BS 882 : 1992

Specification for

Aggregates from natural

sources for concrete

UDC : 666.972.12 : 691.322

NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

BS 882 : 1992

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by Technical

Committee B/502 Aggregates, to Subcommittee B/502/2 Aggregates for
concrete including those for use in roads and other pavements, upon which
the following bodies were represented:

Association of Consulting Engineers

British Aggregate Construction Materials Industries
British Cement Association
British Geological Survey
British Precast Concrete Federation
British Ready Mixed Concrete Association
British Steel Industry
Building Employers’ Confederation
County Surveyors’ Society
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of Transport
Sand and Gravel Association

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of Technical
Committee B/502, was
published under the authority
of the Standards Board and
comes into effect on
15 December 1992

© BSI 1992
First published as BS 882, Amendments issued since publication
1201 : Part 1 (Imperial units),
May 1965 Amd. No. Date Text affected
First published as BS 882,
1201 : Part 2 (Metric units),
October 1973
Second edition, published as
BS 882, June 1983
Third edition December 1992
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard :
Committee reference B
Draft fo rcomment 90/126

ISBN 0 580 214X

 BS 882 : 1992

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword 2
Specification
0 Introduction 3
1 Scope 3
2 Definitions 3
3 Sampling and testing 4
4 Quality requirements 4
5 Grading 4
Appendices
A Information to be provided by the supplier 7
B Special considerations 7
C Guidance on the chloride content of aggregates 8
Tables
1 Limits on shell content 4
2 Limiting values on mechanical properties for different types of
concrete 4
3 Coarse aggregate 5
4 Sand 5
5 All-in aggregate 5
6 Fines 6
7 Limits for chloride content of aggregates 8

1
BS 882 : 1992

Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of Technical
Committee B/502 Aggregates. This edition introduces technical changes but it
does not reflect a full review or revision of the standard which will be
undertaken in due course. This standard supersedes BS 882 : 1983, which is
withdrawn.
Terminology included in this edition reflects the preliminary work being
undertaken on a European Standard, under the auspices of the European
Committee for Standardization (CEN), by CEN/TC 154, Aggregates, which will
supersede this edition in due course. ‘Fine aggregate’ is replaced by ‘sand’,
which now refers to natural uncrushed, partially crushed and crushed rock
material. ‘Fines’ replaces ‘clay, silt and fine dust’ and refers to any solid material
passing a 75 mm sieve.
New grading requirements are introduced for coarse aggregates containing 2 mm
to 10 mm fractions with the inclusion of limits for material passing a 14 mm
sieve. This ensures a reasonable fraction of the aggregate will be retained
between the 20 mm and 14 mm sieves and eliminates the anomaly that some
nominal 14 mm aggregates previously complied with the 20 mm grading
requirements.
Changes in test methods since the 1983 edition are reflected. The difference in
results for mechanical properties dependent on the moisture condition of the
 Specification

0 Introduction 2 Definitions
When specifying aggregates in compliance with this For the purposes of this British Standard the
standard, there may be a need to specify or following definitions apply.
approve certain additional quality requirements or 2.1 aggregate
narrower grading limits within one of those in
table 4 for sands, to suit special applications, for A granular material obtained by processing natural
example, the production of concrete having an materials.
especially fine finish or suitable for very severe 2.2 coarse aggregate
conditions of exposure. Certain machine-formed Aggregate mainly retained on a 5.0 mm BS 410 test
concrete or precast products may also require sieve and containing no more finer material than is
aggregate gradings outside those given in tables 3, permitted for the various sizes in this specification.
4 and 5. In these cases appropriate grading should
be agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. NOTE. Coarse aggregate may be described as gravel (uncrushed,
crushed or partially crushed) as defined in 2.2.1, or as crushed
When narrower grading limits are required, sands rock as defined in 2.2.2, or as blended coarse aggregate as
should be obtained from sources which defined in 2.2.3.
demonstrate from test data no more variability
than a grading width (see appendix A). Guidance is 2.2.1 gravel
given in appendix B on special factors to be (a) uncrushed gravel
considered in the selection of aggregates for which Coarse aggregate resulting from the natural
limits cannot be specified and determined by disintegration of rock.
testing the aggregate itself in accordance with an (b) crushed gravel
accepted method of test. Guidance on chloride
content is given in appendix C. Coarse aggregate produced by crushing gravel.
In general it will not be necessary to test each (c) partially crushed gravel
aggregate for all of the requirements specified in Coarse aggregate produced from a mixture of
this standard. Consideration of the nature of the crushed and uncrushed gravel
aggregate and its source will normally indicate
2.2.2 crushed rock
which characteristics will need periodic
examination, particularly in respect of those Coarse aggregate produced by crushing rock.
v:* properties for which different requirements are
given for specific uses. The suitability of an
2.2.3 blended coarse aggregate
aggregate for the required use can be assessed Coarse aggregate produced by the controlled
initially by reference to data provided by the blending of gravel and crushed rock.
supplier in accordance with appendix A. 2.3 sand
Some variation in the measured quality of material Aggregate mainly passing a 5.0 mm BS 410 test
from any source can be expected due to sampling sieve and containing no more coarser material than
and testing in addition to the variability of the is permitted for the various gradings in this
material itself. Data provided in accordance with specification.
appendix A may not be strictly applicable to the NOTE. Sand may be described as uncrushed or partially crushed
material in a single sample or consignment. as defined in 2.3.1, as crushed gravel sand as defied in 2.3.2,
as crushed rock sand as defined in 2.3.3, or as blended sand as
defined in 2.3.4.
1 Scope
2.3.1 uncrushed or partially crushed sand
This British Standard specifies the quality and
grading requirements for aggregates obtained by (a) uncrushed
processing natural materials for use in concrete. Sand resulting from the natural disintegration of
(For lightweight aggregates, see BS 3797.) rock.
NOTE. The titles of the publications referred to in this standard (b) partially crushed
are listed on the inside back cover.
Sand produced from a mixture of uncrushed sand
and crushed sand resulting from the crushing of
associated particles during product processing.

3
BS 882 : 1992

2.3.2 crushed gravel sand Table 1. Limits on shell content

Sand produced by crushing gravel. Size Limits on shell
2.3.3 crushed rock sand
content (%)
Sand produced by crushing rock. Fractions of 10 mm single size, 20
or of graded or all-in aggregate
2.3.4 blended sand that are finer than 10 mm and
Sand produced by the controlled blending of two or coarser than 5 mm
more of the types of sand defined in 2.3.1, 2.3.2 Fractions of single sires or of 8
or 2.3.3. graded or all-in aggregate that
2.3.5 fines are coarser than 10 mm
Any solid material passing a 75 mm BS 4 10 sieve. Aggregates finer than 5 mm No requirement
2.4 all-in aggregate
4.4 Mechanical properties
Aggregate consisting of a mixture of coarse
aggregate and sand. It may be produced without When determined in accordance with 6.4 and 7.4
separating into coarse and fine fractions, or it may of BS 812 : Part 111 : 1990, the oven-dry 10 %
be produced by combining coarse aggregate and fines value shall not be less than the appropriate
sand. value in table 2. As an alternative to the 10 %
fines test, the aggregate impact value may be
2.5 heavy duty concrete floor finishes carried out in accordance with BS 812 : Part 112.
Concrete made with specially selected aggregate of The oven-dry aggregate impact value shall not
a hardness, surface texture and particle shape exceed the appropriate value given in table 2.
suitable for use as a wearing finish, for floors.
2.6 pavement wearing surfaces Table 2. Limiting values on mechanical
properties for different types of concrete
Concrete made with specially selected aggregate of
a hardness, surface texture and particle shape Type of concrete 10 % fines
value (min.)
Alternatively.
aggregate impact
suitable for use in concrete pavements and similar value (max.)
surfaces.
kN %

3 Sampling and testing Heavy duty 150 25

concrete floor
Sampling and testing of aggregates shall be carried finishes
out in accordance with the requirements of the
appropriate Parts of BS 812. pavement wearing 100 30
surfaces
4 Quality requirements Others 50 45
4.1 General 4.5 Acid soluble sulphate content
Aggregate for concrete shall consist of any types of When requested, the producer shall provide the
coarse aggregate and/or any types of sand or of acid soluble sulphate content of the aggregate
all-in aggregate, as defined in clause 2. determined in accordance with BS 812 : Part 118.
Aggregate supplied as a mixture of different sizes NOTE. BS 5328 : Part 1 and B S 8110 : Part 1 give guidance on
or types shall be proportioned and mixed in such a the acid soluble sulphate content of the concrete from all mix
way as to ensure reasonable consistency. constituents.
NOTE. Layer loading of lorries with different sizes or types of
materials is unlikely to give the required consistency.
5 Grading
4.2 Flakiness index
5.1 Coarse aggregate
When determined in accordance with BS 812 :
Section 105.1, the flakiness index of the combined When determined in accordance with BS 812 :
coarse aggregate shall not exceed 50 for uncrushed Section 103.1 using test sieves of the sizes given in
gravel and 40 for crushed rock or crushed gravel. table 3, complying with BS 410, full tolerance, the
NOTE 1. For special circumstances, e.g. for pavement wearing grading of the coarse aggregate shall be within the
surfaces, a lower flakiness index may be specified. appropriate limits given in table 3.
NOTE 2. Information on the general factors affecting durability
of concrete is given in BS 5328 : Part 1 and BS 8110.
5.2 Sand
4.3 Shell content 5.2.1 General
When determined in accordance with BS 812 : When determined in accordance with BS 812 :
Part 106, the shell content shall not exceed the Section 103.1, using test sieves of the sizes given in
values given in table 1. table 4 complying with BS 410, full tolerance, the
 BS 882 : 1992

Table 3. Coarse aggregate

Sieve size
,
14 mm to 14 mm 10 mm 5 mm¹)
5mm
mm
50.0 loo - - 100 -
37.5 90 to 100 - 85 to 100 100 -
100
20.0 35 to 70 90 to 100 0 to 25 85 to l00 loo
100
14.0 25 to 55 40 to 80 90 to - 0 to 70 85 to 100 100
100
10.0 10 to 40 30 to 60 50 to 85 0 to 5 0 to 25 0 to 50 85 to 100
5.0 0 to 5 0 to 10 0 to 10 - 0 to 5 0 to 10 0 to 25
2.36 - - - - - - 0 to 5
1) Used mainly in precast concrete products.

grading of the sand shall comply with the overall 5.3 All-in aggregate
limits given in table 4. Additionally, not more than When determined in accordance with BS 812 :
one in ten consecutive samples shall have a grading Section 103.1 using test sieves of the sizes given in
outside the limits for any one of the gradings C, M table 5 complying with BS 410, full tolerance, the
or F, given in table 4. grading of ah-in aggregate for concrete shall be
5.2.2 Heavy duty concrete floor finishes within the appropriate limits given in table 5.
For heavy duty concrete floor finishes, the sand Table 5. All-in aggregate
shall comply with C or M given in table 4.
Sieve size Percentage by mass passing BS sieves for
nominal si
I
Table 4. Sand
40 mm 10 mm 5 mm”
Sieve size Percentage by mass passing BS sieve
Overall Additional limits for grading 50.0 mm 100 - -
limits 37.5 mm 95to 100 -
C M F 100
10.00 mm 100 - - - 20.0 mm 45 to 80 95 to -
5.00 mm 89 to - - - 100
100 14.0 mm - - 100 -
2.36 mm 60 to 60 to 65 to 80 to 10.0 mm - - 95 to 100
loo 100 loo 100 loo
1.18 mm 30 to 30 to 90 45 to 70 to 5.00 mm 25 to 50 35 to 55 30 to 65 70 to
100 100 100 100
600 pm 15 to 15 to 54 25 to 80 55 to 2.36 mm - - 20 to 50 25 to
100 100 100
300 pm 5 to 70 5 to 40 5 to 48 5 to 70 1.18 mm - - 15 to40 15 to 45
150 mm 0 to 15¹) - - - 600 m m 8 to 30 10 to 35 10 to 30 5 to 25
1) Increased to 20 %; for crushed rock fines, except when they 300 mm - - 5to 15 3 to 20
are used for heavy duty floors.
150 mm 0 to 8²) 0 to 8²) 0 to 82) oto 15
NOTE. Individual sands may comply with the requirements of
more than one grading. Alternatively some sands may satisfy I’ Used mainly in precast concrete product13.
the overall limits but may not fall within any one of the 2, Increased to 10 X for crushed rock sand.
additional limits C, M or E In this case and where sands do
not comply with table 4 an agreed grading envelope may aJ.8~8
be used provided that the supplier can satisfy the purchaser
that such materiais can produce concrete of the required
quality.

5
 .~

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. . . ;.:. : ,, .: ,..’

Bs882:1!m

6.4 Fines
When determined in acco&nce with 7.2.1 of
IS 812 : section 103.1 : 1985, the amount of
material passing the 75 vrn sieve shall not exceed
the quantities given in table 6.

‘hble 6. Fines
percentage by mass
rf?. I6 w sh?w?
Uncrushed, partially 2
crushed, or crushed gravel
coalse aggregate
Crushed rock aggregate 4
Uncrushed, partially 4
crushed or crushed gravel
sand
Crushed rock sand 16 (9 for use in heavy
duty floor finishes)
Gravel all-in aggregate 3
Crushed rock a&in 11
aggre@k
NOTE. The nature of the fines can vary between different
aggregates. The limits given above are appropriate for most
a&gegates found in the UK. Evidence of performance in use
or the result of trial mixes may be used to justify the adoption
of hkher or lower limits.

6
 BS882: 1992

) Appendices

Appendix A. Information to be For aggregate sources in which the aggregate

shrinkage is consistently 0.05 % or greater, the
protided by the supplier data from test results is to be no more than
When requested, the supplier shall provide any of 1 year old.
the following information for the purpose of initial The supplier is to notify the purchaser of any
assessment of the suitability of an aggregate for a changes in production likely to affect the validity
particular use. ‘Ibst result information shall be of the information given.
determined in accordance with the relevant F’arts NCYI’E. The time periods given above are not intended to be
of B8 812. used for purpoWs of assessing compliance with thii standard.
(a) Source of supply:
(1) name and location of quarry or pit (grid Appendix B. Special considerations
reference); Reference should be made to the appropriate
(2) county or region; British Standard code of practice for advice on the
(3) for materials dredged from the seas, quality of aggregate to be specified for making
estuaries or rivers, the address of the wharf at concrete according to its type and use. Particular
which they were landed. attention should be given to the following in
addition to complying with the appropriate
(b> Aggreigate WI=
requirements of this standard.
(c) rrspicd prqperties:
(a) If there is reason to suspect the presence of
(1) shape; material that could accelerate or retard the
(2) surface texture; hydration of cement to an unacceptable degree
(3) flakiness index; or cause undue air entrainment, the possible
(4) 10 % fines value; effects should be determined by performance
(5) aggregate impact value; tests on concrete made with the aggregate in
question, unless evidence of general performance
Data provided from test results is to be not is available which is satisfactory to the purchaser.
more than five years old for Such tests should be carried out in accordance
properties (1) to (5). with the requirements of the appropriate Parts of
(6) particle density; BS 1881. The details of such concrete tests,
(7) water absorption values; including mix proportions, type of cement, type
Data provided from test results is to be not and grading of any reference aggregate, the
more than one year old for properties of concrete to be determined, the age
properties (6) and (7). of test and criteria of acceptance should be
agreed between the purchaser and the supplier
(8) @adhi!; before the tests are started.
(9) fines; (b) Where appearance is an essential feature of
(10) shell content; the concrete, aggregates should be selected
(11) acid soluble sulphate content; having regard for their freedom from materials
Data provided from test results is to be not such as iron pyrites or particles of coal that could
more than 3 months old for properties (8), (9), mar the surface. In such cases the only guide is a
(10) and (11). The gmding of sand is to be knowledge of the source and of similar work that
described and if the sand is substantially less has been carried out with the aggregate in
variable than either C, M or F of table 4, the question.
supplier may state the gmding envelope within (c) No simple tests for the durability and
which 90 % of test results may be expected to resistance to frost or wear of concrete can be
fall. applied; hence experience of the properties of
(12) chloride ion content; concrete made with the type of aggregate in
question and a knowledge of their source are the
Data provided is to be from the most recent only reliable means of assessment.
series of weekly test results for property ( 12). NOTE 1. Advice on alkali-aggregate reaction is given in
If, however, the supplier can show that the BS 5328 : Part 1. BS 8110 : Part. 1, Chmete Society
typical chloride content of the processed ‘kchnical Repm No. 30 and BRE Digest 330.
material is less than 0.01 % then annual NOTE 2. Advice on drying shrinkage is given in BS 5328 :
testing will be surfcient. Part 1, BS 8110 : part 1 and BRJS Digest 367.
NUl’JZ 3. Deterioration of building blocks and some other
(13) drying shrinkage. concrete made using mine waste generally known as mundic
For aggregate sources in which the aggregate has occurred in CZmwall and Devon. This is apparently
shrinkage is consistently less than 0.05 % the caused by the instability of some pyritic and/or slaty rock
constituents. Further information is given in ‘Advice on
data from the test results are to be no more certain unsound rock aggregates in concrete in Cornwall and
than 6 years old provided the essential Devon’, Department of the Environment, London, February
character of the material does not change. 1991.

7
 Bsa82:19B2

(d) As no test is available at present for

determining clay as an adherent coating or as
lumps in aggregate, no limits have been specified
at present in this standard.

Appendix C. Guidance on the chloride

content of aggregates
Marine aggregates and some inland aggregates can
contain chlorides. Chlorides can also be contained
in other constituents of concrete. It is the
responsibility of the concrete mix designer to
calculate the total chloride content of a concrete
mix from the chloride contents of the various
constituents and to ensure that an appropriate
maximum value is not exceeded. Such maximum
values are given in BS 5328 : part 1, BS 8110 :
Part 1 and other relevant codes of practice.
‘lhble 7 gives guidance on chloride contents for
combined aggregates for four categories of
concrete. The use of combined aggregates within
the limits in table 7 will in most cinnnustances
* result in concrete complying with BS 5328 : Fart 1
and ES 8110 : Part 1, but this needs to be
confirmed by calculation, using measured chloride
., values for each of the constituents. Reference is
made to combined aggregates because individual
aggregates containing levels of chloride in excess of
and below those of table 7 can be blended to
produce a combined aggregate having a satisfactory
chloride content.
NOTE. Information on levels of chloride in marine aggregates is
available from suppliers under JMCMUSAGA Marine Dredged
Aggregate Certification Scheme.

‘Ihble 7. Limits for chloride content of aggregates I

l)qw and use of concrete Chloride ion content expreaeed aa percentage by mass of
chloride ion of combined ag@ega@

Prestressed concrete and heat-cured concrete 0.01

containing embedded metal
Concrete containing embedded metal made with 0.03
cement complying with BS 4027
Concrete containing embedded metal and made
with cement complying with ES 12, BS 146,
BS 1370, BS 4246, ES 6688, BS 6610 or
combinations with ground granulated blastfumace
slag (ggbs) or pulverized-fuel ash (pfa)
.I
Other concrete No limit

Q ..
 Bs882:1992

Publication(s) referred to

Bs 12 : 1991 Specification for Portland cement

BS 146 : 1991 Specification for Portland blastfumace cement
BS 410 : 1986 Specification for test sieves
BS 812 lbsting aggregates
Section 103.1 : 1985 Sieve tests
Section 105.1 : 1989 Flakiness index
Part 106 : 1985 Methods for determination of shell content in coarse aggregate
Fart 111 : 1990 Methods for determination of ten per cent fines value (TFV)
Part 112 : 1990 Methods for determination of aggregate impact vahre (AIV)
Fart 118 : 1988 Methods for determination of sulphate content
BS 1370 : 1979 Specification for low heat Portland cement
Bs 1881 *sting concrete
Bs 3797 : 1990 Specification for lightweight aggregates for masonry units and structural concrete
BS 4027 : 1991 Specification for sulfate-resisting Portland cement
BS 4246 : 1991 Specification for high slag blastfurnace cement
BS 5328 Concrete
Part 1 : 1991 Guide to specifying concrete
BS 6588 : 1991 Specification for Portland pulverized-fuel ash cements
Bs 6610 : 1991 Specification for Pozzolanic pulverized-fuel ash cement
BS 8110 Structural use of concrete
part 1 : 1985 Code of practice for design and construction
Building Research Establishment Digest No 330 (revised 1991) - Alkali aggregate reactions in concrete
Building Research Establishment Digest No 357 (January 1991) - Shrinkage of natural aggregates in
concrete
Department of the Environment, London - Advice on certain unsound rock aggregates in concrete in
Cornwall and Devon (February 1991)
The Concrete Society lbchnical Report No 301) (October 1987) - Alkali silica reaction, minimisii the
risk of damage to concrete. Guidance notes and model specification

‘) AWlable from the Concrete Society, Framewood Road, Wexham, Slough SL3 6PJ.
Bsss2:1992

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