Areas and fields of crushed stone use in construction

Crushed stone is a bulk material obtained by crushing rock, including granite. This material is extracted in quarries using blasting operations. The resulting mass is then crushed in special equipment: crushers. There, the mass is divided into fractions. To obtain the finished product, crushed stone must be sorted using vibrating screens. After that, samples of the resulting product are taken, laboratory studies are carried out and crushed stone is divided into classes. Each class, fraction and grade of crushed stone has its own area and field of application.

Large granite reserves determine the popularity and availability of this material. Crushed stone is known as one of the most popular construction materials. Its quality characteristics allow it to be used in the construction of buildings and structures, roads of different purposes, reinforced concrete products and even landscape design.

Areas of Crushed Stone Use Depending on Classes

Crushed stone is divided into first, second and third class. According to standards, first-class crushed stone can be used in any areas and fields. Second-class material is used for constructing non-residential buildings and structures, industrial structures and roads within settlements. Third-class crushed stone has the highest radiation level and is suitable for road construction outside settlements.

Areas of Use by Fraction

Depending on the size of individual grains, crushed stone can be:

• Fine fractions. Fine crushed stone is screening. It is used in landscape design, for arranging house-adjacent areas, flower beds, lawns, paths and children’s playgrounds. Screenings are also used as anti-icing material, for ceramic production and in road construction.

• Medium fractions. They are suitable for producing concrete and reinforced concrete structures, panels for railway track laying, and for constructing especially strong structures such as bridges.

• Coarse fractions. They are used for constructing especially large reinforced concrete structures. Because crushed stone of this size is resistant to wear and various adverse factors, it is actively used for road pavement filling and industrial structures.

Areas of Crushed Stone Use Depending on Strength Grade

The strength of this product means ultimate compressive strength. It is designated by the letter M and a numerical indicator. The higher the number, the stronger the crushed stone.

The following crushed stone grades and applications exist:

• M200 has very weak strength. Because of low strength, it is used mainly in landscape design.

• M300-M600 are low-strength grades. They are used to make low-strength concrete structures.

• M600-M800 is medium strength. It is used for constructing concrete structures and small residential construction.

• M800-M1200 is strong crushed stone. It is actively used in road construction for different purposes.

• M1200-M1600 is high-strength crushed stone. It has the highest strength indicators and is widely used for building roads with increased load and especially large concrete and reinforced concrete structures.

Crushed stone is an excellent construction material and, most importantly, accessible. It can easily be found in any construction supermarket or on construction sites. Its quality characteristics make it possible to use this product for different purposes and areas of human life.