Influences of Aggregate Type and Morphology on the Mechanical Performance of Concrete

10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Fereshteh Rahmani, Alka Subedi, Sushmit Sharma Bhattarai, Hyunhwan Kim and Soon-Jae Lee

Abstract

The performance of concrete is strongly influenced by the type, morphology, and proportion of coarse aggregates used in the concrete mixture. This study examines how combining limestone (LS) with siliceous river gravel (RG) and crushed river gravel (CRG) affects key properties of concrete, focusing on abrasion resistance, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and dynamic modulus of elasticity. Six mixture designs were developed with varying aggregate ratios and were tested in accordance with ASTM and TxDOT standards. Results showed that mixtures containing CRG exhibited higher abrasion resistance, primarily due to greater angularity and surface texture that enhanced aggregate interlock. The CTE of CRG mixtures was 3–10% higher than that of RG mixtures, reflecting stronger mechanical bonding and greater thermal strain transfer. Increasing LS content reduced CTE, improving dimensional stability. Dynamic modulus results indicated that CRG mixtures achieved up to 4% higher stiffness. Overall, aggregate type and morphology significantly influence mechanical and thermal performance. Optimizing aggregate blending, particularly by incorporating angular CRG with LS, can improve stiffness, abrasion resistance, and thermal stability, enhance durability of concrete structure.

Keyphrases: abrasion resistance, coarse aggregate type, coefficient of thermal expansion, dynamic modulus, limestone, river gravel

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 1152-1161.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/T8LR
	https://doi.org/10.29007/2rrk

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:Influences_Aggregate_Type_Morphology,
  author    = {Fereshteh Rahmani and Alka Subedi and Sushmit Sharma Bhattarai and Hyunhwan Kim and Soon-Jae Lee},
  title     = {Influences of Aggregate Type and Morphology on the Mechanical Performance of Concrete},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/T8LR},
  doi       = {10.29007/2rrk},
  pages     = {1152-1161},
  year      = {2026}}

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