Effect of Coarse Aggregate Type and Quality on Mechanical Properties of High-Strength Concrete

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the impact of different types of coarse aggregates on the properties of high-strength concrete. Five main types of aggregates were tested: (1) Anorthosite (AS), (2) Gray Granite (GG), (3) Limestone (LS), (4) Charnockite (CK), and (5) Gneiss (GS).

Three different concrete grades were prepared for each aggregate type (B40, B60, B90) while maintaining constant other factors such as water-cement ratio and admixture proportions. a comprehensive series of tests was conducted to evaluate:

• Compassion strength
• Part tensile strength
• Flexural strength
• Modulus of flexibility
• Break vitality

Key Findings:

1. The steel slag aggregate (LS) achieved the highest compressive strength values among all samples.
2. Gray Granite (GG) demonstrated exceptional performance in high-strength concrete mixtures (B90).
3. A clear relationship was observed between the mineral composition of aggregates and concrete performance:

• Quartz-rich aggregates (e.g., granite) recorded the highest compressive strength and fracture energy values
• Smooth-surfaced aggregates (e.g., limestone) showed relatively lower performance

Aggregate surface topography had a noticeable effect on the bond strength between aggregates and cement paste