SAND

Syllabus

Chapter 7 : Sand
1. Introduction- Sand
2. Classification and uses of sand
3. Bulking of sand
4. Characteristics of good sand
 SAND
 Sand is a naturally occurring granular material
composed of either rock fragments or mineral
particles or oceanic materials.
 Formed by decomposition of sand stone due to
various weathering effects.
 The most common constituent of sand is silica.
 Used to make concrete and mortar, bricks and
blocks, glass, casting moulds and many other
things.
 SAND
 Size of sand particles range from 2mm at largest
down to 0.06mm at their smallest.
 Size finer than gravel and coarser than silt (>0.0078
and <0.0625).
 SAND
 Found in different color like White, Black, Pink,
Red-orange, White-grey etc.
 TYPES OF SAND

Natural Artificial

Natural sand is Artificial sand is

obtained from formed by
pits, river beds decomposition of
and sea beds. sandstone due to
various weathering
effects.
CLASSIFICATION OF SAND
Classification On The Basis Of
Formation
Sand is formed by the weathering of rocks. Based on the natural
sources from which sand is obtained, it is classified as follows:

•Pit sand
•River sand
•Sea sand
 Pit Sand
 This sand is found as deposits in soil and
obtained by forming pits in soils.
 Sharp ,Coarse, angular, porous and free from
harmful salts.
 Commonly found in red-orange color.
 Excavated from a depth of about 1-2 m from
the ground level.
 An excellent material for mortar or concrete
work.
 Pit sand must be made free from clay and other
organic materials before it can be used in
mortar.
 A coating of oxide of iron over the sand grains
should be removed.
 Fine pit sand, when rubbed between
fingers, should not leave any stain on it. It
indicates the presence of clay.
 River Sand
 River Sand/Builder Sand is formed by
the corrosion from water current and is
obtained from river streams and banks.
 Fine, round and polished due to mutual
attrition under the action of water
current.
 It is generally white-grey.
 Normally available in pure and clean
condition and hence can be used for all
kinds of Civil Engineering works.
(Plastering
 General mortar/masonry work,Brick and
block laying,Rendering)
 Sea Sand
 Sea sand /Offshore sand) refers to the
sand eroded by seawater.
 It has a distinct brown colour and it also
has the fine rounded grain.
 It is brown in color.
 Sea sand consists of salt and other marine
impurities which causes dampness and
disintegration of work.
 Besides, it contains shells and organic
matter which decompose in the body of
mortar and concrete and hence reduce
their life and strength.
 It is normally used for non non
structural purposes.
Classification On The Basis Of
Size Of Particles
 Fine sand: The sand passing through a sieve
with clear openings of 1.5875 mm is known as
fine sand.
 Fine sand is mainly used for plastering.

 Coarse sand: The sand passing through a

sieve with clear openings of 3.175 mm is
known as coarse sand.
 It is generally used for masonry work.

 Gravelly sand: The sand passing through a

sieve with clear openings of 7.62 mm is known
as gravelly sand.
 It is generally used for concrete work.
 Sieve Analysis Of Sand
 Sieve Analysis Test of Sand is
done to check the gradation of
sand particles.
 Sand sample is passed through a
series of IS sieve sizes ordered
from bigger to a smaller size at
the bottom.
 A sand particle having respective
size retained on a sieve and then
the weight of sand retained on
each IS Sieve taken.
 Then % of sand retained on each
IS Sieve is calculated which
shows the particle size
distribution in the sand sample.
Classification Of Sand On The Basis Of Composition
Clean Sand
 These are well graded sand containing mostly quartz
(SiO2).
 It is free from any organic or inorganic impurities.
 It is perfect for construction purposes.

Silty Sand
 These are poorly graded sand with considerable
amount of Silt.
 The size of silt particles are very small and form
lump.
 Not good for construction purpose.

Clayey Sand
 This sand have prominent clay fraction and plastic
fines.
 Traditionally used for the construction of walls.
 Also used as mortar for bricks because of its high
adhesive property
 Manufactured Sand
 Manufactured Sand/Artificial sand
/M sand) is created by crushing hard
granite stones.
 Artificially created type of sand
made as an alternative to river sand
for construction, normally greyish
in colour.
 It is prepared with the required
gradation of fineness, shape, surface
smoothness, texture, and
consistency making it the best sand
suitable for construction.
 Used for Plastering, General
mortar/masonry work, Brick and
block laying, Rendering.
 Characteristics Of Good Sand
 It should be strong and durable.
 It should be clean and coarse.
 It should be free from any organic or vegetable matter; usually
3-4 per cent clay is permitted.
 It should be chemically inert.
 It should contain sharp, angular, coarse and durable grains.
 It should not contain salts which attract moisture from the
atmosphere.
 It should be well graded, i.e., it should contain particles of
various sizes in suitable proportions.
 It should be clean and free from coatings of clay and silt.
Uses Of Sand In Construction
 It is the basic material for every construction. Most of the
raw material for construction consists of some ratio of
sand. Sand is in very commonly use in construction, often
providing bulk, strength and stability to other materials
such as asphalt, concrete, mortar, render, cement
and screed.
 It can also be used in its raw form as a decorative material
in landscaping.
Uses Of Sand In Construction

Masonry Work
Uses Of Sand In Construction

Plastering Work

Concreting Works
Uses Of Sand In Construction

Mortars Work

Flooring
 Bulking Of Sand
 Increase in volume of the sand due to the moisture content is
known as “BULKING OF SAND”.
 It is due to the formation of water films around sand particles.
 The extent of bulking depends on the grading of sand. The finer
the material the more will be the increase in volume for the given
moisture content.
 If the sand contains 4% moisture, then it will increase sand
volume by 25%.
 But beyond 8-10% the film starts breaking and the volume starts
reducing.
 Bulking Of Sand
From the graph:
• Increase in volume is 20-40%
• Maximum bulking takes place at 6-10%
• Finer the sand more the bulking
• When moisture content is >20% volume of sand is as that of dry sand.
 Bulking Of Sand
 Experiment :
 Fill 2/3rd of container with sand.
 Height is measured say it is 200mm
 Sand is taken out.
 Container is filled with water
 Sand is slowly dropped in container and stirred.
 Height is measured say it is 160mm.
 Bulking of sand = ((200-160)/160)X100% = 25%