Abstract

The nominal maximum size (NMS) and proportion of coarse aggregates significantly influence the mechanical properties and performance of cement concrete pavements. While extensive research has focused on concrete mix design, the combined effect of coarse aggregate size and aggregate proportioning on the compressive strength of pavement-grade concrete remains inadequately understood. This study experimentally investigates the influence of coarse aggregate characteristics on the compressive strength of M30 grade concrete. Two NMS values (20 mm and 40 mm) with different aggregate proportions were evaluated through a comprehensive experimental program comprising 24 concrete mixes. All specimens were prepared, cured, and tested under identical laboratory conditions to ensure consistency. Compressive strength was determined at 28 days using a Compression Testing Machine (CTM).The results indicate that concrete incorporating 40 mm coarse aggregates achieved a maximum compressive strength of 43.56 MPa, whereas mixes containing 20 mm coarse aggregates attained a maximum strength of 40.42 MPa under identical curing conditions. The superior performance of the 40 mm aggregate mixes is attributed to improved aggregate interlock and optimized load transfer within the concrete matrix. The findings demonstrate that both the nominal maximum aggregate size and aggregate proportioning substantially affect the compressive strength and overall mechanical performance of M30 concrete. Optimizing these parameters enhances the structural efficiency and durability of pavement-grade concrete. This study provides practical insights for aggregate selection and mix proportion optimization, contributing to the development of high-performance, durable, and sustainable cement concrete pavements.

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1. de Larrard, Concrete Mixture Proportioning: A Scientific Approach, E & FN Spon, London, 1999.
2. Hüsken, H.J.H. Brouwers, A new mix design concept for earth-moist concrete: A theoretical and experimental study, Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (10) (2008) 1246–1259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.04.002.
3. Jindal, G.D.R.N. Ransinchung, Behavioural study of pavement quality concrete containing construction, industrial and agricultural wastes, Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol. 11 (5) (2018) 488–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijprt.2018.03.007.
4. K. Katariya, G. Rawat, Optimum concrete mix proportion with ratio 1:1.5:3, Comput. Res. Dev. 25 (10) (2025) 298–300.
5. K. Mehta, P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, New York, 2014.
6. Mindess, J.F. Young, D. Darwin, Concrete, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2003.
7. M. Neville, Properties of Concrete, 5th ed., Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, 2011.
8. Proske, S. Hainer, M. Rezvani, C.-A. Graubner, Eco-friendly concretes with reduced water and cement contents—Mix design principles and laboratory tests, Cem. Concr. Res. 51 (2013) 38–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.04.011.
9. Proske, S. Hainer, M. Rezvani, C.-A. Graubner, Eco-friendly concretes with reduced water and cement content – Mix design principles and application in practice, Constr. Build. Mater. 67 (2014) 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.066.
10. I. Umasabor, E.O. Osayogie, Effect of coarse aggregate sizes on the compressive strength of concrete using response surface methodology, NIPES J. Sci. Technol. Res. 2 (1) (2020) 129–134.
11. Yaqub, I. Bukhari, Effect of size of coarse aggregate on compressive strength of high strength concrete, in: Proceedings of the 31st Conference on Our World in Concrete & Structures, Singapore, 16–17 August 2006.
12. Yehia, A. Abdelfatah, D. Mansour, Effect of aggregate type and specimen configuration on concrete compressive strength, Crystals 10 (7) (2020) 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10070625.

Abstract

The nominal maximum size (NMS) and proportion of coarse aggregates significantly influence the mechanical properties and performance of cement concrete pavements. While extensive research has focused on concrete mix design, the combined effect of coarse aggregate size and aggregate proportioning on the compressive strength of pavement-grade concrete remains inadequately understood. This study experimentally investigates the influence of coarse aggregate characteristics on the compressive strength of M30 grade concrete. Two NMS values (20 mm and 40 mm) with different aggregate proportions were evaluated through a comprehensive experimental program comprising 24 concrete mixes. All specimens were prepared, cured, and tested under identical laboratory conditions to ensure consistency. Compressive strength was determined at 28 days using a Compression Testing Machine (CTM).The results indicate that concrete incorporating 40 mm coarse aggregates achieved a maximum compressive strength of 43.56 MPa, whereas mixes containing 20 mm coarse aggregates attained a maximum strength of 40.42 MPa under identical curing conditions. The superior performance of the 40 mm aggregate mixes is attributed to improved aggregate interlock and optimized load transfer within the concrete matrix. The findings demonstrate that both the nominal maximum aggregate size and aggregate proportioning substantially affect the compressive strength and overall mechanical performance of M30 concrete. Optimizing these parameters enhances the structural efficiency and durability of pavement-grade concrete. This study provides practical insights for aggregate selection and mix proportion optimization, contributing to the development of high-performance, durable, and sustainable cement concrete pavements.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. de Larrard, Concrete Mixture Proportioning: A Scientific Approach, E & FN Spon, London, 1999.
2. Hüsken, H.J.H. Brouwers, A new mix design concept for earth-moist concrete: A theoretical and experimental study, Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (10) (2008) 1246–1259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.04.002.
3. Jindal, G.D.R.N. Ransinchung, Behavioural study of pavement quality concrete containing construction, industrial and agricultural wastes, Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol. 11 (5) (2018) 488–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijprt.2018.03.007.
4. K. Katariya, G. Rawat, Optimum concrete mix proportion with ratio 1:1.5:3, Comput. Res. Dev. 25 (10) (2025) 298–300.
5. K. Mehta, P.J.M. Monteiro, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, New York, 2014.
6. Mindess, J.F. Young, D. Darwin, Concrete, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2003.
7. M. Neville, Properties of Concrete, 5th ed., Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, 2011.
8. Proske, S. Hainer, M. Rezvani, C.-A. Graubner, Eco-friendly concretes with reduced water and cement contents—Mix design principles and laboratory tests, Cem. Concr. Res. 51 (2013) 38–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.04.011.
9. Proske, S. Hainer, M. Rezvani, C.-A. Graubner, Eco-friendly concretes with reduced water and cement content – Mix design principles and application in practice, Constr. Build. Mater. 67 (2014) 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.12.066.
10. I. Umasabor, E.O. Osayogie, Effect of coarse aggregate sizes on the compressive strength of concrete using response surface methodology, NIPES J. Sci. Technol. Res. 2 (1) (2020) 129–134.
11. Yaqub, I. Bukhari, Effect of size of coarse aggregate on compressive strength of high strength concrete, in: Proceedings of the 31st Conference on Our World in Concrete & Structures, Singapore, 16–17 August 2006.
12. Yehia, A. Abdelfatah, D. Mansour, Effect of aggregate type and specimen configuration on concrete compressive strength, Crystals 10 (7) (2020) 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10070625.