Manufactured Sand

There are lesser impurities in crushed sand compared to river sand. The bulk density is 1.75 gm per cubic cm. The specific gravity of manufactured sand is 2.5 to 2.9, depending on the parent rock. Permissible limit of fines below 75 microns is up to 15%.

Advance Information*

Introduction

Manufactured sand (M-Sand) is an innovative and sustainable alternative to river sand used in the construction industry. As the demand for sand in construction projects escalates and the supply of natural river sand diminishes, M-Sand has emerged as an effective solution. Produced by crushing granite stones, M-Sand is known for its cubical shape, grounded edges, and consistent grading, making it suitable for a variety of construction applications. This comprehensive product description explores every facet of M-Sand, from its origin and production to its physical properties, benefits, and applications in the construction industry.

Origin and Production

Manufactured sand is produced from hard granite stone by a mechanical crushing process. It involves the following steps to ensure its high quality:

1. Selection of Raw Material: High-grade granite stones are carefully chosen for their durability and stability.

2. Crushing Process: The selected stones are put through multiple stages of crushing to achieve a cubical shape, ensuring better strength and stability when used in concrete mixtures.

3. Washing and Screening: The crushed sand is thoroughly washed to remove impurities like silt and clay. It is then screened to manage the particle size distribution, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

4. Grading: Finally, the M-Sand is graded to match the requirements of specific construction applications.

Physical and Mechanical Properties

Manufactured sand boasts a range of properties that make it an ideal alternative to river sand:

1. Size and Shape: The particle size of M-Sand is less than 4.75 mm, with a cubical shape and grounded edges. This ensures better workability and bonding with cement and other materials in concrete.

2. Bulk Density: The bulk density of M-Sand is approximately 1.75 gm per cubic cm, which is suitable for achieving the desired strength and stability in construction projects.

3. Specific Gravity: The specific gravity of M-Sand varies between 2.5 to 2.9, depending on the parent rock. This property ensures uniformity and consistency in various construction applications.

4. Fines Content: The permissible limit of fines (particles below 75 microns) in M-Sand is up to 15%, ensuring minimal impurities and high-quality material for construction use.

5. Compressive and Flexural Strength: M-Sand has higher compressive and flexural strength compared to natural river sand. This is due to its balanced physical properties and consistency in particle size distribution.

Benefits of Using Manufactured Sand

The use of M-Sand in construction offers numerous advantages:

1. Environmental Benefits: The extraction of river sand leads to ecological imbalance and depletion of natural resources. M-Sand, on the other hand, is a manufactured product that reduces the environmental impact caused by sand mining.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: M-Sand is often more economical than river sand as it eliminates the transportation costs associated with river sand sourcing and minimizes the costs of washing and grading.

3. Consistent Quality: Unlike river sand, which can vary in quality depending on the source, M-Sand offers consistent quality, ensuring uniform strength and stability in construction projects.

4. Workability: The cubical shape and grounded edges of M-Sand particles improve workability and reduce the need for excess water in concrete mixtures, resulting in higher-quality concrete.

5. Greater Strength: M-Sand enhances both compressive and flexural strength of concrete, making it suitable for high-load bearing structures, such as bridges and skyscrapers.

6. Climatic Resistance: Manufactured sand is robust and can withstand harsh climatic conditions, making it suitable for use in regions with extreme weather patterns.

Applications in Construction

M-Sand is versatile and can be used in a variety of construction applications:

1. Concrete: M-Sand is commonly used as a fine aggregate in concrete mixtures, providing excellent bonding with cement and ensuring desired compressive strength.

2. Mortar: It is also suitable for mortar mixes used in bricklaying and plastering. The consistent particle size distribution of M-Sand ensures a smooth and durable finish.

3. Paving Blocks: The high compressive strength of M-Sand makes it ideal for the production of paving blocks and interlocking tiles.

4. Road Construction: It is used in road construction projects for producing asphalt mixtures and laying the foundation, sub-base, and base layers.

5. Precast Concrete Products: M-Sand is utilized in the manufacturing of precast concrete products such as beams, columns, slabs, and pipes, ensuring dimensional accuracy and structural integrity.

Quality Control and Standards Compliance

Manufactured sand adheres to stringent quality control measures and standards to ensure its suitability for construction applications:

1. IS 383: M-Sand conforms to the specifications laid out in IS 383 (Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates from Natural Sources for Concrete) by