* Research Project - NEPRO/0506/10 
* Presentation Project
This research project, which received approval and funding from the Research Promotion Foundation in December 2006, worked on the study of the disintegration of aggregates to improve the durability of concrete produced.
The Federation of Associations of Building Contractors Cyprus (O.S.E.O.K.) was the contracting body, with the University of Cyprus (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), the Public Works Department, the Geological Survey, the Quarries Mosfiloti the Production Company KAOS and scholar Mr. Kokos Constantinou as partners for the research project. Coordination of the work was undertaken by the Director General of the Federation, Mr. Nikos Kelepeshis.
During the project a number of tests were conducted on inert material of limestone origin from various quarries in Cyprus. In order to reach a fair and thorough conclusion, tests were made both in the laboratories of the University of Cyprus and in the laboratories of Public Works and Water Development Department.
Through this study, some conclusions were reached that show that the first steps were taken, yet a lot needs to be done in research to ensure the quality of concrete.
The quality constructions and their durability over time is essential for the economy and sustainable development of the island and is based largely on the quality of aggregates.
Since the 1970s Cyprus has applied the Cyprus quality control standards (CYS) on these materials, which were based mainly on British Standards (BS). After the Turkish invasion and the loss of re-crystallized limestone quarries in the Kyrenia mountain range, new quarries created in igneous rocks in the Pentadaktylos mountain range (10 quarries), in limestone (8 quarries), and calcite sandstone (3 quarries) in the region of Troodos. According to the Cyprus model (CYS), Control of erosion rates, were based on sodium sulphate and the standard ASTM C-88. After May 2004 and the introduction of European standards CYS EN 12620, CYS EN 13043, CYS EN 13139 and CYS EN 13242, control of erosion rates, based on the standard EN1367-2, are made with magnesium sulphate, so the quality of aggregates now present a completely different picture. Materials considered by the ASTM C-88 of excellent quality, now with the new method of EN1367-2 do not satisfy the provisions of European standards CYS EN 12620, CYS EN 13043, CYS EN 13139 and CYS EN 13242.
Through tests so far the research program NEPRO/0506/10 has found that:
1. Study of disintegration of coarse aggregates to the European standard EN 1367-2 is appropriate and should continue.
2. There is a question mark over the suitability of the study of erosion of fine-grained aggregates with EN 1367-2, but it should not be abandoned without replacement by another method. Possible adoption of prEN 1367-2 on weighted average should be studied, and the limits selected.
3. There is a correlation of disintegration of aggregates and the quality of the finished product. The problems of erosion can not occur in measurements of concrete strength.
Οδός Ανδροκλέους 3Α, 1060, Λευκωσία, Κύπρος,
