Granite Fines for Concrete: BCA Specification and Research

Granite fines (GF) are a by-product of crushing granite for coarse aggregate. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) publishes research and a recommended specification for using GF as partial or full replacement for natural sand in concrete production in Singapore. The work is intended to support a controlled alternative material, not to treat every fine aggregate or every construction application as interchangeable (BCA Technical Publications for Granite Fines, accessed 2 September 2026).

Why granite fines are being considered

BCA's specification explains that granite crushing can produce up to 25–30% screening GF aggregate. The particles are described as irregular, angular and rough or crystalline in surface texture. The potential use case is linked to the availability and quality-control challenges of natural sand, as well as the environmental issue of disposing of granite fines. Before GF is used in concrete, further grading or processing may be needed to control fines content, workability and the risk of harmful substances (BCA Recommended Specification, accessed 2 September 2026).

Research basis and replacement range

BCA identifies a research programme conducted with NTU, NUS, Temasek Polytechnic and the American Concrete Institute Singapore Chapter during 2019–2021. The resulting technical publications report test work across concrete strength classes and support guidance for partial or full replacement of natural sand. The recommended specification describes guidance for up to 100% substitution, with fines content up to the f16 category in SS EN 12620:2013; the replacement percentage is not a permission to ignore mix design, material testing or production controls (BCA Technical Publications for Granite Fines, accessed 2 September 2026).

Scope, standards and quality controls

The recommended specification sets requirements for GF properties, quality control and testing methods when GF is used in concrete. It refers to Singapore standards including SS EN 206 for concrete, SS 544 as the complementary Singapore standard, and SS EN 12620 for aggregates. The document limits its scope to natural aggregates with oven-dried particle density of 2,000–3,000 kg/m³; lightweight and heavyweight aggregates are outside that stated boundary (BCA Recommended Specification, accessed 2 September 2026).

Applications the specification does not establish

The recommended specification does not cover GF used as a replacement for sand in asphaltic concrete for pavements or road bases, or as mortar for fills or filter applications. Results or limits in the document must not be extended to those uses without further investigation. The document is technical guidance for Singapore concrete production and remains subordinate to the applicable standards, project specifications, testing, professional judgement and any current BCA requirements (BCA Recommended Specification, accessed 2 September 2026).