aggregato

Aggregato is the Italian term for aggregate, used in engineering, construction, geology, and, in broader contexts, data processing. In civil engineering and materials science, aggregato denotes the granular material that forms the filler or the skeletal component of concrete, asphalt, and roadbeds. The term also appears in data-related fields to describe aggregation, the process or result of combining multiple values into a summary.

In construction and geology, aggregates are inert fillers composed of rock fragments. They are classified by size into fine aggregates (such as sand, passing a designated sieve) and coarse aggregates (such as gravel or crushed stone, retained on the sieve). Natural aggregates come from deposits excavated from quarries, rivers, or pits; manufactured aggregates are produced by crushing larger rocks or through recycling processes. Key properties include gradation (particle size distribution), shape, hardness, specific gravity, resistance to abrasion, and cleanliness (absence of deleterious materials like clay, silt, or organic matter). Standards such as ASTM C33 in the United States and EN 12620 in Europe specify requirements for aggregates used in concrete and asphalt.

In practical use, aggregates provide volume, contribute to strength and durability, affect workability, and influence thermal and moisture properties of the finished product. The interaction between cement paste and aggregate is important for cracking resistance and long-term performance in concrete structures.

In data contexts, an aggregate refers to summarized data or the operation that combines multiple values into a single value, such as sum, average, or count, commonly employed in databases, data warehousing, and business intelligence. The term derives from Latin aggregatus, meaning brought together.