Fines content in local aggregates

Abstract

Usually, the primary requirement of a good concrete in its hardened state is a satisfactory compressive strength. This is intended not only to ensure that the concrete can withstand a prescribed compressive stress but also because many other desired properties of concrete such as durability, impermeability, resistance to abrasion, etc., are concomitant with high strength. The aim of this work is to determine, or better outline, the effect of fine dust, present in local crushed aggregate on the above mentioned properties and to try to point towards possible solutions if it has a significant effect on the major properties such as workability and strength. It should be stated at the outset that this work is not intended to produce a definite and conclusive theory. Its aim is to provide a broad outline of the changes which fine dust cause in the properties of concrete. Further work will have to be carried out so that the complexities of the problems should they exit, be tacked in greater details. In other words, the aim of this work is only to act as a spring board for further research on this topic.