Using the Edirne-Meriç river sand in concrete production

Aggregates can be highlighted as important components that make up the skeleton of concrete. Moreover, aggregates directly affect the concrete quality. In this study, the effect of sand used as fine aggregate in concrete production on the compressive strength of concrete, depending on the supply source of the sand, has been extensively investigated. In the experimental study, Meric river sand in Edirne and natural sands derived from 3 different field quarries were used in concrete designs. Cement dosage has been used as 350 kg/m3 in concrete designs. In all concrete designs using 4 different natural sands, the water/cement ratio values used were 0,54 and 0,58. Slump tests were carried out on the fresh concrete produced. Compressive strength and flexural strength tests were performed on hardened concrete samples. In the experimental studies, total of 56 cube samples of 15 cm in size and 24 beam samples (10x10x50 cm) were produced. 7 and 28 day compressive strength tests were carried out on 48 cube samples. 28-day flexural strength tests were carried out on beam specimens. 28-day dry unit weight of 8 cube samples with size of 15 cm was determined. In addition, ultrasonic wave transition times of 24 cube samples of 28-day were measured. As a result of all experimental studies, it was observed that there were no significant differences between compressive strength and flexural strength values in concretes using Edirne-Meric river sand and natural sand aggregates obtained from field quarries. When the studies were evaluated, it was concluded that Edirne-Meriç river sand is suitable to be used in concrete production.