Result and Conclusion

Sieve results
Fineness modulus
Types of sand

Percentage passing

Fineness

Zone(As per IS:383 1970 )

in 600 micron sieve

modulus

River bed sand(A)

Crusher sand,

(%)
6.7
51

4.9
3.5

Nearer to Zone I
Nearer to Zone II

coarser type(B)
Crusher sand, finer

79

2.2

Nearer to Zone IV

type(C)
Mixed

40.4

3.7

Nearer to Zone II

sand(A:2B:C)
Mixed

30.3

4.09

Zone I

sand(2A:B:C)
Mixed

31.2

4.1

Zone I

sand(2A:2B:C)
Mixed

32.4

4.103

Zone I

sand(A:2B:0.5C)
Mixed sand(A:2B)
Mixed sand(2B:C)
Mixed sand(2C:B)

26.6
52
15

4.09
3.2
4.8

Zone I
Zone II
Nearer to Zone I

Surface Index
Types of sand

Surface Index

River bed sand(A)

Crusher sand, coarser type(B)
Crusher sand, finer type(C)
Mixed sand(A:2B:C)
Mixed sand(2A:B:C)
Mixed sand(2A:2B:C)
Mixed sand(A:2B:0.5C)
Mixed sand(A:2B)
Mixed sand(2B:C)
Mixed sand(2C:B)

0.951
0.772
0.825
0.812
0.843
0.829
0.804
0.806
0.782
0.843

Sand having fineness modulus less than 3.2 and lying in Zone II as per IS: 383 1970 is
considered as suitable sand for construction. Based on the above result, mixed sand having ratio
2:1 met the above criteria. It is concluded that sand from only one source may not meet the
minimum requirement in terms of quality. So, it is good idea to mix the sand form different
sources so that the required gradation and workability can be achieved at designed water
cement ratio as supported by the result of surface index.

Workability result
Results of slump test and compacting factor test for various Proportions of sand are as follows:
Percent
replacement of
river bed sand by
crusher sand
10

Slump test
height(mm)

150 (OK)

Desired
Slump
height(mm)

Compacting factor
test

Desired
compacting
factor

(60 180)

0.96( OK)

>0.92

50
70

125 (OK)
20 (NOT OK)

(60 180)
(60 180)

0.94 (OK)

>0.92

As the fineness of sand has increased by replacing the river bed sand by fine crusher sand,
the workability of sand has decreased. From the above result, it is concluded that up to 50
percent replacement of river bed sand by crusher sand, the desired workability can be
achieved. Further replacing the crusher sand decreases workability which ultimately
decreases the strength of structures. Hence, 50 percent replacement of river sand by
crusher sand is considered as best.

Sand bulking test result

Types of sand

Bulking (%)

River bed sand

Crusher sand(Coarser type)
Crusher sand( Finer type)

17.6
21.9
26.2

Maximum bulking limit

(%)
30
30
30

As the amount of bulking increases with the increase in the fineness of sand. Sand which
expands above 30 percent of its volume is not desirable as it badly affects in volume batching.
Sand which is used in this experiment did not cross the maximum limit of bulking. Hence, the
finer sand can be mixed with other sand for proper gradation by volume batching with
necessary corrections for the further experiments.

Compressive Strength result

To compare the compressive strength of river bed sand with crusher dust, river bed sand was
replaced by crusher dust in various proportions. The results are shown graphically as follows:
1. Compressive strength result of M20 concrete in 28 days

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20

24.52
23.432424.27
23.21
22.86
21.34
20.19
19.88
19.36
19.17

10

2. Compressive strength result of M15 concrete in 28 days

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

18.35
18.3
17.98
17.58
16.74
16.52
16.3417.3
15.21
15.05
15.03

10

Pe rc e n ta g e re p l a c e m e n t

Me a n c o m p re s s i ve s tre n g th i n 2 8 d a ys (Mp a )

All the above experimental data showed the addition of stone dust improves the compressive
strength of concrete. These results are of great importance because this kind of innovative

concrete requires large amount of fine particles. Due to high fineness of stone dust, it is very
effective in assuring very good cohesiveness of concrete. From the above study, it is
concluded that the stone dust may be used as a replacement material for fine aggregates.
Above graph shows that other factors being constant, the strength of the concrete has varied
with different proportions of river bed sand and crusher sand. The maximum strength has
achieved when 50 percent of river bed sand is replaced by crusher dust. This result has
depicted the usefulness of stone dust as construction material. Hence, from the above results,
it can be concluded that:
i.
ii.
iii.

Stone dust which is considered as useless material in crusher industry, can be

effectively utilized with river bed sand which can give better strength as river bed
sand alone gives.
The percentage of river bed sand and crusher dust should be fifty-fifty.
The result of this research encourage people to use stone dust and to decrease the
illegal sand mining in the river.

Recommendation
The most commonly used fine aggregate for all construction activity is sand derived from
river banks. The consumption of natural sand is too high due to extensive use in concrete. The
high usage of river sand not only erode the river bank but also affect the surrounding
environment badly. The recent research on formation of sinkholes of Armala VDC, Pokhara
has revealed the fact that high amount of sand mining, river encroachment is also one of the
reasons behind the formation of sinkholes. Therefore it is necessary to identify the alternative
material to replace the demand of natural sand.
In this context river bed sand can be replaced by quarry dust a byproduct of stone crushing
unit in suitable proportion. This stone dust not only reduce the demand of river bed sand but
also reduce environment load and waste management cost, reduce production cost and as well
as augment the quality of concrete. It is recommended to use the stone dust along with
river bed sand with the proportion fifty-fifty. At last, since, the result of this research is
only based on the physical properties of stone dust, it is highly recommended to do
further research regarding the chemical properties of stone dust and its relation with its
compressive as well as flexural strength.