Standard aggregates

Standard aggregates

In Europe aggregates are defined in standard EN 12620. This standard is very comprehensive and to give more details than in the list below would be outside the scope of this document.

Important terms from the standard (with additional notes)

·     Natural aggregate

Comes from mineral deposits; it only undergoes mechanical preparation and/or washing.

·     Aggregate mix

Aggregate consisting of a mixture of coarse and fine aggregates (sand). An aggregate mix can be produced without prior separation into coarse and fine aggregates or by combining coarse and fine aggregates (sand).

·     Recycled aggregate

Aggregate made from mechanically processed inorganic material previously used as a building material (i.e. concrete).

·     Filler (rock flour)

Aggregate predominantly passing the 0.063 mm sieve, which is added to obtain specific properties.

·     Particle size group

Designation of an aggregate by lower (d) and upper (D) sieve size, ex-pressed as d/D.

·     Fine aggregate (sand)

Designation for smaller size fractions with D not greater than 4 mm. Fine aggregates can be produced by natural breakdown of rock or gravel and/or crushing of rock or gravel, or by the processing of industrially produced minerals.

·     Coarse aggregate

Designation for larger size fractions with D not less than 4 mm and d not less than 2 mm.

·     Naturally formed aggregate 0/8 mm

Designation for natural aggregate of glacial or fluvial origin with D not greater than 8 mm (can also be produced by mixing processed aggregates).

·     Fines

Proportion of an aggregate passing the 0.063 sieve.

·     Granulometric composition

Particle size distribution, expressed as the passing fraction in percent by weight through a defined number of sieves.