6. Conclusion

By weight and volume, aggregates make up the largest proportion of hydraulic concrete and road products. As such, they are largely responsible for the mechanical performance of these construction materials, without losing sight of the essential role of the binder in holding them in place.

The characteristics of aggregates depend on the nature and quality of the original material, on the one hand, and on the conditions under which they are mined and processed, on the other. Geometric and cleanliness properties can be considerably improved by implementing appropriate extraction, fragmentation and grading methods, while intrinsic properties can only be slightly influenced by manufacturing. The homogeneity of all these characteristics, i.e. the regularity of aggregate supplies, is the primary objective that every producer must aim for and that every client must verify....