Utilization of Waste Foundry Sand as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate for Low Cost Concrete

Abstract

Present experimental work describes the utilization of foundry sand, a waste material, which is easily available. It is a by-product which is produced in metal casting industries at the time of casting. It causes environmental problems (like water quality impurities) because of its improper disposal. Continuous technological and industrial developments are taking place and also the rate of generated waste products are increasing. In construction industries demand of construction materials are never come down and that is why there is need to focus on alternative construction materials. If waste material like foundry sand is used as construction material, it can help to reduce the amount of disposal material. Foundry sand consists primarily of silica sand, coated with a thin film of burnt carbon, residual binder (sea coal, resins) and dust. It can be used as a partial replacement of fine aggregate. In this investigation, fine aggregate has been replaced by foundry sand accordingly in the range of (10-60% at the interval of 10%). Concrete mixes were cost and tested for workability and compressive strength. It was observed that at 10% replacement of fine aggregate by foundry sand compressive strength was increased. Also, up to 20% replacement of fine aggregate by foundry sand strength is comparable to referral concrete.