Complete Guide to Construction Aggregates
PUBLISHED BY DUCON INDUSTRIES | JANUARY 23, 2024
What is Construction Aggregate?
Construction aggregate is a mixture of sand, gravel, and crushed stone used for construction projects. Construction aggregate is used in the construction industry to create concrete, asphalt, and other products.
It’s an essential material for all types of construction projects. And is primarily used in the concrete industry to help create solid structures that resist earthquakes and other natural disasters. Construction aggregate is also used in pavement applications such as asphalt and concrete surfaces.
Types of Construction Aggregates
There are three main types of construction aggregates:
Sand & Gravel Aggregates:
Sand and gravel aggregates are typically used in construction as fill material for concrete, asphalt, and other solid surfaces. It is made from crushed natural materials such as rocks, gravel, sand, and clay. The aggregate is mixed with water or cement to create concrete or asphalt products.
The type of sand used for construction purposes can be graded by size, color, or particle size. For example, fine-grained sand is used to make concrete surfaces with larger grains that can be seen easily from a distance. Coarse-grained materials are used to fill in large areas of soil or dirt that cannot be easily seen but still need to be filled in.
Concrete Aggregates (cement-filled):
Concrete aggregates are sometimes referred to as “cement-filled”. Cement-filled aggregates are made by pouring a mixture of cement and water into a mold, where it sets to form a solid mass. The mixture is then filled with crushed or screened rock, gravel, sand, or other suitable fill material. Concrete can be poured directly onto structural elements such as beams and columns or placed in forms to create concrete blocks. Concrete blocks may be used in place of or in combination with concrete slabs as a foundation for building walls, floors, and stairs.
Cement Grout Aggregates:
In the case of concrete aggregates, the crushed stone or gravel, sand, and cement powder are mixed with water to form a slurry which is then put into a mold, where it gets set in shape under pressure to form a solid block that can be used for construction purposes. This type of aggregate is available in ready forms like blocks, customized shapes like slabs, etc., depending on the user’s requirement.
Top Benefits of Construction Aggregates
The benefits of construction aggregates are many and include the following:
- Stability of the Soil. When the aggregate is mixed with sand and other granular materials, it will form a stable base for construction. The weight of the stones will stabilize the soil, making it suitable for use as a foundation or roadbed.
- Cost-Effective Solution. Aggregates are an inexpensive way to build structures and roads. They can be used in place of concrete or cement, which is more expensive and requires more time to produce.
- Durability and Longevity. Construction aggregates have long lifespans, so they can be reused time after time without needing replacement due to worn-out parts or damage caused by weather conditions such as wind or rainwater runoff from heavy rainfall events (drought conditions). To know more about the environment-friendly aggregate visit us here.
- Easy Handling: they’re lightweight! Aggregates are usually much lighter than construction materials like concrete or asphalt; this makes them easier to handle when placing them onsite and transporting them from one location to another during construction projects.
In The End…
Ducon Industries is a leading supplier of high-quality construction aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, and specialty concrete products. We have an experienced team who can sort your material into different grades for you to be ready for use at your worksite when it arrives. We also offer bulk deliveries with no restrictions on access, but we will sort the material according to your requirements before sending it out to our customers.
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