Local Silica Sand as a Substitute for Standard Ottawa Sand in Testing of Cement Mortar

Abstract

<jats:p>Compressive strength of cement mortar is an important parameter in the quality control of Portland cement. The limitation of Ottawa sand imports has prompted a study on the potential and utilization of local silica sand available in several regions in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential and possibility of utilizing local silica sand from several regions in Indonesia including Bangka, Belitung, Sidrap (South Sulawesi Province) as a substitute for standard Ottawa sand in cement mortar testing. Evaluation of local silica sands consisted of SEM analysis, characterization of silica sands and testing of cement mortar compressive strength. Silica sands from Bangka, Belitung and Tuban had silica content of more than 90%, while that from Sidrap was more or less 90%. Based on the SEM analysis, characteristic of silica sands, and compressive strength of cement mortar, local silica sand from Sidrap (South Sulawesi Province) has a good potential to be used as a substitute for standard Ottawa sand in testing of cement mortar.</jats:p>

Characterization of Post-Mining Soil and Solid Waste from Silica Sand Purification

“…This condition is evidenced by the SEM and EDX results, showing smooth grains with the same composition and morphology as post-mining soil. Low-magnifi cation SEM images (Figure 6b and 6d) suggest that large particles are contained in post-mining soil and smooth particles in solid waste with fractures and porous properties, as reported by Pratiwi et al (2020). Nevertheless, particles with broadly similar morphologies and textures could be found in both the post-mining and solid waste soil.…”

Experimental Study on the Roundness of Silica Sand from Sidrap: Improvement by Means of Abrasion and Measurement Using a Practical New Method

“…Abrasion was carried out in a laboratory ball mill consisted of a rotary cylinder with a diameter of about 156 mm and a length of 200 mm [7]. The speed of the rotary cylinder was about 30 rpm.…”

“…As measured the roundness of Sidrap sand was about 0.20, Ottawa sand was of 0.30-0.50 [7]. Therefore, experiments on improving the roundness of Sidrap silica had been carried out by means of abrasion using a laboratory ball mill with varying of abrasion time and the loading of sand into the mill.…”

“…Meanwhile, silica sand with various quality are available in several locations in Indonesia. Typical SiO2 content of several local silica sands are as follows: Belitung 98.64%, Bangka 96.40%, Tuban 95.18% and Sidrap 90.09% [6]. In order to meet the particle size distribution of standard sand, the following treatments had been carried out: (i) washing to remove mud and other impurities; (ii) drying; (iii) milling; (iv) sieving to get fragments with a homogeneous particle size; and (v) finally mixing those fragments to obtain the standard particle size distribution.…”

“…In order to meet the particle size distribution of standard sand, the following treatments had been carried out: (i) washing to remove mud and other impurities; (ii) drying; (iii) milling; (iv) sieving to get fragments with a homogeneous particle size; and (v) finally mixing those fragments to obtain the standard particle size distribution. Among locally available silica sand, Sidrap sand from South Sulawesi has been selected as a candidate for the Indonesian standard sand based on the compressive strength of mortar [7].…”