Analysis of the Aggregate Effect on the Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Dune Sand

Abstract

In this study, the compressive strengths of concrete were investigated based on water content and aggregate volume fractions, comprising dune sand (DS), crushed sand (CS), and coarse aggregate (CA), for different ages. Experimental data were used to analyze the effects of the volume fraction changes of aggregates on the compressive strength. The compressive strength of concrete increases until the volumetric DS to fine aggregate (FA) ratio (DS/FA ratio) reaches 20%, after which it decreases. The relationship between changes in compressive strength and aggregate volume fractions was analyzed considering the effect factor of each aggregate on the compressive strength and at 2 conditions: (1) 0 < DS < CS < CA and (2) 0 < CA < CS < DS. For condition (1), when the effect factor of CA = 1, those of DS and CS were within 0.04–0.83 and 0.72–0.92, respectively, for all mixtures. For condition (2), when the effect factor of DS = 1, those of CS and CA were within 0.68–0.80 and 0.02–0.79, respectively.