Introduction

There are different types of sand used in construction. River sand, M sand and concrete sand are some of the types of construction sand.

Sand is an important constituent of concrete and construction itself. Particles that are less than 4.75 mm in size are considered sand (fine aggregate). These are granular materials that are found in riverbeds, beaches and deserts. It is mixed with lime or cement to create high-quality concrete to improve the strength and durability of the resulting structure. It increases the work-ability of the concrete mix.

Sand can be easily compressed and is used for wall reinforcements or flooring. While creating the mix, it must be ensured that the proportion of sand doesn’t exceed the prescribed amount, as it may make the sand heavy and this wouldn’t produce the desired result.

Types of sand

Sand used in construction is categorized into different categories based on its usability and source, and those are mentioned below

1. River sand
2. M sand
3. Concrete sand
4. Pit sand
5. Utility sand
6. Fill sand

River sand

River sand is natural sand that is extracted from river beds and river banks. Its particles are round and smooth and are used for plastering, RCC work, brickwork and blockwork. It is finely graded and white-greyish. It demands less water as moisture is already trapped between the sand particles, and this trapped moisture helps in concrete purposes.

M sand

M sand is also known as manufactured sand or crushed sand. It is made by crushing bigger pieces of rocks, quarry stones and large aggregates into small sand particles. Cubical-shaped granite stones are washed and graded with consistency to be used as a substitute for river sand. Its biggest advantage is that it is highly cohesive and compressive. M sand can be used for RCC work, brickwork and blockwork.

Concrete sand

Concrete sand is made from crushed concrete and is a common component in concrete and asphalt mixtures. It consists of limestone, granite rock or gneiss. It is coarse sand that is mixed with concrete and used in the layering of pavements, patios and paths. Concrete sand can also be used as a filling material as it is larger than white sand.

Pit sand

Pit sand has superior binding property and is thus used in the construction of high-rise buildings. It is obtained from old stream beds by digging from pits that are 2-3 metres deep. These are reddish-orange, and their particles are rough, sharp and angular. The reddish-brown color appears due to the presence of iron oxide.  

Utility sand

Utility sand is produced from high-quality industrial quartz. It has a uniform texture and a coarse texture with a mixture of beige, tan, white, grey and brown particles. The presence of natural minerals provides high durability and stability to the building. Utility sand can be used in corrosive environments as it is non-reactive and inert.

Fill sand

Fill sand consists of extremely fine rock particles and grains due to crushing and can be used for filling purposes. It is used as a base material for laying concrete, paving and filling large holes. It can be used in wet areas and is used to fix drainage problems by serving as backfill around septic tanks.

Advantages of sand

Sand is the most used raw material in construction and given below are the reasons why is it so

• Sand is affordable and can be easily acquired from the quarry. This also helps in reducing the overall cost of construction as it eliminates the need for expensive products.
• Sand is durable and long-lasting as it isn’t affected by unfavorable weather conditions or pests. And the presence of shells, decomposed rocks and corals adds to the overall strength of sand.
• Sand can serve different purposes and can be used for constructing different structures like highways, pavements, and golf courses. It is also used as a soft aggregate in concrete.

Disadvantages of sand

• Usage of sand is non-sustainable, as natural sand is limited and continuous extraction might lead to depletion in the amount of natural sand present in nature.
• Manufactured sand might require more water because the coarse aggregate might require more moisture and cement to accomplish normal usefulness.

Sand is one of the most widely used materials for construction and has its applicability across different areas, that include

• Fracking
• Concrete
• Sand filter
• Cleaning oil spills
• Road, highway and road traction
• Aquariums
• Making glass
• Sandpaper
• Roofing
• Drainage

With so many different types of sand present in the market, it is important to study each option before choosing one. Nowadays, contractors are preferring manufactured sand over natural sand, as those are produced in a controlled environment, and have fewer impurities.