Los Angeles Abrasion Test (LAA)

Introduction:
The Los Angeles test is a measure of degradation of mineral aggregates of standard
gradings resulting from a combination of actions including abrasion, impact and grinding in
a rotating steel drum containing a specified number of steel spheres. As the drum rotates, a
shelf plate picks up the sample and the steel spheres, carrying them around until they are
dropped to the opposite side of the drum, creating an impact/crushing effect. The contents
then roll within the drum with an abrading and grinding action until the shelf plate impacts
and the cycle is repeated.
After the prescribed number of resolutions, the contents are removed from the drum and the
aggregate portion is sieved to measure the degradation as a percent loss.

Objective:
The objective of the test is to assess the hardness of coarse aggregates used in pavement
construction. Due to the movement of traffic, the road stones used in the surface course are
subjected to wearing action at the top. Resistance to wear or hardness is hence an essential
property for road aggregates, especially when used in wearing course.
This test method covers a procedure for testing sizes of coarse aggregates, e.g. for surface
dressing, smaller than 37.5 mm for resistance to degradation using the Los Angeles testing
machine.

Required equipment:
Los Angeles Testing Machine The machine consists of a hollow rotating steel
cylinder, closed at both ends, with an inside diameter of 711 mm and an inside length of
508 mm. An opening with a dust tight cover are provided for the introduction of the test
sample. A steel shelf is extending the full length of the cylinder and projecting inward
89mm.
The machine shall be so driven and counterbalanced as to maintain a substantially
uniform peripheral speed.

 Test sieves - sizes 1.70 mm, 2.36 mm, 4.75 mm, 6.3 mm, 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, 19.0 mm,
25.0 mm and 37.5 mm.
Drying oven - with temperature of 105 C to 110 C
Balance - readable to 1.0 g.
Charge - The charge shall consist of steel spheres avenging approximately 46.8 mm
(46.0 47.6 mm) in diameter and with mass between 390 g and 445 g.
The charge, depending on the grading of the sample as described in Table 12 shall be as
follows:

Sample preparation:
Step 1: The test sample shall be washed and oven-dried at 105 C to 110 C to substantially
constant mass.
Step 2: The sample shall be separated into individual size fractions and recombined to the
grading of Table 12 most nearly corresponding to the range of sizes in the aggregate as
furnished for the work.
Step 3: The mass of the sample shall prior to test shall be recorded to the nearest 1 g (m1).

Test Procedure:
Step 1: Place the test sample and the charge in the Los Angeles testing machine and rotate
the machine at a speed of 30 to 33 rpm for 500 revolutions.
Step 2: After the 500 revolutions, discharge the material from the machine and make a
preliminary separation of the sample in a sieve coarser than the 1.70 mm sieve. Sieve the
finer portion on a 1.70 mm sieve.
Step 3: Wash the material coarser than 1.70 mm sieve.
Step 4: Oven-dry at 105 C to 110 C to substantially constant mass, and
weigh to the nearest 1 g (m2 )

Data Table :
Sample description

Unit

Grading used
Mass of sample before test (m1)

gm

Mass of sample retained on sieve 1.70 mm (m2)

gm

Mass of passing sieve size 1.70 mm (m1-m2)

gm

LAA Value = { ()/ } 100

Value

Result:
LAA Value of the Aggregate =

Calculation:

Discussion: