sedimentary
Crushed Stone Ballast
Crushed Limestone or Granite Aggregate
Hardness varies from 3 (limestone) to 6-7 (granite); Color ranges from light gray to tan; Luster is dull to earthy; Structure is fragmented and angular.
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Physical properties
Hardness varies from 3 (limestone) to 6-7 (granite); Color ranges from light gray to tan; Luster is dull to earthy; Structure is fragmented and angular.
Formation & geological history
Formed by mechanical crushing of quarried bedrock, typically consisting of limestone, dolomite, or granite, processed for industrial engineering use.
Uses & applications
Widely used in civil engineering for railway track ballast, road base, and general construction aggregate.
Geological facts
Railway ballast is specifically graded and angular to interlock, preventing track shifting under heavy loads.
Field identification & locations
Found extensively along railroad tracks and construction sites worldwide; easily identified by its uniform, crushed, angular appearance.
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