Effect of size and type of fine aggregate on mechanical and sorptivity characteristics of concrete

The present study investigated the effect of fine aggregate characteristics namely individual size, grade and type on the Compressive, split tensile and flexure strengths of concrete mixes. Two types, river sand/ Natural sand and Foundry sand four single sizes namely 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18 mm, 0.600 mm, were considered to prepare M20 and M40 concretes in the present research work. The suitability of Foundry sand (FS) to replace river sand in concrete production was addressed in this study. Slump test was performed on fresh concrete to evaluate workability while compressive, indirect tensile strength, flexure strength and Sorptivity tests were performed on hardened concrete. Strength and sorptivity characteristics measured optimal Values with mixes prepared using 0.6mm fine aggregate and concrete with foundry sand exhibited superior performance. Ultrasonic Pulse velocity (UPV) test was also conducted to assess the quality of concrete. The overall test results revealed that foundry sand can be utilized in concrete mixtures as a good substitute of natural sand. In addition to conservation of river sand, a better and meritorious way of disposing wastes is using Foundry sand in concrete production to our advantage.