Authors : Chaya S.; Sujith S. K.; Shashikiran S.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr390

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Abstract : Manufactured sand (M-sand) has emerged as a viable substitute for natural river sand in cement mortar applications. This study investigates the influence of mica content and mineralogical composition of M-sand sourced from six quarries in Karnataka, India, on expansion/contraction behaviour and compressive strength of cement mortar. Petrographic thin-section analysis and grain-size mineral counting were conducted on samples from quarries at Kotagal, Vishnupriya (Schoolagiri), Muddenahalli, Tekal, Peresandra, and Gudibande. An Accelerated Mortar Bar Test (AMBT) per IS 2386 Part VII was performed on 132 mortar bar specimens (25 × 25 × 285 mm) at mix ratios of 1:1 and 1:2.25 immersed in 1N NaOH at 80°C for 14 days. Compressive strength of 70.6 mm mortar cubes was evaluated at 28 days. Results reveal that mica content is the dominant factor governing volumetric instability: the sample with highest mica content (MSKotagal, 25%) exhibited greatest expansion (1.82 mm) and contraction (1.75 mm), while natural sand (9.17% mica) showed best dimensional stability. Compressive strength ranged from 48.56 N/mm² (MS-Kotagal) to 55.64 N/mm² (MS-Tekal), confirming the adverse effect of mica on mortar strength. These findings provide practical guidelines for selecting M-sand in plastering and masonry mortar applications.

Keywords : Manufactured Sand; Cement Mortar; Mica Content; Petrographic Analysis; Accelerated Mortar Bar Test; Alkali-Silica Reaction; Compressive Strength.

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