International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research

IJETSR
www.ijetsr.com
ISSN 2394 – 3386
Volume 2 Issue 6
June 2015

Effect of Non-Standard Sand on Cement Strength

Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar ; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nain
2 _ Head Of Civil Department, Gateway Institute of Engineering and Technology( Sonipat )
1, 3& 4 _students of M-tech , CBS Group of Institute ,Jhajjar
Under the guidance of:
ER. Yudhvir Yadav
(A.P in Civil Department)(CBS Group of Institute)

ABSTRACT:
The study relates to the experimental investigation to assess the suitability of non-standard sand for
determining the compressive strength of cement. At present the compressive strength is obtained by using the
standard sand conforming to I.S. 650-1991, available at Ennore, Chennai. The cost involved in the
procurement of this sand is quite high. The necessity was felt to replace this by suitable substitute sand (non-
standard sand) and results thus obtained made equivalent to that with the standard sand.
An attempt has been made to find a co-relation between the compressive strength of cement using standard
sand and non-standard sands. The sands used were procured from three different sources namely, Badarpur
sand and beds of rivers Yamuna and Ghaggar. The grading of non-standard sand was kept similar to that of
standard sand conforming I.S. 650-1991 code.
For determining the compressive strength of cement, mix proportions of cement, sand and water kept same for
all sands, as per I.S. 269-2013 & I.S. 8112-2013 for 33 grade and 43 grade cement respectively in conjunction
with I.S. 4031 (part 6) 1988. No admixtures were used in entire study. The test results as obtained with non-
standard sand were compared with that of standard sand. Suitable equivalent strength coefficients were
obtained to convert the strength obtained with non-standard sand equivalent to the strength with standard
sand.
The variation in the strength coefficients for the strength at different age & with different sources may be due
to the chemical composition of the sand which may be different from the Ennore sand.
On the basis of investigation it was found out that Yamuna and Ghaggar sand yielded better compressive
strength at the end of 28 days as compared to standard sand. This would also reduce the cost involved for
testing. It was also found out that the compressive strength of Badarpur sand was the lowest among the
various sands tested.

INTRODUCTION:
To find the compressive strength of cement in laboratory, as per I.S.269-2013 & I.S. 8112-2013 (7,
8) procedure, standard sand (Ennore sand) is to be used. Since this is not locally available and also
too costly, an attempt has been made to replace this sand by locally available (Non-standard) sands.
The sands used were obtained from Badarpur area, Yamuna and Ghaggar Rivers.so, we use to
compare the compressive strength of cement with variation of sand . As a standard fine aggregate
used for assessing the quality of cement, standard sand plays a very important role in the cement
industry. The importance of standard sand in industry economy is evident from the fact that it is
required not only as testing material in the cement industry but also as a standard material to study
the properties of other building materials like lime, pozzolanas and building stones etc.The standard
sand is to be obtained from Ennore, Tamilnadu. Particle size greater than 1mm may also be obtained
from Mudaliarkuppam, Tamilnadu. The standard sand shall be of quartz, light grey or whitish variety
and shall be free from silt. The sand grains shall be angular, the shape of grains approximating to the

15 Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nai, ER. Yudhvir Yadav
 International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research
IJETSR
www.ijetsr.com
ISSN 2394 – 3386
Volume 2 Issue 6
June 2015

spherical form; elongated and flattened grains being present only in very small or negligible
quantities. The standard sand shall be free from organic impurities.
With a view to find a substitute for standard sand, a survey of locally available sands (Non-standard)
was conducted and locals sands from three different sources, Badarpur sand, Yamuna sand and
Ghaggar sand were selected for the study.Badarpur sand was obtained from a source near Delhi;
Yamuna sand was availed from a source near Yamuna Nagar, Ghaggar sand was procured from
Mubarakpur near DeraBassi.
Table Error! No text of specified style in document..1: Particle Size Distribution of standard sand
PARTICLE SIZE PERCENT
Smaller than 2mm and greater than 1 mm 33.33
Smaller than 1mm and greater than 500 microns 33.33
Below 500 microns but greater than 90 microns 33.33

Table Error! No text of specified style in document..2: Particle Size Distribution of local sand
PARTICLE SIZE PERCENT
Smaller than 2.36 mm and greater than 1.18 mm 33.33
Smaller than 1.18 mm and greater than 600 microns 33.33
Below 600 microns but greater than 90 microns 33.33

MATERIALS AND METHODS :

This work tries to relate the compressive strengths obtained by using non-standard sands to those
found by using standard sand. Thus it will help in overcoming difficulties in procurement and
curtailment of expenditure involved and thus giving a cheaper substitute for the standard sand.
The procurement for determination of compressive strength of cement has been strictly followed as
indicated in IS: 269-2013 & 8112-2013 (7, 8) in case of local sands (Non Standard) and as well as
standard sand.The compressive strength of cement mortar with 50% replacement of natural sand by
manufactured sand reveals higher strength as compared to reference mix. Manufactured sand has a
potential to provide alternative to natural sand and helps in maintaining the environment as well as
economical balance. Non-availability of natural sand at reasonable cost, forces to search for
alternative material. Manufactured sand qualifies itself as suitable substitute for river sand at
reasonable cost. The manufactured sand found to have good gradation and nice finish which is
lacking in natural sand and this has been resulted in good cohesive cement mortar.
The aim of the present investigation is to find the correlation between the compressive strength of
cement by using standard sand with that by using non-standard sands. Non-standard sands used were
Badarpur, Yamuna and Ghaggar sand. The grading of non-standard sands used were kept close to
that of standard sand as maximum as possible. The grading was improved by sieving. After sieving,
the non-standard sands were washed by potable water to make them completely silt free.

Material Used :
Ordinary Portland cement, Standard sand, Badarpur sand, Yamuna sand, Ghaggar sand and water
were used in casting of specimens
The ordinary Portland cement of 33 and 43 grades were used. Some of the test results of 33 grades,
43 grade cement are given in table 3.1 and table 3.2 respectively.
16 Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nai, ER. Yudhvir Yadav
 International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research
IJETSR
www.ijetsr.com
ISSN 2394 – 3386
Volume 2 Issue 6
June 2015

Ordinary tap water (Potable) was used in preparing the specimens and was availed from laboratory
itself.
The standard sand was obtained from laboratory and was conforming to IS: 650-1991 (9)
specifications.
Yamuna and Badarpur sands obtained from Yamuna Nagar and Badarpur respectively, were
available in the laboratory stock. Ghaggar sand was procured from Mubarakpur near DeraBassi.
Standard steel moulds of 7.07 cm size cubes were used in casting the specimens.

METHODS :
Preparation of Test Specimens:
Using standard sand and non-standard sand the various constituents were taken in accordance of IS:
4031 (Part 6) – 1988 (6) to prepare the test specimens. At least six specimens were prepared for each
observation. The required quantities of cement and sand were weighed for each cube separately.
Required amount of water was taken in a measuring cylinder. First materials were mixed dry with
trowel for one minute and then with water for about three to four minutes to get uniform colour mix.
A mould of 7.07 cm size, coated inside with a thin coating of mould oil and the joints were covered
with a film of petroleum jelly was fixed on the table of vibrating machine. Material mix was poured
from the hopper in the mould and placed in the two layers prodded each layer by poking rod 20
times. The vibration period for the standard sand, Yamuna sand, Badarpur sand and Ghaggar sand
was kept two minutes as recommended in IS:4031 (Part 6)-1988 (6). At the end of vibration period,
the mould together with the base plate was removed from the machine and the top surface was
smoothened with the help of a trowel. Specimens were demoulded after 24 hours of completion of
vibrations. After that they were submerged under water. Water in curing tank was changed at least
once in three days.
Testing of Specimens:
7.07 cm size cube specimens were tested for compressive strength test. The cubes were tested on
their sides which were adjacent to that of cast sides. No packing between the cube and plattens of the
testing machine were used. The load was applied axially and steadily increasing uniformly at a rate
of 35 N/mm2/min., the maximum load indicated by the machine was recorded and the compressive
strength was calculated by dividing the maximum load shown by the machine by the cross sectional
area of the specimen. At least three values of calculated compressive strengths were averaged to
determine the compressive strength after rejecting the specimen those were manifestly faulty & the
calculated compressive strength values those were resulting the coefficient of variation to exceed 4.5.
After discarding specimens or strength values, if less than three strength values were left for
determining the compressive strength at any given period, a retest was made. Tests were done at 3
days, 7 days, and 28 days of curing.

RESULTS :
On careful examination it was observed that in case of all the non-standard sands the Strength
Development Rate followed the same trend as that shown by using standard sand up to the age of 3
days and even up to 7 days. Also, after 7 days but up to little before 28 days these shown a good co-
relation, except in case of Badarpur sand.
In case of Badarpur sand, the Strength Development Rate followed a trade that indicated a large
difference in strength, significantly increasing with the age beyond 7 days as compared to that by
using standard sand. It shows that the non-standard sand, Yamuna sand and Ghaggar sand can

17 Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nai, ER. Yudhvir Yadav
 International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research
IJETSR
www.ijetsr.com
ISSN 2394 – 3386
Volume 2 Issue 6
June 2015

conveniently replace standard sand and may be used to determine the compressive strength of
cement by incorporating the equivalent Strength Coefficients suitably. Regarding, cement strength
using non-standard Badarpur sand, although Strength Development Rate followed a different trend
as compare to that by using standard sand,
But the Equivalent Strength Coefficient recommended for Badarpur sand will prove to be equally
useful as in case of Yamuna and Ghaggar sand for determination of compressive strength of cement.

TYPE OF SAND %AGE WATER ABSORPTION CAPACITY %AGE

BULKING
STANDARD SAND 0.30 10.77
YAMUNA SAND 2.55 14.29
BADARPUR SAND 1.63 25.00
GHAGGAR SAND 3.65 12.73

CONCLUSION :
On the basis of experimental results the following conclusions can be drawn:
The rate of strength development of cement using Standard sand and different Non-Standard sands
follows more or less the same trend except for Badarpur sand, which indicates that the Non-Standard
sands can be used as substitute for standard sand.
The compressive strength of cement can be obtained by using non-standard sand with grading similar
to that of standard sand by incorporating the Equivalent Strength Coefficients.

REFERANCES :
1. I.S. 2386 (part 3):1963 - Methods of test for aggregates for concrete: part 3 specific gravity, density,
voids, absorption and bulking. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
2. I.S. 5513-1996 - Specification for Vicat apparatus (first revision). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
3. I.S. 4031 (part 3):1988 - Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement: part 3 determination of soundness
(first division). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
4. I.S. 4031 (part 4): 1988 - Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement: part 4 determination of
consistency of standard cement paste (first revision). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
5. I.S. 4031 (part 5): 1988 - Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement: part 5 determination of initial and
final setting times (first revision). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
6. I.S. 4031 (part 6): 1988 - Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement: part 6 determination of
compressive strength of hydraulic cement other than masonry cement (first revision). Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
7. I.S. 269 -2013 - ordinary Portland cement, 33 grade – specification (fourth revision). Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
8. I.S. 8112-2013 - 43 grade ordinary Portland cement – specification (first revision). Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
9. I.S. 650-1991 – Standard sand for testing cement - specification (second revision). Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
10. Michael Tate (2005), “The most important property of cement-lime mortar in masonry construction”,
International Building Lime Symposium 2005, Orlando, Florida, March 9 -11, 2005.

18 Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nai, ER. Yudhvir Yadav
 International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research
IJETSR
www.ijetsr.com
ISSN 2394 – 3386
Volume 2 Issue 6
June 2015

GRAPHS :

Figure Error! No text of specified style in document..1: Cement Strength Development (33 grade)
– Line Chart

Figure Error! No text of specified style in document..2: Cement Strength Development (33 grade)
– Line Chart

19 Anjali Pahal; Sumit Kumar; Abhishek Dalal; Apoorv Nai, ER. Yudhvir Yadav