Which is better crush sand or river sand?

Both crushed sand and river sand have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice between them should be made based on the project requirements. For instance, in terms of texture, river sand is often better, as it is naturally smooth. However, crushed sand has a more consistent particle size that can be controlled by the manufacturer.

What is crushed sand used for?

Crushed sand is primarily used in the construction industry. It is a key component of concrete, mortar, and asphalt. It can also be used for making masonry blocks and other construction materials.

Is crushed sand good for plastering?

Crushed sand can be used for plastering, but it's important to ensure that it is washed and free from harmful impurities. The consistency and texture of crushed sand can make it a suitable option for plastering.

What crushed sand means?

Crushed sand, also known as manufactured sand, is a type of sand that is produced by crushing hard stones like granite and basalt at stone quarries. It is a substitute for river sand for construction work. It is produced in controlled conditions, resulting in a product that has a consistent size and quality.

Which sand is best for building?

Both river sand and crushed sand can be good options for building, depending on the specific requirements of the project. River sand has been a traditional choice due to its smooth texture and natural composition. However, due to environmental concerns and regulatory restrictions on river sand mining, crushed sand has become a popular alternative, as it provides consistency and is readily available.

Why river sand is not used for construction?

River sand is often not used for construction because of environmental restrictions and the impact of excessive river sand mining on the ecosystem. Moreover, the quality and composition of river sand can vary widely, and it may contain impurities.

What is the rate of crushed sand in India?

The rate of crushed sand in India varies depending on the quality and supply-demand scenario. As of the last update, the average price could range between INR 35 to INR 75 per cubic feet. However, it is always recommended to check the current market rates.

Can we use crushed sand in concrete?

Yes, crushed sand can be used in concrete. In fact, in many construction projects, crushed sand is preferred over river sand due to its consistent size and quality. It offers better workability for the concrete mix.

Can we use crushed sand for all types concrete?

Crushed sand can be used for various types of concrete. However, it's important to ensure that the sand is well graded and free of harmful impurities. The performance of concrete depends on the properties of all its ingredients, so quality control is key.

Crushed Sand vs River Sand ? The Better Choice, read to learn more

Crushed Sand vs River Sand

The long-lasting confusion behind crushed sand and river sand. What to choose for my home? Why does river sand cost more? Will crushed sand affect my construction life? How to tell the difference between river sand and crushed sand?

Don't worry; we hope to clear all the confusion and help you make the right choice to build your home.

Before we begin, you must understand why we need to add sand in making Concrete cement mortar and how it affects the different stages of the building process.

Concrete is a heterogeneous mixture consisting of cement, sand, water and aggregate. There are multiple variations and grades of Concrete, all of which depend on the raw materials used in the mixture.

The significant component in an RCC construction is Concrete, they help you build columns, slabs and beams.

Another critical use case of sand is in forming plaster mortar. It is used in plastering walls and joining bricks. As you can see, sand is needed in 70% of the construction of your home.

How do we decide when our contractor springs us the question, to choose between river sand or crushed sand?

Availability: In many parts of our country, it is illegal to procure river sand for construction. The govt. has laid strict rules against them, and you can be fined for choosing river sand. In contrast, crushed sand is readily available without putting you at risk with the lawmakers.
Cost: Simple rule of demand and supply makes river sand more expensive than crushed sand. Many still prefer making their homes with river sand where procurement is not the issue. However, river sand being organic is not an ideal construction material of choice.
Performance: Crushed sand is made from the debris of construction waste and sieved to 4mm, perfect for application with cement. Since it is a mechanical process, the quality remains consistent. There are many more performance benefits of crushed sand which you will learn as we read along.

Availability, Cost and Performance are crucial aspects in determining the effectiveness of building material.

Let us now learn how the choice of River sand or Crushed sand affects the overall strength and lifecycle of the project.

Crushed sand is made by mechanically crushing basalt, granites or other stones. The sieve is fixed, which allows the entire batch to be uniform. They also had lower chances of adulteration as proper methods of production is incorporated.

River sand, on the other hand, is organic. The particles are non-uniform and often mixed with organic debris, which undermines cement's bonding properties.

Many articles discuss compressive strength, fractural strength, specific gravity, and sieve sizes in a lot more detail. Unless you are a civil engineer and love to know the details. The baseline is mechanically produced sand is of higher quality and stands a better chance in performance against river sand.

River sands mining undermine our environment drastically. In 2021 who chose to build their homes with eco-friendly design choices should strongly consider M-sand or crushed sand.

Some basic differences between Crushed sand and River Sand

	Crushed Sand	River Sand
Water Absorption	2 to 4%	1.5 to 3%
Adulteration	Less Probability	More Probability
Application	Better for RCC	Better for Plaster
Environment	Friendly	Harmful
Compressive Strength	Higher	Lower
Silt Content	Nil	Needs additional washing
Wastage	No Waste	Needs additional sieve
Source	Quarry	River Bed