4 Different Fill Materials from Construction Aggregates 

1. Coarse-Grained Soil

One of the most common types of backfill material is coarse-grained soil. Such material
often consists of sandy soil types, gravel soils, or a mixture of both gravel and sand.
This filler type is ideal for areas in need of compaction and foundation support,
that might also benefit from a certain amount of drainage.

2. Rock

Another common type of fill material is crushed rock or stone. It’s most commonly used
for projects where drainage is absolutely necessary, such as in septic tanks, or dams
that need to provide a certain amount of water runoff. Rock and crushed stone are also
frequently used in the construction of driveways, as a compacted base. Crushed stone
also makes an ideal landscaping filler, providing maximum drainage while still
protecting the ground from erosion. 

3. Fine-Grained Soil

Although not ideal for areas in need of drainage, fine-grained soil is another popular
type of fill material used in construction. Since it’s much finer than other soil types, it can
be easily compacted, providing a firm and solid base to build upon. 

4. Commercial Byproducts 

In addition to the many different filler types found in nature, there are also a few
commercially made materials that may be used when natural fill material isn’t available.
Slag and ash are both lightweight backfill materials that can be used in a variety of
different scenarios; they can also be mixed with clay to form a highly plastic fill material. 

There are 3 classes of explosive materials:

(a) High explosives (for example, dynamite, flash powders, and bulk salutes);

(b) Low explosives (for example, black powder, safety fuses, igniters, igniter cords, fuse lighters, and
“display fireworks”, except for bulk salutes); and

(c) Blasting agents (for example, ammonium nitrate-fuel oil and certain water gels).

Uses of Explosives
Explosives are used in a number of industries and locations in Ireland. They are used extensively in
underground mining and surface hard rock quarrying operations. They are also used frequently in
the construction industry for the development of new roads, excavation of ground for the foundations
of buildings or basement areas and in demolition work.
Types of Explosives
There are many types of explosives used in Ireland and these include ANFO, which is a mixture of
Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (Diesel), pumped emulsion which is a liquid explosive, gelignite
based cartridge explosives, and shock tube compressed gas explosives. Explosives require initiation
and this is achieved through the use of detonators, detonating cord and in rare cases detonating
fuse.