Testing the soundness of aggregates using different methodologies
Abstract This paper compares the European (EN) and US (ASTM) standard tests for the soundness of aggregates. The main purpose of the paper is to identify the differences between these two methods and to investigate the extent of weathering inflicted on aggregates by sodium and magnesium sulphate salt solutions. The results show that both tests (using weighted average) produce similar mass losses with magnesium sulphate. They also suggest that the EN test (Annex B) is unsuitable for fine aggregates. The loss in mass for coarse aggregates tested with magnesium sulphate increases as the fraction size is reduced.
The Association of Directors of Social Services, in response to the Burgner review, has called for joint health and local-authority inspection of residential homes (Community Care, 8.1.97, p. 1). Yet there is little agreement about what constitutes good residential care (Gibbs and Sinclair, 1992). Without such information, we cannot make valid comparisons between homes or set meaningful standards. The study described below tested a wide range of possible measures of quality of care. It adopted an eclectic approach, including the perspectives of residents, health and social care professionals, home staff, managers, and relatives. Full details of the instruments used are given in the final report, which is available from the Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent at Canterbury, CT2 7NF, as Discussion Paper 1245.