Date: July 12, 2024

The term "aggregates" in the construction industry refers to a broad category of coarse and fine particulate materials, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled concrete, and geosynthetic aggregates, which are the most extensively mined materials globally. Aggregates serve as a reinforcement to enhance the strength of composite materials, such as concrete.

Aggregates can be classified into three distinct categories: fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and all-in aggregate.

Fine aggregate, characterized by its passage through a 4.75 mm IS sieve, is further sub-divided into four grading zones (Zones 1-4), with Zone 4 being the most fine. Examples of fine aggregates include concrete or masonry sand.

Coarse aggregate is categorized based on its particle size and shape, which can be uncrushed, crushed, or partially crushed gravel or stone. The grading of coarse aggregate is determined by the proportion of material that passes through a specific sieve size. For instance, a ¾” nominal size graded aggregate means that most of the aggregate particles pass through a 3/4” sieve.

All-in aggregate, also known as Ballast, is a mixture of material from various sizes from a pit, crushing plant or river bed. This type of aggregate is commonly used for repairing small cracks and pavement foundations.

The basis for these sizing standards originates from ASTM C 33, "Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates." The particle size is determined by the percentage of material that passes through wire-mesh sieves with square openings. There are seven standard sieves for fine aggregates ranging from No. 100 to 3/8” and 13 standard sieves for coarse aggregates ranging from No. 16 to 4”.

For example, coarse aggregate has specific grading requirements for each different size from #1 to #8. A #1 aggregate has a nominal size of 3 ½ to 1 ½ inches and a #8 aggregate has a nominal size of 3/8 to 0.094 inch. A #57 aggregate is a combination of #5 and #7 aggregates ranging from 1 to 0.19 inch.

Chaney Enterprises' aggregate materials meet the ASTM C 33 Standard and are available at our various locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.

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