Aggregates are the materials that are collected from materials such as sand, gravel, or crushed rocks and then used to fill in cracks, joints or areas that need filling in. For example, aggregates can be used to fill in cracks in reinforced concrete, and the term “aggregate” refers to the aggregate that is used. In exposed aggregate concrete, aggregates are generally made up of finely ground sand, gravel or other similar materials. When aggregates are used, they can be mixed with cement to make a liquid, which is then injected into reinforced concrete to form a crack.
Now, to answer the question “Why is the aggregate used in concrete?,” we have to look at the chemical makeup of concrete. Chemical composition of concrete includes both structure (the particles of which concrete is made) and filler (which gives the overall solidity to the mixture). The structure is composed of reinforcing steel, cement and various aggregates such as gravel, sand or rocks. The filler acts like a cushion and helps make the structure more rigid. By adding filler to the mix, concrete is able to achieve the desired degree of structural flexibility without adding bulk to the concrete mix.
In the next section we will look at why aggregates are added to the concrete mixture. Most aggregate used today is made from recycled products like oil and gas can linings, sand or rocks from old buildings. These aggregates are combined with cement to make a liquid and then poured into concrete to create a durable material.
So, what types of things are aggregates used for? Well, concrete is basically used as a densification agent, which means it hardens the soil below it. If the soil is sandy, concrete is used to add strength to sandy soils and prevent cracking. Aggregates are also sometimes used as an impervious coating on underground cavities or as plugs between cracks in reinforced concrete. If we look back in history, these types of joint treatments were fairly standard and common.
Why is aggregate used in concrete? Since the early 20th century concrete contractors have been mixing water and sand to make concrete. The most commonly used ingredient is sand, which is mixed with water and then left to set for about two days. During this time the mixture would harden and would be used as a foundation by construction contractors for highways, bridges, and buildings. The main purpose of this type of concrete mixture is to provide additional strength to the concrete and help increase its ability to resist force.
Hopefully this article has given you some insight into why is aggregate used in concrete? There are many more uses for aggregates, but for now let’s just say that they are used to create stronger materials that we often take for granted in our daily lives. This is only one reason why aggregates are being used in concrete.