1/20/2019 Testing of Sand Quality at Construction Site for Concrete

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Testing of Sand Quality at Construction Site for Concrete

There are di erent methods for testing of sand quality at construction site for concrete constr
is as much of importance as other materials for concrete.

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Aggregate most of which pass through 4.75 mm IS sieve is known as ne aggregate. Fine aggr
natural sand, crushed stone sand, crushed gravel sand stone dust or arable dust, y ash and b
clay).

It shall be hard, durable, chemically inert, clean and free from adherent coatings, organic matt
contain any appreciable amount of clay balls or pellets and harmful impurities e.g. iron pyrite
mica, shale or similar laminated materials in such form or in such quantities as to cause corro
adversely the strength, the durability or the appearance of mortar, plaster or concrete.

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The sum of the percentages of all deleterious material shall not exceed 5%. Fine aggregate mu
organic impurities such as decayed vegetation humps, coal dust etc.

Testing of Sand Quality at Construction Site

Following are the tests for sand at construction site:

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1. Organic impurities test – this test is conducted at the eld, for every 20 cum or part thereo

2. Silt content test – this is also a eld test and to be conducted for every 20 cum.

3. Particle size distribution – this test can be conducted at site or in laboratory for every 40 c

4. Bulking of sand – this test is conducted at site for every 20 cum of sand. Based on bulking o
cement ratio is calculated for concrete at site.

1. Test for Silt Content Test of Sand

The maximum quantity of silt in sand shall not exceed 8%. Fine aggregate containing more tha
of silt shall be washed so as to bring the silt content within allowable limits.

2. Test for Grading of sand

On the basis of particle size, ne aggregate is graded into four zones. Where the grading falls
particular grading zone of sieves, other than 600 micron IS sieve, by a total amount not exceed
be regarded as falling within that grading zone.

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Percentage passing for

IS Sieve
Grading Zone I Grading Zone II Grading Zone I

10mm 100 100 100

4.75mm 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100

2.36mm 60 – 95 75 – 100 85 – 100

1.18 mm 30 – 70 55 – 90 75 – 100

600 micron 15 – 34 35 – 59 60 – 79

300 microns 5 – 20 8 – 30 12 – 40

150 microns 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 10

3. Test for Deleterious materials in sand

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Sand shall not contain any harmful impurities such as iron, pyrites, alaklies, salts, coal or othe
mica, shale or similar laminated materials, soft fragments, sea shale in such form or in such q
adversely the hardening, strength or durability of the mortar.

The maximum quantities of clay, ne silt, ne dust and organic impurities in the sand / marble
the following limits:

(a) Clay, ne silt and ne dust when determined in accordance within not more than 5% by m
natural sand or crushed gravel sand and crushed stone sand.

(b) Organic impurities when determined in colour of the liquid shall be lighter in lighter in acco
(Part –II) than that speci ed in the code.

4. Test for Bulking of sand

Fig: Bulking of sand test

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Fine aggregate, when dry or saturated, has almost the same volume but dampness causes inc
case ne aggregate is damp at the time of proportioning the ingredients for mortar or concret
increased suitably to allow for bulkage.

Table below gives the relation between moisture content and percentage of bulking for

Moisture content (%) Bulking percentage (by volume)

2 15

3 20

4 25

5 30

About Gopal Mishra (https://theconstructor.org/author/gopal-mishra/)

Gopal Mishra is a Civil Engineer from NIT Calicut and has more than 9 years of experience in Civil Engineering and Constru
founder of The Constructor.

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