Properties of mortar, bricks, and masonry incorporating red and white sands

Abstract EN

A total of 144 mortar samples, 100 concrete bricks, and 6 concrete masonry walls were tested to determine the effect of sand type (white versus red) on their mechanical properties.

The tests included compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, drying shrinkage (Es), specific gravity, and absorption.

The main variables in this investigation were the sand type and mix proportions.

All tests were carried out in accordance with the conforming ASTM standards.

For the mortar specimens, the test results showed that, depending on the mix proportions, replacing red sand by white sand increased the compressive strength (f'c) by 10% to 85%, flexural strength (of) by 23% to 40%, modulus of elasticity (E) by 0 to 90%, and reduced the es by 20% to 40%.

The test results also indicated that the improvements in these engineering properties of the mortar increased as the ratio of the white to red sand in the mix increased.

However, sand type had insignificant influence on the density and water absorption of the mortar.

For the concrete bricks, the test results indicated that/', of> and E of white sand bricks were, respectively, 35%, 60%, and 50% higher than those of the red sand bricks.

Also, replacing the red sand by white sand reduced the es of the concrete bricks by 30%.

Furthermore, the results indicated that the tensile strength and ultimate strain of masonry walls constructed with white sand bricks and mortar were 27% and 67% higher than those of masonry walls constructed using red sand bricks and mortar.

It is also noteworthy that white sand (pure quartz), due to its positive influence on the properties of mortar and concrete, may be used to prolong the life cycle of the infrastructure, particularly in severe environmental and service life conditions.

On the other hand, its use in dwellings subjected to normal environmental conditions may be regarded as a waste of the national wealth.

Therefore, its usage as a construction material should be carefully assessed in terms of the short and long-term benefits to the national economy.