Experimental investigation on the use of offshore sand as a partial substitute for river sand in concrete

Abstract

The main aim of the study is to determine the degree to which dredged offshore sand can be used as a substitute for river sand by testing its physical, chemical, and structural characteristics. Experiments such as sieve analysis, determination of chlorides, shell content, and estimating the quantity of organic matters were carried out to study the physical and chemical properties. Various experiments such as rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), water absorption test, and alkalinity test were performed to analyse the durability properties of concrete. The quantity of chloride, shell material, and organic content were within acceptable limits. Concrete made with dredged offshore sand with partial replacement of river sand had compressive and flexural strengths equivalent to the concrete made with river sand. The average current passing through the concrete with dredged off-shore sand was within the ASTM range for conventional concrete, according to the RCPT results. Water absorption of concrete specimens with upgraded offshore sand with river sand was higher compared to conventional concrete specimens. All concrete specimens with upgraded offshore sand showed alkalinity levels within the acceptable limits as per code. Hence an attempt was made to replace dredged offshore sand with river sand in this investigation.