Elongation Gauge

Elongation index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of particles whose greatest dimension (length) is greater than one and four-fifth times their mean dimension. It is measured on particles passing through mesh size of 63mm and retained on mesh size of 6.3mm. Determination of elongation index of coarse aggregate is explained below.
Apparatus required:
Apparatus required for elongation index determination tests are balance, elongation gauge (length gauge) and IS sieves of the following mesh sizes – 63mm, 50mm, 40mm, 31.5mm, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm, 10mm and 6.3mm.
Procedure of the test:
1. Take enough quantity of dry blended sample so that at least 200 pieces of any fraction is present. This is not applicable for the biggest and smallest size.
2. Sieve the blended sample through all the sieves mentioned above starting from the largest sieve i.e. 63mm.
3. Separate all the individual fractions – 63mm to 50mm, 50mm to 40mm, 40mm to 25mm, 25mm to 20mm, 20mm to 16mm. 16mm to 12.5mm. 12.5mm to 10mm and 10mm to 6.3mm.
4. Take all the fraction separately, gauge them one by one through the corresponding slot provided in the gauge. Keep the particles retained by the length separately. The aim should be to retain as much as possible to avoid testing bias.
5. Weigh the particles retained on length gauge.
6. Elongation index is the total weight of the material retained on the various length gauges, expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the sample gauged.
Calculations:
Elongation index of aggregate in % is calculated as follows:
Where, W1 = weight of particles retained in length gauge (grams). W2 = weight of total sample taken for test (grams).
Reporting of Test Results:
Report the elongation index in percentage rounded off to the nearest whole number. For determination of Elongation index of coarse aggregate as per BS code, look for BS812: – Section 105.2