Pertinence of alternative fine aggregates for concrete and mortar: a brief review on river sand substitutions

ABSTRACT Construction industries around the world are facing many difficulties in obtaining good-quality fine aggregates for concrete and mortar due to a shortage of river sand. This problem leads the researchers to find possible alternatives to replace river sand in construction. A brief review has been carried out to identify the alternatives suggested by researchers, merits and demerits of substitutions, availability of standards, and previous studies on the effects of replacing river sand with alternatives in concrete and mortar. Manufactured sand (M Sand), offshore sand, sea sand, quarry dust, and demolition waste have been identified as the most common substitutions for river sand. M Sand and quarry dust have more angularity, rougher surface, higher total specific surface, and lower presence of deleterious substances than river sand, offshore sand, and sea sand. These characteristics played a vital role in the fresh, hardened, and durability performance of cement-based mixes where studies revealed both positive and negative outcomes when comparing with river sand concrete and mortar. Intensely, the strengths of cement-based mixes were improved with angular and rough particles while the workability was declined. The void content and specific surface of alternatives manifested pivotal effects on water absorption of concrete and mortar.