Experimental Study on the Performance of Manufactured Sand Over Natural Sand-Based Cement Mortar

Abstract

In the current construction industry, due to rapid changes in construction activities, the availability of natural sand has been exhausted. In addition, it may be necessary to transport high-quality sand from long distances, which increases construction costs. Therefore, it is inevitable to use alternative materials for fine aggregates, including recycled aggregates, artificial sand, and crushed stone powder. This article presents an experimental analysis on the effect of replacement of natural sand with manufactured sand (M-sand). The 1:2, 1:3, and 1:6 proportions are considered for mortar cube test. The use of variable river sand cement mortars substitute natural sand with M-sand at levels 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% is typical cement mortar. Cube mold casted cured at ambient temperature and compressive strength measured, after 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days, Mortar cube measuring 70.7 × 70.7 × 70.7 mm was casted. In different stages of the replacement, the strength and toughness of natural sand and cements from M-sand were extracted. The compression strength of cement mortar improves with an increase in M-sand up to 80%. The strength and durability of cement mortar using natural sand and M-sand as fine aggregates in different substitution levels were evaluated and compared. Prism tests have shown that replacing the M-sand by 40–60% shows higher compressive strength. It was found that the water absorption rate increases as the replacement rate of M-sand increases. Therefore, M-sand is recommended as an alternative to natural river sand for up to 80% of cement mortar.