Aggregates are tiny pieces of minerals or rocks that are used for construction. There are four main aggregates: sand gravel, crushed rock, recycled concrete or fill. These materials are used to hold the different ingredients together and allow them to harden into landscaping projects like sidewalks, driveways or roads. Let’s take a look at each aggregate and their uses.
Why use aggregates in construction?
Strength and Durability
Concrete is stronger and more durable with aggregates. This allows the final product reach its full potential. The material may not be able to withstand the weight or resist cracking in high traffic areas like parking lots and sidewalks.
Aesthetics
Aggregates can be used depending on the project to improve the final product’s aesthetics. Aggregates can come in a variety of colours that can be matched to the surrounding environment.
Availability
Aggregates are generally readily available in most areas of the country, making it easy for contractors to access them. There are many aggregate suppliers who can supply material to projects, if needed.
Environmentally Friendly
Aggregates are composed of naturally occurring minerals and rock fragments. As they weather, the smaller rocks break apart into smaller pieces. This gives aggregates a natural element that is more sustainable than steel and plastic, which require a lot of energy to make.
Cost-Effectiveness
Aggregates are durable and inexpensive enough to last for a long time in many cases. Contractors and clients save money over the long-term.
The Main Aggregates with Their Different Properties
Sand
Sand is a fine-grained sedimentary material that is made from small pieces of minerals or rocks, such as quartz. Because of its small, round particles, sand is often used in concrete and mortar mixes. There are many types of sand available, including coarse sand and ordinary sand.
Gravel
Gravel is a coarse-grained sedimentary product with a particle size of 0.4 to 2 inches. Gravel is used in construction for large to medium-sized aggregates.
There are two types of gravel: crushed stone and pea gravel. Gravels are uniform in shape and can be used for heavy-duty projects such as driveways or roads that need to carry high volumes of traffic or heavier loads.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone, a processed version of gravel, is composed of subround or angular particles. Because it is strong enough to withstand heavy traffic, it is mostly used in medium-to-large-scale projects.
Crushed stone can be found in many shapes including teardrops, bowling balls and round rocks. They are usually between 2 and 3 inches in size.
Concrete
Ready Mix Concrete Essex consists of cement, aggregates and water to form solid materials that can be used for road construction, building buildings, or pavements. Concrete is also formed by high pressure mixing the ingredients. This is why it has a great texture.
Concrete can be used for landscaping projects in a variety of forms, including ready-mix concrete, bagged concrete and unbagged concrete.
What Types of Aggregate are Right for Your Project?
The purpose of your project, the expected outcome and the project’s lifespan will all play a role in choosing the right aggregate. A short-term project like landscaping will suit ordinary sand and pea gravel, which are more affordable and easily available.
