Properties of Aggregates:

Aggregates available for manufacturing of concrete can be broadly put under two categories, i.e. Natural Aggregates and Artificial Aggregates.

Natural aggregates are those which are available naturally (e.g. sand in the river bed or sea shore, etc.) or are created from the naturally available rocks/stone by manipulating their shape, sizes and surface texture just and other properties remain unchanged.

Artificial aggregates are those, which are manufactured artificially (e.g. burnt clay, colored ceramic aggregates) or are obtained as byproduct/waste of industries (e.g. blast furnace slag).