Aggregate Project

Introduction

Aggregate for concrete has, until recently, been an exclusively local issue. More than likely, if an engineer were not specific in specifying aggregate, the concrete would be made with aggregate from the closest and least expensive source that meets the relatively modest gradation, cleanness and durability requirements of ASTM C33. In fact, all Bay Area aggregate producers can meet this specification – until the pit runs out.
One of the largest aggregate production plants in the country, Hanson Aggregates’ Radum Plant (formerly Kaiser) closed in 1971 after 75 years of operation. The first shipments of Canadian coarse aggregate began arriving in Bay Area ports at about the same time. Hanson’s Windsor and Felton plants have also just closed due to depleted resources.
The Construction Quality Assurance Committee has taken a closer look at local concrete aggregate producers and pits, and put together this summary of the state of the industry, including a breakdown of characteristics, supply, and locations of the aggregate available to the structural engineer in the Bay Area. The focus is on coarse, naturally occurring aggregates, but fine aggregates and the use of recycled concrete are also discussed.

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	Introduction Aggregate for concrete has, until recently, been an exclusively local issue. More than likely, if an engineer were not specific in specifying aggregate, the concrete would be made with aggregate from the closest and least expensive source that meets the relatively modest gradation, cleanness and durability requirements of ASTM C33. In fact, all Bay Area aggregate producers can meet this specification – until the pit runs out. One of the largest aggregate production plants in the country, Hanson Aggregates’ Radum Plant (formerly Kaiser) closed in 1971 after 75 years of operation. The first shipments of Canadian coarse aggregate began arriving in Bay Area ports at about the same time. Hanson’s Windsor and Felton plants have also just closed due to depleted resources. The Construction Quality Assurance Committee has taken a closer look at local concrete aggregate producers and pits, and put together this summary of the state of the industry, including a breakdown of characteristics, supply, and locations of the aggregate available to the structural engineer in the Bay Area. The focus is on coarse, naturally occurring aggregates, but fine aggregates and the use of recycled concrete are also discussed.	Home


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