Local Silica Sand as a Substitute for Standard Ottawa Sand in Testing of Cement Mortar

Abstract

Compressive strength of cement mortar is an important parameter in the quality control of Portland cement. The limitation of Ottawa sand imports has prompted a study on the potential and utilization of local silica sand available in several regions in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential and possibility of utilizing local silica sand from several regions in Indonesia including Bangka, Belitung, Sidrap (South Sulawesi Province) as a substitute for standard Ottawa sand in cement mortar testing. Evaluation of local silica sands consisted of SEM analysis, characterization of silica sands and testing of cement mortar compressive strength. Silica sands from Bangka, Belitung and Tuban had silica content of more than 90%, while that from Sidrap was more or less 90%. Based on the SEM analysis, characteristic of silica sands, and compressive strength of cement mortar, local silica sand from Sidrap (South Sulawesi Province) has a good potential to be used as a substitute for standard Ottawa sand in testing of cement mortar.