Have you ever considered the materials used in walkways, railway lines, and other structures besides sand, concrete, and stone? Or wondered what held the weight of these massive structures? If you have yet to hear of bank run gravel, this article will help you learn some interesting facts and answers to questions on the material. Read to learn what bank-run gravel is, its uses, and many other questions you may have. Let’s dive in!
What is Bank-run Gravel?
The roads, driveways, landscapes, railways, livestock paths, etc., that you either walk or drive on are made of different materials. They are constructed in such a way as to sustain tremendous pressure from heavy loads.
The durability of any building or construction depends on its foundation. When the base is rigid, there is a high tendency for the building or the structure to last long.
Bank run gravel is extracted from the bank of large gravel pits and other natural deposits like riverbanks. It comprises dirt, stone, sand, and other particles. Since bank-run gravel is unfiltered, it has many impurities, including small and large stones.
What are the Characteristics of Bank-run Gravel?
It is a challenging task to identify bank-run gravel or pit-run gravel. However, the following characteristics help distinguish the material from others.
- Bank-run gravel has a rough or coarse texture due to the presence of stones and other impurities. You will feel this when you touch the gravel.
- Bank-run gravel consists of other impurities other than small and large stones. Since bank-run gravel is used without being processed or filtered, you will notice other small particles in the gravel, including silt and debris.
- It is environment-friendly compared to other construction materials. Bank-run gravel is available in natural deposits and does not undergo any chemical process or use energy. It is only sorted to obtain uniform produce.
- Bank-run gravel is more cost-effective than any other type of gravel. It does not require to be filtered or processed other than sorting.
What are the Advantages of Using Bank-run Gravel?
Bank-run gravel is widely used in the construction field due to its characteristics. A few of the benefits it offers are:
- Due to the presence of large and small stones, which gives the gravel its rough texture, using bank-run gravel enhances the strength and durability of the construction of the building.
- Using bank-run gravel is more cost-effective than other gravel types. Constructors use materials like cement or concrete for the construction base, expecting it to last long. Eventually, concrete can crack due to high heat from the sun. Additionally, it is expensive to use concrete as it undergoes several chemical processes.
- Bank run gravel consists of different-shaped materials, substantial and small stones. This characteristic of bank-run gravel helps prevent soil erosion as differently-sized materials bond tightly.
- It is a naturally extracted resource. Therefore, it is less harmful to touch as it does not contain toxic chemicals.
- Bank run gravel is a flexible material. It can be shaped and compressed to meet different construction needs.
How is Bank-run Gravel Produced?
Bank-run gravel is produced naturally. It is extracted from natural deposits, including riverbanks, gravel pits, banks of streams, and other places.
Unlike other construction materials like concrete, it does not undergo a manufacturing process. Bank-run gravel is pulled out using bulldozers or excavators and loaded into a tipper or truck.
Depending on the gravel’s usage and purpose, it is screened or sorted to ensure it is sized accordingly to meet the objective. You can also obtain the required texture from the screening process.
Finally, the bank-run gravel is transported to the location. Besides the screening or sorting out process, less energy is used to produce bank-run gravel.
Uses of Bank Run Gravel
There are many uses of bank-run gravel. Let’s look at a few of them.
- Due to the strength and durability of Bank run gravel, it is used to form the base of roads, landscapes, and other paths.
- Specific construction projects require large areas of filling. Using materials like sand can be expensive to fill large spaces. Bank run gravel is an excellent back filler. In addition to providing a firm foundation, it is cost-effective to fill out large areas.
- Bank run gravel is widely used during the construction of railway tracks. When Bank run gravel is placed on the base of the railroad, it minimizes the damage caused to wheels and the track. Thus, enhancing the durability of the railway tracks.
- Using soil in home landscaping, walkways, and driveways can cause the ground to wash away due to heavy rains and other movements. Bank run gravel is much firm due to the coarse texture and is, therefore, durable and better suited as a decorative filler.
- Using bank-run gravel when laying pavers in home gardens, patios, and pavements is recommended. Bank-run gravel is naturally porous and therefore drains water rapidly. This will contribute to the longevity of the pavers because if water seeps through the gaps of the pavers, it can displace the soil underneath them.
- Bank-run gravel is widely used in the base layer of foundations. This is because bank-run gravel can sustain weight by distributing the building’s weight uniformly and preventing settling.
- Bank run gravel is used in French drains to prevent water from seeping through the foundations and keep water from flowing toward the building.
- It is used as an effective backfill in the construction of walls. Bank run gravel bears the weight of the wall by lightening the weight and maintaining its stability.
How Much Does Bank Run Gravel Cost?
The price of bank-run gravel will differ between sellers and countries. For instance, in the United States, a ton of bank-run gravel costs between $6 to $20.
Since bank-run gravel is produced naturally and requires no treatment, it is affordable in most places. It is best to contact your nearest vendor to get the current price and a cheaper cost for transport.
Remember to try your best to buy the gravel from the nearest vendor to help you save on transportation.
Bank Run Gravel vs Crusher Run
If you need help choosing between bank run gravel and crusher run and selecting the better option, the differences described below will help you pick your best choice.
Have you heard of Crush and Run, Graded Aggregate Base, or Aggregate Base Course?
All the above names refer to one type of gravel called Crusher Run. It is made of coarse and fine materials like stone dust and dirt, similar to bank-run gravel. Crusher run is widely used as a sub-base material underneath patios, driveways, and other foundations.
The main difference between bank run gravel and crusher run is that the latter type of gravel is mechanically crushed and sifted.
Though bank-run gravel can be sorted to obtain uniformity, there can be debris, tiny stones, tree roots, and other foreign materials still left even after sorting the gravel. Therefore, having a smooth or even surface when using bank-run gravel at the base is difficult.
Comparatively, crusher run is more expensive than bank run gravel as it undergoes a mechanical process. However, it provides a better foundation in terms of rigidity and uniformity.
A common issue with using bank run gravel over crusher run is that it is harder to use as it cannot be compacted easily.
In contrast, crusher run can be either left as boulders or crushed into fine sand, easing compatibility. Therefore, crusher run can be used for different bases ranging from concrete driveways to sandy walkways. The choice between the two will depend on the project.
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