all type of sand machine in building

An Overview of Sand Processing Machinery in the Construction Industry

The term "sand machine" in construction encompasses a wide range of equipment designed to process, produce, and handle sand—a fundamental aggregate in concrete, mortar, and other building materials. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the primary types of sand-related machinery, from extraction and crushing to washing and classification. Understanding these machines is crucial for optimizing material quality, project efficiency, and cost management in modern construction projects.

Core Types of Sand Processing Equipment

1. Crushers: These are used to break down large rocks into smaller gravel and sand-sized particles. Jaw crushers perform primary crushing, while cone crushers and impact crushers are used for secondary and tertiary reduction to produce finer aggregates.
2. Sand Making Machines (Vertical Shaft Impactors - VSIs): This is a key machine for manufacturing artificial or manufactured sand from hard stones. VSIs use a high-speed rotor to throw rocks against anvils or rock shelves, fracturing them along natural fissures to produce well-shaped, cubical sand particles ideal for high-strength concrete.
3. Sand Washing Machines: Used to remove clay, silt, dust, and other impurities from natural or crushed sand. Common types include wheel sand washers and spiral sand washers. They improve the fineness modulus and ensure the sand meets strict specifications by reducing deleterious materials.
4. Vibrating Screens: Essential for classifying sand by particle size. They separate raw feed into different grades (e.g., coarse sand, fine sand) for specific applications. Dewatering screens also remove excess moisture from washed sand.
5. Sand Drying Equipment: Rotary dryers are employed when low-moisture content is critical, such as in dry-mix mortars or precise concrete batching plants.

Comparison: Natural Sand vs. Manufactured Sand Processing

Feature	Natural Sand (River/Sandpit) Processing	Manufactured Sand (From Rock) Processing
Primary Equipment	Dredgers, simple screening plants, washing equipment.	Primary crusher, secondary/tertiary crusher, Sand Making Machine (VSI), screening, intensive washing.
Process Focus	Extraction, cleaning/desliming, and size separation.	Size reduction, shaping (cubical particles), impurity removal (from parent rock).
Product Control	Limited control over particle shape and gradation; depends on deposit quality.	High control over particle shape (cubical), gradation, and fineness modulus through machine settings.
Environmental Impact	Can lead to riverbed degradation and ecological disturbance; increasingly restricted globally.	Utilizes quarry rock; reduces dependency on natural deposits; dust and noise must be managed at the plant site.

Real-World Application: A Sustainable Concrete Solution

A prominent case is the use of manufactured sand in the Shanghai Tower construction in China. With restrictions on river sand extraction due to environmental concerns, the project turned to high-quality manufactured sand produced from local granite using advanced VSI crushers and washing systems.

• Challenge: Sourcing consistent, high-quality fine aggregate for ultra-high-strength concrete in a sustainable manner.
• Solution: A dedicated aggregate processing plant was set up using a multi-stage crushing circuit culminating in VSI crushers to produce shaped granite sand.
• Outcome: The manufactured sand provided superior particle shape and consistent gradation, leading to improved workability and strength of the concrete mix while significantly reducing the project's environmental footprint related to aggregate sourcing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why is manufactured sand becoming more common than natural river sand?
Primarily due to environmental regulations restricting riverbed mining to protect ecosystems and prevent bank erosion. Additionally manufactured offers more consistent quality control which is vital for high-grade concrete

Q2: What is the key advantage of a VSI crusher as a core "sand making machine"?
Its primary advantage is its ability to produce cubical or well-shaped particles as opposed flaky or elongated ones This results better workability higher strength lower water demand concrete

Q3: Is washed always necessary for construction
Almost always yes Washing removes clay silt dust organic matter which can severely weaken bond cement paste ASTM C33 specification limits these materials For most structural applications washing non-negotiable

Q4: How does particle shape affect concrete quality?
Rounded particles require less water lubricate mix improving workability Angular cubical particles provide stronger mechanical interlocking enhancing strength compromise between often sought Modern VSIs aim produce cubical particles balance

Q5: Can recycled concrete be used make new construction
Yes Crushed recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) processed through crushers screens can produce recycled fine aggregate However often contains residual cement paste impurities limiting its use structural applications without careful processing testing Its commonly used subbase road base non-structural fills