4 Versatile Aggregates for Concrete in Saudi Arabia

Aggregates for Concrete in Saudi Arabia

Aggregates are a vital material which can be used for strengthening concrete in leading Saudi Arabia’s ready mix concrete and cement companies. The aggregate substances are available in several unique forms like from granite aggregates to gravel aggregates, limestone aggregates to recycled concrete. Therefore, one of the most important objectives of using these combined materials is ensure a top quality construction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These collective materials are used to make private buildings, commercial blocks and infrastructures like dams, bridges, roads, etc. Transportation system in Saudi Arabia have a strong foundation built on aggregate materials such as granites, crushed stones, gravels, sand, soil and recycled concrete. In this article, we briefly explain the different types of aggregates for concrete and their uses among both residential and corporate sectors in Saudi Arabia.


#1: Granite Aggregates

What Are Granite Aggregates?
Granite aggregates are compressed hard rock of granular structure which is a commonly found material for concrete on Earth. The granite rocks are derived from Magma exploded on the ground shell and subsequently hardened. Great qualities of granite make it the most stylish and useful building material in Saudi Arabia.  Granite aggregates are very resistant materials with low flakiness. Granite is indeed considered as the best aggregate material for high quality concrete in KSA today. It can be used as a decorative stone. Granite consists of feldspar, mica crystal and quartz.

Granite Aggregates as the Best Construction Material in Saudi Arabia

One of the most common goals of using granite aggregates in Saudi Arabia is that they are handy building materials for both the corporate owners as well as residential owners. Granite has been consistently used for thousands of years all around the world in both interior as well as exterior decorations. Granite dimension stones are often used in a wide variety of structures across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia like from corporate buildings to residential buildings, bridges to pavements, monuments to museums, zoos to amusement parks, interior home design decorations to exterior home design decorations and roads to many other purposes.

Interesting Uses of Granite in Saudi Arabia

Then there are indoor polished granite slabs and titles available in Saudi Arabia which can be used in a wide range of structures such as countertops, tile flooring designs, stair treads and many other design facets. Granite aggregate is a prestige substance that can be used in all major projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make the impressions of natural beauty and quality. From granite building stones to granite titles, from granite countertops to granite facing stones, from granite memorial to granite curbing, granite monument to granite gemstone and from granite slabs to granite paving stones, there are many other kinds of granite designs to help decorate your homes and offices in style.

Fractions of Granite Aggregates and Their Utilities

There are various fractions of granite aggregates like from 0-2 mm to 0-5 mm (granite sand), 2-5 mm (paving slab) to 3-10 mm (road construction), 5-10 mm (concrete structures) to 5-20 mm (road concrete mixes), 10-20 mm (asphalt and concrete roads) to 20-40 mm (medium fraction) , 0-20 mm to 0-40 mm (road subbase), 5-8 mm, 8-11 mm and 11-16 mm (Euro fractions) to 5-250 mm (large fraction of aggregates), 20-70 mm to 40-70 mm (concrete and solid concrete structures) and finally 70-120 mm, 120-150 mm to 150-300 mm (quarry stone).

 #2: Gravel Aggregates

When it comes to gravel aggregates, they are obtained in consequence of sifting quarried rock and by compressing natural rock stones across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In reality, gravels aggregates are second-rate to granite aggregate materials, but they have their multiple pros for the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. Gravel aggregates have a very low radioactive background and they are a very affordable choice for the ready mix concrete suppliers and contractors than granite aggregates in KSA.


Uses of Gravel in the Common Construction Projects in KSA
Gravel aggregates are quite handy materials for construction companies in Saudi Arabia because they can be specifically used for concretes and foundations. In addition, these aggregates can be used in products which are made of reinforced concrete and in infrastructure projects. Read here now we explain some of the most commonly used gravels to be used in Saudi Arabia:

Crush Stone – The crushed stones are very durable, heavy and sturdy stones as they have large elements. The crushed stones are an ideal choice for terraces, courtyards, pavements and patios in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, most property owners in Saudi Arabia opt for crushed stones because they can provide beautiful texture in their garden. Although crush stone is expensive choice but its result is still truly perfect. This type of aggregate is consisted of a limestone, granite and gneiss, depending upon the mining process. Crush stones are a perfect choice for landscaping themes in Saudi Arabia.


Basalt – The Basalt is commonly known as a volcanic rock which appears in shadow style varying from light gray to black. As it has a volcanic rock, it is absorbent and light stone, which can be easily transported anywhere in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Basalt is a very good looking stone and is frequently used to driveways, pavements and line gardens.
 
Sandstone – Quite often, sandstones in Saudi Arabia are made available to the people and construction companies in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles like from brown sandstone to beige sandstone and tan rock sandstone to many other types. These types of aggregates are comprised of a rock dust or aggregated granules of sand. Sandstone can be used for a wide variety of structures in Saudi Arabia. For example, sandstone gravel rock can be used for decorating gardens, pavements and driveways in the Kingdom. Sandstone is normally comprised of bits of quartz, which makes it sparkle in both pink and red.
 
Crimson Stone – It is a mixed color gravel rock which comes in red, beige, black and pale-ink shapes. As it has a colorful mixed texture, this kind of stone is a perfect choice for your exterior home decoration purpose. That is why crimson stone is called as the best construction gravel in Saudi Arabia.

Beach Pebbles – The beach pebbles often come in smooth and rounded shapes in KSA. Beach pebbles are finest quality aggregates which can be used for decorating your gardens in style. Such types of pebble stones can be used on edges of beds, patios, pavements, swimming pools around boulders and topdress container planting structures. This is the best option for both home and corporate owners if they want to get a stylish and elegant look. However, it is slightly expensive and difficult to supply.

Pea Gravel – Pea gravel often come in rounded and small shapes to fulfill your needs. These small rock stones come in different sizes and styles, including 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch. The pea gravel stones are commonly used for decorating pathways, patios and courtyards, driveways, walkways, amusement parks, artificial fountains, aquariums, swimming pools, landscapes.

River Stone – River stones are a quite bigger and useful option for builders and contractors in Saudi Arabia than gravel stone. The river stones are frequently used to develop dry creek beds in KSA. They can be also used to direct drainage system. River stone comes in different sizes, shapes, colors and styles to suit for your specific need. Many construction companies are using river stones for landscaping purpose in Saudi Arabia these days. Hence, we sump up gravel aggregates in four dimensions, including 3-10 mm, 5-20 mm, 5-40 mm, 20-40 mm.
 
#3: Limestone Aggregates

When we talk about limestone aggregates, they are a sedimentary rock comprised of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the shape of the mineral calcite.  These aggregates are typically made in crystal clear, hot and shallow marine waters. As limestone aggregate is an organic sedimentary rock, it is made from the accretion algal, shell, coral and fecal debris. This type of aggregate is also known as chemical sedimentary rock that is developed by the moisture of calcium carbonate using lake and ocean water. Limestone is primarily used in ready mix concrete production and in road construction across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


Types and Uses of Limestone in KSA
There are several types of limestone that can be made available to you in all possible sizes, shapes, styles and colors at affordable costs. Each limestone is based on the hypothesis how the rock formed, its look, its composition, its color, its texture, its style and other elements. Here are some of the most commonly used limestone aggregates in Saudi Arabia:

  1. Lithographic Stone
  2. Oolitic Limestone
  3. Fossiliferous Limestone
  4. Travertine
  5. Chalk
  6. Tufa

As we all know that limestone is a rock stone it has diversity of uses in Saudi Arabia for both the residential sector as well as construction industry. Limestone is one of the most durable construction materials in KSA because it is made into crushed stone. Therefore, it can be used for railroad ballast and road foundation in the country. Limestone is often used as a solid aggregate in ready mix concrete. This crushed stone is smoldered in a Kiln in cement factory with compressed shale to produce cement. Limestone aggregates are very durable and dense materials. Limestone is usually carved into concrete blocks and slabs of specific sizes for use in both the architectural industry.

These aggregates are useful for floor tiles, window sills and stair walks. It can also used as a top coat on residential roofs. Plus it can be used a flux stone for smelting and metal refining processes. It can be also used as a Portland cement due to its durability. Then limestone aggregates can be used as a soil treatment agent in agriculture sector and as an acid neutralization driving force by the chemical industry in Saudi Arabia. In some cases, these aggregate materials are added to the feed of some domestic animals for more milk and dairy products. Limestone is often called as a mine safety dust that can be used to improve the air of breathing. Finally, powdered limestone can be used as a protective material in plastics, rubber, paint and paper.

#4: Recycled Aggregates

When a corporate building or a residential building is bulldozed and the aggregate materials that were used to build the structure are reused for construction, then these materials are called as “recycled aggregates”.  There are many examples of recycled aggregates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including crushed stones, compressed concrete, used sand, compacted gravels, recycled bricks, crushed slags, used asphalt and many other materials.


Recycled Concrete Aggregate Uses and Benefits in KSA
Why should you invest some money in purchasing recycled aggregates? Those who work in a real estate industry in Saudi Arabia, they can enjoy the multiple perks of recycled materials.

  1. Both the corporate owners and home owners can put aside a lot of money by working with recycled aggregates (RCA) in Saudi Arabia.
  2. Recycled aggregates are often referred to as an “ever green construction material” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  3. These used aggregates can be used for multiple purposes in KSA like from infrastructure projects to landscaping projects and home improvement activities to many other applications.
  4. RCA is considered as the most reliable, economical and safe natural substance. Thus, recycled aggregates have immense durability as well as cost-effectiveness. 
  5. The recycled aggregates like sand, asphalt, crushed and concrete can be used for installing a new pavement, patio or driveway. Hence, these used materials ensure strong residential base in the Kingdom.
  6. Not only this, they will also provide a strong commercial as well as municipal base. For instance, you can improve various structures in your area by using such used materials like parking lots, municipal roads, edifices, road surfaces, road beds, railroad ballast, and drainage system.
  7. Lastly, recycled aggregates are a perfect choice for general construction in Saudi Arabia. For example, you may see the usage of these recycled materials at various construction sites.