Evaluation of aggregate resistance to wear with Micro-Deval test in combination with aggregate imaging techniques

The Micro-Deval test (MD) is a standard procedure used to measure the resistance of aggregate materials to polishing abrasion; the results are related to the skid resistance of road surfaces. The purpose of the current work was to establish a correlation between the Micro-Deval test results on 11 different aggregates and their morphological properties. These materials were chosen because of their great variance in mineralogical properties. For each aggregate, 500-g test samples were prepared and subjected to polishing using the Micro-Deval apparatus. Before and after polishing, 48 particles from each type of aggregate were selected and analyzed using the Aggregate Imaging System (AIMS) and X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) equipment to capture the changes in their morphological characteristics, including sphericity, angularity and texture. With the aid of a multiple regression analysis, the mass loss of each aggregate was well described with a function using the morphological parameters. The changes in angularity of the particles are the main cause for the mass loss whilst the changes of both their sphericity and texture only have an ancillary influence. •The Micro-Deval test (MD) for abrasion was used on 11 different roadway aggregates.•Test particles were characterized by image analysis and X-ray Computed Tomography.•Sphericity, texture, and angularity were compared to mass loss from wear.•Particle angularity had the best correlation with MD-wear severity.•High average hardness of the aggregate leads to a higher wearing resistance.