Comparative Evaluation of Micro-Deval Abrasion Test with Other Toughness/Abrasion Resistance and Soundness Tests1

Abstract

This study presents the findings from a research investigation conducted to characterize the toughness/abrasion resistance and soundness of aggregates from 23 sources using the micro-Deval, Los Angeles (LA) abrasion, sodium sulfate soundness, and magnesium sulfate soundness tests. Correlations between the results of micro-Deval test and other tests were explored, and the NCHRP 4-19 study recommendation of maximum loss of 18% in micro-Deval test to characterize good versus poor aggregates was evaluated against the field performance of the aggregate. Also, the effect of aggregate gradation on the loss observed in micro-Deval and LA abrasion tests was studied. Based on the results from this study, the recommendations from the NCHRP 04-19 study appear to be valid for the aggregates evaluated. Also, a high degree of correlation was observed between the size of the aggregate evaluated and the micro-Deval loss, with smaller sized aggregates yielding larger loss. Good correlation was observed between results of sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate soundness tests, however, no significant correlation was observed between the losses observed in micro-Deval test and either of the two sulfate soundness tests or the LA abrasion test.