A review on alternatives to sand replacement and its effect on concrete properties

• Published in: Materials today : proceedings 2023-03
• Main Authors: Jagan, Inti, Naga Sowjanya, Pongunuru, Naga Rajesh, Kanta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concrete; Fine aggregate; Industrial byproducts; Sand
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.332

Sand, a fine aggregate is a coarse-grained material formed with small mineral particles. It is an essential component in industries such as foundry, automobile, construction, etc. It is the third world's most common natural resource after air and water and is critical to the survival of our way of life. Globally, the Earth holds 7.5 sextillion sand grains. In metropolitan India, there is a 60 million metric tonnes yearly demand for sand in various activities. This study reviews the fine aggregate (conventional Sand) replacements (such as Waste Foundry Sand, Graphite Tailings, Low-Density Polyethylene, Ceramic Wastes, Fly ash, Bottom Ash, Expanded Perlite, Pumice, Glass Waste Powder, Steel Slag, Sandstone Cutting Waste, Sea Sand, Alum Sludge, Crumb Rubber, Poly Ethylene Terephthalate, Iron Filings, Glass Particles and Poly Propylene Granules) in the concrete production, as well as the utilisation of alternative sand for a cleaner and more sustainable environment. This study presents the various properties of concrete with sand and its alternatives such as physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete. it is concluded that the highest substitute rate of sand replacement in concrete can help to resolve a variety of disposal-related difficulties, save the natural resources used in aggregate mining, and create more durable and cost-effective concrete. The range of substitution rates for compressive and flexural strengths are 4–75% and 4–50% with their corresponding strength varying from 25 to 30 N/mm2 and 4–13 N/mm2 respectively.