The Science Behind Rock Fragmentation on Construction Engineering: Exploring Aggregate Properties and Explosives in the Aggregate Industry
1. Introduction Any substance used to construct a structure is referred to as a building material. The construction industry employs a variety of materials for construction depending on their structural performance. Building materials used in construction are governed by regional and national standards. On the other hand, architects select building materials based on cost and attractiveness. Choosing the right material for a project means extending and improving its lifespan [1]. Steel, concrete, wood, stone, and brick/masonry are the current construction materials employed. Aggregates are the main component of them and are utilized mostly for concrete structures. Aggregates with different particle size and properties are required in different construction engineering practices [2]. Aggregates can be created artificially or naturally. Larger rock formations are typically mined for natural aggregates using an open excavation (quarry). Usually, mechanical crushing is used to reduce e