Prediction of aggregate modified index (AMI) using geomechanical properties of limestones

Limestone aggregates are considered as construction materials with special suitability for use as a part of base courses, asphalt and Portland cement concrete. The suitability of aggregates for different applications is determined by aggregate parameters including the Los Angeles aggregate abrasion value (LAAV), aggregate impact value (AIV), and aggregate crushing value (ACV). In this paper, a combination of all these parameters is presented as an aggregate index (AI); Hamedan Limestones were classified based on this new index. The physico-mechanical properties of aggregates can also be used to evaluate their suitability for any specific engineering application; therefore, these properties of rock samples were measured. The AI was modified using p-wave velocity parameters, and changed into an aggregate modified index (AI/Vp = AMI). Statistical analyses, including simple and multiple regressions, were applied to offer some rational approaches and identify those physico-mechanical parameters that are more appropriate for prediction of AMI. Consequently, based on these analyses, p-wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, dry density and Brazilian tensile strength parameters show significant correlations with AMI at α-level = 0.1.