Gravel vs. Ballast — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
Gravel consists of small, loose, rounded stones commonly used in construction and landscaping, while ballast refers to coarse aggregates, like gravel or crushed stone, used specifically to stabilize structures like railroads or ships.
Difference Between Gravel and Ballast
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Key Differences
Gravel typically comprises naturally weathered rocks, commonly used in driveways, walkways, or landscaping. Ballast, often made from crushed stone or similar materials, serves a more specific function, providing stability to railway tracks or acting as counterbalance in ships.
Gravel is available in various shapes and sizes, suitable for versatile construction needs like concrete production or drainage. Ballast, on the other hand, is usually chosen for its specific properties, such as angularity and durability, to effectively anchor rail ties or enhance maritime balance.
Gravel generally has a wider range of applications, from construction to gardening, because it provides good drainage and is visually appealing. Ballast, however, needs to meet strict technical standards, especially for railway use, where consistent sizing ensures optimal track stability.
Gravel's smoother edges often result from natural erosion processes, making it suitable for decorative purposes. Ballast, being more angular due to crushing processes, tightly interlocks to prevent track shifting or movement.
Gravel is generally sourced from riverbeds or quarries, while ballast is usually quarried and specifically processed to meet strict size and durability criteria.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Naturally weathered or crushed stones
Coarse aggregates like gravel, crushed stone
Applications
Landscaping, driveways, concrete
Railroad stabilization, maritime balance
Shape
Often rounded or smooth
Angular and rough
Source
Riverbeds, quarries
Quarried and processed
Technical Standards
Less regulated
Highly standardized for specific functions
Compare with Definitions
Gravel
Small stones typically used in construction and landscaping.
The garden path was laid out with smooth gravel.
Ballast
Material used to stabilize ships or maintain weight distribution.
Extra ballast was added to improve the ship's stability.
Gravel
Aggregate material formed through natural weathering or crushing.
The gravel used in the driveway allows for proper drainage.
Ballast
Coarse stones or aggregates used to stabilize railroad tracks.
The railroad workers replenished the ballast under the tracks.
Gravel
Stone pieces of various sizes suitable for paving or drainage.
They bought gravel for their pond filtration system.
Ballast
Aggregates like crushed stone meeting specific size criteria.
The engineers inspected the ballast to ensure proper consistency.
Gravel
Small stones that can be easily raked or shoveled.
The playground's gravel surface was safer for the children.
Ballast
Material added to a structure to enhance its foundational stability.
The radio tower was secured with concrete ballast blocks.
Gravel
Crushed rock material for concrete mixing or road building.
The gravel in the concrete mix provided stability.
Ballast
Heavy material added for balance or steadiness.
Old steel plates were used as ballast in the submarine.
Gravel
Gravel is a loose aggregation of rock fragments. Gravel is classified by particle size range and includes size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments.
Ballast
Ballast is material that is used to provide stability to a vehicle or structure. Ballast, other than cargo, may be placed in a vehicle, often a ship or the gondola of a balloon or airship, to provide stability.
Gravel
An unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments or pebbles.
Ballast
Heavy material that is carried to improve stability or maintain proper trim, as on a ship, or to limit buoyancy, as on a balloon.
Gravel
(Medicine) The sandlike granular material of urinary calculi.
Ballast
Coarse gravel or crushed rock laid to form a bed for roads or railroads.
Gravel
To apply a surface of rock fragments or pebbles to.
Ballast
The gravel ingredient of concrete.
Gravel
To confuse; perplex.
Ballast
Something that gives stability, especially in character.
Gravel
(Informal) To irritate.
Ballast
To stabilize or provide with ballast.
Gravel
(uncountable) Small fragments of rock, used for laying on the beds of roads and railways, and as ballast.
Ballast
To fill (a railroad bed) with or as if with ballast.
Gravel
A type or grade of small rocks, differentiated by mineral type, size range, or other characteristics.
Ballast
(nautical) Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship (or in the gondola of a balloon), to provide stability.
Gravel
A particle from 2 to 64 mm in diameter, following the Wentworth scale.
Ballast
(figuratively) Anything that steadies emotion or the mind.
Gravel
Kidney stones; a deposit of small calculous concretions in the kidneys and the urinary or gall bladder; also, the disease of which they are a symptom.
Ballast
Coarse gravel or similar material laid to form a bed for roads or railroads, or in making concrete; track ballast.
Gravel
A lameness in the foot of a horse, usually caused by an abscess.
Ballast
(construction) A material, such as aggregate or precast concrete pavers, which employs its mass and the force of gravity to hold single-ply roof membranes in place.
Gravel
(rare) Inability to see at night; night blindness.
Ballast
Device used for stabilizing current in an electric circuit (e.g. in a tube lamp supply circuit)
Gravel
Gravel cycling, a discipline in cycling different from road cycling, mountain biking or cyclocross, for a large part on gravel roads, typically with a dedicated gravel bike
Ballast
(figurative) That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
Gravel
(transitive) To apply a layer of gravel to the surface of a road, etc.
Ballast
To stabilize or load a ship with ballast.
Gravel
To puzzle or annoy.
Ballast
To lay ballast on the bed of a railroad track.
Gravel
To run (as a ship) upon the gravel or beach; to run aground; to cause to stick fast in gravel or sand.
Ballast
To weigh down with a ballast.
Gravel
To check or stop; to confound; to perplex.
Ballast
Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.
Gravel
To hurt or lame (a horse) by gravel lodged between the shoe and foot.
Ballast
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
Gravel
Small stones, or fragments of stone; very small pebbles, often intermixed with particles of sand.
Ballast
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
Gravel
A deposit of small calculous concretions in the kidneys and the urinary or gall bladder; also, the disease of which they are a symptom.
Ballast
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
Gravel
To cover with gravel; as, to gravel a walk.
Ballast
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.
Gravel
To run (as a ship) upon the gravel or beach; to run aground; to cause to stick fast in gravel or sand.
When we were fallen into a place between two seas, they graveled the ship.
Willam the Conqueror . . . chanced as his arrival to be graveled; and one of his feet stuck so fast in the sand that he fell to the ground.
Ballast
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
Gravel
To check or stop; to embarrass; to perplex.
When you were graveled for lack of matter.
The physician was so graveled and amazed withal, that he had not a word more to say.
Ballast
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
Gravel
To hurt or lame (a horse) by gravel lodged between the shoe and foot.
Ballast
To keep steady; to steady, morally.
'T is charity must ballast the heart.
Gravel
Rock fragments and pebbles
Ballast
Any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
Gravel
Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations;
Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
Ballast
Coarse gravel laid to form a bed for streets and railroads
Gravel
Cover with gravel;
We gravelled the driveway
Ballast
An attribute that tends to give stability in character and morals; something that steadies the mind or feelings
Gravel
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Ballast
A resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)
Gravel
Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound;
A gravelly voice
Ballast
An electrical device for starting and regulating fluorescent and discharge lamps
Ballast
Make steady with a ballast
Common Curiosities
How is ballast chosen for railroad tracks?
Ballast is selected for its angularity, durability, and size consistency to tightly interlock and prevent track shifting.
Can gravel be used as ballast?
Yes, if it meets specific technical requirements like angularity and size, gravel can serve as ballast for railroads.
What is gravel typically used for?
Gravel is used for construction, concrete production, landscaping, and driveways due to its drainage and durability.
What distinguishes decorative gravel from regular gravel?
Decorative gravel is often more uniform in size, color, and texture, making it suitable for landscaping aesthetics.
Is gravel the same as ballast?
No, gravel has broader uses, while ballast is a specific type of aggregate used mainly for stability in railroads or ships.
How does gravel affect concrete quality?
Gravel enhances concrete's structural stability by providing aggregate material that binds well with cement.
What size is railway ballast usually?
Railway ballast generally ranges between 25 to 63 mm in size to provide optimal interlocking and stability.
Why is ballast important for railroads?
Ballast provides stability, drainage, and alignment for railway tracks, preventing movement and ensuring smooth train operation.
Is ballast only used for railroads?
No, ballast is also used in ships for weight distribution or to stabilize towers and structures.
Can ballast degrade over time?
Yes, ballast can degrade due to weathering or repeated train loads, requiring replenishment.
How does ballast improve railway drainage?
Ballast's angular shape allows water to drain effectively, preventing track flooding or erosion.
Can gravel prevent soil erosion?
Yes, gravel is often used in drainage systems or slopes to reduce soil erosion by promoting water runoff.
How is ballast maintained in railways?
Railways conduct regular inspections and "tamping" to re-align ballast and remove contaminated materials.
Can gravel be artificially produced?
Yes, gravel can be crushed from larger rocks to achieve desired sizes and shapes.
Can gravel or ballast be recycled?
Yes, old gravel or ballast can be recycled and reused in new construction or track maintenance projects.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
