Experimental Investigation of Waste Foundry Sand on Strength Properties of Plain Concrete and Comparison with Partial Replacement of Cement with Metakaolin Binary Blended Concrete

Abstract

An acute shortage of river sand which is generally used as a fine aggregate in concrete has been affecting the construction sector. The scarcity has led to the skyrocketing price of sand, escalating construction costs. The situation has dashed the dreams of many in the lower- and middleincome groups to own a house. There were studies about the depletion of river sand and the need for scientific management and exploitation of the available resource. Following the shortage of river sand, some research institutions are searching alternatives that can be used for construction.Ferrous and non ferrous metal casting industries produce several million tons of byproduct in the world. In India, approximately 2 million tons of waste foundry sand is produced yearly. WFS is a major byproduct of metal casting industry and successfully used as a land filling material for many years. In an effort to use the WFS in large volume, research is being carried out for its possible large scale utilization in making concrete as partial replacement of fine aggregate. Foundry sand consists primarily of silica sand, coated with a thin film of burnt carbon, residual binder (bentonite, sea coal, resins) and dust. Foundry sand can be used in concrete to improve its strength and other durability

factors. Foundry Sand can be used as a partial replacement of fine aggregates or total replacement of fine aggregate and as supplementary addition to achieve different properties of concrete.This experimental investigation was performed to evaluate the strength properties of concrete mixtures, in which river sand was partially replaced with Waste Foundry Sand by weight. Compression test was carried out at the age of 28 days of curing. Split tensile test was performed at the age of 28 days. Flexural strength was tested at 28 days of curing. Test results indicate an increase in compressive strength of plain concrete by inclusion of WFS as a partial replacement of fine aggregate. The maximum strength was achieved at 40% replacement, after which there was loss in compressive strength, split tensile strength and Flexural strength decreased.

The results indicate in concrete. However, the partial replacement should not exceed 40% in plain concrete.