Construction Materials
Which Aggregate Is Best for Construction?
Aggregate makes up 60–75% of concrete’s volume, so its quality directly affects strength and durability.
Coarse vs fine aggregate
Coarse aggregate (locally “jelly”) is crushed stone retained on a 4.75 mm sieve; fine aggregate is sand or M-sand passing it.
10 mm or 20 mm?
- 20 mm — the default for slabs, beams, columns and footings.
- 10 mm — for thin sections, congested reinforcement and precast items.
- A blend of both often gives a denser, more workable mix.
Quality checks
- Angular, cubical pieces — avoid flaky or elongated stones.
- Clean and free from dust, clay and organic matter.
- Well graded, not single-sized.
Your mix design should state the aggregate size and proportion — ask to see it.
