Technical Circular T-06/05

Date: July 15, 2005

To: All HQ Directors: Operations, Planning and Major Projects

All Regional Directors
All District Managers Transportation
All Project Managers

Subject: REPLACEMENT OF BCMoT AGGREGATE DEGRADATION

TEST WITH THE MICRO-DEVAL METHOD TEST
ASTM D 6928-03_________________________________________

Purpose:
This Technical Circular establishes a policy for the testing of coarse aggregate material
that will change the Ministry’s test methodology to a more effective and reproducible
method.

Background:

For the past 30 years or so, the Ministry has been using a modified degradation test
when evaluating the resistance of coarse and fine aggregates to degradation, or
mechanical breakdown into smaller components. This test has a tendency to be non-
reproducible, and very technician oriented. The results are indicators of durability, but
are relatively inaccurate.

The Micro-Deval abrasion test is a test of coarse aggregate to determine abrasion loss in
the presence of water and an abrasive charge. Many aggregates are more susceptible
when wet than dry, and the use of water in this test incorporates this reduction in
resistance to degradation, in contrast to some other tests. This test gives a more
reproducible result and is not “technician sensitive.”

Policy:

All contracts for crushing or production of paving aggregate, will now use the micro-
deval test methodology for identification of degradation within the rock mass of any
aggregate sample taken. The method of testing will be according to ASTM
International’s Designation : D 6928 – 03. This test methodology is now published in
the 2004 version of the ASTM standards and includes a table which explains the
maximum % loss (during the test) for selected aggregate materials.

Ministry gravel managers will begin to use this method for degradation analysis
beginning July 1, 2005. Comparison testing will also be undertaken to effectively relate
past results with results using the new methodology. Consultants, performing aggregate
testing or doing pit exploration, will be required to record their findings as % loss when
reporting on degradation values.
Technical Circular T-06/05
Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

General interpretation of this test methodology is that the lower the % loss, the more
durable is the aggregate and therefore usable for more end products. It should be noted
that is not the only test used to determine durability of aggregate materials and other test
methods may be necessary to accurately determine whether specific products can be
made from a particular source.

Contact:

Robert G. Buchanan, P.Geo.

Senior Geoscientist
(250) 387-7702

Dirk Nyland, P.Eng.

Chief Engineer

See attachment: General reference for ASTM standard, however, refers to actual
published standard for all notes and for a complete document with figures.

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Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR RESISTANCE OF COARSE AGGREGATE

TO DEGRADATION BY ABRASION IN THE MICRO-DEVAL APPARATUS

Designation: ASTM D 6928 - 03

1. Scope

1.1 This method covers a procedure for testing coarse aggregate for resistance to
abrasion using the Micro-Deval apparatus.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 The text of this method references notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables
and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the test method.
1.4 This procedure may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability
of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards: C136 – Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates; C670 – Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for
Test Methods for Construction Materials; and, E11 – Specification for Wire-
Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes.

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Constant Mass, n – test samples dried at a temperature of 110 ± 5ºC to a
condition such that it will not lose more than 0.1% moisture after 2 hr of
drying. Such a condition of dryness can be verified by weighing the sample
before and after successive 2 hr drying periods. In lieu of such a
determination, samples may be considered to have reached constant mass
when they have been dried at a temperature of 110 ± 5ºC for an equal or
longer period than that previously found adequate for producing the desired
constant mass condition under equal or heavier loading conditions of the
oven.

4. Summary of Test Method

4.1 The Micro-Deval Test is a measure of abrasion resistance and durability of

mineral aggregates resulting from a combination of actions including
abrasion and grinding with steel balls in the presence of water. A sample
with standard grading is initially soaked in water for not less than one hour.
The sample is then placed in jar mill with 2.0 L of water and an abrasive
charge consisting of 5000 g of 9.5mm diameter steel balls. The jar,

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Technical Circular T-06/05
Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

aggregate, water, and charge are revolved at 100 rpm for up to 2 hr,
depending on the particle size. The sample is then washed and oven dried.
The loss is the amount of material passing the 1.18 mm sieve expressed as a
percent by mass of the original sample.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 The Micro-Deval abrasion test is a test of coarse aggregate to determine

abrasion loss in the presence of water and abrasive charge. Many
aggregates are more susceptible when wet than dry, and the use of water
in this test incorporates this reduction in resistance in degradation in
contrast to some other tests, which are conducted on dry aggregate. The
test results are helpful in evaluating the toughness/abrasion resistance of
coarse aggregate subject to abrasion when adequate information is not
available from service records.
5.2 The Micro-Deval abrasion test is useful for detecting changes in
properties of aggregate produced from an aggregate source as part of a
quality control or quality assurance process.

6. Apparatus

6.1 Micro-Deval Abrasion Machine - a jar rolling mill capable of running at

100 ± 5 rpm.
6.2 Containers - stainless steel Micro-Deval abrasion jars having a 5 L
capacity with a rubber ring in the rotary locking cover. External
diameter of 194 mm to 202 mm. Internal height of 170 mm to 177mm.
The inside and outside surfaces of the jars shall be smooth and have no
observable ridges or indentations.
6.3 Abrasive Charge - magnetic, stainless steel balls are required. These
shall have a diameter of 9.5 ± 0.5 mm. Each jar requires a charge of
5000 ± 5 g of balls.
6.4 Sieves – with square openings, and of the following sizes conforming to
Specification E 11 specifications: 19.0 mm, 16.0 mm, 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm,
6.3 mm, 4.75 mm, 1.18mm.
6.5 Oven – capable of maintaining a temperature of 110 ± 5ºC.
6.6 Balance – or scale accurate to 1.0 g.

7. Supplies

7.1 Laboratory Reference Aggregate – A supply of standard “Brechin

Quarry No. 2” coarse aggregate available from the Soils and Aggregates
Section, Engineering Materials Office, Ministry of Transportation, 1201
Wilson Avenue, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3M 1J8, Fax: 1-416-
235-4101.
7.2 Calibration Aggregate – An adequate supply of aggregate, established
by the Laboratory to use for calibration of the test method (see 11.1).

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Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

8. Test Sample

8.1 The test sample will be washed and oven-dried at 110 ± 5ºC to constant
mass, separated into individual size fractions in accordance with Test
Method C 136, and recombined to meet the grading as shown in 8.2.
8.2 Aggregate for the test shall consist of material passing the 19.0 mm
sieve, retained on the 9.5 mm sieve. An oven dried sample of 1500 ± 5 g
shall be prepared as follows:
Passing Retained Mass
19.0 mm 16.0 mm 375 g
16.0 mm 12.5 mm 375 g
12.5 mm 9.5 mm 750 g
8.3 In a case where the maximum nominal size of the coarse aggregate is 12.5 mm,
a sample of 1500 g shall be prepared as follows:
Passing Retained Mass
12.5 mm 9.5 mm 750 g
9.5 mm 6.3 mm 375 g
6.3 mm 4.75 mm 375 g
8.4 In a case where the maximum nominal size of the coarse aggregate is 9.5 mm or
less, a sample 1500 ± 5 g shall be prepared as follows:
Passing Retained Mass
9.5 mm 6.3 mm 750 g
6.3 mm 4.75 mm 750 g

9. Test Procedure

9.1 Prepare a representative 1500 ± 5 g sample. Weigh the sample and

record the Mass, A, to the nearest 1.0 g.
9.2 Immerse the sample in 2.0 ± 0.05 L of tap water at a temperature 20 ±
5ºC for a minimum of 1 hr either in the Micro-Deval container or some
other suitable container.
9.3 Place the sample in the Micro-Deval abrasion container with 5000 ± 5 g
steel balls and the water used in 9.2 to saturate the sample. Install the
cover and place the Micro-Deval container on the machine.
9.4 Run the machine at 100 ± 5 rpm for 2 hr ± 1 min for the grading shown
in 8.2. For the grading shown in 8.3, run the machine for 105 ± 1 min.
For the grading shown in 8.4, run the machine for 95 ± 1 min.
9.5 Carefully pour the sample and steel balls over a 4.75 mm sieve
superimposed on a 1.18 mm. Take care to remove the entire sample
from the stainless steel jar. Wash and manipulate the retained material
on the sieve with water using a hand held water hose and the hand until
the washings are clear and all material smaller than 1.18 mm passes that
sieve. Remove the stainless steel balls using a magnet or other suitable
means. Discard material smaller than 1.18mm.

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Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

9.6 Combine the material retained on the 4.75 mm and 1.18 mm sieves,
being careful not to lose any material.
9.7 Oven dry the sample to constant mass at 110 ± 5º C.
9.8 Weigh the sample to the nearest 1.0 g. Record the Mass, B.

10. Calculation

10.1 Calculate the Micro-Deval abrasion loss, as follows, to the

nearest 0.1%.

Percent Loss = (A – B) / A x 100

11. Use of the Calibration Aggregate

11.1 Calibration Aggregate – The laboratory will establish an adequate supply

of material to use for calibration of the test method. A suitable material
with a loss of between 15 and 25% shall be established. From this material
10 samples shall be taken randomly and tested. At the same time 10
samples of reference aggregate from Brechin Quarry No. 2 (see 7.1) shall
also be tested. Provided the mean loss and variation of the Brechin Quarry
No. 2 aggregate is within allowed tolerance of 11.1.1, the mean value
obtained with the supply of the in-house calibration aggregate shall be used
thereafter. At any time a new supply is required, the calibration procedure
shall be conducted.
11.1.1 The mean loss of the Brechin Quarry No. 2 reference aggregate
(see 7.1) in multi-laboratory study of the Micro-Deval test is
19.1%. For continued acceptance of data, individual reference
material test data must fall within the range 17.5 to 20.7 % loss
for 95% of the time.
11.2 Every 10 samples, but at least every week in which a sample is tested, a
sample of the calibration aggregate shall also be tested. The material shall
be taken from a stock supply and prepared according to 8.2.
11.3 Trend Chart Use – The percent loss of the last twenty samples of control
material shall be plotted on a trend chart in order to monitor the variation in
results.

12. Report

12.1 The report shall include the following:

12.2 The maximum size of the aggregate tested and the grading used.
12.3 The percent loss of the test sample to one decimal place.
12.4 The percent loss of the calibration aggregate, tested closest to the
time at which the aggregate was tested, to the nearest 0.1%.
12.5 The percent loss of the last twenty samples of calibration
aggregate on a trend chart.

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Replacement of BCMOT Degradation Test with Micro-Deval Method – Aggregate Durability

13. Precision and Bias

13.1 Precision – The multi-laboratory precision has been found to vary over
the range of values obtained in this test. The figures given in column 2 are
the coefficients of variation that have been found to be appropriate for the
materials described in column 1. The figures in column 3 are the limits that
should not be exceeded by the difference between the results of two properly
conducted tests expressed as a percent of their mean.

Aggregate Coefficient Acceptable Range

Abrasion of Variation of Two Results
Loss (%) (% of mean)a (% of mean)a
________________________________________________________________
5 10.0 28
12 6.4 18
17 5.6 16
21 5.3 15
________________________________________________________________
a
– These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s %) and (d2s %) limits as described in Practice C 670.

13.2 Bias – The procedure in this test method for measuring resistance to
abrasion has no bias because the resistance to abrasion can only be defined
in terms of the test method.

14. Keywords

14.1 abrasion resistance; coarse aggregate; micro-deval

Table X1.1

Application Maximum Micro-Deval

Abrasion Loss (%)

Granular sub-base 30
Granular base 25
Open-graded base course 17
Structural Concrete 17
Concrete Pavement 13
Asphalt Concrete base course and secondary 21
road surface course
Asphalt concrete surface course 17-18