The impact of Silt content of Sand on Concrete Strength and Workability

Objective: - Find out the Impact of silt content of Sand on Concrete Strength and workability.

Materials and Test Method:-

4 sand samples with different percent of silt content were used in concrete testing.

Sand Silt content (by 75 micron wet sieving):-

1. Sand with 4.0% silt content

2. Sand with 2.0% silt content
3. Sand with 1.0% Silt content
4. Sand with 0.0% silt content

Normal Sand Gradation:-

IS requirement for II
Sieve Size (mm) % Passing
Zone Sand
10 100 100
4.75 91.80 90-100
2.36 80.60 75-100
1.18 61.0 55-90
600 40.80 35-59
300 18.40 08-30
150 5.20 0-10

M40 Grade Concrete Mix Proportion:-

Cement Fly Ash 20mm 10mm Admixture

Sand (Kg) W/C
OPC(Kg) (Kg) Agg. (Kg) Agg. (%)

400 100 580 745 440 0.36 1.40

Test Results of Concrete:-

Sand silt Content W/C Slump (mm) Compressive Strength (MPa)

% Ratio Initial After 1.5 Hours 7 Days 28 Days

4.0% 0.37 Collapse 120 36.4 47.4

2.0% 0.36 Collapse 110 37.2 48.4

1.0% 0.35 Collapse 115 38.2 49.0

0.0% (Washed by
0.34 Collapse 120 39.3 50.7
water)

Sand silt Content V/s W/C of Concrete

0.375
0.37
0.365
W/C of Concrete

0.36
0.355
0.35
0.345 Series 1
0.34
0.335
0.33
0.325
0% 1% 2% 4%
% Silt content of sand
 Silt Content of Sand V/s Strength of Concrete
53

51
Concrete Strength (MPa)

49

47
7 Days Concrete Strength
45

43 28 Days Concrete Strength

41
Linear (7 Days Concrete
39 Strength)
37

35
0.0 1.0 2.0 4.0
Silt Content of Sand

Conclusions:-
1. Concrete water demand increases with increasing of sand silt content.
2. Concrete Strength decreases with increasing of Silt content of Sand.