Building regulations pose real
barriers to stakeholders and engineers who try to cut costs when it comes to
paying for materials, but buildings that collapse due to the use of poor quality materials are still a very prevalent
disaster today! Late last year saw the collapse of buildings due to just this
reason, like the
building collapse in Bengaluru in October 2016, in which three people died.
Reportedly, this collapse occurred
due to builders’ choice of using filter sand in its foundation and concrete
make-up for the simple reason that it was cheaper. Supplying river sand, or
other quality aggregates that are suitable for building with is not as
cost-effective, and incentivises engineers to try and cut corners that lead to
these disastrous results. So, why does filter sand circulate on the
construction market?
Filter sand is a product of earth
washing. Excavated earth is exposed to high pressure water washing, where the
denser bulk of earth sink
s down and the top layer is scooped up and used as the
much cheaper alternative to river sand in construction.
Using this sand in the concrete
mixing process can lead to the development of cracks in structures and
compromise its integrity and, ultimately, its lifespan – which makes it a real
hazard for the public. The excavation sites that these sands are unearthed from
are often also illegally excavated, posing dangers to the ecology, nearby
villages and also the lives of those involved in the process.
River sand is made up of a variety
of different particles, like rock, clay and silica and is not only clay-based
like filter sand. This is the main reason that it increases the integrity of
concrete blocks when used in its construction, whereas filter sand only
compromises its integrity.
Always make sure that you’re
dealing with trustworthy aggregate suppliers that trades in quality sand when
tackling a construction project – especially if you’re planning to create a
public space!
