Silica or Carbonate Sand?
Silica or Carbonate Sand?
(OP)
Our QA/QC department (we are the PMC) have questions over the sand being used by the contractor as replacement sand in the sand replacement test as outlined by BS1377-9 Sect 2.1
The BS requires the replacement sand be clean, closely graded silica sand, provides a consistent bulk density and within a certain PSD corridor. I can test the material for all of the above without any issue, my question pertains to proving that the material is silica sand.
In my personal opinion the material is clearly a silica sand being quartz derived and is certainly not a carbonate sand however i am required by the QA/QC dept to prove that.
Is there a standard classification test to decide the composition? Could i do a carbonate content test, but where could i find a definition of what carbonate content values clearly demonstrate it is a silica sand, zero?
Assistance greatly appreciated as ever.
Chris
The BS requires the replacement sand be clean, closely graded silica sand, provides a consistent bulk density and within a certain PSD corridor. I can test the material for all of the above without any issue, my question pertains to proving that the material is silica sand.
In my personal opinion the material is clearly a silica sand being quartz derived and is certainly not a carbonate sand however i am required by the QA/QC dept to prove that.
Is there a standard classification test to decide the composition? Could i do a carbonate content test, but where could i find a definition of what carbonate content values clearly demonstrate it is a silica sand, zero?
Assistance greatly appreciated as ever.
Chris





RE: Silica or Carbonate Sand?
RE: Silica or Carbonate Sand?
RE: Silica or Carbonate Sand?
RE: Silica or Carbonate Sand?
This is a basic chemical reaction that doesn't require a procedure or standard for a qualitative test. If you wanted quantification, then a standard would be appropriate.
Perhaps you can argue that with QA/QC
RE: Silica or Carbonate Sand?
However should common sense fail to prevail i would be interested in any ASTM or AASHTO etc standards i might be able to call upon??
Cheers