Methodology

The following tests were conducted to find out the physical properties of sand:

Sieve analysis
Gradation
Fineness modulus
Surface index
Zoning of sand
Bulking test of sand

Besides the physical properties, some other relevant tests were conducted:

Compressive strength of concrete

Workability tests
Slump test
Compacting factor test

The process adopted was as follows:

Sieve analysis
Procedure
About 600 gm of sand was taken and the sieves were arranged having
largest opening at the top and the smallest opening at the bottom with
pan.
The sand was poured into the stack of sieves from the top.
The lid was placed on the top of the sieve.
The stack of sieves was run through the sieve shaker for about 10
minutes.
The amount of sand retained in each sieve was weighted including
the pan.
The semi log graph was prepared between the particle diameter and
the percentage passing through the different sieves.

Stacks of sieves used for Sieve analysis

Fineness modulus determination

For the determination of F.M of sand, the cumulative percentage retained
weight were summed up and divided by 100.

According to IS: 383:1970, the variation of fineness modulus as:

Sand type
Fine sand
Medium sand
Coarse sand

Fineness Modulus
2.2 2.6
2.6 2.9
2.9 3.2

A sand having fineness modulus more than 3.2 will be unsuitable for
making satisfactory concrete.

Surface Index determination

The surface index of sand were determined in accordance with IS:383
1970.
The percentage of particles lying in the particular sieve intervals
were determined by the sieve analysis.
The surface index for particles within the sieve sizes were taken
from the above mentioned code as:
Sieve size within which particles
lie
20 -10 mm
10 -4.75 mm
4.75 2.36 mm
2.36 1.18 mm
1.18 0.6 mm
0.6 0.3 mm
0.3 0.15 mm

Surface Index for particles

within the sieve size
-1
1
4
7
9
9
7

 The total value was determined by cumulative product of

percentage of particles within sieve size and surface index for
particles within sieve sizes.
The surface index of sand were determined as follows:
Surface index = (Total value + 330)/1000

Sand bulking determination

1. The measuring cylinder was dried.
2. Sand was filled up into the cylinder at the 2/3
/3 height. sand was
added slowly.
3 The surface of the sand was leveled and the volume of the sand
was determined (V1).
4. The sand was removed and carefully poured into the tray so that
it will not be wasted.
5. The measuring cylinder was filled up to an amount of 250ml
with water.

6. The measuring cylinder was filled upto its half slowly.

7. The cylinder was stirred using the rod to release the air content.
8. The remaining sand was filled into the cylinder and stirred.
9. The surface of the sand was leveled using the rod and the
volume of the sand was measured (V2).
Bulking factor = (V1 V2)/V2

Zoning of sand
According to the percentage passing by weight of the particles in
different sieve intervals, IS: 383 1970 specifies different zones. They
are Zone I , Zone II, Zone III and Zone IV.
Different trials of sand proportion (River bed sand, crusher sand)
were carried out to find out the appropriate zone for the sand sample.
The Grading limits as per IS:383 1970 of fine aggregates are as
follows:
I.S sieve
designation

Percentage passing by weight for

Grading

Grading

Grading

Grading

Zone I

Zone II

Zone III

Zone IV

10 mm

100

100

100

100

4.75 mm

90 100

90 100

90 100

95 100

2.36 mm

60 95

75 100

85 100

95 100

1.18 mm

30 70

55 90

75 100

90 100

0.6 mm

15 34

35 59

60 79

80 100

0.3 mm

5 20

8 30

12 40

15 50

0.15 mm

0 10

0 10

0 10

0 15

Compressive strength test of concrete

 First of all, mix design was done using DOE
approach.
The following steps were adopted:
Mix design for M15 and M20
First of all, Target mean Strength was found out by using the
following relation:
t = ck + k.

Water cement ratio was calculated on the basis of target mean

strength and grade of cement.
Free water content was determined based on size , type of
aggregate and desired slump
Desired Slump was determined on the basis of degree of
workability.
Cement content was determined:
Cement content = Water Content/Water cement ratio
Total aggregate content was calculated:
Proportion of fine aggregate was calculated based on maximum size of
coarse aggregate, desired slump and nearest zone:
Coarse aggregate content was determined.
Final mix proportion was calculated.

 Different cubes were made using various proportion of sand. The main
concept was replacing the river bed sand by Crusher sand.
 First the two varieties of river bed sand along with 3/4 sand was mixed
with the proportion 1:1:1 and the cube of M15 and M20 of three in
number each was made.
 The river bed sand was replaced by 10, 20 ,30 100% crusher sand
and the corresponding cube was made.
 The cube was left under the water tank within 28 days and the
compressive strength of each cube was measured at 7, 14 and 28 days.

Slump Test
The process adopted for the slump tests were as follows:
The slump cone was placed on the non absorbent flat
surface.
Slump cone was filled with three equal volumes of
freshly prepared concrete.
Each layer was tamped by the standard tamping rod 25
times.
After filling the cone completely with concrete, the cone
was raised without lifting and the slump height was
measured.

Compacting factor test

The mass of empty cylinder was taken(M1)
The sample of concrete to be tested was placed in the
upper hopper upto the brim.
The trap door was opened so that the concrete freely falls
into the lower hopper and then into the cylinder.
The mass of partially compacted concrete was taken(M2).

 The concrete was compacted using the vibrater and the

mass of fully compacted concrete was taken.(M3)
The compacting factor of the concrete was calculated by
using the following relation:
Compacting factor =