What test is commonly used to assess the cleanliness of aggregate?

The wash test is specifically designed to assess the cleanliness of aggregate by determining the amount of deleterious materials present. In this procedure, a sample of aggregate is washed with water, and the amount of impurities, such as clay, silt, or other fine particles, that is removed is measured by comparing the weight of the washed and unwashed aggregates. A higher percentage of undesirable materials can negatively affect the properties of concrete or asphalt mixtures, so ensuring cleanliness through this test is critical for achieving the desired durability and performance of the final product.

Other tests mentioned, such as the compression test, slump test, and tensile strength test, are not focused on assessing cleanliness. Instead, they evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete or asphalt mixtures, which makes them inappropriate for determining aggregate cleanliness.