Granulaat

Granulaat is a generic term for granular material consisting of discrete particles produced by crushing or natural fragmentation of rock, mineral or industrial materials. In Dutch practice it refers to aggregates used in construction and civil engineering.

There are natural and artificial (recycled) forms. Natural granulaat includes gravel, sand and crushed stone from quarrying or river deposits. Artificial granulaat covers processed construction and demolition waste, such as crushed concrete and asphalt, as well as some industrial by-products, depending on quality.

Processing typically involves crushing to reduce size, followed by screening and washing to achieve the desired size fractions and cleanliness. Quality criteria cover particle-size distribution, content of fines and contaminants, moisture, and resistance to fragmentation.

Common uses are as coarse or fine aggregate in concrete, as base or sub-base in roads and foundations, as bedding and fill material, and as drainage or filtration layers. The exact grade depends on performance requirements and standards.

Standards and specifications are defined by national and European regulations, usually organized around particle-size classes and material cleanliness. In practice, granulaat also plays a key role in recycling and sustainability, where recycled concrete aggregate and other waste-derived materials substitute primary quarry materials.