BUILDING MATERIALS

SAND
SAND
 Sand is a naturally
occurring granular material composed of finely
divided rock and mineral particles.

 the most common constituent of sand is silica (silicon

dioxide, or SiO2), usually in the form of quartz.
SOURCES OF SAND

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
obtained by forming
pits in soils.
 It is excavated from
a depth of about 1-2
m from the ground
level.
 This sand is found as
deposits in soil and
it consists of sharp
angular grains,
which are free from
salts.
PIT SAND
 It serves as 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.
RIVER SAND
 This sand is widely used for all purposes. It is
obtained from the banks or beds of rivers and it
consists of fine rounded grains. The presence of fine
rounded grains is due to mutual attrition under the
action of water current.
RIVER SAND

 The river sand is available in clean conditions.

 The river sand is almost white in color.
RIVER SAND
 SEA SAND
This is obtained from sea shores.
 It is brown in color and it also has the fine rounded
grain.
SEA SAND

DREDGED SAND
DESPOSITION
SEA SAND
 As it is obtained from sea it contains salt, which
is used in attracting moisture from atmosphere.
 Such absorption causes dampness and
disintegration of work.
 It is generally not used for engineering purpose
due to its retards setting action of cement. It is
normally used for non structural purposes.
CRUSHED STONE SAND / ARTIFICIAL SAND
 It is a substitute for River Sand, fine aggregates
which manufactured by crushing either granite or
basalt rock using 3 stage crushing process.
 This sand is manufactured in conformance to IS
Codes and is an effective alternative to river sand.
CLASSIFICATION OF SAND

 Based on the grain size distribution

 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.
GRADING OF SAND:
 On the basis of particle size, fine aggregate is
graded into four zones.
IS Sieve Percentage passing for

Grading Zone Grading Grading Grading

I Zone II Zone III Zone IV

10mm 100 100 100 100

4.75mm 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100

2.36mm 60 – 95 75 – 100 85 – 100 95 – 100

1.18 mm 30 – 70 55 – 90 75 – 100 90 – 100

600 micron 15 – 34 35 – 59 60 – 79 80 – 100

300 microns 5 – 20 8 – 30 12 – 40 15 – 50

150 microns 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 15
SAND FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS

Different construction works require different

standards of sand for construction.
• Brick Works: finest modulus of fine sand should be
1.2 to 1.5 and silt contents should not be more than
4%.
• Plastering Works: finest modulus of fine sand
should not be more than 1.5 and silt contents should
not be more than 4%.
• Concreting Works: coarse sand should be used with
finest modulus 2.5 to 3.5 and silt contents should not
be more than 4%.
PROPERTIES OF GOOD SAND

 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 strong and durable.
 It should be clean and free from coatings of clay and
silt.
TESTS
 To check the quality of fine aggregates or sand; put
some quantity of sand in a glass of water. Then it is
vigorously shaken and allowed to settle. If the clay is
present in sand, its distinct layer is formed at the
top of sand.

 To detect the presence of organic impurities in sand,

a solution of sodium hydroxide or caustic soda is
added to sand and stirred. If the color of solution
changes into brown, it shows presence of impurities.
BULKING OF SAND

 The increase in the volume of sand due to the

presence of moisture is known as bulking of sand.
This is due to the fact that moisture forms a film of
water around the sand particles and this results in an
increase in the volume of sand. 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.
 For a moisture content of 5–8 per cent, the increase in
volume may be about 20–40 per cent depending upon
the gradation of sand. When the moisture content is
further increased, the sand particles pack near each
other and the amount of bulking is decreased. Hence,
dry sand and the sand completely flooded with water
have practically the same volume.
 DELETERIOUS MATERIALS IN SAND

 Sand shall not contain any harmful impurities such

as iron, pyrites, alaklies, salts, coal or other organic
impurities, mica, shale or similar laminated
materials, soft fragments, sea shale in such form or in
such quantities as to affect adversely the hardening,
strength or durability of the mortar. The maximum
quantities of clay, fine silt, fine dust and organic
impurities in the sand / marble dust shall not exceed
the following limits:
 (a) Clay, fine silt and fine dust when determined in
accordance within not more than 5% by mass in IS
2386 (Part-II), natural sand or crushed gravel sand
and crushed stone sand.
 (b) Organic impurities when determined in color of
the liquid shall be lighter in lighter in accordance
with IS 2386 (Part –II) than that specified in the code.
REFERENCES

 http://theconstructor.org/concrete/joints-in-concrete-
structures/970/
 http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Concrete