Course content

The main focus will be on technical aspects related to crushing, screening and materials handling for the production of aggregates. The course will also encompass descriptions of the quality demands and utilisation of rock aggregates, quarrying, pre-production and post-production planning with an emphasis on environmental issues, and quality assurance.

Learning outcome

The course will give a broad knowledge of industrial production of aggregates for building purposes considering the whole value chain: resource-production-use/market.

Knowledge: The student shall obtain knowledge about:

• Aggregate production; including the overall process from natural resource to reclamation of quarries.
• The technical processes; including extraction/blasting, crushing, screening/washing and plant selection and layout.
• The aggregate situation in Norway and a brief overview of the situation in Europe.
• Mineralogical properties affecting aggregate properties.
• Sampling and testing according to European standards.
• Utilisation of aggregate for use in concrete, in road construction and as railway ballast.
• Requirements of Factory Production Control of aggregate production according to European standards.

Skills: The student shall be able to:

• Consider selection of the basic types of equipment required in the various processes.
• Read and understand a typical flow sheet for a quarry.
• Consider technical requirements for different types of aggregates for the different types of utilisation.
• Evaluate types of test methods necessary to carry out according to European standards for the different utilisation of aggregates.

The students will gain theoretical knowledge on how to perform sampling and characterization of aggregates.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, compulsory exercises/reports, and optional field work when this can be arranged. Lectures are held in English. The course is evaluated by reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Fundamental knowledge of geology.

Course materials

Textbook, PPP presentations, reports, scientific papers.

Credit reductions