Wherever you look, construction projects always seem to be underway in Papua New Guinea. And while we develop the country, we also strive to preserve its natural environment – this creates a unique nature around construction projects in PNG. One of the most important material classes for the broad range of construction projects taking place are the aggregate materials. Their usefulness and abundance make them an easy choice for construction builders and contractors looking to pave roads, seal surfaces, mix concrete and protect the landscape from erosion.
By gaining a clear understanding of materials and their uses, you can ensure you make the most of them by leveraging specific aggregates in the right application. Here are our top 5 aggregate materials being used in Papua New Guinea today:
Roadbase and Fill Materials
As you might guess, roadbase and fill aggregate materials are primarily used in the paving of roads, airports and carparks. With PNG’s traffic requirements increasing each year, the need for quality paved roads only continues to grow. Roadbase and fill materials consist of a mixture of course and fine aggregates. By including both big and small composites, structures can be a laid with a compact and reliable surface. Specific classes of roadbase and fill material aggregate can ensure suited performance for any specific application.
Coarse Aggregates
Consisting of irregular sizes and shapes, coarse aggregates commonly find their end use in concrete production, asphalt, car parks, bedding or draining. Coarse aggregates are often created by breaking down larger pieces of stone. With masses of concrete continually being poured for an impressive scope of different reasons, coarse aggregate continues to be in high demand.
Sealing Aggregates
Sealing aggregates are designed to stop the passage of water. Providing this benefit sees them laid down on other surfaces. This makes them perfect for protecting roads, driveways, airports, etc. from erosion caused by penetrating water. Surfacing can almost be thought of as insurance for a newly built road, carpark or pavement. Sealing aggregates can also be pre-coated with bitumen should the project in question call for it.
Fine Aggregates and Sands
Just as the name suggests, fine aggregates and sands are comprised of thin composites which are generally used as a foundational material. Fine aggregates can include both natural and manufactured sand – the latter of which is constructed to mimic the size and weight of natural granules. With granules commonly having a size of around 5 millimetres, fine aggregates and sand are suited for bedding purposes, concrete production and a range of other functions. In terms of paving, they are particularly well suited for applications where a smooth but highly compact surface is required.
Rock
The biggest of the bunch, rock aggregates are commonly made up from composites sized 100mm and above. Their unique size range makes them particularly suited for stabilisation functions – a common need in PNG. Banks and mountain roads commonly eroded by forces of nature often require rock aggregates to provide support and stabilisation. Rock aggregates also play an important role in wharf and breakwater construction. Their larger size is perfect for absorbing the relentless impact of ocean waves.
The sheer diversity in aggregate applications means that the demand and usefulness of the materials in PNG is unlikely to fall. For more information on aggregate materials, including their uses and specific composites, get in touch with the team from Cameron Construction Services.
