Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana

The type of sand used in the production of sandcrete blocks greatly influences their strength and durability, which are essential building material qualities in Ghana's construction industry. This study examines how the structural integrity of sandcrete blocks is affected by three different ty...

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Main Authors: Wahab Adamu, Acquah Edward, Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel, Alfred Osei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Amar Telidji of Laghouat 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Building Materials and Structures
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Online Access:http://journals.lagh-univ.dz/index.php/jbms/article/view/4172
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author Wahab Adamu
Acquah Edward
Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel
Alfred Osei
author_facet Wahab Adamu
Acquah Edward
Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel
Alfred Osei
author_sort Wahab Adamu
collection DOAJ
description The type of sand used in the production of sandcrete blocks greatly influences their strength and durability, which are essential building material qualities in Ghana's construction industry. This study examines how the structural integrity of sandcrete blocks is affected by three different types of sand: pit, river, and sea sand. The mechanical, chemical, and physical characteristics of locally sourced materials were examined in accordance with ASTM guidelines. To create 126 specimens for the experiment, a mixed design with a 1:6, cement-to-fine aggregate ratio and a constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 was employed. According to the results, pit sand blocks were the best option for load-bearing structures because they had the highest compressive strength (8.56 N/mm²) and tensile strength (1.69 N/mm²), the lowest abrasion resistance (0.62%), and the water absorption rate (8.02%). On the other hand, blocks made of river sand performed moderately well, exhibiting abrasion resistance of 1.46%, tensile strength of 0.92 N/mm2, and compressive strength of 3.26 N/mm². However, questions about long-term durability are raised by their higher water absorption rate (13.11%). Sea sand-based blocks were the weakest, with a compressive strength of 2.87 N/mm2, a tensile strength of 0.87 N/mm2, abrasion resistance of 1.97%, and the highest water absorption rate (13.42%),  The main cause of this weakness is the high levels of sulphate (4.01%) and chloride (4.57%) in sea sand, which jeopardise structural stability. Significant differences between the three types of sand-based blocks were confirmed by statistical analysis using Tukey's HSD test and one-way ANOVA. These results highlight how important strict quality control is when making sandcrete blocks. To improve construction safety and durability, the study suggests giving river and sea sand priority by properly treating them to improve their qualities. This study contributes to the long-term integrity of buildings in Ghana by highlighting the crucial significance of sand selection and offering insightful advice to legislators and construction experts.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2353-0057
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spelling doaj-art-e73d4c873e0c4a8db813686142a15a6e2025-08-20T03:50:15ZengUniversity Amar Telidji of LaghouatJournal of Building Materials and Structures2353-00572025-06-0112110.34118/jbms.v12i1.4172Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in GhanaWahab Adamu 0Acquah Edward 1Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel 2Alfred Osei 3Applied Technology Department, Enyan Denkyira Senior High Technical School, Enyan Denkyira, Central Region, Ghana Department of ATVET, Komenda College of Education. Komenda, Central Region, Ghana.Department of Construction Technology and Management Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi Campus, Ashanti Region, Ghana.Department of Construction Technology and Management Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi Campus, Ashanti Region, Ghana. The type of sand used in the production of sandcrete blocks greatly influences their strength and durability, which are essential building material qualities in Ghana's construction industry. This study examines how the structural integrity of sandcrete blocks is affected by three different types of sand: pit, river, and sea sand. The mechanical, chemical, and physical characteristics of locally sourced materials were examined in accordance with ASTM guidelines. To create 126 specimens for the experiment, a mixed design with a 1:6, cement-to-fine aggregate ratio and a constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 was employed. According to the results, pit sand blocks were the best option for load-bearing structures because they had the highest compressive strength (8.56 N/mm²) and tensile strength (1.69 N/mm²), the lowest abrasion resistance (0.62%), and the water absorption rate (8.02%). On the other hand, blocks made of river sand performed moderately well, exhibiting abrasion resistance of 1.46%, tensile strength of 0.92 N/mm2, and compressive strength of 3.26 N/mm². However, questions about long-term durability are raised by their higher water absorption rate (13.11%). Sea sand-based blocks were the weakest, with a compressive strength of 2.87 N/mm2, a tensile strength of 0.87 N/mm2, abrasion resistance of 1.97%, and the highest water absorption rate (13.42%),  The main cause of this weakness is the high levels of sulphate (4.01%) and chloride (4.57%) in sea sand, which jeopardise structural stability. Significant differences between the three types of sand-based blocks were confirmed by statistical analysis using Tukey's HSD test and one-way ANOVA. These results highlight how important strict quality control is when making sandcrete blocks. To improve construction safety and durability, the study suggests giving river and sea sand priority by properly treating them to improve their qualities. This study contributes to the long-term integrity of buildings in Ghana by highlighting the crucial significance of sand selection and offering insightful advice to legislators and construction experts. http://journals.lagh-univ.dz/index.php/jbms/article/view/4172Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)Pit Sand (PS)River Sand (RS)Sea Sand (SS)Sandcrete Blocks
spellingShingle Wahab Adamu
Acquah Edward
Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel
Alfred Osei
Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
Journal of Building Materials and Structures
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Pit Sand (PS)
River Sand (RS)
Sea Sand (SS)
Sandcrete Blocks
title Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
title_full Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
title_fullStr Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
title_short Evaluating the Effect of Different Sand Types on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of Sandcrete Blocks in Ghana
title_sort evaluating the effect of different sand types on the physical mechanical and durability properties of sandcrete blocks in ghana
topic Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Pit Sand (PS)
River Sand (RS)
Sea Sand (SS)
Sandcrete Blocks
url http://journals.lagh-univ.dz/index.php/jbms/article/view/4172
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AT acquahedward evaluatingtheeffectofdifferentsandtypesonthephysicalmechanicalanddurabilitypropertiesofsandcreteblocksinghana
AT appiahkubiemmanuel evaluatingtheeffectofdifferentsandtypesonthephysicalmechanicalanddurabilitypropertiesofsandcreteblocksinghana
AT alfredosei evaluatingtheeffectofdifferentsandtypesonthephysicalmechanicalanddurabilitypropertiesofsandcreteblocksinghana