Construction Sand

[Yogi]

Thank you for your reply. I beleive it will be same kind of trucks that we see everyday on roads of bangalore. So, how many CUM will the normal truck used for sand contains. Or else you can let me know how many truck loads of sand is required to build about 2 floors in a 30 x 40 site. It would be about 1700 - 1800 sqft from 2 floors. Please advise.

[Yogi]

Please advise on the below also:
my engineer is telling that he will be using river sand and it will be red coloured sand. Will the river sand be reddish in color. Is my contractor misleading me?

[ardesarchitects]

Hi yogi,
Calculating sand requirement is bit tricky a good experienced contractor will be a best person to answer.In a normal sand truck you get 400 to 450 cft of sand.
Red sand in not good for construction,this is usually available at a distance from river bank.Old settled sand inside the earth and bigger in size.White sand is always a best option.

regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com

[Yogi]

Hi,
no doubt the river sand rates are sky rocketting, people are trying to experiment different substitute for sand, the contractor being already commited to the rates might not be willing to spend more on the increased rate, try telling him that you can share the extra price for the good sand, thats one way to prevent him from using filtered sand, now you can do a simple test at site to find out the silt content in the sand, take about 2-3 litres of water in a container used for measuring sand, put 2 hands full of sand randomly taken from the stock, allow it to settle for few minutes, then shake the container slowly and drain the water very slowly making sure the settled layer of sand is not disturbed,after draining the water observe the content of mud or silt which will be very fine, sticking all around the container, it will form a paste like thing if you take it in your finger,repeat the test for different sample, now the quantity of this silt should not be more than 5-6 % of the total volume. this is a crude method, i have tried it many times. if you still have doubts you can get it checked from any agencies.
you can use coarse grained sand without silt which will be availble at lesser price for foundation masonry, floor concreting, and other miscellaneous works, but for the masonry, plastering and roof concreting one has to use proper grade.
regards
Vivek

In this thread their is a mention of getting checked the sand from agencies. I want to know which are these agencies and how do they test the sand. Please provide contact details of such agencies who check the quality of the sand.

[sholla]

I recently did a sand testing (basic) from Civil-Aid Technologies Pvt.Ltd, BSK II Stage. (080 39950500).
I heard that it is a reputed lab mainly used by big project guys for concrete/soil/sand testing etc.
I paid totally 700 and took four days. Finally got a one-page report BUT you will need another civil
engineer to digest that report.

In my case my contractor claimed that sand quality is great, but my architect said it is
filtered sand. So out of curiosity I did the testing. After I got the report I asked the technician
there what it means. Some where in the report I saw "tested sample satisfies the requirements
of grading Zone I as per IS:383-1970.....Material finer than 75 microns 3%". The technician
said one can use the sand for residential construction but proportion needs to be altered,
though they didn't say what the new proportion was.

I think big project use this for documentation purpose or for compliance may be.
I don't think it is worth the pain for residential small projects. Simply find a
trustworthy experienced mestri.

[chandam]

My contractor has bought sand which looks red-ish in color. The previous ones were whitish grey in color. He is saying its good sand and not filtered sand or sand which gets deposited at the end of the river.
I have doubts and I am in Canada, so can't personal check.

Please advise if its possible to make out if the sand is good from the photo

[ardesarchitects]

Hi,
More closer photo will be helpful to comment on the quality.

Regards
Ar.Praveen.n
Ardes architects and interior designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com