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MATRIX METHOD TO SOLVE NONCOMPLIANCE OF STANDARD SAND IN INDIA

Mahendra Kapoor , A N Vyasa Rao and Pravesh Sharma

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. 1.0 Introduction

M/s Ambuja Cements Ltd, Mumbai

In a cement plant the compressive strength of cement is tested by casting cubes with standard sand. The standard sand plays a very significant role in the cement industry as it is required not only as a reference testing material but also as a standard material to study the properties of other building materials like lime and pozzolanas, various admixtures to cement and also for determining the abrasive resistance. Hence, the standard sand shall have consistent uniform in quality and any variation will create havoc in the quality of cement and reproducibility of results. In recent past, over and under sizes more than the permissible limits in three grades have been noticed. This may be due to variation in naturally occurring product, which in turn depends on geological strata, mineral composition, surface characteristics etc. As the various properties or test results of cement are highly dependent on the standard sand quality, it is necessary to correct the non-compliance by adopting suitable methodology. In the Table 1 variations noticed in three

grades of Ennore sand at different plants are presented. It clearly indicated in > 2mm size 4 to 21% and in grade I ,60 to 98% instead of 100%,similarly in grade II & III it is 58 to 72% & 51 to 89% respectively as against of 100% in each grade.
Table 1 Variation in standard sand at different cement plants
Standard Sand Sieve Analysis PLANT A Sieve Size 1 (+) 2mm (+) 1mm (+) 0.5mm (+) 90mic (-) 90mic SUM (+) 2mm (-) 90mic MIXING % CALI G II G III G 0.00 97.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 99.00 18.8 0 28.90 33.01 33.12 33.07 GRADE 2 0.00 7.00 58.00 35.00 0.00 100 0 0 19.93 3 0.00 7.00 41.00 51.00 0.00 99.00 0 0.001 51.17 1 0.00 100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100 21 0 29.56 33.33 33.33 33.33 PLANT B GRADE 2 0.00 9.00 72.00 19.00 0.00 100 0 0.35 41.94 3 0.00 0.00 11.00 89.00 0.00 100 0 0.98 28.50 1 0.00 60.54 32.11 7.03 0.00 99.68 4.09 0.089 54.47 33.23 33.25 33.21 PLANT C GRADE 2 0.00 1.25 62.22 36.47 0.00 99.94 0 0.29 19.02 3 0.00 0.05 14.81 84.67 0.00 99.53 0 1.76 26.51 1 0.00 98.34 1.60 0.00 0.00 99.94 21.58 0 32.36 33.31 33.30 33.30 PLANT D GRADE 2 0.00 2.22 53.08 44.60 0.00 99.90 0 1.31 53.60 3 0.00 2.14 30.84 66.90 0.00 99.88 0 1.69 14.04

2.0 Principles for using Microsoft Excel to Perform Matrix Operations In this study, a novel method based on fundamental matrix principle, corrections for equal proportions are suggested. Many of the Microsoft Excel functions that we are using to complete these Matrix Operations are ARRAY FUNCTIONS- returning more than one value at a time. To enter an ARRAY function into a Microsoft Excel worksheet, we must hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys while pressing the ENTER key; CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. Once this is done, braces (cells) will surround the array formula. 2.1 How to Ener data in matrices A computor spreadshet is a series of small cells where the columns are labeled with capital letters and the rows are labeled by numbers . To enter a matrix into Microsoft Excel ,simply type each matrix element into its own small cell. Pressing ENTER after each entry will usually make the cursor go down to the next cell Pressing the RIGHT ARROW after each entry will make the cursor move to the next cell to the rightL 2.2 Application Of Matrix Method For Coorction In Sand Variation: The above mentioned principle is adopted to solve variation in the standard sand. A case study is presented to understand the method of calculation. The following procedure is suggested: QUANTITY OF EACH GRADE OF SAND 10 BAGS OR ACCORDING TO CONSUMPTION MIX THROUGHLY INDIVIDUAL GRADE SAND TO GET UNIFORMITY >2 MM AND < 90 MICRON 1MM, 0.5 MM AND 90 MICRON

DISCARD SAND CARRY OUT SIEVE ANALYSIS ON

Randomly select 3 bags of each grade of the standard sand and thoroughly mix. Over sizes + 2mm and -90 micron to be discarded. Carry out sieve analysis on 1mm,05 mm and 90 microns and the results are tabulated in excel format as shown below ( Table 2) Step.1. Enter data as per table given below A 1 2 3 4 5 6 B GR 1 60.54 32.11 7.03 99.68 C GR 2 1.25 62.22 36.47 99.94 D GR 3 0.05 14.81 84.67 99.53

+ 1 mm + 500 micron + 90 micron TOTAL

Step. 2. Convert to 100% G 1 2 3 4 5 6 H GR 1 60.74 32.22 7.04 100.00 I GR 2 1.25 62.26 36.49 100.00 J GR 3 0.05 14.88 85.07 100.00

+ 1 mm + 500 micron + 90 micron TOTAL

Step.3.Find the INVERSE of the matrix Highlight cells H9 to J11 Type: =MINVERSE(H3:J5) -Enter Press F2 followed by CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER

G 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11

H GR 1 60.74 32.22 7.04 100.00 0.0166515 -0.00923385 0.00258235

I GR 2 1.25 62.26 36.49 100.00 -0.000366322 0.018100424 -0.007734101

J GR 3 0.05 14.88 85.07 100.00 5.42419E-05 -0.003160571 0.01310633

+ 1 mm + 500 micron + 90 micron TOTAL

Step.4. Multiply the INVERSE MATRIX by the constant matrix (desired value) Highlight cells L3 to L5 Type =MMULT(H9:J11,L3:L5)-Enter Press F2 followed by CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
G 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 H GR 1 60.74 32.22 7.04 100.00 0.0166515 -0.00923385 0.00258235 I GR 2 1.25 62.26 36.49 100.00 -0.000366322 0.018100424 -0.007734101 J GR 3 0.05 14.88 85.07 100.00 5.42419E-05 -0.003160571 0.01310633 K Desired 33.33 33.33 33.33 100.00 L Answer 0.544642 0.190195 0.265163 1

+ 1 mm + 500 micron + 90 micron TOTAL

Note: A matrix will have no inverse if its determinant is zero. So, before attempting to find the inverse of a matrix,you may want to check the value of its determinant. If the matrix of a system of linear equation has a determinant equal to zero,the system will not have a unique solution. And you will have to find the general solution by Hand-using the Gauss-Jordan Elimination Method. Step.. Convert to 100%
G 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 H GR 1 60.74 32.22 7.04 100.00 54.46 0.0166515 -0.00923385 0.00258235 I GR 2 1.25 62.26 36.49 100.00 19.02 -0.000366322 0.018100424 -0.007734101 J GR 3 0.05 14.88 85.07 100.00 26.52 5.42419E-05 -0.003160571 0.01310633 K Desired 33.33 33.33 33.33 100.00 100.00 L Answer 0.544642 0.190195 0.265163 1

+ 1 mm + 500 micron + 90 micron TOTAL RATIO (%)

4.0 Conclusion Of late, a variation in the standard sand being used for cement mortar strength is noticed. The common practice is to sieve the entire lot of sand before its use in testing. A new method based on matrix principle is suggested to solve amicably this problem which ensures reliable and reproducible cement strength results. 6.0. Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to their management M/s Ambuja cements Ltd for permitting to use R&D data and their encouragement. Special thanks to Mr C M Dordi, Corp.Head (PQM &CS) for his valuable suggestions on the manuscript.