Experimental investigation of the relationship between mineral content and aggregate morphological characteristics using the improved FTI system and XRD method

Mechanical performances of concrete materials are greatly influenced by morphological characteristics of aggregates. Aggregate morphological characteristics are closely related to mineral content, the size and shape of mineral grains, the spatial distribution of inner pores, and defects. This study investigates the relationship between aggregate morphological characteristics and mineral content by weight for thirteen aggregate samples that were produced from six types of rocks. The thirteen samples were imaged using the improved Fourier Transform Interferometry (FTI) system; mineral composition and weight content of minerals were determined using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method for the six types of rocks. Pairwise correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to establish quantitative relationships between mineral content and morphological characteristics of aggregates. Research findings from this study can facilitate aggregate selection based on mineral content in order to produce aggregates with desired morphological characteristics.