Bergmateriale

Bergmateriale is rock material used in construction and civil engineering, derived from bedrock or quarried rock. The term covers products produced by crushing and screening natural rock, as well as naturally occurring rock fragments such as gravel. It is used as aggregate in concrete and asphalt, as a base or sub-base layer in roads and foundations, as ballast in rail tracks, and for drainage and landscaping purposes. It is distinguished from soils and from mineral powders by its primary composition of hard rock.

Extraction and processing: Bergmateriale is typically obtained from quarries where rock is blasted or cut and transported to processing plants. There it is crushed to desired size fractions and screened to meet grading requirements. Some products are washed to reduce fines or remove impurities.

Types and properties: The material is classified by particle size into coarse and fine aggregates. Important properties include particle size distribution (grading), density, abrasion resistance, water absorption, and resistance to weathering. Cleanliness and low clay content are important for concrete applications.

Standards and use: Aggregates must meet national and European standards for quality and performance, such as EN 12620 for aggregates for concrete. Quality control includes testing of grading, strength, and contamination.

Environmental and sustainability aspects: Quarrying for bergmateriale can impact land use, dust, noise, and water. Best practices include land rehabilitation, dust suppression, and recycling of processing fines.

See also: crushed stone, gravel, ballast, aggregates.