Sand is the core component of a home and by that we build our future together. There are many sands to choose from in the modern-day construction. Different types for different purposes and we should be aware about that to make our home construction efficient and cost effective. In this article we try to explore different sand types and the best way to implement them in our processes so that we can get the maximum result. Read well everyone 😊
1. River Sand
- The type of sand we collect from riverbeds and probably found along the banks of rivers as well and it is a naturally occurring sand and they have been used in construction since ages. The disintegration of surface rocks and minerals are the causes of the sand formation and the disintegration mainly happens by the water that flows through the riverbed, which makes the sand fine-grained and smooth in texture. White or Beige is probably the color of the sand and it may differ in places or locations due to the nature of constituent minerals.
- The Purpose: The concrete will not be complete without sand, because it has cement, water, sand and aggregates. The key aggregate named river sand and its fine texture creates a mix that is smooth and workable, which can be easy to pour and shape. Plastering and masonry are mainly done by river sand and the sand offers a strong and durable finish for the walls and surfaces. They make the structure solid by allowing a better adhesion of plaster and mortar, this quality of that sand happens due to its fine grains. They prevent water buildup under structures, because they serve as a bed for bricks, tiles and stones and creates a level base and allows the drainage well.
- Properties: From where it is sourced, the grain size can range from coarse to gravel depending on the location and the sand doesn’t have a uniform grain size. It makes the process of mixing with cement easier because it is round or sub-rounded in shape and this offers a better workability with reduced friction between the particles. The most common colors are light shades of beige, golden brown or white, it usually varies as well and this helps the building get an overall positive final outlook of concrete and plaster.
2. Concrete Sand
- The sand is used as an aggregate in concrete mixture and it is a special type of sand and its surface is a bit coarse, it bonds easier with water, cement and other aggregates, which results in stronger and durable concrete structures.
- The sand has increasingly short supply and having the right type of sand is crucial as well. The construction projects in the world use about 40 billion tons of sand each year.
- It is usually made from crushed concrete and it is the main component of asphalt and cement mixtures. Large rocks and huge fragments are filtered and removed because these sands are mostly produced or crushed in quarries across the globe.
- Commonly used as a levelling base in layers, patios and walking paths because it is a type of coarse sand that can be mixed with cement and water. It is used to fill the voids between the coarse aggregates, the sand when mixed with cement and water, it forms like a solid mass, which covers the pores as well. When compared to crushed stone sand, the concrete sand is smaller-grained and hence softer pavements can be constructed using this sand.
- On the other hand, the sand grain is a lot larger than the white sand and which helps in operations that the sand is using as a filling material in construction processes. The fundamental stability can be attained by this sand type and it is an ideal material for a lot of purposes because of its size and texture.
3. Manufactured Sand (M-Sand)
- This type of sand is getting popular around the world and is mainly manufactured in the factories, and can be used as a replacement for river sand in construction processes of concrete. Since the demand has increased for good quality sand rapidly, the popularity of M-sand has got into new heights. The transportation cost of this sand is so low compared to river sand and they are prepared by crushing hard granites.
- The sand contains angular natured particles and the strength of concrete can be increased by that. Those particles also increase the demand for water and it can be compensated by adding cement content to the mixture. Because it is artificially manufactured, the sand contains no silt content and there are no oversized materials found in this type of sand as well.
- The sand’s availability is so high and the grain size can be controlled as desired for which suits every construction purpose, because the sand is manufactured and not natural, and is free from many impurities. Especially since the sand is produced in a controlled environment, the better quality can be maintained and there’s a low probability of adulteration. It reduces construction defects, and the sand offers high durability and long-lasting strength to concrete structures.
4. Pit Sand
- Natural and coarse type, which is mostly extracted by digging the ground 2 to 3 meters underneath. Due to the presence of iron oxide around the grains, the sand probably has a red-orange color and it is visibly noticeable. The sand doesn’t react to the moisture content present in the atmosphere because the sand grains are free from salts.
- The pit sand is mainly used in construction due to its superior binding qualities. There’s an acceptable limit of coarse sands in construction around the world and if the pit sand exceeds the limit, it cannot be used for construction purposes and the sand can be changed based on location and area of extraction.
- Clay and the clean pit sand free from organic matter should only be used for the making of fine mortar. The quality of the top pit sand is, when rubbed between two fingers, the sand will not leave any stain on the fingers and there’s an indication of coating of iron oxides over the sand grains, if the rubbing actually left any stains in fingers.
5. Fill Sand
- Mainly used in filling the foundations and some of its applications are, to help fill in holes, gaps or depressions by continuously placing some earthen materials on top. The sand is formed by rocks that have been broken down over a comparatively longer period of time and in other words, it is mostly tiny round bits of rocks formed naturally on earth.
- The sand can produce an impact in building processes like ground tamping, drainage activities and support base formations. It is a combination of silt, dirt and crushed aggregates, which are used in proportions to fill in spaces like low areas on the ground and it can effectively prevent settling and shifting as well.
- The size of granules may vary and with coarse type probably used in drainage and fill sand with observable finery used for visible, finishing areas.
6. Plaster Sand
- Clean and washed river sand, used mainly for rendering and plastering of internal and external construction phases. The sand is washed properly to reduce salt stains and its risks, and doing so can also minimize the effects of damp and shrinkage and which also helps in providing a consistent, crack free finish for the structure.
- The sand is also used for filling cracks and offers a smooth and even finish to the walls or other building components. The plastering sand is less coarsier compared to concrete sand and on the other hand, less fine than building sand.
- They are widely used in construction in terms of creating an aesthetically appealing and protective coating to masonry or concrete walls. For preparing mortar mixes over and above, these sands are utilized to make plaster efficiently around the world, even though the temperature conditions are different in regions.
- With a mix of plaster sand, cement and hydrated lime, the exterior walls are coated and for final finish, the walls are then top coated with paint making it appealing for the eyes very much.