What would happen if you use unwashed "dune like" sand to make Concrete for a footing of a 1' high wall.

Question

My buddy is going to use the Dune like sand that he excavates from the footing to mix his concrete. How well will this work? He is going to build a 1 foot high ( two course) wall.

Answer 1

if the sand is really dirty then I would not recommend using it, dirt makes portland cement not work as well. If it looks clean(dirt free) then it should be fine, but if it is dirty, then your buddy will have cracking or breaking problems in his foot high wall

Answer 2

dune sand would be fine for a fine aggravate but for a strong footer mix you also need a larger aggregate the Portland binds the concrete together but the aggregate gives it strength and prevents it from shrinking and cracking a good footer mix is 1part Portland 3 parts sand and 5 parts gravel although some people use a 1-2-4 mix the most critical part of the mix is not to use too much water the stiffer the mix the better. if you want to make mortar leave out the gravel but you have to add lime to the mix.

Answer 3

Absolutely NOT. You need aggrigate in there, crushed stone. Rock is what gives footers the strength. Sand makes like a mortar and will crack. Aggrigate, about 3/4 inch crushed stone plus sand is a good mix. You will use about 1/2 the portland cement in a mix of aggrigate +sand than you would for sand alone.

Why not use crushed stone in there too plus his sand on a formula basis, its so cheap per ton too. Biggest cost is the delivery, so go pick it up yourself.

Answer 4

12,375 give or take lxhxwxweight 25' x 5' x .66'(8 inches is 2/3 of a foot) x 150 per cubic

Answer 5

yea, that type of sand will be fine. The sand only adds consistency (paste) to the concrete. The portland cement is what makes it strong. If it is going to be mortor then don't add rock, if its going to be used for structual, then add some aggragate.

Answer 6

G mon took the words out of my mouth