Suitability of Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregate as an Alternative River Sand Replacement in Normal Concrete Production

Woyesa Ararsa¹, Emer Tucay Quezon^2, and Abraham Aboneh³

¹Institute of Technology, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

²Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

³Construction Technology & Management, Mezan Teppi University, Mezan, Ethiopia

Cite this paper:
Woyesa Ararsa, Emer Tucay Quezon and Abraham Aboneh. Suitability of Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregate as an Alternative River Sand Replacement in Normal Concrete Production. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2018; 6(4):140-146. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-6-4-2

Abstract

Technical experts in construction industries are trying to improve the quality, ease of using materials in different forms, and increasing structure performance. However, in the changing cost of each item, quality of works could be sacrificed. In Ethiopia, the practice of using alternative ingredients to produce materials was observed weak in some scenarios. It was because ignoring the right procedures to perform the required material requirements for construction materials. It is known that Ambo area has a scarcity of natural sand or rivers sand which can be extracted from the river bed. Notably, if available, the quality is not good due to the presence of silt and clay. Once it used, it adversely affects the structural integrity of concrete structures. The primary objective of the research is to evaluate the suitability of Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregate (ASFA) as an alternative replacement of river sand in normal concrete production. Samples extracted from Senkele and Aleltu quarry sites of Ambo Area. Results showed that fine aggregates from Senkele quarry site indicated 14.28% silt content, while from the Aleltu quarry site indicated 12.28% silt content, all of which exceeded 6% based on Ethiopian Standard Specification. It means the samples must be rejected or appropriately washed before use as a part of a concrete mix. After performing the procedure to remove silt content, it found out that the silt content reduced to 5.3%, less than the allowable maximum of 6%. Hence, Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregates (ASFA) are suitable for concrete mix production and strength determination. There were nine samples of concrete cubes prepared and tested at 7^th, 14^th, and 28^th days for concrete compressive strength with a mix ratio of 1:2:3 and water to cement ratio of 0.50. Based on the laboratory test results with full replacement of river sand by Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregate (ASFA), the mean compressive strengths at 7^th day was 16.61 MPa, while at the 14^th day was 19.62MPa, and at 28^th day was 25.59 MPa. It means at 28^th day; it satisfied the minimum requirement for C-25 grade concrete. Likewise, the cost of production of the fine aggregate of the Ambo Sandstone quarry site is 140 ETB per cubic meter, while the price of river sand from Legeher Market is 300 ETB-400 ETB per cubic meter. Therefore, Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregate (ASFA) is cheaper than the river sand. However, it must be given emphasis that the Ambo Sandstone Fine Aggregates must wash thoroughly before use in construction projects.

Keywords:
cement concrete strengths river sand sandstone fine aggregate production cost

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