Concrete is the preferred material for a large number of home owners and commercial establishments. This is because of the unmatched durability of concrete and the ease with which it can be used for constructing and laying pavements, pathways and other landscape related outdoor features. Concrete differs in terms of consistency and mixing ratio, depending on the use of the material. As a result, the concrete used in roofing is different from the concrete that is used outdoor pavements. Here is all that you need to known about picking the most suitable aggregate.
What Exactly Is Aggregate?
This refers to the granular substance that comprises the concrete mix. The difference is basically the size, shape, and the degree of coarseness/fine nature of the mix in exposed aggregate Perth. The combination of the materials with water results in the formation of concrete. Typically aggregates comprise three fourths of the actual volume of the concrete that is mixed. The quality of the aggregate has an impact on the property of the concrete mix after it hardens. Various factors combine to influence the quality of the concrete – the size, the amount of moisture in the aggregate and the weight.
The Mixing Process Of Aggregates
Raw material for aggregates is sourced either naturally or crushed from available material. For instance, natural aggregates refers to the use of materials that are sourced naturally, while crushed aggregate refers to the possible use of recycled concrete or crushed materials. The aggregate is crushed and washed to make ensure that it meets the desired standards of quality in construction. One of the reasons for washing is to remove the presence of impurities and chemical contents that may impact the quality of the concrete over a period of time after it hardens.
Fine Variety Of Aggregates
Fine varieties of aggregates refer to materials which are very small and fine. Sand is regarded as one of the finer varieties of aggregates. There are different qualities/types of sand that are used as aggregates. The most fie variety are generally used as mortar, whereas the coarse variety are used for concrete.
Coarse Varieties Of Aggregate
The coarse varieties of aggregate are the crushed gravel and stone. These are ideal for certain uses cases and are more suitable when the aggregate to cement ratio is loaded in favor of the former. This is different from fine varieties of aggregate as the ratio is loaded in favor of the aggregate.
Important Aspects That Need To Be Borne In Mind
Builders and home owners need to remember that the use of more compact particles in aggregates will help to keep the water consumption levels low. Additionally this will also have a positive effect on the texture and shape of the finished/hardened concrete. Wherever there is a need to use concrete mix in a manner that is more cost effective, especially for pavements and walkways, it is recommended to choose coarser aggregate that will reduce the space between particles, resulting in lesser requirement for cement and water. This will also ensure that the finished shape does not shrink or crack.