Bricklaying sand: which is better

Physical and mechanical characteristics

Volume weight

It shows the mass of 1 m3 of sand in its natural state (wet, with all impurities). The average volumetric weight of this material is from 1500 to 1800 kg.

The composition of building sand is assessed by the following parameters:

1. Granulometric;
2. Mineral;
3. Chemical.

Granulometric shows the percentage of grains of different sizes. To determine it, sand is sieved through calibrated sieves (from 0.16 mm to 10 mm).

A sieve with openings of 5 and 10 mm brings out gravel granules. GOST allows the presence of grains 1 cm in size. Moreover, their number should be no more than 0.5% of the total mass of sand.

Granules larger than 5 mm are normalized as follows:

1. The maximum content is up to 10% in natural;
2. up to 15% in crushed;
3. up to 5% in enriched sand.

Mineral composition

According to the content of minerals, sands are divided into quartz, dolomite, feldspar and limestone. Quartz sand is the most valuable for construction, since other types are not strong enough and not resistant to chemical attack.

Chemical composition

It plays an important role in determining the suitability of bulk materials in different areas of construction. Red, yellow, and orange hues indicate the presence of oxidized metals. Green and blue colors are typical for river sand, which contains aluminum salts.

What sand is suitable for bricklaying

Nevertheless, when getting acquainted with bonding mixtures, I want to understand which sand is best to use for laying bricks. After all, it is not only subdivided into categories depending on the place of extraction, but also has a different size.

Let's take a closer look at this issue.

The use of sand in the form of a filler for bonding mixtures is due to its following qualities:

• Quite homogeneous.
• Resistant to loads.
• Has a specific gravity necessary for a masonry mortar.
• It absorbs and retains moisture well.
• Chemically inactive, that is, inert. In this connection, it does not react with the rest of the components of the mixture.

In addition, there are no special problems with the extraction of sand and it is not an expensive material. Also, it is quite easy to transport.

Mining locations

Faced with the question of what sand to use for laying bricks, it is worth familiarizing yourself with where it is mined, since a lot depends on this.

Depending on the place of extraction, this material is subdivided into:

• Gully sand. The extraction of gully sand is carried out without the formation of a quarry. The roughness and angularity of the grains of sand allows you to make a high-quality mortar. However, such material contains many impurities, and therefore, before using in a solution, it must be purified. Most often, this type of filler is used when pouring a foundation.
• Quarry, as well as sand, mined in a ravine, requires preliminary cleaning, as it has many impurities. The grains of sand are heterogeneous in size and have sharp edges, and this, in turn, improves the plasticity of the bonding mixture. This filler option can be used when pouring the foundation, carrying out rough work, laying walls and in other solutions.
• River or sea sand for brickwork. There are practically no foreign impurities in the river sand. It also differs from the two previous options in its homogeneous structure and high cost, due to the peculiarities of its production. The grains of sand have a smooth and rounded surface. This filler is mainly used for facing and decorative work.

When laying bricks, they try to use washed quarry or river sand, since the gully contains too many impurities, among which there are especially many clay and organic components.

Clay affects the plasticity of the mortar, and also, due to its presence, lumps may appear in the mixture, which will lead to uneven brick laying. The river version, in spite of the fact that it is practically uniform in size of grains of sand and does not have any inclusions, has one very significant drawback.

Due to the fact that the particles are sanded with water to a smooth surface, the degree of adhesion with the rest of the mixture components is significantly reduced.

In this regard, for most of the work, material washed from impurities, extracted from the quarry, is most often used.

Choosing sand

When choosing sand for brickwork, you should take into account the criteria on which the quality of the mortar depends.

• The homogeneity of the sand granules affects the viscosity and stability of the mixture under load.
• The plasticity of the solution depends on the presence or absence of impurities. The more impurities, the less plastic the masonry mixture is. In this regard, gully and quarry sand is recommended to be washed or cleaned by other available methods.
• The size of the grains of sand also affects the quality of the binder mixture. So, sand belongs to the fine fraction, the grains of which have a size of 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter. This option can only be used for decorative masonry. The coarse fraction includes sand, the diameter of the grains of which is 2.5-3.5 mm and it is used for rough masonry. The most preferred option, according to the method of application, is sand of the middle fraction. The diameter of the grains of sand in this case is 1.5 - 2.5 mm.

Sand for brickwork, conclusions

Thus, when interested in the question of which sand is best for laying bricks, it must be borne in mind that a lot depends on what the masonry mortar is mixed for.

Also, quite often, the possibility of purchasing and delivering a certain type of sand plays a serious role. So, for example, sometimes it is cheaper and easier to use the material extracted from the quarry, washed from the mixtures, than to deliver the river one.

Based on the information received, the following conclusions can be drawn: clean, sifted sand, without the presence of impurities, is added to the mortar for brickwork. For rough masonry, you can use coarse sand.

For basic masonry and construction projects, it is best to use medium-sized sand. But for finishing work, clean, smooth, fine, river sand is suitable.

No. 2. Sand particle size

According to GOST 8736-93, sand is divided into several fractions by particle size (modulus). Sand with particles larger than 3.5 mm is called very coarse, with particles of 3-3.5 mm - increased size, etc. The distribution by fractions can be seen from the table, but in reality, sand is often divided into only three types: fine, medium and coarse.

Depending on the particle size, sand is usually divided into two classes:

• Class I. The composition does not contain fractions with a particle size of up to 1.5 mm, which are undesirable in the preparation of solutions. With an increase in their content, the connection between larger particles deteriorates, the quality of the solution decreases, and its cost increases;
• Class II also contains the smallest particles of sand. Such sand is not suitable for preparing concrete for a foundation, but it can be useful for a masonry mortar. When it comes to decorative finishes, the solution is kneaded using sufficiently small particles.

If it is necessary to prepare concrete for further pouring the foundation, it is better to use sand with a particle size of 2-2.5 mm. For the preparation of high-quality concrete, take a fraction of 2.5-3 mm. If you need concrete with a low grade (up to M200), it is allowed to use sand with a fraction of 1-1.5 mm.The logic should be clear: the more solid the solution is needed, the larger the fraction is used. Sand of increased size and very coarse is sometimes used in private construction to create a sand cushion.

When choosing sand for preparing concrete for a foundation, it is allowed to contain particles of 5-10 mm in size (gravel), but their part should not exceed 10%. Dust and silt fractions (particle size less than 0.05 mm) should not exceed 3%, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve the design strength of concrete.

Some experts advise to choose "different-sized" sand, where, in addition to the medium / coarse fraction, contains slightly smaller particles. The thing is that sand with a high modulus of fineness is characterized by an increased voidage index. To fill the space between the grains of sand, more cement will be needed, which will affect the final cost. Therefore, in some cases (when we are not talking about critical objects) it makes sense to use a little fine sand, which will perfectly fill the voids.

It is important that the sand is clean, free of clay (which will cause lumps to form) and foreign particles such as branches and other debris. Much depends on the origin of the sand.

Preparation of the base

The technology of laying paving slabs involves the construction of a substrate based on sand and gravel. First of all, it is necessary to cover the laying area with sand. For the lower layer, the quality of the material does not play a special role, therefore, sand with impurities can also be used. The next layer of the "cake" will be 15-20 centimeters of gravel, this material allows you to evenly distribute the load and ensure the outflow of fluid. To fill the voids between the gravel, fill in the sand again.

The next layer should become a fixer, so use high quality sand. It is best to use sand with fine particles, it will fill all the voids in the base. Further, the working area should be sprayed with water and left to dry.

After that, it is necessary to level the surface and fill in the "pillow". It should be composed of sand and dry cement. We also level such a pillow, not forgetting about the slope, and prepare for laying the tiles.

How is cement mortar used

The classic mortar includes a certain brand of cement, refined sand and water. Some experts advise adding such an unconventional component as a detergent to the mixture. Then the solution will turn out to be more plastic and will mix well, which will make the masonry very durable and as reliable as possible.

At the same time, the sand must meet certain requirements, namely, it must have a homogeneous structure and good bearing capacity, be as strong and stable as possible, have the necessary weight and optimal particle size, and also not react with other components of the solution.

In order for the masonry to be made with high quality, you need to use only a properly prepared mortar, which should not only be strong and durable, but also not destroy the brick

Therefore, it will be necessary to observe exactly all proportions and pay due attention to the brand of cement, weather conditions and other equally important factors.

No. 3. Sand extraction site

There is a lot of sand on the planet. All the deposits are united by the fact that the extraction is carried out in an open way, but the peculiarities of the natural formation of sand leave an imprint on its properties.

According to the type of origin, sand is usually divided into the following types:

• quarry sand lies at a shallow depth under the ground. Quarries are created for its extraction. This sand contains a significant amount of clay, soil and dust, which is clear from the peculiarities of its occurrence. In its raw form, it can be used for filling under screeds or foundations. Washed sand (washed at the site of production) is suitable for preparing concrete.Quarry sand is finer than river sand, excellent for preparing mortars for plastering walls, as well as masonry mortars for bricks. Also, washed sand is used in the manufacture of paving slabs;
• river sand, due to constant exposure to water, is clean of impurities, and the grains of sand themselves have a very smooth surface. With its help, it is much easier to obtain a high-quality solution, but it also costs more. On the other hand, the surface of the grains of sand is absolutely smooth, their adhesion is slightly lower than that of quarry grains of sand, and the weaker the connection of the individual components, the less strong the solution comes out. The difference, in fact, is not that significant, but in some cases it makes sense to play it safe. River sand is excellent for pouring concrete foundations and creating reinforced structures. It is used for the preparation of masonry mortars when working with large building blocks, as well as in the production of paving slabs;
• sea ​​sand actually repeats the properties of river sand. It is quite clean and uniform in fractional composition, but it may contain shell particles, requiring additional cleaning;
• so-called artificial sand obtained by crushing rock. It will definitely not contain impurities, but too small particles may come across in it, so sieving is often indispensable.

If you are not sure about the purity of the sand, and laboratory tests are impossible for any reason, do a simple analysis. It is enough to take a transparent container, fill it 1/3 with sand and add half of the water, shake everything well, ensuring that the sand is completely moistened, and leave the container alone for 10-15 minutes. If the water turns out to be dirty, or there is a layer of foreign substance on the sand, then sand is not suitable for creating concrete and mortar.

Types of sand and their properties

There are several types of sand used in the preparation of mortars, including for masonry. The most popular options deserve special attention.

Ravine

A type of sand obtained from open pit mining. It has good adhesion properties due to its sharp edges and rough particle surface. But due to the highly contaminated structure, this type of free-flowing substances is only suitable for solutions used in rough masonry, foundations. The size of the fractions in gully sand varies from 1.5 to 3 mm, which allows it to provide sufficient strength of the finished mixture.

River

This type of building bulk material is considered the cleanest and most environmentally friendly. Its production is carried out from the bottom of flowing reservoirs, where quartz rock undergoes natural mechanical processing for a long time. The material has a rounded particle shape, is free of impurities, and can be used to prepare a solution without additional screening and cleaning. Sea sand is similar in its properties to river sand, only the place of extraction differs.

Typically, this type of bulk aggregate is sized. Coarse fractions - from 2.8 to 5 mm in diameter are suitable for foundations. Medium and small go to masonry walls. The color range of river sand ranges from pale gray to beige-yellow. The rather high cost makes this material not the most affordable, but the quality and the absence of impurities fully pays for all the costs.

Alluvial

Sand with universal characteristics and optimal grain size. This bulk material is extracted using dredgers or ground vehicles with hydromechanical installations, and then subjected to additional treatment with water to remove impurities. It is characterized by the following signs:

• sanded smooth surface;
• round or oval shape;
• the content of silt and clay particles is less than 0.3%;
• uniform size of fractions - about 2 mm;
• the color ranges from straw yellow to gray.

According to its characteristics, washed or washed sand is optimally suited for the preparation of masonry mortar, provides it with good plasticity and aesthetic properties.

Career

Mined in quarries, under the strata of other sedimentary rocks, quarry sand is characterized by a high level of pollution. It contains up to 7% clay particles, which greatly reduce the value of the bulk material. To add value, eliminate unnecessary substances, rinsing and sieving is used. The sizes of the fractions in this case become more uniform, and their structure becomes pure.

White

This sand can be of natural or artificial origin, is pure and extremely decorative. It contains up to 90–95% quartz. The main places of its extraction are located in river valleys, but there are also quarry varieties hidden by other sedimentary rocks. In this case, during extraction, the free-flowing fraction becomes quite polluted, traces of clay and loam get into it.

Sometimes natural white sand is replaced by an artificial analogue. In this case, industrial crushing equipment is used, converting the blocks of white quartz into a product with the desired fractions. The grains of sand are acute-angled, and not with rounded edges, the material itself is monomineral. It goes on sale in bags, it can be considered as a variant of filler for mortars in decorative wall cladding.

Varieties of material

Types of sand used in construction:

1. Orange. No quarry is needed to mine it. The particle size can vary from 0.15 to 3 millimeters. They have an angular shape and a rough surface. The main advantage is that with its use the solution becomes strong, while it is rarely used because it contains a large amount of impurities.
2. Career. It is obtained in quarries. Unlike the previous version, it contains not so many impurities, but it is still recommended to rinse and clean it before use.
3. River. It is located at the bottom of the river, from where it is mined. It is the most popular because it does not require additional cleaning.
4. Quartz. It is mined artificially, using mechanical crushing of rocks with the presence of quartz. It will not work to meet in natural conditions. Does not contain impurities and has a homogeneous structure.

Before you start making the material, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the solution, and know what types it is divided into:

1. Cement mortar. Consists of the following components: sand, cement. The material is often used in construction, but is not considered good due to its low ductility.
2. Mortar. This material is not as popular as the first one, as it does not have sufficient strength.
3. Combined. Consists of two types of mortar: limestone and cement. Suitable for people who have problems choosing. Possessing a set of the best properties of both types, it is more versatile in application, which is the main advantage.

Properties and origins

So what is the best sand to use? It is impossible to give a universal answer to this question, since the goals and situations are very different. The most often used river or open pit, which is mined from the sources corresponding to the name, with medium-sized particles.

River water is more homogeneous and much cleaner in structure, because all its fractions are purified with water to almost perfect smoothness, which, in turn, enhances the beauty of its appearance. However, such a chic appearance can reduce adhesion - the ability of grains of sand to adhere to cement to form a monolithic mortar. The career option does not have a similar disadvantage and at the same time costs an order of magnitude cheaper, but it needs washing and sifting.

Therefore, for the construction of load-bearing walls and the production of rough work, a processed material of a quarry type is best suited, and for decorative cladding, a river one is needed, since it looks better.

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No. 4. The main characteristics of sand

The quality of concrete and mortars is strictly regulated by the relevant regulations, including the requirements for sand are also spelled out. Some parameters can be checked directly on the construction site, others - only in the laboratory, but when a responsible project is being built, it is better not to neglect quality control for all characteristics.

The most important characteristics of sand include:

volume weight. A cubic meter of wet sand weighs about 1500-1800 kg, but the lower the value, the better;

humidity is usually around 5%

Determining the moisture content of the sand is very important, since the amount of added water will depend on this. It is clear that less water will need to be added to the solution to which sand with a moisture content of 10% was added than to the solution for the preparation of which sand with a moisture content of 1% was used.

To determine this indicator, you can ignite a small amount of sand. The difference in weight between wet and fully dried sand will make it easy to calculate moisture content. You can simply squeeze the sand in the palm of your hand, and if after unclenching it does not crumble, then the humidity is more than 5%, but this is not a particularly accurate method;

the mineral composition is determined only in the laboratory. The composition of sand can include limestone, quartz, dolomite, feldspar, granite, mica and other rocks. Sand with a predominance of quartz will be the most durable and stable. The presence of oxidized metals will be indicated by a reddish and orange tint, and the presence of aluminum salts - by green and blue shades;

the granulometric composition can be determined by eye, but laboratory studies will be more accurate, the conclusion of which will be a full report on how much and what fraction is contained in the sand. Based on it, you can make a decision where it is better to use the material, or how it is better to process it (sifting, washing, etc.) in order to apply where planned;

the chemical composition is necessary in order to determine the area of ​​use of the sand. Important in the construction of critical facilities;

bulk density should be about 1.5 t / m3, but it can fluctuate between 1.3-1.9 t / m3. A too low value indicates the presence of impurities, and a high value indicates waterlogging;

the coefficient of porosity shows the ability of the sand itself and the solution prepared on its basis to pass moisture.

Choosing sand for concrete

The difference between quarry and river sand is so noticeable that it is customary to use material of river origin in construction practice. At the same time, it is worthwhile to carefully study the analysis data - the minimum amount of contamination and the uniformity of the fraction significantly increase the predictability of the properties of the concrete solution and the final concrete monolith.

If we rely on the opinion of professionals, then the question of which sand is better for preparing concrete, then the primacy will remain with the river - medium and large fractions, with minimal sedimentary impurities. For the creation of drainages, river material with a throughput (filtration coefficient) of 12 m per day is suitable, which is three times higher than the indicator of quarry sand.

The homogeneity, smoothness and purity of the mass extracted from the bottom of a river or a dried-up bed allows you to pack and sell sand in 40 kg bags, as a material with predictable properties and a guaranteed level of quality. The properties of quarry and river sand are so different that in the field of professional construction and work with concrete, these are practically different materials with their own specific areas of application. It is possible to save on the use of alluvial sand from a pit in a concrete solution - provided that the monolith does not bear a heavy load and its strength does not become critically low for the integrity of the entire structure.

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