QCS 2014 Section 05: Concrete Page 1

Part 02: Aggregates

2 AGGREGATES ....................................................................................................... 2
2.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Scope 2
2.1.2 References 2
2.1.3 Definitions 3
2.1.4 Source Approval 4
2.1.5 Sampling 4
2.2 QUALITY AND TESTING ........................................................................................ 5
2.3 STORAGE AT CONTRACTOR PLANT ................................................................... 5
2.4 FINE AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE AND MORTAR ........................................... 7
2.5 COARSE AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE............................................................. 8
2.6 COMBINED AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE......................................................... 8
2.7 WASHING AND PROCESSING .............................................................................. 9
2.8 LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES.............................................................................. 9
2.9 COARSE RECYCLED AGGREGATES ................................................................... 9
QCS 2014 Section 05: Concrete Page 2
Part 02: Aggregates

2 AGGREGATES

2.1 GENERAL

2.1.1 Scope

1 This part covers the requirements of aggregates for use in structural concrete.

2 Related Sections and Parts are as follows:

This Section.....
Part 3, .............. Cementitious Materials
Part 4, .............. Water
Part 6, .............. Property Requirements
Part 7, .............. Batching and MixingConcrete Plants
Part 8, .............. Transportation and Planning of Concrete
Part 15, ............ Hot weather Concreting
Part 17, ............ Structural Precast Concrete
Part 18, ............ Prestressed Concrete

2.1.2 References
ASTM C33 ..................Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates
ASTM C40 ..................Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Concrete
ASTM C88 ..................Test Method for Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulphate
or Magnesium Sulphate
ASTM C123 ................Test Method for Lightweight Pieces in Aggregate
ASTM C127 ................Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate
ASTM C128 ................Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
ASTM C131 ................Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse
Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C136 ................Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregate
ASTM C142 ................Test Method for Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregates.
ASTM C535 ................Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse
Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C702 ................Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
ASTM D75 ..................Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates

BRE Digest 330-2.......Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete – Detailed Guidance for New

Construction.

BS 933-3 ....................Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates Determination of

particle shape. Flakiness index
BS 933-7 ....................Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates Determination of shell
content. Percentage of shells in coarse aggregates
BS 933-9 ....................Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates Assessment of fines.
Methylene blue test
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Part 02: Aggregates

BS 933-11 ..................Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates Classification test for

the constituents of coarse recycled aggregate
BS 1097-6 ..................Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates
Determination of particle density and water absorption
BS 8500 part 2 ...........Concrete. Complementary British Standard to BS EN 206-1.
Specification for constituent materials and concrete
BS EN 12620 ..............Aggregates for concrete
BS EN 1744-1 ............Tests for chemical properties of aggregates, Chemical analysis
BS EN 1744-5 ............Tests for chemical properties of aggregates. Determination of acid
soluble chloride salts
BS EN 1367-2 ............Tests for thermal and weathering properties of aggregates.
Magnesium sulphate test. BS EN 1367-4 Determination of drying
shrinkage
BS EN 933 ..................Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates
BS EN 1097-2 ............Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates. Methods
for the determination of resistance to fragmentation

BS EN 1097-6 ............Tests for mechanical and physical properties of aggregates.

Determination of particle density and water absorption
BS EN13055-1 ...........Lightweight aggregates. Lightweight aggregates for concrete, mortar
and grout.
BS PD 6682-1 ............Aggregates for concrete. Guidance on the use of BS EN 12620
BS PD 6682-4 ............Aggregates Lightweight aggregates for concrete, mortar and grout.
Guidance on the use of BS EN 13055-1

EN 13139 ..................Aggregates for mortar

EN 998-1 ...................Specification for mortar for masonry Rendering and plastering mortar
EN 998-2 ...................Specification for mortar for Masonry mortar

ISO 9001:2008 ...........Quality management systems -- Requirements

ISO 17025 ..................General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories
RILEM AAR1 ..............RILEM Recommended Test Method AAR-1 “Detection of potential
alkali-reactivity aggregates”, Petrographic method
RILEM AAR3 ..............RILEM Recommended Test Method AAR-3 “Detection of potential
alkali-reactivity - 38°C test method for aggregate combinations using
concrete prisms

2.1.3 Definitions

1 Aggregate: granular material used in construction and may be natural, manufactured or

recycled.

2 Natural aggregate: aggregate from mineral sources which has been subjected to nothing
more than mechanical processing.
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Part 02: Aggregates

3 Manufactured aggregate: aggregate of mineral origin resulting from an industrial process

involving thermal or other modification.

4 Recycled aggregate: aggregate resulting from the processing of inorganic material previously
used in construction.

5 Lightweight aggregate: aggregate of mineral origin having a particle density not exceeding
2,000 kg/m3 or a loose bulk density not exceeding 1,200 kg/m3.

2.1.4 Source Approval

1 The Contractor shall use only those imported materials sourced from an Accredited Quarry
Producer or Accredited Supplier and which have been approved by Qatar Standards or their
representatives.

2 The accredited aggregate suppliers shall provide the source name(s) for every shipment of
aggregates delivered to the concrete supplier.

3 The source of material supply may be changed by the Contractor during the project, provided
that the replacement materials shall be sourced from an Accredited Quarry Producer and the
replacement materials are not significantly different in terms of physical and chemical
properties, thus ensuring that the resultant concrete continues to comply fully with the
specified requirements.

4 When considering whether an aggregates supplier and aggregates producer are suitable to
be Accredited, preference will be given to organisations with a proper quality management
system, such as ISO 9001 or another quality management system approved by Qatar
Standards.

5 When requested by the engineer, the aggregate supplier shall provide a geotechnical
analysis on the rock samples before blasting and grinding to ensure the proper quality of
materials.

6 The aggregates shall be properly stocked and labelled without intermingling at any storage
area.

7 When requested by the engineer, the aggregates supplier shall provide data for the past 6
months that shows the consistency of materials and conformity with this specification.

8 The supplier shall verify the compliance of aggregates as per QCS by an independent
qualified testing agency accredited to ISO 17025, and approved by Qatar Standards.

2.1.5 Sampling

1 The Contractor shall provide samples of both fine and course aggregate to the Engineer, in
accordance with the requirements of relevant standards in QCS for sampling, sample
reducing and testing of Aggregates, for testing at least two weeks before beginning deliveries
to the Site.

2 All samples shall be taken in the presence of the Engineer or an approved testing agency
assigned by the Engineer.

3 Aggregate sampling and testing shall be conducted by qualified staff.

QCS 2014 Section 05: Concrete Page 5
Part 02: Aggregates

2.2 QUALITY AND TESTING

1 Aggregates shall consist of tough, hard, durable and uncoated particles containing no
harmful material in quantities sufficient to adversely affect the concrete or reinforcing steel,
and shall contain no materials likely to cause staining or otherwise disfigure the concrete
surface.

2 Aggregates shall be obtained from a source approved by the Engineer.

3 Aggregate shall meet the requirements given in Table 2.1. Additional tests detailed in BS EN
12620 with BS PD 6682, EN 13139, EN 998-1, EN 998-2, or relevant ACI and ASTM
standards and codes of practice may be required by the Engineer to satisfy certain
requirements.

4 Contractor shall provide all data as specified in QCS.

5 Sampling of the aggregates shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of BS
EN 12620, BS EN 933, or ASTM D75 and ASTM C702.

6 Fine aggregates shall be natural sand or manufactured crushed rock sand. Crushed rock
sand shall be the direct product of a manufacturing process, not the by-product of coarse
aggregate production.

7 Beach sand shall not be permitted for use in concrete mixes.

8 The use of clean Dune Sand, blended with coarser sand, may be permitted providing it can
be shown that the sand is free from contaminants. The use of local Dune sand shall be
preapproved by the Ministry of Environment.

9 Samples of aggregates shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of Table 1.1- Part
1.

10 Frequency of routine testing shall meet the requirements as listed in Section 1, Part 82.
Frequency of testing may be increased by the engineer’s request if testing results show
inconsistency, and frequency may be reduced if approved by the engineer if materials are
highly consistent.

11 Mineralogical tests are to be carried out as instructed by the Engineer.

12 No aggregate deliveries shall be made to the Site until the Engineer has approved the
samples as complying with this specification.

132.3 STORAGE AT CONTRACTOR PLANT

141 Aggregate shall be stored as follows:

(a) each nominal size of coarse aggregate and fine aggregate shall be kept separated and
clearly labelled at all times.
(b) The height of stockpiles shall be controlled to prevent harmful segregation and
breakage of the aggregate.
(c) stockpiles shall be on hard and clean surfaces with not more than 5 % slope
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Part 02: Aggregates

(d) contamination of the aggregates by the ground or other foreign matter shall be
effectively prevented at all times
(e) each heap of aggregate shall be capable of draining freely
(f) stockpiles shall be protected from direct sunlight
(g) unloading of aggregate shall be controlled to prevent harmful segregation and
breakage.

152 The Contractor shall maintain the stockpiles of coarse aggregate in separate gradings.

163 At the construction site, the preparation, location and size of any stockpile shall be approved
by the Engineer.
Table 2.1
Limits for Physical, Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Aggregates for Normal Concrete
1
Test Methods Permissible Limits
No. Requirement
BS / EN ASTM Fines Coarse

1. Grading 933-1 Standard Standard

2. Natural: materials finer than 0.063 mm. 933-1 3% max 2% max

Crushed rock: materials finer than 7% max 2% max
0.063mm.
3. Fines quality
a) Structural concrete
2
Sand Equivalent (%) 933-8 60% min
b) Non-structural concrete
Methylene blue adsorption 933-9 1.0 (g/kg)
3
value (0/2mm) max
4. Clay lumps and friable particles C142 2% max 2% max

5. Lightweight pieces C123 0.5% max 0.5% max

6. Organic impurities for fine aggregates C40 Colour NA

standard not
darker than
4
plate No. 3
7. Water absorption (saturated surface 1097-6 2.3% max 2.0% max
dry)

8. Particle density for normal weight 1097-6 2.0 min 2.0 min
concrete

9. Shell Content: 933-7 3% max 3% max

10. Flakiness index 933-3 35% max

11. Acid-soluble chlorides: 1744-5

a) Reinforced and mass concrete 0.06% max 0.03% max

b) Prestressed concrete and steam

5
cured structural concrete 0.01% 0.01%
QCS 2014 Section 05: Concrete Page 7
Part 02: Aggregates

1
Test Methods Permissible Limits
No. Requirement
BS / EN ASTM Fines Coarse

12. Acid-soluble sulphate 1744-1 0.4% max 0.3% max

13. Soundness by magnesium sulphate (5 1367-2 15% max 15% max

cycles)

Resistance to fragmentation: Los

14. Angeles abrasion 1097-2 30% max

15. Drying shrinkage 1367-4 0.075% max

16. Potential reactivity: See Note 6 below

Notes:
1. Use of BS EN or relevant GSO standards.
2. If the Sand Equivalent value is less than 60% and greater than or equal to 50%, the sand shall be
considered non-harmful and is accepted provided that the Methylene Blue value is less than or equal to
1.0 (g/kg).
3. Not required when the fines content in the fine aggregate, or in the all-in aggregate, is 3% or of less.
4. Organic impurities: use of a fine aggregate failing in the test is not prohibited, provided that:
a. The discoloration is due principally to the presence of small quantities of coal, lignite, or similar
discrete particles.
b. When tested for the effect of organic impurities on strength of mortar, the relative strength at 7
days, calculated in accordance with ASTM C87, is not less than 95 %.
5. If the chloride content is higher than 0.01% the following steps may be taken:
a- The aggregates may be washed by suitable water (Sec 5 Part 4) before mixing to lower the chloride
content to the specified value (0.01%).
b- If the washing process does not reduce the chloride content to the required value, then the Acid
Soluble Chloride content in the concrete ingredients (the sum of the contributions from the
constituent materials) shall be tested as mentioned in BS 8500-2. The allowable Acid Soluble
chloride content limit shall not exceed the values given in Section 5, Part 6, Para 6.5.3.
6. The alkali-aggregate reactivity shall be assessed at source in accordance with BS 206-1 and BS 8500-
2. Certification shall be obtained from the aggregate source indicating absence of deleterious
expansion of concrete due to alkali aggregate reactivity.

2.32.4 FINE AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE AND MORTAR

1 Fine aggregate consist of natural clean sand, stone screenings or a combination and can be
produced from natural disintegration of rock or gravel and/or by the crushing of rock or gravel
or processing of manufactured aggregate or artificial, conforming to the requirements of
physical and chemical properties complying with Table 2.1 and subject to the Engineer's
acceptance.

2 Crushed fine aggregates may be blended with local washed sand provided that the final
aggregate complies with the requirements in Table 2.1.

3 The gradation of fine aggregate for concrete and mortar shall be in accordance with the
gradation designations in BS EN 12620 with BS PD 6682, EN 13139 , EN 998-1 , EN 998-2,
or relevant ACI and ASTM standards and codes of practice and subject to the Engineer’s
acceptance.
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Part 02: Aggregates

4 Each batch of aggregate delivered to the Site shall be kept separate from previous batches,
and shall be stored to allow for inspection and tests to be carried out.

5 Local natural sand shall be mechanically washed to remove salts and other impurities in
order to meet the specified requirements.

6 The storage area for the clean washed sand shall be shaded from the direct rays of the sun
and shall be screened for protection from dust. The area in the neighbourhood of
stockpile/mixing plant shall be watered as necessary, to reduce the rising of dust.

7 The usage of Dune sand shall be accepted as governed by the regulations of Qatar Ministry
of Environment and shall be:

(a) Not used for any reinforced concrete

(b) Used only for blocks, block mortar, plasters, soil cement, shotcrete and insulation
concrete.

2.42.5 COARSE AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE

1 The coarse aggregate is granular material and may be natural, manufactured, recycled or a
combination. It shall be free from deleterious matter and conforming to the requirements of
physical and chemical properties in Table 2.1 as a minimum requirements and subject to the
Engineer's acceptance within BS EN 12620, BS PD 6682 or ASTM C33

12 For imported aggregate, Qatar Standards may publish more requirements and stringent limits
than specified in Table 2.1.

23 For other types of concrete mixes and subject to Engineer's acceptance, coarse aggregate
shall comply with the relevant BS EN or relevant ACI and ASTM standards and codes. The
nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate shall be not larger than: (a) 1/5 the narrowest
dimension between sides of forms, nor (b) 1/3 the depth of slab, nor (c) 3/4 the minimum
clear spacing between individual reinforcing bars or wires, bundles of bars, individual
tendons, bundled tendons, or ducts.

34 These limitations shall not apply if, in the judgment of the licensed design professional,
workability and methods of consolidation are such that concrete can be placed without
honeycombs or voids.

45 As requested by the Engineer, the Contractor shall mechanically wash the aggregates to
remove salts and other impurities in order to meet the requirements specified.

2.52.6 COMBINED AGGREGATE FOR CONCRETE

1 The material passing the 0.063mm sieve shall not exceed 3.0 % of the combined aggregate
(by weight). The combined aggregate gradation used in the work shall be as specified,
except when otherwise approved or directed by the Engineer.

2 Changes in the approved gradation shall not be made during the progress of the works
unless approved or directed by the Engineer.
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Part 02: Aggregates

2.62.7 WASHING AND PROCESSING

1 Where aggregates have been washed shortly before delivery to the Site, or if stockpiles have
been sprayed to cool them, samples of the aggregate shall be taken frequently to determine
the correct amount of water to add to the mix.

2.72.8 LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES

1 Lightweight aggregates are those having particle densities not exceeding 2,000 kg/m3 or
3
loose bulk densities not exceeding 1200 kg/m .

2 Lightweight aggregates include natural aggregate, aggregate manufactured from natural

materials and/or a by product of industrial processes, and some recycled aggregate.

3 Lightweight aggregates shall be in accordance with BS EN13055-1 and BS PD 6682-4, or

equivalent ASTM standards.

2.82.9 COARSE RECYCLED AGGREGATES

1 Excavation Waste (EW), coarse recycled aggregates (RA), and coarse recycled concrete
aggregates (RCA) shall meet with the requirements of Table 2.1, with the exception that
water absorption shall not exceed 3.0% for use in structural concrete;.

(a) 3% for structural concrete

(b) 4% for non-structural concrete.

2 For structural concrete EW and/or RCA may be used in designated concrete of maximum
C30. Its proportion shall be not more than a mass fraction of 20% of coarse aggregate (BS
8500-2 sec 6.2.2), except where approved by Qatar Standards to use a higher proportion.

3 For non-structural concrete, such as crash barriers and soakaways, EW and/or RCA may be
used in designated concrete of maximum C40. Its proportion shall be not more than a mass
fraction of 50% of coarse aggregate (BS 8500-2 sec 6.2.2), except where approved by Qatar
Standards to use a higher proportion.

4 For non-structural concrete RA may be used in designated concrete of maximum C25. Its
proportion shall be not more than a mass fraction of 20% of coarse aggregate (BS 8500-2
sec 6.2.2), except where approved by Qatar Standards to use a higher proportion.

5 When the composition of coarse RCA and coarse RA is tested in accordance with BS EN
933-11, the test result obtained for each type of particle shall not exceed the maximum value
specified in Table 2.2.

6 EW aggregate shall meet the same requirements for RCA, as given in Table 2.2.
QCS 2014 Section 05: Concrete Page 10
Part 02: Aggregates

Table 2.2
Requirements for coarse RCA and coarse RA, (mass fraction, %)

1
Requirement

Maximum
Type of
foreign Maximum
Aggregate Maximum Maximum
Maximum Maximum material acid soluble
masonry lightweight
fines 2 Asphalt e.g. glass, sulphate
content material
plastic, (SO3)
metals
1, 3
RCA 5.0 5.0 0.5 5.0 1.0 1.0

RA 100 3 1.0 10.0 1.0 -4

1. Where the material to be used is obtained by crushing hardened concrete of known

composition that has not been in use, e.g. surplus precast units or returned fresh concrete,
and not contaminated during storage and processing, the only requirements are those for
grading and maximum fines.
2. Material with a density less than 1,000 kg/m3
3. The provisions for coarse RCA may be applied to mixtures of natural coarse aggregates
blended with the listed constituents.
4. The appropriate limit and test method needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis (see
Note 6 to 4.3 of BS 8500-2).
3
7 The floating material (FL) content, as per BS EN 933-11, shall not exceed 5.0 cm /kg.

8 RCA should be treated as highly reactive aggregate. The alkali contribution from RCA shall
be determined as given in BS 8500-2.

9 For manufacturing of masonry concrete blocks, the usage of recycled aggregates is

permitted up to 100% as given in Sec. 13 in accordance with ACI 555.

END OF PART