MECHANICAL STRENGTH DETERMINATION OF CRUSHED STONE AGGREGATE FRACTION FOR ROAD PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION (CASE STUDY: SELECTED QUARRIES IN WESTERN NIGERIA)
In this research work, the mechanical strength of crushed stone aggregate fractions for road
pavement construction in Western Nigeria was assessed. Samples of crushed stone aggregates
were collected from nine (9) representative quarries spread across the states in Western
Nigeria.The physical and mechanical properties of the aggregates were evaluated. The results
were then compared with the specifications in international standards (BS and ASTM
Standards). All the aggregate samples met the required limit for Loose Density, Water
Absorption, Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) and Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) tests.
Aggregates samples from Samchase, Kopek, CCECC and SaliwaYetidipe quarries have flakiness
indices exceeding the permissible limit (29.5%, 25.7%, 27.9% and 34.5% respectively). Hi-Tech
and Western quarries samples have elongation indices of 44.5% and 40.3% respectively which
are higher than the permissible limit. The two samples that failed Aggregate Abrasion Value test
(AAV) are Hi-Tech and Western quarries, having 30.8% and 30.4% respectively. These two
aggregates samples have AAV less than 35% which means they are still good for pavement
construction only if the appropriate guidelines are followed (since any aggregate with AAV more
than 35% is deemed weak for pavement construction). The study concluded that aggregates from
Julius Berger quarry have the highest mechanical strength