Experimental Investigation of Strength and Water Absorption of Concrete Containing Desert Sand

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of desert sand as a replacement on the tensile and compressive strength of concrete. To this end, a total of ۱۸۰ cubic specimens (۱۵×۱۵×۱۵ cm) and ۹۰cylindricalspecimens (۱۵×۳۰ cm) were made with three concrete classes of C۲۰, C۲۵, and C۳۰. Control samples (samples without desert sand) and samples containing ۵%, ۱۰%, ۱۵%, and ۲۵% sand were also produced. They were processed in mineral-free water at ۷, ۱۴, ۲۱, and ۲۸ days. They were then subjected to pressure and tension tests by a ۲۰۰-ton digital concrete breaker jack. For the water absorption test, ۱۵ cylindrical samples (۷.۵×۱۵ cm) were made for C۲۵ and ۰%, ۵%, ۱۰%, ۱۵%, and ۲۰% desert sand. They were then tested after ۲۸ days. The results showed that the compressive strength at the age of ۲۸ days gradually increased by adding the sand. It reached the highest for C۲۰ containing ۱۰% sand. However, it reached the highest foe C۲۵ and C۳۰ containing ۵% sand. Adding sand over ۲۰% leads to decreasing compressive strength. The tensile strength of C۲۵ and C۳۰ concrete containing ۵% sand and C۲۰ concrete containing ۱۰% sand was the highest compared to the control sample. Adding sand up to ۱۰% leads to decreased water absorption, and then it increases after adding sand.

Keywords:

Flowing Sand , Concrete Class , Compressive Strength of Concrete , Tensile Strength of Concrete , water absorption