Analysis of Petro-Physico-Mechanical Properties of Coarse Aggregate and Its Implications on the Performance Characteristics of Concrete

The importance of concrete as one of the major materials in the building and construction industry cannot be over emphasized due to the myriad benefits and versatility to humankind. However, its performance characteristics on the stability of engineered structures have mostly been overlooked. In this paper, petrographic characteristics and physico-mechanical properties of ten (n=10) rock samples and some quantity of coarse aggregate representing one set of samples, each obtained from two quarry sites around Amasaman and Shai Hills in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, have been investigated. This study aimed to determine the impact of aggregate size, content and type on the compressive strength of concrete. The study was conducted through petrographic and physico-mechanical properties analyses on the samples obtained. Petrographic studies were performed on the ten (n=10) rock samples from each quarry site, while the physico-mechanical property tests were conducted directly on the coarse aggregate. However, compressive strength tests were performed on cast concretes produced from aggregates with varying sizes and type obtained from the two quarry sites. Results of the petrographic analysis reveal two rock types: Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and Granodiorites from Amasaman quarry and also two rock types: Gneiss and Meta-granite from Shai Hills quarry. Results of the physico-mechical properties tests are consistent with requirement of approved construction standards. Compressive strength tests show increasing compressive strength of concretes with increasing aggregate nominal sizes of classes A, B and C but show reduced compressive strength for aggregate nominal sizes of class D. It can therefore, be inferred that, aggregate size and content have profound impact on compressive strength of concrete. Also, aggregate type has influence on compressive strength of concrete, as observed in higher compressive strength of concretes produced from the quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and granodiorites than concretes produced from the gneiss and meta-granites.