The importance of sand for the construction industry
The importance of sand for construction
On the surface, sand may not seem like a critical substance when it comes to building. However, it is an important material for many aspects of construction. Buildings require many tasks to be performed to complete the job. In turn, these tasks have equipment and other materials for their construction. And as we will see, the sand is an important part of these aspects; In more ways than one.
Sand in building materials
Building materials of many kinds could not be made without the use of sand. In fact, the sand is used both in solid Y liquid form to create multiple building materials. Let’s look at some of these briefly.
In liquid form, sand is one of the ingredients of glass. Also, glass is widely used in construction as a building material. Windows and other building surfaces of all kinds are made of this transparent material. So, in a very “clear” sense, sand is important for the proper view of building construction.
However, as a solid, sand is not only a versatile material, it is also important in various aspects for the construction industry. In fact, there are materials that are made almost entirely of sand. Sandstone and quartzite are two natural stone materials that are made entirely of sand. The construction industry uses sandstone and quartzite in many ways. And while other types of stone could be used if sand wasn’t available, there are other ways sand is used as an ingredient.
Sand is also an ingredient in other materials. For example, sand is an ingredient in the granular soil type. This type of soil is desirable because it offers good drainage which is important for various types of vegetation and grasses.
Sand also enhances the material as an ingredient by adding bulk and strength to substances used for materials in the construction industry.
Sand adds strength and volume to other materials. When sand is included in certain mixes, it increases the volume of the finished product and makes it stronger. Some mixes used in the construction industry that incorporate sand include:
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Asphalt
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Mortar
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Concrete
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Using sand with construction tools
The construction industry strives for important tools that allow for very specific tasks. There are some construction tools that make use of sand during their operation.
An example of a power tool that relies on sand is an abrasive gun. Used for various tasks in the construction industry, sandblasters play an important role in preparing various surfaces. And while other abrasives are also used, grit remains one of the staples for abrasive blasting.
Sandpaper is also a product used in construction projects. Whether sanding by hand or with a power sanding tool, the paper used will have grit.
Base material includes sand
Many structures included in commercial, residential, and civil architectural projects require a base material to be placed prior to the structure itself.
Elements such as driveways, patios, walkways, and sidewalks are built on a base material that overlays a subbase material. Whether the feature is made of concrete or pavers, it must have a proper foundation to stand on. Many times, sand is the selected material.
In light of the examples we’ve discussed here, it’s easy to see how integral arena is to buildings.
As we have seen, sand is a very important part of the construction industry. It is a common ingredient in building materials. It is a material that is used in conjunction with tools; both hand and power. Finally, it is used as a base material for the construction of features that are not only common, but also necessary. For these reasons, we should not overlook the importance of sand in the construction industry.
