Types and Characteristics of Good Sand for Building Houses
To build a good house requires many good building materials as well. Each material needs to be considered for its quality, starting from sand, bricks, cement, and so on. Good sand for building a house is sand that, when squeezed and released, easily breaks apart and scatters. If the sand clumps together, it means the clay content is still quite high and needs to be cleaned of clay if it is to be used.
Types of Sand
There are many types of sand available in the market. Each type of sand has different properties and uses for construction. Here are some types of sand that exist.
Mundu Sand
Mundu sand is the most commonly found type of sand in the market. Its low price and abundant availability make this sand often used for building houses. The texture of mundu sand is harder and coarser compared to other types of sand. This sand is usually used for laying bricks and plastering.
Concrete Sand
Concrete sand is sand that is often used for casting concrete. This sand is black, easily breaks apart, and scatters. Its texture is very fine, making it often used for plastering.
Belitung Brown Sand
Belitung brown sand has a fine texture, so it does not need to be sieved before use. The price of this sand is also quite affordable.
Filling Sand
This type of sand is more varied and tends to have a coarse texture. Filling sand usually consists of leftover sieved sand, suction sand, washed sand, and similar types. This sand is used to distribute the load on the ground surface.
Installation Sand
Installation sand has a fine texture. However, this sand will clump when squeezed. Unlike concrete sand, which spreads and breaks apart more easily. This installation sand is also used for plastering, mixed with cement for brick adhesive, and making foundations.
Rangkas White Sand
This sand has a soft texture and is gray in color. However, you need to sieve it first if you want to use it.
Bangka White Sand
This sand is white and has a fine texture. Therefore, you do not need to sieve it. You can use it directly for plastering.
Lampung White Sand
Lampung white sand is more affordable compared to Bangka white sand. The quality of this sand is good and has a fine texture. This sand is not completely white like Bangka white sand. Sometimes it has a slightly yellowish and brownish tint.
Plaster Sand
This type of sand has a very fine texture, but it still needs to be sieved before being used for plastering.
Characteristics of Good Sand
There are several characteristics of good sand according to SNI standards. What are they?
- Sand has a hardness index below 2.2. Its grains are sharp and hard.
- Sand does not easily break apart. When tested with Sodium Sulfate, the broken part is a maximum of 12%. When tested with Magnesium Sulfate, the broken part is a maximum of 10%.
- Sand does not contain more than 5% clay. You can wash it first if the clay content in the sand is more than 5%.
- Sand does not contain too many organic materials.
- The sand grains must be diverse.
- Sand has a negative reaction to alkali groups so that when used to make concrete, it becomes durable.
- Sea sand should not be used for concrete mixtures unless it has been recommended by government agencies.
- For plastering, it is better to use installation sand.
It turns out that choosing sand is not an easy matter, right? You need to know the types and characteristics of good sand so that the building remains durable.
Author: Iskael
