COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE USING NATURAL AGGREGATES (GRAVEL) AND CRUSHED ROCK AGGREGATES-A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY

Coarse Aggregates are the main component of concrete and occupy around 45% of the total volume of concrete. Their Properties have a profound effect on the various properties of concrete when wet as well as after hardening. There are many sources in Kashmir which have abundant supply of natural aggregates (gravel) cheaply available than machine (jaw crushers) crushed rock aggregates. In our work a comparison of the various properties of concrete made from machinecrushed rock aggregates and natural aggregates (gravel)was done. Need was felt for this study as the major private constructions (some Government constructions) that are carried out in most of Srinagar, Bandipora and Ganderbal district s use natural aggregates procured from nearby Nallas and rivers flowing through Ganderbal District of Jammu and Kashmir. In this study the common practices adopted while making of concrete h ere in Kashmir were simulated.