The difference between crushed stone and gravel:

Aggregates are an essential part of any concrete mix. Different concrete projects call for different
aggregates, so make sure you know what the differences are between the aggregates. Crushed
stone and gravel are not the same, even though they come from the same ore and the same
quarries.
Crushed stone and gravel have different uses in construction. This is why aggregate suppliers
will sell them separately. They have different methods of production and separate applications.
Here are some details that you should know.

Production of crushed stone and gravel:

Crushed stone is the result of breaking down large rocks in a crushing machine. The most
common ore used to make crushed stone includes granite, limestone, trap rock, basalt, dolomite
and sandstone.

Gravel is a natural product of weathering and erosion. It can be collected from river beds or
harvested from the same quarries that produce crushed stone. The types of ore in the gravel are
similar to crushed stone.

Crushed stone usually has more angled surfaces than gravel as a result of the crushing process.
Crushed stone can also range in size from fine dust to large rocks. Gravel is more rounded and
often smaller than crushed stone. Gravel also comes in various sizes, from 6mm up to 50mm.

Uses for crushed stone and gravel:

Both aggregates are most commonly used for construction projects. The angular surfaces of
crushed stone make it perfect for forming flat surfaces when compacted or rolled. It makes a
stable, interlocking base for concrete foundations, roads and floors.
Crushed stone is also ideal for railway track ballast beds, a filler element, drainage system and
retaining walls on shorelines and mountain roads.
Gravel, being smoother, is often used for aesthetic purposes. It also has a wider range of natural
colours, which makes it ideal for decorative landscaping on pathways and flower beds. Gravel is
also used as a flooring material on patios, paths, stepping stones and driveways.
If you want an aggregate for construction purposes, crushed stone is your best option. If you
need an aggregate for decorative purposes, then gravel is the answer. The two aggregates have
different purposes so use the right stone for the job.

The difference between Fine Aggregate vs Coarse Aggregate:

Scopes Fine Aggregate (FA) Coarse Aggregate (CA)

1 Definition Fine aggregates are small Coarse aggregates are larger size
size filler materials in filler materials in construction.
construction.

2 Size of Fine aggregates are the Coarse aggregates are the particles
Particles particles that pass through that retain on 4.75 mm sieve.
4.75 mm sieve and retain on
0.075 mm sieve.

3 Materials Sand, surki, stone screenings,
burnt clays, cinders, fly ash,
etc are used as fine aggregate
in concrete.
Brick chips (broken bricks), stone
chips (broken stones), gravels,
pebbles, clinkers, cinders etc. are
used as coarse aggregate in
concrete.

4 Sources River sand or machine sand, Dolomite aggregates, crushed gravel

crushed stone sand, crushed or stone, natural disintegration of
gravel sand are the major rock are the major sources of coarse
sources of fine aggregate. aggregate.

5 Surface The surface area of fine The surface area of coarse aggregate
Area aggregates is higher. is less than fine aggregates.
 6 Function in The voids between the coarse Coarse aggregate acts as inert filler
Concrete aggregate are filled up by material for concrete.
fine aggregate.

7 Uses Fine aggregates are used Coarse aggregates are mainly used
in mortar, plaster, concrete, in concrete, railway track ballast,
filling of road pavement etc.
layers, etc.

Function of Sand in Mortar:

Followings are the functions of sand as one of the ingredients of mortar.

Generally, sand is not used in the mortar to increase its strength. Rather it is mainly used as an
inert material to increase the volume of mortar for the economy.

Using sand in the right amount can produce cheap mortar without hampering mortar strength.

Sand subdivides the paste of cementing materials into a thin film which is the basic principle
involved in using all cementing materials.
 Sand offers the requisite surface area for the film of cementing materials to adhere and to spread.

Sand helps to prevent mortar shrinkage. It also prevents cracking of mortar during setting.

Well-graded sand increases the density of mortar.

Types of sand:
1. Ravi sand

2. Chenab sand

3. Lawrencepur sand

Some of the numerous functions of cement are given below.

It is used in mortar for plastering, masonry work, pointing, etc.

It is used for making joints for drains and pipes.

It is used for water tightness of structure.

It is used in concrete for laying floors, roofs and constructing lintels, beams, stairs, pillars etc.

It is used where a hard surface is required for the protection of exposed surfaces of structures
against the destructive agents of the weather and certain organic or inorganic chemicals.

It is used for precast pipes manufacturing, piles, fencing posts etc.

It is used in the construction of important engineering structures such as bridges, culverts, dams,
tunnels, lighthouses etc.

It is used in the preparation of foundations, watertight floors, footpaths etc.

It is employed for the construction of wells, water tanks, tennis courts, lamp posts, telephone
cabins, roads etc.

Soundness of cement:

“It is the ability of a hardened paste to retain its volume after setting. A cement is said to be
unsound (i.e., having lack of soundness) if it is subjected to delayed destructive expansion.

Unsoundness of cement is due to presence of excessive amount of hard-burned free lime or

magnesia.

Soundness of cement indicates quality to expand on the setting. Unsound cement expands too
much on setting and develops cracks in the structure.”
The test used for determining soundness of cement is known as “Le chatelier apparatus test.”

Schedule Rates:
A schedule of rates can be a list in a contract setting out the
staff, labor and plant hire rates the contractor will use for pricing cost reimbursable
instructed daywork.

However, on a much larger scale, a 'schedule of rates term contract', 'term contract' or 'measured
term contract' may be used when the nature of work required is known but it cannot be
quantified, or if continuity of programmed cannot be determined. In the absence of
an estimate, tenderers quote unit rates against a document that is intended to cover all
likely activities that might form part of the works.

As the extent of the work is unknown, the unit rates include overheads and profit.
General preliminaries such as scaffolding, temporary power, supervision and temporary
accommodation will also have rates. On projects longer than around 18 months there might
be escalation provisions based on annual percentage increases.

Non-Schedule Rates:
Non-Schedule items like
1) Supply, fitting & fix MS tubular purlin trusses etc.
2) Earth worth in filling from private land
3) Supply, fitting & fix PVC door frame
4) Supply, fitting & fix PVC door shutters
the Contractor has to quote uniform Percentage above/below/at par for all the Four item together.