Evaluation of Physical Properties of Aggregates: A Case Study on Aggregate Sources around Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Aggregates play a crucial role in construction works, and this research aims to characterize aggregates from different sources in the Kathmandu Valley, considering factors such as particle size, shape, water absorption, and toughness, resistance to abrasion, crushing value, and impact value. The study investigated identifying and testing aggregates from the sources around and within Kathmandu Valley. A preliminary survey identified nine quarries around Kathmandu Valley based on accessibility to the valley and the highest producers (regarding materials volume). Coarse aggregate samples were collected from Dukuchap (Lalitpur), kaldhunga (Kavre), Bogati Panauti (Kavre), Aagra Khola (Makwanpur) and Melamchi (Sindhupal Chowk. Fine aggregates were collected from Melamchi (Sindhupal Chowk), Belkhu (Dhading), and Sankhu (Kathmandu). Evaluation of physical properties of aggregates included fineness modulus test, water absorption test, crushing value test, Impact value test, silt content test, Flakiness and Elongation test, and abrasion resistance test. Upon meticulous evaluation of the collected samples, it was observed that Fineness Modulus, specific gravity, water absorption, materials finer than 75μm and silt content of the sources were found in between the respective range of (1.97 to3.49), (2.53 to2.62), (1.05 to1.96) % and (1.74 to 5)% and (1.21 to 11.04) respectively. Similarly, specific gravity, water absorption, flakiness index, abrasion value, impact value, and crushing value of coarse aggregates were found in the range of (2.65-2.72), (0.36-1.07)%,(15.03-18.41)%,(15.94-41.52)%,(15.23-34.31)% and(13.55-28.68)% respectively.