Prospects of Replacing Natural Sand with Crushed Rock Fines in the Composition of Fine-Grained Concrete

Abstract

The expediency of replacing natural quartz Sands, whose reserves are gradually exhausted, by rock screenings as part of fine-grained concretes is shown. In particular, the characteristics of granite and quartzite crushing screenings in comparison with quartz river sand are presented, as well as the results of studying the strength and abrasion of the fine-grained concrete obtained. To exclude the effect of the grain composition on the properties of concrete, aggregate samples were pre-fractionated, and the conditions for producing concrete (cement consumption, water-cement ratio, concrete mix mobility) were the same. It was found that quartz sand having rounded grains with a relatively smooth surface promotes the formation of dense particle packing and increases the strength of fine-grained concrete by 9-14%, but at the same time reduces the abrasion of similar standard samples by 20-30% compared to screenings crushing of granite and quartzite. The maximum abrasion resistance showed concrete containing quartzite screening. Quartzite – metamorphic (metasomatic) dense rock crushing which produces angular particles with a rough surface. The absence of dense packaging reduces the compressive strength of concrete samples containing quartzite aggregate compared to quartz sand. At abrasion of similar samples in a thin layer the resistance to sliding of filler particles one relative to another increases. Therefore, when choosing crushed rock fines instead of natural quartz Sands, it is important to consider the purpose of the designed fine-grained concrete.