Comparative Study on Strength Properties of Concrete Made With River Sand and Dune Sand As Fine Aggregate

Abstract

This paper helps in providing alternative sand to conventional river sand (fine aggregate) in concrete production. In desert region, dune sand are found deposited in large quantities due to strong and breezy wind peculiar to desert during harmattan and dry season period. The dune sand in most regions is not considered for construction work because it is assumed that dune sand is not good for construction. Thus, this paper reports the average compressive strength of concrete made with river sand (fine aggregate) and the one produced with the dune sand (fine aggregate). A concrete of nominal mix 1:2:4 using w/c ratio of 0.62 were adopted to produce concrete cubes 150mm x 150mm x 150mm. 7, 14, 21, 28 days hydration period was adopted. At each hydration period, three cubes were used each for both concrete produced with river sand (fine aggregate) and that of dune sand (fine aggregate). A total of 24 test samples were produced and crushed at the end of each hydration period. The compressive strength of each was determined after crushing and later the average compressive strength of the three samples at each hydration period was evaluated. At 28 days hydration period, it shows that dune sand can be utilised in concrete production since the average compressive strength of concrete cubes made with dune sand (fine aggregate, i.e. 22.68N/mm 2 ) is within the range stipulated in British Standard code of practice, BS 8110 (1985) (i.e. 20 - 40N/mm 2 )