Influence of marine sand as fine aggregate on mechanical and durability properties of cement mortar and concrete

Abstract

Abstract Concrete is commonly manufactured using river sand and manufactured sand (M-Sand) as fine aggregates. As river sand has more scarcity, M-Sand is now the preferred fine aggregate. For reduce the consumption and extraction of natural aggregate (river sand), this paper presents washed marine sand (MS) as an alternative fine aggregate that can replace M-Sand. The purpose of this research is to examine the mechanical, micro-structural and durability properties of concrete and cement mortar made with MS as a fine aggregate in partial replacement of M-Sand from 20% to 100%. For better understanding the characteristics of MS and M-Sand, physical properties of MS and M-Sand, as well as the chemical properties of washed and unwashed marine sand are compared. The experimental tests for mechanical properties of compressive strength, elastic modulus, split tensile strength and flexural strength, durability properties of RCPT, sorptivity, acid resistance, alkali attack and water absorption are investigated for cement mortar and concrete. According to this result, 60% of MS meets the desired durability and strength properties. Furthermore, microstructural properties such as EDX and SEM analysis are also carried out to further verify that MS as an alternate fine aggregate.