Potential Use of River Sand in The Production of Artificial Coarse Aggregate Through Cold Bonded Granulation Technique

Abstract

The potential of sand as a primary material for coarse aggregate production has led to the development of Sand Artificial Coarse Aggregate (SACA), offering a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates. Utilizing locally available river sand, this approach enhances resource efficiency while mitigating environmental degradation from traditional quarrying practices. SACA is produced using a cold bonded granulation technique, which minimizes energy use and supports sustainable construction methods. This study explores the production and characterization of SACA with varying cement-to-sand ratios. Key properties, including density, water absorption, and compressive strength, were analysed for both SACA and concrete made with SACA. Among the samples, SACA E, with the highest cement content (35%), demonstrated the best performance, achieving a density of 1020 kg/m³, water absorption of 5.5%, and a compressive strength of 52.2 MPa under cube compression testing. Concrete incorporating SACA E exhibited structural integrity compliant with construction standards. These findings affirm the viability of SACA, particularly SACA E, as a substitute for traditional coarse aggregates, advancing sustainable construction practices.