Which Sand is the Best for Construction?

Which Sand is the Best for Construction?

Whether you want to construct a house or simply want to know more about the building materials, the question "What is the best sand for construction" always arises. River sand, M-sand and sea sand is a common confusion with many people. I'm not afraid to say, in this article I'll be teaching you everything in a very simple way; like a friend talking to you.

Let’s understand step by step. 

What is the meaning of Construction Sand?

In construction, sand is one of the most crucial materials. It is used for making Concrete, Plastering, Brickwork and Flooring. Buildings are strengthened and made durable by good sand. 

But not all sand is the same. The choice of sand may impact the quality of your house. 

Let's take a look at the three most common sand types that are used in building.

A.River Sand – Natural and Traditional Choice.

River sand is dredged from river bottoms. A natural occurrence over many years, formed as rocks disintegrate and are broken away by water flow. 

https://www.effectivecpmnetwork.com/hmkidy2f?key=0f3e165c2c6ed5c055fd88d19fc01cb1

The characteristics of river sand are:

1.Smoothness and roundness of the grains 

2.Naturally available 

3.The ability to be easily shaped, molded       or  installed into a structure.

4.Traditionally used in old buildings

Advantages: 

1.Plastering work is very smooth with the       use of river sand. 

2.Easy to mix with cement and water.

3.Hence, a lot of old houses and buildings     were manufactured using river sand. 

Disadvantages:  

1.The government has limited river sand         mining.

2.Not always readily available Standard of     quality may differ from source to source.

3.The current situation is that river sand is     increasingly scarce as a result of its             over-exploitation and environmentally         impeding limitations. 

Microscope image 

https://www.effectivecpmnetwork.com/hmkidy2f?key=0f3e165c2c6ed5c055fd88d19fc01cb1

B.Modern Alternative - M-Sand (Manufactured Sand)

M-sand - a sand manufactured in the factory by crushing the stones. Sands are made of small pieces of rock, which comes from crushing large rocks.

https://www.effectivecpmnetwork.com/hmkidy2f?key=0f3e165c2c6ed5c055fd88d19fc01cb1

Features of M-Sand: 

Artificially produced Angular and rough particles Controlled quality Widely available 

Advantages: 

1.Because of this, m-sand is now widely        utilized in the construction industry, as it      is considered to be the best alternative to    natural sand.

2.In many localities, it is less expensive           than river sand. 

3.Open all year round Uniform quality The     bond strength between the cement and     the concrete was strong. 

Due to the good strength provided by M-sand, many engineers prefer to use it in concrete work.

Disadvantages: 

1.A slightly rough texture when compared      with a river sand. 

2.Needs appropriate washing and grading     If it is not of good quality, the M-sand         can cause problems during construction     

 To put it in simple terms, M-sand is a brainchild in making river sand an intelligent replacement in the construction world today.

3. Sea Sand – Not Recommended for Construction

The sea sand is obtained from the sea shore or beaches.

https://www.effectivecpmnetwork.com/hmkidy2f?key=0f3e165c2c6ed5c055fd88d19fc01cb1

Features of Sea Sand:

1.Contains salt

2.Very smooth texture

3.Very plentiful by the coasts.

Why Sea Sand is NOT used:

Sea sand is a mixture of salt, very harmful to buildings. Salt can cause:

1.A steel rod corrosion problem inside concrete.

2.Steel rod corrosion in concrete.

Over the course of time weak structure prevailed.

3.Cracks and damage to buildings.

Although large quantities of sea sand are available, its use is generally discouraged unless it has been treated (washed and processed) which is expensive.

Being the component of a river, the material that is formed is called river sand.

The material produced on the river is called river sand.

Let’s make it easy:

1.River Sand: Natural Sand, Smooth, Good Quality, Also Expensive and Limited.

2.The modern choice of artificial, strong and widely available sand is M-Sand.

3.Sea Sand: It is low cost and cheap but there is a problem with its saltiness.

Thus, which sand is the best for construction?

Considering the present scenario, M-sand is considered to be the most suitable choice for most of the construction activities.

Why?

1.It withstands forces and lasts for a long time.

2.It can be seen anywhere

3.It is cost-effective

4.It is environmentally friendly in comparison to sand mining from the rivers.

Some still use river sand for work where a smooth surface is required, such as plastering, however.

If not treated properly, sea sand should be avoided.

The following is a small example of a real life application.

A relative took me to a construction site and I observed something of interest. The contractor was utilizing two types of sand, river sand and M-sand. He explained that:

1.Concrete structure has been made by using M-sand.

2.Plaster finish was made with river sand.

This combination provides strength and smooth finish. It gave me the idea that choosing sand doesn't need to be “one size fits all,” it depends on what work it is to be used for.

Final Thoughts

The selection of the appropriate sand in construction projects is quite crucial. It will impact the strength, durability and expense of the building. When constructing a new home, never assume that the sand used is of good quality; always inquire from your engineer or contractor.

To summarize:

1.Adopt M-sand in major construction activities.

2.Apply M-sand in construction activities.

Finish with River Sand, if necessary.

3.Do not use sea sand in construction.

Conclusion

Now you have a clear idea about which sand is best for construction. As well as students, homeowners and even someone starting out in civil engineering, this knowledge will certainly assist you make better choices.

If you liked this article, please share it with the people you know in your social network.Never predict who would require this information in their house building trip.

Also, don't miss to subscribe to the blog for the more simple and useful civil engineering topics explained in an easy way.