A study on the effects of the fractal characteristics of aggregates on the mechanical behavior of cemented sand and gravel

Owing to complex aspects of cemented sand and gravel (CSG), such as included unscreened aggregates, CSG properties differ from those of ordinary concrete. Fractal theory is introduced to study the effects of aggregate characteristics on CSG properties, quantifying aggregate gradation and shape. Numerical simulation and analyses show that: (1) improved aggregate gradation decreases the gradation fractal dimension and increases the CSG peak stress and elastic modulus; (2) more irregularly shaped aggregates increase the shape fractal dimension and decrease the CSG peak stress and elastic modulus; (3) the relationship quantified between aggregate characteristics and CSG mechanical properties provides a theoretical basis for aggregate allocation in engineering design and construction. Mixing artificial aggregates can improve aggregate gradation but reduces CSG performance. Appropriately blending artificial and on-site aggregates achieves optimal CSG performance; in this study, this is attained using 20% artificial aggregates added under standard gradation.