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Use of M Sand for Concrete
Use of M Sand for Concrete: Manufactured sand (or referred to as M-Sand) is a concrete building material that can be used in place of conventional (river) sand. By crushing tough granite rocks, manufactured sand is made. The crushed sand is cubical in form with grounded edges that has been cleaned and graded for use as a building material. M-Sand has a particle size of below 4.75mm.
What is the Purpose of Using Manufactured Sand?
Manufactured sand may be used in place of river sand. Because of the rapidly rising building sector, need for sand has grown significantly, resulting in a global shortage of sufficient river sand. And, because of the scarcity of good-quality conventional sand for building purposes, using imported sand has increased. Another rationale for using M-Sand is its accessibility and low cost of transportation. Since processed sand is made from granite stones, it is possible to be produced locally, minimizing the expenses related to transportation from remote river sand beds. Thus, building costs can be contained by using imported sand as a substitute material. Another benefit of manufactured sand is that it is dust-free, and the particle sizes of manufactured sand can be easily controlled to satisfy the necessary grading for the specified building.
The Benefits of M Sand
- Properly graded and proportioned.
- It is free of organic compounds that impair the properties of cement, allowing for the maintenance of the necessary strength of concrete.
- It is free of impurities such as salt, clay and silt, which increase the amount of water required in the case of conventional sand and hinder the bond between the cement paste and aggregate. As a result, the strength and longevity of concrete was improved.
- M-Sand is manufactured using international technologies from a particular hard rock (granite), thus obtaining the necessary sand properties.
- M-Sand has a cubical shape and is processed using technologies such as high carbon steel hitting rock and then the rock on the rock method, which is analogous to the natural process that occurs in formation of river sand.
- M-Sand is manufactured using modern machinery to ensure the sand meets the appropriate grading zone.
Properties of Manufactured Sand Used in Concrete
Increased concrete strength
The processed sand meets the requisite fines gradation, physical characteristics such as shape and texture, and is therefore the best sand for building. Sand’s physical properties contribute to the resilience of concrete by minimizing bleeding, honeycombs, and voids. Thus, the appropriate grade of sand for the specified purpose assists the concrete in filling the voids existing between coarse aggregates and increases the compactness and density of the concrete, thus increasing its weight.
Improved durability
Since manufactured sand is made from chosen granite, it possesses the ideal combination of physical and chemical properties for use in the building of concrete elements. This characteristic of M-Sand enables concrete structures to withstand harsh environmental environments and protects reinforcement steel from corrosion by minimizing permeability, moisture infiltration, and the freeze-thaw effect, thus increasing the longevity of concrete structures.
Concrete’s workability
Size, form, and texture all play a part in the workability of concrete. With increased sand surface area, the need for cement and water to bind the sand to coarse aggregates increases. Controlling these physical characteristics of M sand results in less water being required and a more workable concrete. Reduced water consumption often contributes to the quality of concrete, reduces the work required for mixing and placing concrete, and thereby improves the efficiency of building operations on-site.
Construction Defects Are Reduced
M-Sand reduces construction flaws such as segregation, and voids, in concrete during placement and post-concreting because it has an optimal initial and final setting period and an outstanding fineness.
Economical
As discussed previously, since M-Sand improves longevity, strength, segregation, permeability, workability, and post-concrete defects, it demonstrates economic viability as a substitute for river sand in building. In certain ways, it will also save on the cost of river sand transportation.
Environmentally Friendly
The use of processed sand avoids the dredging of river beds to obtain river sand, which can result in environmental disasters such as ground water depletion, water shortages, and a hazard to the protection of bridges and dams, among other things. This helps to make M-Sands more environmentally sustainable than river sand.
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