Quarry construction sand is an inexpensive and irreplaceable material. Quarry sand as an ingredient in a builder's career

Depending on where and how sand is mined, there are: river sand, quarry sand, alluvial sand, artificial sand, construction sand and quartz. The price of sand varies depending on its type and purity. The most valuable is river sand, as it contains the least amount of clay and various impurities. Sand is the most resistant to precipitation and, due to its availability, is the cheapest building material.

Depending on the size of the grains, sand can be divided into three groups - fine, medium and coarse.

Sand group	Size modulus (Mk)
Very large	Over 3.5mm
Increased size	3 to 3.5 mm
Large	2.5 to 3.0 mm
Average	2.0 to 2.5 mm
Small	1 to 1.5 mm
Thin	0.7 to 1.0 mm
Very thin	Up to 0.7 mm

QUARRY SAND.

Quarry sand is the most demanded type of sand; it is used in Moscow and throughout Russia in all areas of construction. Quarry sand is mined in sand pits open method. In its composition, it contains impurities of clay, stones and dust. It is used in the construction of roads, the arrangement of playgrounds. The cost of quarry sand is very low, because it does not go through any additional treatments. It has grains ranging in size from 1.2 to 2.5 mm. Untreated quarry sand is not used for the production of concrete, particles in its composition can adversely affect the strength of concrete. The clay contained in this sand has a positive effect on the quality of the plaster.

Characteristics of quarry sand.

• Specific gravity different depending on the size of the fractions. Large fractions - 1500, medium - 1600, small - 1800 kg / m 3;
• The degree of radioactivity can be 1, 2.3 class, depending on the place of sand extraction;
• Content of clay and silt particles up to 10%

Alluvial sand is mined in quarries with additional processing using special equipment, it is washed from clay, dust and stones. After processing, washed sand can be used in the production of concrete, paving slabs during finishing work. Since significant energy resources are spent in the production of washed sand, the price for it is higher than for quarry raw sand. Due to the presence of a large amount of moisture in it, it is not stored, after processing it is loaded into vehicles and sent to the customer. According to the modulus of fineness, there are small, medium and large. It contains the least fractions of small fractions, since during processing they are washed out with water. When kneading cement mortar the upper and lower layers are homogeneous, the composition does not need to be constantly mixed.

Characteristics of washed sand.

• Bulk density-1.65 g/cm 3 ;
• In this type of sand, fractions of medium size from 1.6 to 2.2 mm predominate, since smaller grains are washed out under the influence of water;
  
• Radioactivity 1 class;
• Filtration capacity from 5 to 11 m per day, which is optimal for the installation of a drainage system;
• The content of clay and silt particles is not more than 0.3%

Seeded sand is also mined in quarries open way, then it is further screened with mechanical devices, thereby removing third-party impurities from the sand. Seeded sand is divided into coarse, fine, very fine thin. The most demanded fraction of seeded sand is from 2 to 2.5 mm. Can be used in different industries. Dry sand is made from very fine and fine sand. gypsum mixes. Fine is added in the production of bricks, plaster. Coarse seeded sand is added to masonry mixtures.

Characteristics of seeded sand.

• Environmentally friendly material;
• Has an increased bulk density 1.4 g/m3
• Radioactivity class 1 (sometimes class 2);
• Medium size modulus - 1.6 mm;
• The filtration coefficient is 0.5-3 m per day. The cleaner this type of sand, the greater the filtration rate.
• Impurity content up to 9%

RIVER SAND.

River sand is mined at the bottom of the riverbed. It practically does not contain impurities of clay and stones. The grains are rounded, fine-grained, medium-grained and coarse-grained. The most common fraction of river sand is coarse-grained. The color of the sand is yellow, but sometimes gray. This type sand is not affected by microorganisms and has high noise insulation performance. Applied in various fields production. It is used in the manufacture of mortars, masonry walls, when laying pavement. Due to its good physical performance, its cost is higher compared to other types of sand. When preparing various mortars river sand settles quickly, so it must be constantly stirred.

Characteristics of river sand.

• Has a high filtration coefficient of 5 m per day;
• Volume weight on average for one cube 1500-1800 kg. This indicator depends on the moisture content of the sand;
• The most common is river sand, which has an average grain size of 2 to 2.5 mm. Rarely in dry riverbeds coarse-grained sand;
• The content of clay, silt and dust particles 0.7%;
• The specific gravity of river sand is 2.65 g / cm 3

QUARTZ SAND.

Quartz sand is not as common in Moscow as other types of sand. Quartz sand is natural, which is mined in a quarry mechanically and artificial as a result of grinding quartz rocks in crushing plants, followed by washing and drying, and then sorting into fractions. It is not used as a filler in the production building mixtures, they are not aligned construction sites and do not fill them with pits and trenches, since the cost of this type of sand is significantly higher than other types. Quartz sand collects a large amount of dirt on its surface, so it is used in drainage systems and filters. Artificial quartz sand is more pure and uniform, and there are no impurities in it. Minimum size grains of sand from 0.05, maximum 3 mm.

Characteristics of quartz sand.

• Bulk density 1300-1500 kg/m;
• Radioactivity 1 class;
• Fractions from pulverized grain size less than 0.1 mm to coarse-grained 0.5-1 mm.

PRICES FOR BUILDING SAND.

*For the purchase of sand, please contact the company's managers.

Sand is an indispensable material in the construction industry. It, like any building material, has its own characteristics and features in the application.

river sand

The river sand used by builders has a personal fractional and chemical composition, it is the most demanded material among its analogues.

washed sand

Homogeneous in color (yellow or gray) grains of sand with perfectly smooth surface are at the bottom of the river. In the composition of this sand, iron and silicon oxides can be found. In river sand, there is practically no presence of clay impurities and other third-party debris, because this type of sand is washed in its natural environment. The size of each grain of sand is small, it is generally considered to be medium.

In the field of construction, however, the coarse-grained type of river sand is considered to be more valuable. Such material is extremely rare, as a result of which it is expensive. Sand can be found in any dry river bed. This type of sand is successfully used for masonry, finishing, as well as design work. It is included in compositions for coating highways, used to make bricks.

Coarse-grained river sand unobtrusive color, neutral shade, it is perfect for the decor used in the backyard.

coarse river sand

This type of sand is usually extracted from rocks located in rivers. The boulders are split on specialized equipment, and subsequently the resulting parts are crushed and split. The largest grain of sand can reach a diameter of 5 millimeters.

Factions

River sand is known from the following fractions:

• pulverized.
• Medium grained.
• Coarse-grained.
• Clayey.

The sand is calibrated by grain size using a special sieve with cells of different diameters.

Sand mining

It is customary to extract river sand using a dredger, which, in turn, is fixed on a barge. The dredger has specialized mechanical equipment, which includes:

1. Powerful pumps.
2. Sand collection tanks.
3. Sita.

The purchase of river sand should definitely begin with viewing its passport and certificate, in which the characteristics will have to meet GOST - 8736-93.

Areas of application for river sand

This material is commonly used for:

1. Production of concrete and concrete products (sand helps to maintain their strength for a long time and increases their frost resistance).
2. Production of dry building mixtures.
3. Creation of foundation pillows.
4. Production of mortars required for masonry and plastering works.
5. Room decorations.
6. Aquarium filling.
7. Arrangements playgrounds for children and so on.

Benefits of river sand

• Environmentally friendly product.
• Possesses high moisture resistance.
• Ideal soundproofing material.
• Over time, it does not rot.
• Meets most technical requirements.

Quarry sand is presented in the form loose rock , in which you can detect with the naked eye grains of feldspar, quartz, mica and other minerals found in natural conditions.

In the field of construction, quarry sand is very popular material, which is directly related to its good natural properties and low price.

It is used not only in the field of construction, but also such sand has found its wide application in the fields of industry and agriculture.

Quarry sand is mined in the following way - loose rock is dug in large layers. In the future, such sand is subjected to sieving and washing. It refers to GOST - 8736-93.

Size classification:

1. Fine-grained - the diameter is not higher than 2 millimeters.
2. Medium-grained - 2 - 2.8 millimeters.
3. Coarse-grained - up to 5 millimeters.

Varieties of quarry sand

• alluvial(washed sand) - this type of quarry sand is usually mined in flooded deposits and deposits using hydromechanical equipment. Sand, thanks to this technology, turns out to be clean, there are no impurities and unnecessary components in it.
• seeded sand- quarry sand is sifted from stones and large particles.
• sandy soil– crude quarry sand is mixed with various components, the price of the material is very low.

Applications:

1. Construction.
2. National economy.
3. Industry.
4. Applied art.

Advantages

• The sand is sold uncleaned, as a result of which enterprises that extract quarry sand and sell it can save on cleaning and screening.
• The extraction process is quite simple, as a result of which the material itself is cheap.
• Delivery of career sand is carried out at low prices.

Common between river and quarry sand

1. Used in the construction industry.
2. They have the same indicators according to GOST.
3. Used for decoration.

Differences

1. There are different ways of extracting sand.
2. River sand is considered more pure material, since in it, unlike a quarry, only fragments of clay can be found.
3. Quarry sand is a cheaper building material.
4. River sand is environmentally friendly.
5. For children's sandboxes and aquariums, it is best to choose river sand.

Sand is an indispensable material in construction. But, before using it, you need to learn about its technical characteristics and features. Different types sands have different characteristics. Therefore, when buying, you should check its chemical and fractional composition, the presence of impurities, pay attention to the brand and other important factors.

What is river sand, description and composition

All natural sand is divided into several types, differing in many factors. The most demanded in construction is river sand.

washed

Get smooth, uniform sand grains of yellow or gray color from the bottom of the rivers. They include oxides of silicon and iron. His chemical formula– SiO2. River sand usually does not contain clay particles and other impurities, as it washes naturally. Most of the sand grains are medium in size.

Coarse-grained

Coarse-grained river sand is most valued, which is much rarer, for this reason it costs much more. Usually it is mined in the beds of dry rivers. This type of sand is used for finishing, masonry, design work. It is used in coating formulations highways, apply it in brick production.

Coarse-grained sand has a neutral unobtrusive color, it is great for arranging the design of personal plots.

Large

Coarse sand differs from coarse-grained river sand. It is extracted from rocks by splitting stones on specialized crushing and grinding equipment. Its fineness modulus can be up to 5 mm.

Factions

River sand is divided into the following types:

1. pulverized;
2. coarse-grained;
3. medium-grained;
4. clayey

Sand is sorted by granularity, sifting it through special sieves.

Differences and features of river sand

River sand differs from other types of sand primarily in its natural purity, it does not contain clay particles, small pebbles and other impurities. Its second difference is fractional homogeneity. Dry mixes are made from river sand for construction works.

It is used as a filler, for the installation of floor screeds, it is the main component for the manufacture of asphalt concrete. With its help, drains are equipped, used at treatment plants as a filter. Sand perfectly purifies water from mechanical impurities. In home gardens, the soil is mixed with river sand to make it lighter, more crumbly.

More details on the video:

Difference from the sea

River sand is almost no different from sea sand. The sea sand has high quality characteristics, does not contain natural impurities, since during extraction it undergoes a two-stage enrichment. Therefore, concrete mixtures and solutions are prepared from it.

Difference from career

Which sand is better - quarry or river - depends on the characteristics of their further scope. Quarry sand, as the name implies, is mined in quarries or crushed gravel and other rocks with the help of special devices. It usually contains in large numbers impurities of stones and clay.

Quarry sand is easy to mine, it has high quality, but due to the organic impurities it contains, sand often behaves unpredictably, reacting with chemical additives in solution. Quarry sand is also not suitable for filtration; washed quarry sand is more often used for concrete.

Extraction of sand from water with a brief description of the process

From deep rivers, sand is mined using a dredger, which is fixed on a barge. Such dredgers are equipped with special hydro-mechanical equipment, with powerful pumps, tanks and sieves for dividing sand by composition.

Rippers lowered to the bottom of the river mechanically suck in the sand. Through the slurry pipeline, the sand moves to the surface and is deposited on the barge site, which is called the hydraulic dump. It has a water drain. After that, the sand is subjected to dry cleaning and loaded onto another barge.

The extraction of river sand from the beds of dried up rivers is similar to a quarry. All received sand must have a certificate of conformity.

On the video: amphibious excavator-dredger, sand alluvium for 400 m:

Specifications and properties

When buying river sand, you must require a passport and a certificate for it. The characteristics of river sand must comply with GOST - 8736-93.

The main properties of river sand

River sand particles have different sizes. According to them, this material is classified into the following groups:

1. fine sand with grains, having a size of up to 2 mm;
2. medium sand - from 2 to 2.5 mm;
3. coarse sand - over 2.5 mm.

For building sand, two types of specific gravity are distinguished - bulk and true. Volumetric weight (density) is the amount of material placed in a unit of volume. Due to the high flowability, it is very difficult to determine the mass of sand in a cubic meter.

True specific gravity is calculated in laboratories; in practice, its values ​​are usually not used. In practice, they use bulk specific gravity, this is the amount of sand that is included in a container of 1 cubic meter.

Application of river sand

The areas in which river sand is successfully used are not limited.

It is applied:

• For production concrete products, sand increases their strength and frost resistance;
• For the manufacture of dry mixes;
• For the formation of foundation pillows
• In the production of mortars for plastering and masonry works
• When screed and masonry;
• For decorating rooms
• For landscaping
• In landscape work
• For the arrangement of playgrounds.
• Sand for making concrete

River sand is indispensable in construction, it is used to produce concrete, from which various products are made. Can't do without it and finishing work. River sand answers all building requirements, but builders preparing solutions do not like it because it settles very quickly, so it has to be constantly mixed.

Photo of river sand

For the sandbox

by the most the best option for a children's sandbox is river sand. It does not contain sulfites, sulfur, and other harmful particles that can harm the baby. It is better to take sand of medium fraction for the sandbox.

For aquariums

For constant water purification in the aquarium, it is necessary to pour river sand into it. It is better to take coarser dark-colored sand, as light-colored sand causes discomfort to fish living in an aquarium.

Can river sand be dyed?

River colored sand can often be seen in decorative works. To do this, it is specially dyed: with gouache, tempera powder or food coloring. Ready-made paints are poured into jars and sifted sand is poured into them. After a while, they take it out and dry it. In addition to all of the above, sand can easily be given any color using ordinary multi-colored crayons.

How to paint river sand with crayons can be seen in the video:

Advantages and disadvantages

River sand has no disadvantages, with the exception of high cost this natural material.

But positive qualities lots of:

1. ecologicaly clean;
2. not afraid of exposure to aggressive components;
3. has a high moisture resistance;
4. it is an excellent soundproofing material;
5. sand is not subject to decay;
6. meets high technical and aesthetic requirements.

You can list its advantages endlessly, so users put this natural material the highest ratings.

The foundation, translated from Latin, means “foundation”, the fate of the entire structure depends on its strength and reliability. That is why it is so important for this part of the development to choose quality materials. To the fortress concrete base not only the brand affects binder, but also aggregates - sand and crushed stone.

Consider the main properties, advantages and disadvantages of the most common building sands - river and quarry, compare them and try to answer the question which one is more suitable for building a foundation.

construction sand

Natural sand is a loose loose rock of sedimentary origin, has a crystalline structure with a grain size of up to 5 mm and consists of destroyed mineral residues, most often quartz with a small amount other inclusions.

requirements for him as building material, according to GOST 8736-93, include such parameters as grain size, its bulk and true density, the permissible limit for the content of dust and clay particles, harmful impurities, radionuclides.

In riverbeds. It is characterized by a uniform consistency, good fluidity, and an average granule size in the range of 1.5–2.5 mm. Due to long-term natural washing, it is clean, the grains have the correct rounded shape.

It is believed that this is the highest quality aggregate for concrete mortar, the strength of which is especially important in the construction load-bearing structures. The advantages of the material, as a rule, include the following features.

• It does not contain clay and silt particles, which are unacceptable in cement-sand mortars and degrade their quality.
• Oval shaped crystals during cooking concrete mix do not compact, cement milk evenly envelops them, and ready-made concrete practically does not shrink.

He also has shortcomings.

• Mixing with this type of aggregate requires more cement and more thorough mixing.
• It is the most expensive of building sands.

Quarry sand

The most common and affordable concrete filler. Careers with its development are everywhere, manufacturers saturate the market with an abundance of inexpensive and sought-after products.

Unlike the river counterpart, it has a wider range of fractions, its granules irregular shape, angular. It contains a fairly large percentage of impurities, including dust, organics, clay, rock fragments.

There are several ways to enrich it.

The washed (alluvial) product is obtained by the technology of a special directed hydraulic action on the rock mass with its subsequent settling. As a result, foreign substances are removed, primarily clay deposits.

The second way of enrichment is sifting through a system of sieves that trap large fragments of stones, clods of clay, etc.

Despite the fact that quarry sand is inferior in quality to river sand, it is in demand in the construction industry and has a number of advantages.

• Much more common.
• Less cement is used to prepare concrete - this is due to the property of irregularly shaped crystals to be more compacted.
• It has an attractive price.
• The enriched product meets the highest standards.

Among the shortcomings, experienced builders note the following.

• Quarry sand contains a higher percentage of organic clay and silt particles - up to 7% versus 0.05% in the river analogue.
• Due to the structural composition, it settles, compacts at the time of concrete setting and solidification. The finished structure shrinks up to 1 mm per 1 cm.

Criterias of choice

Most builders on the issue of choosing sand for the foundation agree on one thing - the fraction, the minimum percentage of foreign matter and density are much more important than the origin or place of extraction.

Quality sand aggregate should meet the following criteria.

1. The most acceptable grain size modulus is from 1.5 to 3 mm.
2. The limiting content of organic and clay impurities is 3-5%.
3. Should not contain harmful components that can enter into chemical reaction with cement alkalis - silicon dioxide, sulfur, chlorine, etc.
4. Have in the composition of active radionuclides no more than 370 Bq/kg, which corresponds to class I radioactivity.

An important point that allows you to control the quality of the delivered products is its bulk weight. Average for clean dry sand - 1500 kg / m3. A smaller weight indicates the presence of impurities, a larger one indicates high humidity.

AT natural form these criteria are more consistent with river sand. Seeded or alluvial quarry is in no way inferior to him. But if the requirements for future development are low, and the foundation will not be subject to heavy loads, then an inexpensive filler from a nearby quarry is quite suitable.

The amount of sand under the house

Many are wondering how to correctly calculate the volumes of the components of the concrete mixture needed to build the foundation of the house.

To fill the foundation, concrete is needed not lower than M300. It takes about 650 kg of sand to prepare 1 m3. Calculate the volumetric indicators of your foundation (multiply height by width and depth) and calculate the tonnage of sand, then convert it to volume at the rate of 1.5 t / m3.

Sand should always be bought with a small margin (15–20%) of the estimated figure - this material tends to compact, part of it will disperse over the area during transportation, something will come in handy for backfilling.

Most associate with sand yellow. But this is far from true. Green beaches are not uncommon in Hawaii, the Bahamas are pleasing to the eye pink shades, Iceland mesmerizes with black tones, and Mauritius boasts iridescent placers.

Sand is formed during the crushing of rock. Angular grains are carried by the wind. Those that remain on land are mixed with other particles: clay, stones, dust.

Sand is formed during the crushing of rock. Angular grains are carried by the wind. Those that remain on land are mixed with other particles: clay, stones, dust. The grains of sand that have fallen into the river are turned, polished, acquire a rounded shape, and are washed with water. Quarry sand contains quite a lot of impurities. They affect more than just color. Most negative moment that clay, the content of which can reach 10%, envelops the grains of sand and prevents the components from setting in the solution. This reduces the strength and frost resistance of the final product. Although the problem can be solved by cleaning by washing. In some solutions, such as plaster, clay prevents the rapid settling of sand and acts as a plasticizer.

Quarry sand has more than low price because it is mined in an open pit. Chemical composition does not allow its use in most types of construction work, but in some areas where there are no high requirements for technical specifications He is irreplaceable. Alluvial (washed) quarry sand is very similar in composition to river sand, but it is given out by a characteristic angular shape and heterogeneity of sand grains.

http://pesok-tula.ru/) is extracted by a hydromechanized (closed) method in rivers and lakes without additional treatments and costs. It contains virtually no impurities and has a more aesthetic appearance. Coloring of river sand of several shades: light yellow, light gray, gray. The highest degree of environmental cleanliness determines its popularity in interior decoration.

Among all types, the most used in construction is river sand, consisting of rounded particles. Due to the fact that they do not have sharp edges, the sand has increased flowability and moisture capacity. The grip of sand grains is easily changed by humidity. Wet sand is not loose, viscous, retains its shape. If you squeeze a handful of dry material in your hand, the grains of sand will easily flow from your palm. When they stick together - there is a lot of clay in the sand and, possibly, water. Fine river sand is soft, does not injure the skin, so it is used in the arrangement of beaches and playgrounds.

You can determine the degree of quality of river sand using another test. It is necessary to pour water into a transparent vessel and pour some sand. Shake the mixture well and leave overnight. If the water has become cloudy slightly, there is no dirt on the walls, then the sand is clean and has no impurities. You can buy river sand right at the place of extraction. Here it is brought to a condition, filtered from shells, silt, leaving only quartz grains. Storage is carried out under open sky, on storage sites, under a canopy, dumping in a mound of a conical configuration.

Good quality river sand has the following characteristics:

• no impurities;
• uniformity of sand grains;
• high flowability;
• high filtration coefficient at maximum density;
• normal humidity.

The moisture factor is very changeable, so river sand is sold in cubic meters, taking volume as a unit. If you buy sand by weight, there is a great risk of overpaying not for sand, but for water.