Undergraduate Dissertations

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Assessing the Effect of Different Particle Sizes of Coarse Aggregates on Concrete Properties.
(Kabale University, 2024) Ahabwe, Reinhard
Concrete's compressive strength represents the hardened concrete's capacity to resist compressive loads without cracking or deforming. Duff Abrams found that concrete strength largely depends on the water-to-cement ratio. However, other factors, such as cement strength class and fineness, concrete age, curing duration, admixtures, and aggregate properties (including size, shape, texture, and strength), also significantly impact compressive strength. This study investigated how varying particle sizes of coarse aggregate affect concrete properties. Results showed that compressive strength at 28 days increased as the size of coarse aggregates decreased, with strengths recorded at 25, 23.3, 21.5, and 19.7 MPa for 10, 14, 20, and 28 mm aggregate sizes, respectively. This trend is attributed to denser packing and stronger bonding among smaller particles. Additionally, workability was found to increase with larger aggregate sizes, with slumps measured at 76, 81, 87, and 98 mm for 10, 14, 20, and 28 mm aggregates, respectively, due to larger aggregates having a lower surface-to-volume ratio, which reduces contact between aggregate particles and the cement paste.