What are Aggregates and What Types of Aggregates are There?

Aggregates are coarse-grained or medium-grained material used in construction projects such as concrete or asphalt. Learn more about different types of aggregates available for use in construction projects.

What are Aggregates and What Types of Aggregates are There?

Arid is a landscaping term used to describe coarse-grained to medium-grained material. Varying in stone material and size, each type can have its own purpose when it comes to landscaping projects. Many types of construction materials, including concrete, asphalt and mortar, use aggregates as key ingredients. The use of these materials for concrete reduces production costs and increases the strength of concrete mixes.

Crushed aggregates represent between 60 and 75% of the concrete volume. These crushed aggregates significantly affect the properties of freshly mixed and hardened concrete, making it more compact, decreasing its permeability (making it more resistant to water) and modifying its heat retention values. In order to meet the variety of different uses of aggregate materials, CEMEX offers a wide range of aggregates to meet the needs of our customers. It is important to take precautions to restrict contamination of other materials with aggregates that may be problematic, such as asphalt, dirt and clay balls, chlorides, glass, plasterboard, sealants, paper, plaster, wood, and roofing materials.

Streets, bridges, roads and sidewalks are made of concrete or asphalt, which is mainly composed of aggregates combined with a binder that acts as glue. In addition to construction projects, aggregates can also be used in drainage, water filtration and erosion control. Aggregate materials are obtained from natural sand or sand and gravel mines, quarries, deposits and underground sediments. You can check with your local aggregate suppliers about the types of aggregates they offer, but it's important to know what exactly you need.

Once processed, aggregates are handled and stored to minimize segregation and degradation and prevent contamination. The larger particle size can have a diameter of about 150 mm, while the smaller aggregate has a diameter of up to 5 to 10 microns. Some natural aggregate deposits known as pit gravel consist of gravel and sand that can be easily used in concrete after minimal processing. Currently, only recycled aggregates made from construction or demolition waste are recommended for use in new concrete construction.

Elongated aggregates are those whose length is greater compared to the width and the thickness or length of the aggregate is greater than 180% of its average dimension. For all your garden and construction needs, contact Grabco and learn about all the different types of aggregates they offer. In those situations where these materials are not readily available, suitable rock types are crushed to the desired particle sizes to produce coarse-grated aggregates. The properties of recycled aggregates may differ between types of concrete because the parent concrete was designed for its purposes such as permeable, durable, and high-strength concrete. Aggregates such as sand can also be used to create or restore beaches, sports surfaces, racetracks, and other recreational facilities.

Brock Cottew
Brock Cottew

Certified pop culture enthusiast. Award-winning troublemaker. Incurable food lover. Hipster-friendly tv geek. Subtly charming travelaholic. Incurable pop culture enthusiast.

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