ISO 20290-3:2019

Aggregates for concrete - Test methods for mechanical and physical properties - Part 3: Determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV)

This document gives the determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV) of aggregates. This gives a relative measure of the resistance of the aggregate crushing under the gradually applied compressive load. The method is applicable to aggregates passing a 14,0 mm test sieve and retained on a 10,0 mm test sieve. For other size fractions, a recommended method is described in Annex A. The aggregate size fraction taken for this test can also be as per the relevant national standards. NOTE Minor variations in grading divisions can be allowed in respective national standards. The method is not suitable for testing aggregates with an aggregate crushing value higher than 30. In such cases, the method described in ISO 20290-4 is applicable.

Granulats pour béton — Méthodes d'essai relatives aux propriétés mécaniques et physiques — Partie 3: Détermination de la valeur de concassage des granulats (ACV)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Nov-2019
• ICS: 91.100.30 - Concrete and concrete products
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 71/SC 1 - Test methods for concrete
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 71/SC 1/WG 4 - Test methods for aggregates
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 10-Nov-2025
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 6783:1982 - Coarse aggregates for concrete - Determination of particle density and water absorption - Hydrostatic balance method
• Effective Date: 11-Oct-2014
• Revises: ISO 6274:1982 - Concrete - Sieve analysis of aggregates
• Effective Date: 11-Oct-2014
• Revises: ISO 6782:1982 - Aggregates for concrete - Determination of bulk density
• Effective Date: 11-Oct-2014
• Revises: ISO 7033:1987 - Fine and coarse aggregates for concrete - Determination of the particle mass-per-volume and water absorption - Pycnometer method
• Effective Date: 11-Oct-2014

Overview

ISO 20290-3:2019 specifies a laboratory test method for determining the Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) of coarse aggregates for concrete. The ACV provides a relative measure of an aggregate’s resistance to crushing under a gradually applied compressive load. The standard is primarily applicable to aggregates passing a 14.0 mm test sieve and retained on a 10.0 mm test sieve; Annex A gives recommendations for other size fractions. The method is not intended for aggregates with ACV > 30 (see ISO 20290-4 in such cases).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and intent: Measure resistance of aggregates to crushing using a standard compaction and compressive loading regime to produce a percentage of fines.
• Specimen size and grading: Default size fraction is 14.0 mm to 10.0 mm; other fractions covered in Annex A or by national standards.
• Apparatus:
  • Compression testing machine capable of up to 500 kN and achieving 400 kN in 10 min ± 30 s.
  • Steel cylinder and freely moving plunger (nominal 150 mm internal diameter) with defined dimensional tolerances.
  • Tamping rod (16 ± 1 mm diameter), cylindrical measure, test sieves (14.0 mm, 10.0 mm and 2.36 mm compliant with ISO 565), oven (105 ± 5 °C), balance, rubber mallet and brush.
• Procedure highlights:
  • Prepare three specimens of the designated size fraction; compact in three layers with 25 strokes per layer using the tamping rod.
  • Apply compressive load to reach 400 kN in ~10 minutes; recover crushed material and sieve on 2.36 mm.
  • Calculate ACV = (mass passing 2.36 mm / total specimen mass) × 100 (expressed to 1 decimal).
  • Repeat and average results; rules provided for repeat tests if variability exceeds specified limits.
• Limitations: Not suitable for aggregates with ACV > 30; use ISO 20290-4 for such materials.

Applications and users

• Practical uses:
  • Quality control of coarse aggregates for concrete and pavement materials.
  • Comparative assessment of aggregate crushing resistance for material selection.
  • Input to mix design and performance specifications where aggregate strength and durability matter.
• Primary users:
  • Materials and testing laboratories, concrete and asphalt producers, quarry operators, civil engineers, specifications authors and standards bodies.

Related standards

• ISO 565 - Test sieves (referenced for sieve compliance)
• ISO 20290 series - other parts cover related mechanical and physical property tests (see ISO 20290-4 for high-ACV materials)

Keywords: ISO 20290-3:2019, aggregate crushing value, ACV, aggregates for concrete, test methods, 14 mm sieve, 10 mm sieve, compression testing machine, 2.36 mm sieve, Annex A.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20290-3
First edition
2019-11
Aggregates for concrete — Test
methods for mechanical and physical
properties —
Part 3:
Determination of aggregate crushing
value (ACV)
Granulats pour béton — Méthodes d'essai relatives aux propriétés
mécaniques et physiques —
Partie 3: Partie 3: Détermination de la valeur de concassage des
granulats (ACV)
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Sampling . 2
6 Apparatus . 2
7 Preparation of test portions and specimens . 4
7.1 Test portions . 4
7.2 Preparation of test specimens . 4
8 Procedure. 5
9 Calculation and expression of results . 5
10 Test report . 6
Annex A (informative) Recommended method for determining the aggregate crushing
value for other size fractions of aggregate . 7
Foreword
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electrotechnical standardization.
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described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 71, Concrete, reinforced concrete and pre-
stressed concrete, Subcommittee SC 1, Test methods for concrete.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
A list of all parts in the ISO 20290 series can be found on the ISO website.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20290-3:2019(E)
Aggregates for concrete — Test methods for mechanical
and physical properties —
Part 3:
Determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV)
1 Scope
This document gives the determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV) of aggregates. This
gives a relative measure of the resistance of the aggregate crushing under the gradually applied
compressive load.
The method is applicable to aggregates passing a 14,0 mm test sieve and retained on a 10,0 mm test
sieve. For other size fractions, a recommended method is described in Annex A. The aggregate size
fraction taken for this test can also be as per the relevant national standards.
NOTE Minor variations in grading divisions can be allowed in respective national standards.
The method is not suitable for testing aggregates with an aggregate crushing value higher than 30. In
such cases, the method described in ISO 20290-4 is applicable.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 565, Test sieves — Metal wire cloth, perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet — Nominal sizes
of openings
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
aggregate crushing value
ACV
percentage to the first decimal place, of the mass of fines formed to the total mass of the test specimen
4 Principle
A test sample of aggregates is compacted in a specified manner into a steel cylinder fitted with a freely
moving plunger. The sample is then subjected to a standard loading regime applied through the plunger.
This action crushes the aggregate to a degree which is dependent on the crushing resistance of the
material, which is assessed by a sieving test on the crushed specimen and is taken as a measure of the ACV.
5 Sampling
The sample used for the test (the laboratory sample) shall be as per Clause 7.
NOTE National standards can also exist regarding the sampling.
6 Apparatus
6.1 Compression testing machine, capable of applying any force up to 500 kN and which can be
operated to give a uniform rate of loading so that the required force (400 kN) is reached in 10 min
(see 8.2).
NOTE National standards can also exist regarding the requirements of the compression testing machine.
6.2 Steel cylinder and plunger, with an open-ended steel cylinder of nominal 150 mm internal
diameter and with plunger and base plate as per Figure 1 and Table 1.
Table 1 — Principal dimensions of cylinder and plunger apparatus
Component Dimensions (see Figure 1) Nominal 150 mm Nominal 75 mm internal
internal dimeter of diameter of cylinder
cylinder
(see Annex A)
mm
mm
Cylinder Internal diameter, D 154 ± 0,5 78,0 ± 0,5
c
Internal depth, h 125 to 140 70,0 to 85,0
c
Minimum wall thickness, d 16,0 8,0
c
Plunger Diameter of piston, D 152 ± 0,5 76,0 ± 0,5
p
Diameter of stem, D >95 to ≤D >45 to ≤D
s p p
Overall length of piston plus stem, L 100 to 115 60,0 to 80,0
p
Minimum depth of piston, h not less than 25,0 not less than 19,0
p
Diameter of hole, D 20,0 ± 0,1 10,0 ± 0,1
h
Baseplate Minimum thickness, d 10 10
b
Length of each side of square, L 200 to 230 110 to 115
b
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

NOTE See Table 1.
Figure 1 — Outline form of cylinder and plunger for aggregate crushing value test.
The surfaces in contact with the aggregate shall be machined and maintained in a smooth condition
and preferably case hardened.
6.3 Tamping rod, made out of straight iron or steel bar of circular cross-section, diameter of
(16 ± 1) mm and (600 ± 5) mm long, with both end semi-spherical.
6.4 Balance, of at least 3 kg capacity, readable to 1 g.
6.5 Cylindrical metal measure, for measuring the sample, of sufficient rigidity to retain its form under
rough usage and having an internal diameter of (115 ± 1) mm and an internal depth of (180 ± 1) mm.
6.6 Test sieves, with square-hole perforated plate of sizes 14,0 mm and 10,0 mm and a woven wire
2,36
...