What is Aggregate?

Aggregate is sand, gravel and crushed rock that have passed through a set of screens. The size ranges from 6” diameter (coarse) to micro dust (fine). The ranges must meet specifications set forth by the American Society of Testing Material (ASTM).

There are Two Weight Ranges:

• Mineral based standard aggregate weighing greater than 55 pounds per cubic foot
• Mineral based lightweight aggregate weighing less than 55 pounds per
  cubic foot
• Engineered or synthetic aggregates, that are manmade and replaces traditional mineral aggregates

In every part of our lives we use aggregates daily. Without aggregates we would not have the roads we drive on, the homes we live in, or the buildings in which we work. Seventy to eighty percent of crushed stone materials are used by the construction industry to build our homes and offices. Fifteen percent of crushed aggregate and stone materials in the United States are used in agricultural applications. 325 tons of aggregate were used in the construction of a new home in 1997, according to the Concrete and Natural Aggregate Industry. Aggregate is one of the most essential elements used in construction today. Aggregate is used in our homes for concrete foundations, driveways and walkways, concrete roofing material, and backfill. In addition, it is used as decorative rock in landscaping, and in road base and asphalt. The U.S. produced 2.34 billion metric tons of Sand and Gravel (standard weight) in 2008, at a total production value of $19.4 billion: lightweight aggregates represent 10-15% of the standard aggregate at a dollar value of $4.2 billion (U.S. Geological survey, mineral commodity summaries, July 2009.)