3. Main geotechnical characteristics of aggregates and corresponding tests

Not every resource, whether natural, artificial or recycled, can be used to produce valuable aggregates. The scale of road traffic and the level of performance required for buildings and engineering structures call for the use of quality aggregates to ensure the stability and durability of structures. However, the quality in question is based on criteria that are mainly linked to the intrinsic characteristics of the resource used, as well as to characteristics that depend on how the aggregates are produced.

These characteristics are measured using tests, most of which are now covered by European standards (NF EN 932-XX, 933-XX, 1097-XX, 1367-XX, 1744-XX series) and some by non-European French standards. In addition, these tests are carried out on samples which are often derisory in size compared to the volumes of aggregates used in the manufacture of construction...