quality building material supplier

How to make sure your plastering project is a success.

Posted on August 26, 2019July 30, 2022 by Sand Masters in Uncategorized

Sand for Plaster

Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. It provides the structure of plaster, and the quality of your sand can make the difference between success and failure. So, a good plaster sand should be sharp, with a diversity of particle sizes, and as clean as possible.

Quality of Sand:

The sand shall consist of natural sand, crushed stone sand or crushed gravel sand or a combination of any of these. The sand shall be hard, durable, clean and free from adherent coatings and organic matter and shall not contain clay, silt and dust more than a specified amount mentioned below.

Deleterious Materials: The sand shall not contain any harmful impurities, such as, iron pyrites, alkalies, salts, coal, mica, shale or similar laminated materials, soft fragments, sea shells and organic impurities in such quantities as to affect adversely the hardening, the strength, the durability of the appearance of the plaster or applies decoration, or to cause corrosion of metal lathing or other metal in contact with the plaster.

Limits of Deleterious Materials: Unless found satisfactory as a result of further tests as may be specified by the engineer or architect, or unless evidence of such performance is offered which is satisfactory to him, the maximum quantities of clay, fine silt, fine dust and organic impurities in the sand shall not exceed the following limits:

The average compressive strength, determined by the standard procedure detailed in Appendix A of IS 2250: 1981, of mortar cubes composed of one part of cement and six parts of sand conforming to gradation in Table 1 shall be not less than 3 N/mm2 at 28 days.

The amount of water for gauging shall be that required to give a flow between 110 to 115 with 25 drops in 15 seconds, as determined in IS 1727: 1967.

Grading of Sand

The particle size grading of sand for plaster work for internal as well as external walls and ceiling as analyzed by the method described in IS 2386(Part 1): 1973 shall be as specified in Table 1. Where the grading falls outside the limits of the grading zones of sieves other than 150, 300 and 600 micron IS Sieve by a total amount not exceeding 5 percent, it shall be regarded as falling within the grading.

Table 1-Grading of Sand for Internal Wall or External Wall or Ceiling Plaster (As per IS 1542: 1992):

NOTE – For crushed stone sands and crushed gravel sands, the permissible limit on 150 micron IS Sieve is increased to 20 percent. This does not affect the 5% allowance permitted.
The fineness modulus of sand shall be not less than 1.4 in case of crushed stone sands and crushed gravel sands and not less than 1.5 in case of naturally occurring sands.
The various sizes of particles of which the sand is composed shall be uniformly distributed throughout the mass.

The required grading may often be obtained by screening and/or by blending together either natural sands or crushed stone screenings, which are by themselves of unsuitable grading.

Sampling and Testing

Sampling: The method of sampling shall be in accordance with IS 2430: 1986. The amount of material required for each test shall be as specified in relevant parts of IS 2386 and as per the requirements of mentioned earlier (Quality of Sand).

Testing: Any test which the purchaser or his representative may require in connection with this standard shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of various clauses in the standard. Unless otherwise stated in the enquiry or order, duplicate tests shall be made to all cases and the results of both tests reported.

To view the specifications on other materials you can visit our wesbsite’s product listing here

Note: For more information refer to IS 1542: 1992.

Available at: http://www.iitk.ac.in/ce/test/Materials/99.html

The role of aggregates and sands in the construction industry.

Posted on August 23, 2019July 30, 2022 by Sand Masters in Uncategorized

The rapid growth of South Africa’s urban areas has put immense pressure on existing construction material resources, as there is increasing demand for land use for infrastructure, housing, recreation and industrial activity. The quality of aggregates is a critical component in determining the use and life of infrastructures. It is therefore important that the aggregates supplied are affordable, durable and secured for long term supply. The report focuses on the relationship between aggregate and sand sales and the impact on the construction industry.

Furthermore, the report establishes the link between Outcome Six of Government priority areas, which identifies infrastructure network as one of the key areas in unlocking the economic growth of the country. The infrastructure build programme had played a key role in South Afica’s sustained economic growth since the 2008/09 economic downturn, with R1-trillion spent on economic infrastructure. The report also seeks to avail relevant informationto decision makers when carrying out large magnitude infrastructure network projects as identified by the National Development Plan, focusing on measures that will contribute to South Africa’s economic transformation.

Aggregates are granular raw materials, including gravel, crushed stone and recycled concrete that are used in residential construction and commercial construction. Public funded infrastructure projects consume most aggregates, usually for use in road construction. Aggregates are vital to the construction industry which maintains and enhances the country’s built environment and transportation infrastructure. The quality of aggregates is a critical component in determining the use and life of infrastructures. It is therefore important that the aggregates supplied are affordable, durable and secured for long term supply.

The rapid growth of South Africa’s urban areas has put immense pressure on existing construction material resources as there is increasing demand for land use for infrastructure, housing, recreation and industrial building activity. The widespread use of aggregates result not only from its general availability and low value but also from the fundamental role they play in developing and sustaining modern society and economy. Traditionally, sources of aggregate were found close to their demand locality due to the high cost of transportation resulting in quarries located on the outskirts of cities and towns. However, in numerous instances, these deposits have been depleted and new sources further away had to be found resulting in greater transportation costs. Urban development itself has, in recent times been responsible for the rapid depletion of readily available deposits. Hard rock aggregate quarries are often located on the slopes of hills and mountains, usually resulting in the defacing of areas of natural scenic beauty. Growing environmental awareness increasingly influences the exploitation of such resources in localities of this nature.

Before any project of a large magnitude can be undertaken, especially those identified by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC), it is essential that an investigation of quality aggregate availabiltyis conducted. This will ensure thatdecision makers are aware of the position and spatial extent of potential construction and building materials during land-use planning.

South Africa has various types of rocks which are characterised as aggregates which are widely distributed in abundance in a variety of geological environments. Coarse aggregate are derived from a wide variety of parent bedrock materials. The three main groups of coarse aggregates are:

Igneous rocks – Andesite, basalt, dolerite, felsite, gabbro, granite, granodiorite, norite, rhyolite and syenite.

Metamorphic rocks – Granite-gneiss, granulite, hornfels, quartzite and slate.

Sedimentary rocks – Quartzite, sandstone, greywacke, shale and tillite.

A good concrete aggregate must be clean, chemically inert, and durable and roughly cubic in shape after crushing and of a size grade suitable to make concrete of desired physical qualities. Natural sand consists of loose grains which are commonly the result of the chemical weathering and/or physical breakdown of rocks. The range of particle sizes is dependent on the original texture of the source rock and the state and degree of weathering. Natural sands include alluvial/eluvial sands, aeolian/windblown sands and marine/beach sands. Sand accumulates in rivers, on beaches, as dunes and in valleys between mountains. Manufactured sand is produced by the mechanical crushing or milling of rock and gravel. Mine-dump sand being a waste product in the mining industry can also be classified as manufactured sand.

Most hard rock material used to produce coarse aggregate is sourced from open pit quarries and waste dumps. Quarrying usually requires drilling and blasting, after which the rock is extracted by means of bulldozers and draglines. The broken rock is transported to a processing facility for scalping, the process which involves the removing of unwanted materials, such as clay. The scalped material is then crushed to obtain the desired fragment size. The resulting material is then screened to obtain aggregates of the desired grade (Fig.1). In some instances, blending is done to meet customer’s specification. Natural sand is dug from the ground often using hydraulic excavators. The quality and final use of the sand usually determines the amount of processing necessary. The sand undergoes complementary processing including washing and scrubbing, primarily to make them cleaner before being stockpiled to go on to their end use. It is now a common practice to further beneficiate the aggregate into:

Ready-mix concrete

Asphalt

Bricks and paving material

To view uses for materials, you can visit our products listing here or you can contact us here

Compiled By: Refiloe Motsie – Refiloe.motsie@dmr.gov.za Eulendah Malematja – eulendah.malematja@dmr.gov.za Issued by and obtainable free of charge from The Director: Mineral Economics, Trevenna Campus, 70 Meintjies Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001, Private Bag X59, Arcadia 0001 Telephone (012) 444-3531, Telefax (012) 341-4134 Website: http://www.dmr.gov.za

Sand and Stone Suppliers

Posted on August 22, 2019July 30, 2022 by Sand Masters in Uncategorized

Why You Need Experienced Sand and Stone Suppliers in Gauteng

Choosing the right quality, size, and type of sand, stone, or aggregate is essential for the success of any construction project. It is therefore essential to order from sand and stone suppliers that can assist you in making the right choice when it comes to your particular material needs. To give you an idea of types of material required, let us consider their uses.

Road stone is used for road and asphalt construction projects. For these, you need good-quality material with the right grading and shape. If you need the material for concrete applications, you will want concrete aggregate that comprises various stone sizes, all within the required target grading range. You will also need crushed sand, which can be washed or unwashed, for the ready-mix projects. For road layering, you will require the sub-base materials for adequate support. Here too, various grades of sub-material are available. If it is for something like a railway ballast, you will need the larger-sized crushed stone to prevent erosion. This type of stone is also used for many architectural projects.

Just from the above, it becomes clear that you need to find aggregate, sand, and stone suppliers that can meet your particular raw-material needs. In addition, you want to make sure the suppliers understand your needs and have the know-how to provide guidance on which materials are suited for which types of projects. Apart from offering expertise and a range of products, such aggregate, sand, and stone suppliers should be within a reasonable distance of your Gauteng project to minimise the cost of delivery and ensure that the materials will be delivered on time.

It is thus understood that the suppliers must also have the right vehicles and equipment to ensure timely delivery of their products. Finally, not all sand and stone suppliers can offer affordable prices. Many also focus on the residential market and can thus only supply in smaller amounts. Talk to us if you want a supplier that can provide large orders at an affordable price.

We meet or exceed these requirements and should thus be high on your list when it comes to aggregate, sand, and stone suppliers in Gauteng. Our product range includes sub-base materials such as unselected filling and G1-G7 sub base, various sizes of concrete stone, super sand, unwashed or washed plaster sand, as well as washed or unwashed crushed sand.

Give us a call to discuss your sub-material, sand, and stone requirements for your particular construction project.

Aggregate materials, and their role in the manufacturing of concrete

Posted on August 21, 2019September 11, 2019 by Sand Masters in Uncategorized

Aggregates are inert granular materials such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone that, along with water and cement, are an essential ingredient in concrete.

For a good concrete mix, aggregates need to be clean, hard, strong particles free of absorbed chemicals or coatings of clay and other fine materials that could cause the deterioration of concrete.

Aggregates, which account for 60 to 75 percent of the total volume of concrete, are divided into two distinct categories–fine and coarse. Fine aggregates generally consist of natural sand or crushed stone with most particles passing through a 3/8-inch sieve. Coarse aggregates are any particles greater than 0.19 inch, but generally range between 3/8 and 1.5 inches in diameter. Gravels constitute the majority of coarse aggregate used in concrete with crushed stone making up most of the remainder.

Natural gravel and sand are usually dug or dredged from a pit, river, lake, or seabed. Crushed aggregate is produced by crushing quarry rock, boulders, cobbles, or large-size gravel. Recycled concrete is a viable source of aggregate and has been satisfactorily used in granular sub-bases, soil-cement, and in new concrete.

After harvesting, the aggregate is processed: crushed, screened, and washed to obtain proper cleanliness and gradation. If necessary, a benefaction process such as jigging or heavy media separation can be used to upgrade the quality. Once processed, the aggregates are handled and stored to minimize segregation and degradation and prevent contamination.

Aggregates strongly influence concrete’s freshly mixed and hardened properties, mixture proportions, and economy. Consequently, selection of aggregates is an important process. Although some variation in aggregate properties is expected, characteristics that are considered include:

grading
durability
particle shape and surface texture
abrasion and skid resistance
unit weights and voids
absorption and surface moisture

Grading refers to the determination of the particle-size distribution for aggregate. Grading limits and maximum aggregate size are specified because these properties affect the amount of aggregate used as well as cement and water requirements, workability, pumpability, and durability of concrete. In general, if the water-cement ratio is chosen correctly, a wide range in grading can be used without a major effect on strength. When gap-graded aggregate are specified, certain particle sizes of aggregate are omitted from the size continuum. Gap-graded aggregate are used to obtain uniform textures in exposed aggregate concrete. Close control of mix proportions is necessary to avoid segregation.

Shape and Size Matter

Particle shape and surface texture influence the properties of freshly mixed concrete more than the properties of hardened concrete. Rough-textured, angular, and elongated particles require more water to produce workable concrete than smooth, rounded compact aggregate. Consequently, the cement content must also be increased to maintain the water-cement ratio. Generally, flat and elongated particles are avoided or are limited to about 15 percent by weight of the total aggregate. Unit-weight measures the volume that graded aggregate and the voids between them will occupy in concrete.

The void content between particles affects the amount of cement paste required for the mix. Angular aggregates increase the void content. Larger sizes of well-graded aggregate and improved grading decrease the void content. Absorption and surface moisture of aggregate are measured when selecting aggregate because the internal structure of aggregate is made up of solid material and voids that may or may not contain water. The amount of water in the concrete mixture must be adjusted to include the moisture conditions of the aggregate.

Abrasion and skid resistance of an aggregate are essential when the aggregate is to be used in concrete constantly subject to abrasion as in heavy-duty floors or pavements. Different minerals in the aggregate wear and polish at different rates. Harder aggregate can be selected in highly abrasive conditions to minimize wear.

Aggregate Supplier

Posted on August 21, 2019July 30, 2022 by Sand Masters in Uncategorized

What to Look for in an Aggregate Supplier?

A construction project can only be successful if the right material is available in the required quantities and at the right time. It is crucial to have the material on site when needed. You need an aggregate supplier that can deliver the quantity of material required at the right time.

Late deliveries, inconsistent quality, and inaccurate amounts of material cause delays in the completion of projects. Whether it is for a residential building, large commercial structure, roadworks, mining operations, or an industrial plant, the supplier of the aggregate should treat every client as important and deliver on time. It goes without saying that a Gauteng supplier should be a reasonable distance away to avoid high transportation costs and assure timely delivery of aggregate. You want to pay as little as possible without having to compromise on quality. So, if you are located in Gauteng, it thus just makes sense to order from an aggregate supplier in the province.

The quality of the product is essential. Many building and construction projects have failed due to inferior materials. Sand and stone may not seem as important as the steel used, but when it comes to the raw materials required to construct anything from small to large projects, it is essential to stick to the best-quality materials. Compromise on the basics and you set the project up for failure. You thus want a supplier that has a reputation of excellence and is proud of the products they deliver.

Pricing is the next big hurdle. It is of no use getting the right amount of material at the required quality delivered to your doorstep on the right time if it means that the costs are too high for the particular project. It will force you to cut costs elsewhere in the project if the initial material cost is prohibitive. You need the perfect balance and for this, affordability of the product is essential, especially for bulk-material requirements.

Where to Find Such an Aggregate Supplier in Gauteng?

The above may seem like a tall order, but will it surprise you to learn there is such a firm in Gauteng? At Sand Masters, we have a proven track record of excellence in everything we do. This means that you get the quality of material you requested. It also means we deliver on time and at affordable prices. If your project is in Gauteng, you can rest assured that we have you covered when it comes to the raw materials of sand, stone, concrete stone, and sub-base filling.