Sand is the most common material used in building construction. Sand comes in various forms and is used in construction to offer strength and other qualities to construction materials, resulting in a strong and rigid structure. Construction sand and gravel are widely employed in the preparation of concrete for use in building construction. Reach out to building contractors in Chennai to know more about the types of sands.
Sand is extensively utilized for wall reinforcing, as well as certain forms of grounding and flooring, due to its ease of compression. Sand, on the other hand, should be blended with other elements in the proper proportions. If more sand is used than the recommended quantity, the sand will become heavy and fail to achieve the desired objective.
Similarly, the building loses its stability and resistance. Hence, it is critical to choose sand for construction that is free of pollutants and other minute particles. Let’s have a look at some of the different varieties of sands used in buildings!
Sand for concrete
Concrete sand is a form of sand that is manufactured in India from crushed concrete. You can find these types of sand in asphalt and cement combinations. The sand is crushed and screened at the quarry to remove large boulders and particles. It’s coarse sand that may be blended with water and cement which can be used as a leveling base for patios, walkways, and other structures. It creates a solid mass when added to the concrete and water, which is used to fill the spaces between both the coarse aggregates. It has a lower grain size than stone dust sand and can thus be utilized to make softer pavements. It is, however, broader than white sand and can thus be used as a filler material. This sand’s size and texture make it an excellent choice for a variety of applications. It ensures a structure’s stability.
Sand from a pit
Pit sands are a type of construction sand that is best suited for building foundations because of their exceptional binding properties. It’s gritty sand that can be found 2-3 meters beneath the surface. You can find the pit sands in deep trenches. It’s made up of hard, pointed, angled, and coarse grains with good binding qualities. They are in red-orange color because of the iron-oxide presence. Because the granules of this building sand are free of salts, they do not readily react with moisture in the air. They produce a robust and rigid structure as a result of this feature. Consult civil construction company in Chennai to choose the correct type of sand for your construction.
Natural sand or river sand
River sand is fine-grained construction sand that can be found near riverbanks and streams. This sand is white-gray in color and is one of the fine-graded sands utilized in building construction. They’re mostly employed in masonry and concrete projects. They’re also good for RCC, plaster, and a variety of other brick and block projects. This sand has a finer surface and a more uniform grain shape. The riverside or natural sand, on the other hand, requires very little water. The moisture retained between these particles is useful for a variety of concrete applications. The silt concentration in the river sand ranges from 5 to 20%.
M-sand
Manufactured sand, or M-sand, is one of the sand varieties utilized in building constructions. Construction sand of this type is produced in manufacturing plants. It can be used as a replacement for river sand to make concrete. Since the need for high-quality sand has risen significantly, manufacturing has been used. This form of building sand is made by crushing hard granite, which lowers the cost of transporting sand from riverbeds. It contains angular particles, which boost the concrete’s strength. The angular particles in the sand raise the sand’s water consumption. This water need can be met by increasing the cement content. It has no silt content because it was created intentionally.
Sand for everyday use
Utility sand is a sort of sand that is utilized in the building industry. This sort of sand is made from high-quality industrial quartz. Because of its consistent grain forms, this type of building sand provides great compaction and mechanical qualities. Because they are non-reactive, they can be employed in corrosive conditions. They are made entirely of natural minerals, ensuring the building’s long-term resilience and stability. Choose a top civil engineering companies in Chennai to make your construction with good quality materials.
