Testing Performed on Aggregates from Moores Farm Wash Plant

Regular compliance testing that is performed on a weekly or monthly basis in our own laboratory:

• Grading BS EN 933-1 Performed Weekly
• Constituent Parts SHW Clause 710 Performed Weekly
• Particle Shape BS EN 933-3 Performed Monthly
• Crushed & Rounded Particles BS EN 933-5 Performed Monthly

Testing that is performed by external laboratories every six months or annually:

• Los Angeles Coefficient BS EN 1097-2 Performed Every 6 Months
• Micro Deval Coefficient BS EN 1097-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Magnesium Sulphate Soundness BS EN 1367-2 Performed Annually
• Particle Density & Water Absorption BS EN 1097-6 Performed Annually

Chemical Testing:

• Acid Soluble Sulphate BS EN 1744-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Total Sulphur BS EN 1744-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Water Soluble Chloride BS EN 1744-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Organic Matter BS EN 1744-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Alkali Silica Reactivity Performed Every 6 Months
• Water Soluble Sulphate BS EN 1744-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Water Soluble Sulphate TRL447-1 Performed Every 6 Months
• Oxidisable Sulphide TRL447-3 Performed Every 6 Months

Follow links above or scroll down to view test descriptions:

Grading EN933-1

An analysis of the particle size distribution of the sample, The sample is dried & weighed, then washed over a 63 micron sieve, dried & weighed again. The difference between these two weights is the fines content of the aggregate.

The washed sample retained on the 63 micron sieve is then sieved through a stack of test sieves (the sizes of these sieves vary according to the specification of the product). The material retained on each sieve is weighed and the results reported in terms of the cumulative percentage of the sample that passes each sieve.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with the particle size requirements of the relevant specification. [top]

Constituent Parts SHW Clause 710

An analysis of the different material types that make up the sample, the sample is first sieved at 63mm, all oversize is discarded, then the material passing 63mm is sieved at 8mm to remove all the fine material.

The sample is then divided in two and both sub-samples visually separated into 7 different material types, Asphalt, Masonry, Concrete, Glass, Lightweight Aggregate, Unbound Aggregate (rock & gravel) and others (wood, plastic etc)

Results are expressed as the mean average percentage of each material in both of the subsamples.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with the WRAP protocol, it is required for any product supplied to SHW (Specification for Highway Works) Specifications and to check that the aggregates meet constituent requirements laid down in BS 8500 for constituent materials for concrete. [top]

Particle Shape EN 933-3

An analysis of the amount of flaky particles in the sample (a particle is defined as flaky when it is substantially larger in one dimension than another). The sample is divided into defined single size fractions between the top and bottom size of the aggregate concerned.

These fractions are then sieved on bar sieves where the aperture is long and thin, the distance between the bars is approximately half the bottom size of the fraction being sieved, therefore only particles that are longer in one direction (flaky) will pass the bar sieve.

The material that passes the bar sieve for all the size fractions in the sample is weighed and reported as a percentage of the entire sample. This is the Flakiness Index (FI) of the aggregate.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with our declared categories for particle shape on our technical data sheets as laid down in BS EN 12620 (European standard for aggregates for concrete). [top]

Crushed & Rounded Particles EN 933-5

An analysis of the amount of particles in the sample that have been crushed (ie have sharp, broken edges) and the amount that are rounded (smooth with worn rounded edges)

This is a simple visual analysis of the particles in the sample after they have been separated into defined separate size fractions. Particles whose surface is more than 50% crushed are classed as crushed, particles whose surface is more than 50% rounded are classed as rounded.

The separated particles are weighed and the results recorded as the percentage of crushed and rounded particles in the sample.

From these separated crushed and rounded fractions the totally crushed and totally rounded particles are then sorted. A particle whose surface is more than 90% crushed is classed as totally crushed, particles whose surfaces are more than 90% rounded are classed as totally rounded.

The sorted particles are weighed and the results recorded as the percentage of totally crushed and totally rounded particles in the sample.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with our declared categories for crushed & rounded particles on our technical data sheets as laid down in BS EN 13242 (European standard for aggregates for unbound use), the results of this testing will give an indication as to how the aggregate will interlock when used unbound. [top]

Los Angeles Coefficient EN 1097-2

An analysis of the resistance of the aggregate to fragmentation, the 10-14mm fraction of the sample is loaded into a drum with a quantity of steel balls, the drum is spun at high speed for a set amount of revolutions, the action of the balls within the drum will cause any weak aggregate to fragment.

The fragmented sample is then sieved over a sieve that is smaller than the aggregate fraction used in the test, the percentage by mass passing this sieve is the material that has fragmented during the test, this is known as the Los Angeles coefficient.

The higher the figure the less resistant the aggregate is to fragmentation.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with our declared categories for resistance to fragmentation on our technical data sheets as laid down in BS EN 12620 (aggregates for concrete) and BS EN 13242 (aggregates for unbound use), the results of this testing will give an indication as to weather the aggregate will break up under load, (the lower the figure the less likely it is to break up or fragment). [top]

Micro Deval Coefficient EN 1097-1

An analysis of the resistance of the aggregate to wear, very similar in principle to the Los Angeles test but the drums used are much smaller and are spun at a much slower speed, this gives an indication as to the wear resistance of the aggregate as the material is slowly worn down by the slow tumbling action of the steels balls in the drum.

Again the higher the figure the less resistant the aggregate is to wear.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with our declared categories for resistance to wear or attrition on our technical data sheets as laid down in BS EN 12620 (aggregates for concrete) and BS EN 13242 (aggregates for unbound use), the results of this testing will give an indication as to weather the aggregate will wear down over time, (the lower the figure the less likely it is to wear). [top]

Magnesium Sulphate Soundness EN 1367-2

An analysis of the resistance of the aggregate to the effects of repeated freezing and thawing. A set size fraction of the aggregate is repeatedly soaked in a magnesium sulphate solution and oven dried, this replicates the forces imparted on the aggregate by the repeated freezing and thawing of absorbed water. (the magnesium sulphate solution is absorbed by the aggregate and then expands when dried, similar to the way water expands when it is frozen).

After a set amount of soaking and drying cycles the sample is sieved over a sieve smaller than the bottom size of the fraction used in the test, the percentage passing this sieve is the Magnesium Sulphate Soundness value.

This test is performed to ensure compliance with our declared categories for freeze thaw resistance on our technical data sheets as laid down in BS EN 12620 (aggregates for concrete) and BS EN 13242 (aggregates for unbound use), the results of this testing will give an indication as to weather the aggregate is likely to fragment when subjected to repeated freezing and thawing, (the lower the figure the less likely it is to break up). [top]

Chemical Testing EN 1744-1 & TRL 447

Various chemical tests are performed on the aggregates, this is to ensure that they can be safely used in concrete or adjacent to concrete or metal structures without the risk of chemical attack from the constituents of the aggregate. These values are included on the technical data sheets to enable decisions to be made by purchasers as to the suitability of the chemical composition of the aggregate for their intended use.

Chemical tests to BS EN 1744-1 are for comparison with values in the European standard documents (BS EN 12620, 13139 & 13242).

Chemical tests to TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) 447 methods are for comparison with values in the SHW (Specification for Highway Works). [top]

Hadley's believe in sustainable solutions and is passionate about conserving the planets natural resources; we have a responsibility to the environments in which we operate. We want to deliver our passion to our customers using the latest technology and our integrated processes, this in conjunction with our highly motivated and technically competent employees is how we maximise wealth for our shareholders and create value for all of the stakeholders.