fall of the impact rammer on the specimen will be equal if all the test
specimens to be tested in the aggregate impact testing mould are of equal volume. On the
other hand, volume and height may vary depending on specific gravity of aggregate and
shape factors. So the specified rate of application of the blows of the impact rammer may be
also varying.

Conclusion:

UiTM Shah Alam

Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

After conducting this experiment, we can say that it is important to test the aggregates
in order to construct a quality pavement for the highway construction. Thus, the result of the
experiment, the aggregates impact value is 24.5%. This value is acceptable because it is
between 20-30% which classified as satisfactory for road surfacing. The lower the value, the
higher the strength of the road surface. On the other hand, the objective is achieved.

References:
(n.d.).

Retrieved

December,

2016,

from

The

Constructor:

http://theconstructor.org/building/building-material/determination-of-aggregateimpact-value/1355/
Rasin

Instrument.

(n.d.).

Retrieved

December,

2016,

from

Scibd:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/22056086/Aggregate-Impact-Test
Aggregate Impact Value. (n.d). Retrieved 7 December, 2016, from:
https://www.engineeringcivil.com/aggregate-impact-value/
Important Aiv. (n.d). Retrieved 7December, 2016, from:
https://civilblog.org/aggregate-test-important/
(n.d). Retrieved 7 Decemver 2016, from:
http://civilblog.org/2014/07/16/aggregate-impact-value-test-10-important-notes-toremember/#

Appendix:

UiTM Shah Alam

Aggregates Impact Test (AIV)

Aggregate Impact Value

Classification

<20%

Exceptionally Strong

10 20%

Strong

20-30%

Satisfactory for road surfacing

>35%

Weak for road surfacing

UiTM Shah Alam