3. Main geotechnical characteristics of aggregates and corresponding tests

Not all resources, whether natural, artificial, or recycled, can be used to produce usable aggregates. The volume of road traffic and the performance levels required for buildings and civil engineering structures necessitate the use of high-quality aggregates to ensure the stability and durability of these structures. However, the quality in question is based on criteria mainly related to the intrinsic characteristics of the resource used, as well as characteristics depending on the production of the aggregates.

These characteristics are measured using tests, most of which are now covered by European standards (series NF EN 932-XX, 933-XX, 1097-XX, 1367-XX, 1744-XX) and a few by non-European French standards. In addition, these tests are carried out on samples that are often very small in size compared to the volumes of aggregates used in the manufacture of construction...