DISCUSSION

Los Angeles (LA) abrasion test is a method to measure the abrasion resistance in which the
sample and a set of steel spheres are tumbled inside a closed, hollow, steel cylinder, about 700 mm
diameter and 500 mm long, which is rotated on a horizontal axis. L.A abrasion test studies all
possible reasons causing wear. In the L.A abrasion machine Attrition, Abrasion and Crushing are all
present as follows :

Attrition : By the friction between the aggregate particles.

Abrasion : By the friction between the steel balls and the aggregates.

Crushing : By hitting the walls of the testing machine.

The L.A abrasion test is a common test method used to indicate aggregate toughness and
abrasion characteristics. Aggregate abrasion characteristics are important because the element in
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) must resist crushing, degradation and disintegration in order to produce a
high quality HMA. This test is suitable for course aggregate of different sizes and it is not used for
fine aggregate.

The L.A abrasion test is widely used as an indicator of relative quality of aggregates. The
principle of L.A abrasion test is to produce abrasive action by use of standard steel balls which when
mixed with aggregates and rotated in drum for specific number revolutions also causes impact on
aggregates. In this experiment, 11 steel balls was used because the size aggregate used is 10 mm
and 14 mm. below is a table shown grading of aggregate and in parenthesis the number of steel balls
to be used for the particular grading.
 The percentage wear of the aggregates due to rubbing with steel balls is determined and is
known as Los Angeles Abrasion Value. The difference in weight of the sample is expressed a
percentage of the original and is reported as the abrasion value given by :

1 2
LAV = 100%
1

5000 3802.4
= 100%
5000

= 23.95 %

Where,

1 : Original weights 2 : Final weights

For course aggregate in concrete work is supposed not to exceed than 50% and 40% for road
works. L.A abrasion value 23.95 % obtained is suitable for all mixture road base material.