What is M-Sand & River Sand | M sand vs River sand, hi guys in this article we know about what is M sand? M sand full form, M sand Unit Weight and M sand vs river sand and also know about M sand weight per cft and per m3.
Do you know what is M sand? it is artificial and manufactured sand by crushing of granite stone in Crusher mill, it has fine particles used for construction line in various work like plastering of brick wall, brick work masonry, cement mortar,concrete formation, roof slab casting and formation of column, beam, footing and slab.
What is M sand full form? Generally M sand full form is manufactured sand, artificial sand or human-made. It is partial replacement of river sand in today construction line.
Do you know what is River sand? River sand is found in river basin, beach & desert areas naturally, the sand which are collected naturally from riverbed and basin for various purpose in construction line are known as the river sand.
Density of M sand is slightly higher than river sand. Density of river sand is 1710 kg/m3,its means weight of 1 cubic metre river sand is 1710 kg, so Unit Weight of river sand is 1770 kg.
Density of M sand is 1750 kg/m3, it means weight of 1 cubic metre M sand is 1750 kg/m3, so Unit Weight of M sand is 1750 kg.
Weight of river and M sand calculated in terms of m3 (cubic metre) & CFT (cubic feet).
Sand is one of the important ingredients at making concrete mortar & plaster, etc.
Earth scientists and organizations are now promoting the use of M-Sand(Manufactured Sand).
What is M sand and river sand?
When M sand & River sand is mixed with cement by adding water it makes cement mortar, which is used for plastering and brick work masonry. And when M sand and river sand is mixed with cement and coarse aggregate by adding water it makes cement concrete used for different types of RCC and RCC work.
What is M sand?
Do you know what is M sand? Generally M sand is artificial and manufactured sand, it is produced by crushing of quarry and granite rocks stones in crusher mill to obtained desired sizes.
To obtained the required sizes, these hard granite rock deposits are crushed, and this material is segregated in different fractions to suit different construction sites.
The chemical characteristics and strength of M-Sand(Manufactured Sand) are similar to river sand. M-Sand(Manufactured Sand) as a silt content of around 0.2 percent and water absorption of 1.6 percent, as compared to 0.45 percent and 1.15 percent respectively in river sand. this sand alternative of river sand/natural sand.
M sand weight per m3
Generally M sand density is 1750 kg/m3, it means 1750 kg of M sand occupy 1 cubic meter space, so M sand weight per m3 is 1750 kg.
M sand weight per CFT
Generally M sand density is 1750 kg/m3, 1m3 = 35.3147 cft, M sand weight per CFT = 1750/35.3147 = 49.5 kg, so weight of M sand per CFT is 49.5 kg.
Can we use M Sand for plastering?
The shape of M sand or Crushed sand is angular, flakky and cubical and has a rough texture and hence, better for concrete and RCC work.
M sand has no rounded and a smooth face so it is not suitable for plastering work. Beside this river sand have rounded and smooth face so it is highly recommended for plastering work.
What is River sand?
Do you know what is River sand? River sand is found in river basin, beach & desert areas naturally, the sand which are collected naturally from riverbed and basin for various purpose in construction line are known as the river sand.
River sand are formed by weathering and disintegration of various types of rocks slowly like granite rocks, besalt rock, igneous rocks, sedimentary and Metamorphic rock. Generally river sand is mixture of Metamorphic, sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks.
It is naturally available and extracted from the river beds or riverbank. Naturally, river sand easy available in the market, this sand larges use in construction.
The shape of Crushed sand is angular and cubical and has a rough texture and hence, better for concrete. River sand use of the construction industry is growing with major trust in infrastructure, and the demand for sand is also increasing.
This overuse of river sand for construction has many social consequences and undesirable environmental. This Sand is used as fine aggregate in mortar concreter, and Natural river sand is this most preferred choice as a fine aggregate material.
This Sand is becoming a scarce commodity now. This sand is far superior for construction purposes than any other sand used in construction.
When M sand & River sand is mixed with cement by adding water it makes cement mortar, which is used for plastering and brick work masonry. And when M sand and river sand is mixed with cement and coarse aggregate by adding water it makes cement concrete used for different types of RCC and RCC work.
M sand manufacturing process
M-Sand is manufactured in a three-stage process: 1) Crushing, 2) Screening and 3) Washing.
● 1) Crushing:- Quarry and granite igneous Rocks stones are crushed at jaw crushers, cone crushers, and vertical shaft impact crushers, respectively leading into the formation of angular and cubical fine aggregate particles.
● 2) Screening:- Screening ensures this material is properly graded that’s similar to river sand.
● 3) Washing: Washing removes all the micro-fine particles from M sand. Also, fine aggregates for concrete and plaster sand are also formed.
Let us now discuss difference between M sand and River sand (M sand vs River sand).
M sand vs River sand
Now what is difference between M sand and and River sand, discuss about M sand vs River sand.
● 1) M-Sand manufactured in a factory but river sand isnaturally available on river banks.
● 2) The source of M sand or Crushed sand is a quarry. It is manufactured by quarry of granite stones, Crushing rocks, or larger aggregate pieces into sand size particles in a factory or quarry.
But river sand is naturally available and extracted from the riverbanks or river beds.
● 3) The shape of M sand or Crushed sand is angular and cubical and has a rough texture and hence, better for concrete.
But the shape of natural sand is rounded and has a smooth surface and best for all civil construction work
● 4) M sand have no moisture content in it
But River sand have moisture is generally present between the particles of sand. Hence, it affects the assumptions of concrete mix design and quality of concrete.
● 5) M sand is highly recommended for RCC work
But river sand used for all types of civil construction work & purposes and brick/block works, plastering. So River sand is recommended for RCC, plastering and brick/blockwork.
● 6) Particle passing 75 microns: Up to 15% (IS: 383-1970) for m sand
But Particle passing 75 microns: Up to 3% (IS: 383-1970) for river sand
● 7) M-sand specific gravity is approximate 2.73 (Depend on parent rock.)
But River sand specific gravity is approximate 2.65 (Depend on rocks in the catchment area.)
● 8) M-sand dry density is 1.75 kg/m3 but Naturally Sand dry density of 1.44 kg/m3
● 9) M-sand is manufactured to conform to zone II. But river sand mostly conforms to zone II and zone III
● 10) M sand have less adulteration.
But River sand is a high probability of adulteration because of acute shortage. Natural sand adulteration with saline sea sand is common in coastal areas.
● 11) M-sand less damage to the environment as compared to natural sand. Extensively use of river sand is harmful to the environment,It reduces the groundwater level and rivers water gets dried up.
● 12) M sand price Near About Rs 800/Ton River sand price Near About Rs 500/Ton
M Sand Advantages and Disadvantages
● 1) Advantages of M-sand:- The major advantage of manufactured sand is that it is highly cohesive and strong compressive in strength.
It has lesser impurities, which help in producing better quality concrete. Moreover, the controlled gradation of Zone-II is possible, suitable for concrete.
In some case studies, it was found that concrete produced by using manufactured sand obtained 6-9 %(percent) higher compressive strength and 12-15 %(percent) higher flexural strength compared to river sand of the same grade.
A nearly 30 %(percent) increase in masonry strength is obtained with the use of manufactured sand. It requires a lower water-cement ratio if the mortar is mixed with manufactured sand, which also results in better characteristics in the hardened state.
Manufacturing sand also eliminates the environmental impact that occurred due to the lifting of natural sand from the river bed.
● 2) Disadvantages of M-sand (M Sand Disadvantages):- Improper crushing of manufacturing sand may lead to angular and flaky particles that are not suitable for concrete production, both technically and economically.
Also, an adequate set up of crusher may not be available in some parts of the county like West Bengal, as it costs higher than river sand.
For high-grade pumpable concrete in high-rise buildings, the requirement of cement is higher than the river sand, which may not be cost-effective.
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