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Are Recycled Aggregates Suitable for Foundations?
When laying a foundation, there’s no room for guesswork, especially when it comes to the type of aggregate. The quality and quantity of the materials will determine whether the foundation or subbase remains stable, or whether it will begin to sink with time.
Traditionally, materials like crushed stone and limestone have been preferred by most contractors. However, with sustainability becoming more of a priority in the UK, many contractors are trying to determine whether recycled aggregates are suitable alternatives.
In this guide, we’ll explain what recycled aggregates are, where they work best, and key factors to consider when they are used for foundations.
What Are Recycled Aggregates?
Recycled aggregates are part of the urban mining initiative, where construction materials from demolitions like concrete, brick, asphalt, and stone are crushed into a usable form. These construction materials support sustainability initiatives by being recycled and reused, rather than ending up in landfill.
Common uses of recycled aggregates in construction include, groundwork, landscaping, or infrastructure projects. Like regular aggregates, they are inspected and screened for quality. Their labels range from Recycled type 1 to 6F5.
Where Recycled Aggregates Work Well in Construction
If you’re considering using recycled aggregates, they’re best suited for non-structural and low-load applications. Common uses include sub-bases for car parks, footpaths, haul roads, and temporary works. Their appeal lies in their strong compaction performance, good permeability, and cost-effectiveness, making them a practical choice for many groundwork projects.
As an example, Recycled Type 1 is often used for hardstanding and pathways, whereas 6F2 or 6F5 recycled aggregates work well under roads. You should consider recycled aggregates in places where there’s not a lot of complex engineering involved, or you don’t have high load-bearing expectations from the site.
Are Recycled Aggregates Suitable for Foundations?
The answer to this question is a ‘yes’ with a ‘but’ attached to it. You could use recycled aggregates as a part of the foundation mortar mix, but only if the structure doesn’t place a lot of demands on the foundation layer. What this means is that if you’re building on well-drained and stable soil and the build is not a high-rise, recycled aggregates can be a good idea.
Recycled concrete, in particular, has good compaction and load-bearing properties, which makes it a reasonable choice in certain residential and light industrial buildings. On the other hand, if the ground conditions are poor, it might be better to stick with quarried aggregates. The answer to this question depends on each individual project, after considering certain factors.
What to Consider Before Using Recycled Aggregate for A Foundation
When you’re deciding between recycled aggregates and quarried ones, there are some factors you should consider:
1. Site Conditions
Use recycled foundation aggregates if the ground is stable and the soil is completely drained. But, if the soil is clay-heavy or shifting, you might need to use traditional aggregates.
2. Load Requirements
If you’re working on a site that will have a lot of traffic, it’s better to stick with traditional aggregates so that you can avoid cracking in the future. For areas where there is not a lot of load-bearing capacity required, you could use recycled aggregate for the foundation.
3. Specification and Compliance
Some project specifications, especially in the public sector, specify the type of material by grade. You need to double-check whether the recycled aggregates are meeting these specifications before using them.
4. Sustainability Goals
With growing emphasis on sustainability in construction, more building projects are turning to recycled aggregates as a more sustainable option. If you’re undertaking council or LEED-compliant projects, you could give recycled aggregates a chance.
When in doubt, you can consult our expert team, who will be happy to suggest the right kind of aggregates for your project.
Why Quality Control Matters More Than Material Type
When it comes to foundations, it’s not just about what the aggregate is; it’s about how well it’s been prepared. Recycled aggregates that are not properly processed can include contaminants like wood, plaster or plastics, which could lead to problems down the line.
That’s why Storefield Aggregates rigorously screens, grades, and tests all recycled materials before dispatch. We meet WRAP protocols, follow BS EN standards, and conduct in-house sampling to make sure our aggregates are suitable for your project.
Contact Storefield Aggregates For Foundation Aggregates
If you’re considering recycled aggregates for your next foundation, we’re here to help you make the right choice. We supply high-quality recycled and quarried aggregates to suit a wide range of applications. We’ve been helping contractors for over 30 years by offering materials tested as per the UK standards.
Call us on 01536 41821 or email info@storefield.co.uk to discuss your foundation requirements.
