Sand is an essential and diverse material that is applied mainly in many manufacturing and construction processes. Sand is made up of small pieces of rocks and minerals and thus from the particle shape and size, and chemical properties, it is applicable in various activities. Some uses include that sand in its loose form packs tightly under compression offering resistance hence used in concoctions like cement, mortar, and tar. In addition to construction, sand has varying effects on both the environmental and geological characteristics of soil and coastal areas.
Sand and its characteristics : an article that discusses the role, physical and chemical properties of sand as construction material.
Types of Sand
Six primary types of sand are commonly used in construction:
River Sand: It refers to sand that is naturally derived from river banks due to its fine surface and great cohesion.
M-Sand (Manufactured Sand): This sand is manufactured by crushing granite and can effectively be used in constructions in replacement of river sand which is a natural resource.
P-Sand (Plastering Sand): An extremely fine plastering sand that enhances surface smoothness while at the same time providing the perfect bonding surface.
C-Sand (Concrete Sand): How to use Coarse sand for stability and strength of the concrete for the mixtures are explained.
Filter Sand: Employed in the process of water purification systems where necessary materials areIcons.<|Simplified|>Applied in filters for water purification processes where the necessary substances areImpurities.
Bedding Sand: It gives a flat surface for laying of the paving stones, bricks and other materials and accessories used in construction.
Properties of Sand
Here are the key properties of sand in construction that make it an ideal material:
Particle Size and Distribution
- Grain Size: Sand used is between 0.0625mm and 2mm.The correct grading enables good compaction and stability is achieved.
- Gradation: On the other hand, well graded sand involves better compaction while the sand with poor grades is used where high permeability is required.
Shape and Texture
- Grain Shape: Angular grains offer superior locking in construction, which is not the case for rounded grains that are suitable when handling smooth objects.
- Surface Texture: Meeker reported that through his experimentations with the mortar and concrete, that ‘Running sand that has a rough texture on its surface will enhance the bond strength for the mortar’.
Composition
- Mineral Content: Sand is generally made up of one of the most chemically stable and hardest materials known as quartz (SiO2).
- Impurities: Preservation of sand strength and durability are some of the parameters that are affected by highly charged impurities such as silt and clay.
Adhesiveness
- Because the degree to which Sand can bond to other materials influences workability in concrete & mortar.
Cohesiveness
This shows how cohesive sand particles, which are important for stability of the material and compaction, bind together.
Density and Specific Gravity
- Bulk Density: Dry sand density ranges from 1600 kg/m³ and above while for wet sand ranges from 2000 kg/m² and above.
- Specific Gravity: sand has lesser specific gravity of 2.60 – 2.80.
Permeability and Porosity
- Permeability: As earlier mentioned poorly graded sand has higher permeability than well graded sand.
- Porosity: It is important to have a high porosity sand that enhances aeration of the soil and the ease with which excess water drains through it.
Thermal Conductivity
- This therefore shows that Sand has low coef-ficient of thermal conduction since it can be used in insulation as well as in thermal mass.
Uses of Sand in Construction
The properties of sand make it integral to various construction processes:
Concrete: Sand offers a base material with a good combination achieving less voids in concrete.
Mortar: when aggregated with water and cement, sand gives a workable and smooth bonding material in construction of masonry structures.
Plaster: Salt can be used in plaster for finishing walls; it makes the plaster strong when mixed with sand.
Masonry: They obtained strength and stability when placed between bricks and blocks.
Conclusion
Sand is a very useful material applied in many construction sites. Knowledge of sand’s physical and chemical properties is important when selecting the right sand for a particular job. Its type determines the quality, strength, and durability of building materials used into construction of buildings. No matter in concrete, in metal casting or when building, knowing the characteristics of sand helps to achieve the optimum outcome of the project.
When you want the expert advice in construction of your dream home, contact the team at Walls and Dreams to help make your vision a reality.
