Investigation of the Effects of the Type of Crusher on Coarse Aggregate Shape Properties Using the Three-Dimensional Laser Scanning Technique

Abstract

The fundamental shape/morphological properties of coarse aggregates including form, angularity, and surface texture are known to influence the performance of pavements. The coarse aggregate shape properties are affected by many factors, amongst others, the properties of the parent rock and the type of crusher or crushing operations. Therefore, quantification of the effects of the crusher type on the aggregate shape properties is important as it influences the bulk properties of pavement materials and therefore performance. Recent studies have demonstrated that laser scanning technique can be employed to better quantify the three-dimensional (3-D) shape properties of aggregate materials used in pavements. In this paper, the shape properties of quartzite aggregates crushed by using four different types of crushers were investigated. The results have demonstrated the extent to which the aggregate shape indices computed using laser scan results can be used to distinguish aggregate by-product from different crushers.