Aggregate Project

Aggregate Costs

Shipping costs are critical to the total costs of aggregates. While there are differences in production costs associated with the type of deposit, the cost of getting the product to the ready mix plant or job site is likely to control the overall cost.

Shipment by water is generally cheaper than shipment by rail, which is cheaper than shipment by truck. Ultimately trucking is generally required to get the material to the ready-mix plant.

Hourly rates for eighteen cubic yard “end-dumps” or 20 yard “belly-dumps” are currently in the range of $85 to $95 per hour. An additional hour in round trip time from the plant or quarry to the ready mix plant will thus add about $5 per cubic yard to the cost of the aggregate which will contribute about $3.50 to the cost of a cubic yard of concrete.

Rail is generally used to ship lightweight aggregate from sources outside of California.

Imported aggregate, such as that coming from Sechelt, British Columbia is competitive only because the source is on the water, appropriate port facilities were constructed at the source, and off-loading facilities for bulk aggregate carriers are available in the population centers where the aggregate is needed most (San Francisco’s Pier 94 and San Jose’s ???????).

Aggregate Supply

The California Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey, monitors construction aggregate supply, reserves and permitting activities in the various regions of the state. Map Sheet 52, “Aggregate Availability in California” shows existing permitted aggregate reserves in the Bay Area as being substantially less than the demand for the next 50 years. The Sacramento area is indicated to have less than 10 years supply at permitted sources.

Imported aggregates and new or expanded sources can help to fill the gaps in supply. However, while some producing plants have ample reserves, the availability of specific aggregate characteristics is limited, mostly by transportation costs. The engineer needs to be sensitive to this fact and should contact local producers to verify availability and costs when specifying low shrinkage, high strength, or other type of high performance concrete.

Structural Engineers Association of Northern California • Construction Quality Assurance Committee
	Bay Area Concrete Aggregates
Introduction Aggregate Basics ASTM C 33 Caltrans Standards Bay Area Aggregate History Light-weight Aggregates Bay Area Aggregate Producers Specifying Concrete Aggregates Aggregate Costs & Supply	Aggregate Costs Shipping costs are critical to the total costs of aggregates. While there are differences in production costs associated with the type of deposit, the cost of getting the product to the ready mix plant or job site is likely to control the overall cost. Shipment by water is generally cheaper than shipment by rail, which is cheaper than shipment by truck. Ultimately trucking is generally required to get the material to the ready-mix plant. Hourly rates for eighteen cubic yard “end-dumps” or 20 yard “belly-dumps” are currently in the range of $85 to $95 per hour. An additional hour in round trip time from the plant or quarry to the ready mix plant will thus add about $5 per cubic yard to the cost of the aggregate which will contribute about $3.50 to the cost of a cubic yard of concrete. Rail is generally used to ship lightweight aggregate from sources outside of California. Imported aggregate, such as that coming from Sechelt, British Columbia is competitive only because the source is on the water, appropriate port facilities were constructed at the source, and off-loading facilities for bulk aggregate carriers are available in the population centers where the aggregate is needed most (San Francisco’s Pier 94 and San Jose’s ???????). Aggregate Supply The California Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey, monitors construction aggregate supply, reserves and permitting activities in the various regions of the state. Map Sheet 52, “Aggregate Availability in California” shows existing permitted aggregate reserves in the Bay Area as being substantially less than the demand for the next 50 years. The Sacramento area is indicated to have less than 10 years supply at permitted sources. Imported aggregates and new or expanded sources can help to fill the gaps in supply. However, while some producing plants have ample reserves, the availability of specific aggregate characteristics is limited, mostly by transportation costs. The engineer needs to be sensitive to this fact and should contact local producers to verify availability and costs when specifying low shrinkage, high strength, or other type of high performance concrete.	Home


Producers: Hanson CEMEX Syar Vulcan Graniterock West Coast Aggregates Granite Construction