Kiviainesiksi

Kiviainesiksi is a Finnish term used to describe the material that is used as aggregates in construction. The word combines kiviaines, meaning rock aggregate or stone material, with the suffix -ksi, which indicates a role or transformation, so kiviainesiksi translates roughly to “as aggregates.” In practice the term is applied to stone materials such as crushed rock, gravel, and sand that are used as components in concrete, asphalt, and other composite products.

Kiviainesten tyypit and their applications vary. Natural aggregates include coarse fractions like crushed stone and gravel and fine fractions like sand, while recycled aggregates come from crushed concrete or other demolition waste. The choice of aggregate depends on the required properties of the end product, such as strength, durability, workability, and drainage. Aggregates may be used as coarse or fine constituents in concrete, as the aggregate in asphalt mixtures, or as layers in road construction and drainage systems.

Production and processing involve quarrying or demolition, crushing, screening, washing, and grading into specified fractions. Quality control focuses on particle size distribution, cleanliness, and impurities, as well as mechanical and durability properties. The material must meet standards and specifications set by national and European guidelines to ensure compatibility with the intended use.

Standards and regulation are typically governed by European and national standards. In Finland and the EU, aggregates used in concrete and road construction are covered by standards that address grading, cleanliness, strength, and durability, with national bodies providing additional requirements. Environmentally, increasing use of recycled aggregates and responsible quarrying practices are emphasized to reduce environmental impact.

Kiviainesiksi thus describes the role of rock-based materials as aggregates in construction, encompassing sourcing, processing, quality control, and compliance with standards to ensure suitable performance in final products.