‘Ottawa Sand’ is not just any sand—it’s a testament to purity and precision. Perfectly graded and boasting over 99.5% silica content, it’s the cornerstone of accuracy in ASTM testing and a champion in filtration efficacy. This article reveals why Ottawa Sand’s properties make it the preferred choice for professionals and how it outperforms ordinary sand in critical applications.
Key Takeaways
- Originating from the St. Peter Sandstone, Ottawa Sand is valued for its high purity (minimum of 99.5% SiO2), rounded silica grains, and consistent grading, making it ideal for precise testing and filtration applications.
- Its uniform particle size distribution makes this sand a preferred medium in ASTM and AASHTO tests, ensuring reliability in construction material assessments, and efficacy in environmental testing and as a filtration medium.
- When purchasing this sand, you must consider the quantity needed, the specific sieve size required for the application, and proper packaging options to maintain its quality during transport and storage.
Understanding
Imagine a time over 460 million years ago, when a vast, clear, and shallow sea covered what is now the North American Midwest. The sea floor was a layer of naturally rounded silica sands, forming the foundation of today’s sand. This sand, primarily sourced from the natural sandstone deposits located in the Ottawa, Illinois area, is not just any sand. It is distinguished by its specially graded natural, silica sand composition, featuring high purity of α−quartz and a high retention rate on specific sieve sizes.
This fascinating geological story and the sand’s unique properties make Ottawa material and sand an ideal choice for various applications. This sand has demonstrated its value in various applications such as cube tests, tensile test sand, tests, and filtration processes. However, to fully appreciate its uses, we should first explore the origin and properties of Ottawa.
Keep Reading: Density of Sand: A Guide for Practical Applications.
Origin and Source
The origin of Ottawa material and sand traces back to the Middle and Upper Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone, spread across the Midwest region from Michigan to Arkansas. This geological formation consists of well-sorted, rounded grains of quartz sand, which are friable or weakly cemented. The extraction process from this sandstone formation results in the fine-to-medium-size, well-rounded Ottawa Sand.
The St. Peter Sandstone is renowned for its high purity and low mineral content due to its composition of nearly pure quartz sand, devoid of contaminants such as clay, carbonates, and heavy minerals. This purity is one of the reasons why Ottawa Sand is so beneficial in precision testing and filtration processes.
Properties
Ottawa material and sand have a minimum silica content of 99.5% SiO2, which contributes to its unique properties and wide range of applications. This high silica content results in its chemical inertness and increased resilience compared to regular sand, expanding its suitability for a wide range of applications.
The particle size distribution of Ottawa material and sand, a type of specially graded, standard sand, is generally graded between the Nos. 50 and 200 sieve sizes, providing a uniform range that sets it apart from other types of sand. This consistency in particle size distribution guarantees uniform packing density in testing molds, particularly in cement testing, thereby contributing to the attainment of precise and reproducible results.
Applications
The uniformity, consistency, and purity of Ottawa material and sand make it a preferred choice in various applications. This specially graded natural silica sand is utilized in cube testing to ascertain the compressive strength and elastic properties of mortar or concrete. Ottawa Sand also plays a crucial role in tensile tests, where its inherent roundness and carefully regulated grading are essential for accurately testing materials like concrete and asphalt.
In addition to testing, Ottawa material and sand serve as an effective filtration medium. Its uniform grain size ensures effective and consistent removal of impurities from water or other substances. We will now examine these applications in more detail to understand their importance.
Cube Test Sand
Cube testing is a common method for determining the compressive strength of concrete. Ottawa material and sand, being meticulously graded natural silica sand, is of great importance in this process. It complies with ASTM standards, crucial for guaranteeing precise and uniform outcomes in the assessment of mortar or concrete cubes.
ASTM C109 and AASHTO T106 standards govern Ottawa Sand’s use in cube tests, ensuring accurate hydraulic cement mortar compression testing. Ottawa Sand’s unique grading as natural silica sand with specific particle size distribution makes it preferred for meeting rigorous ASTM cube testing standards.
Tensile Test Sand
Tensile testing is another area where Ottawa Sand shines. Known as 20-30 Silica Sand (Tensile Test Sand), it is employed in tensile tests due to its special grading. Ottawa Sand is frequently employed in the cement industry for:
- cube mold preparation
- ASTM tests to evaluate compressive strength
- consistency
- specific gravity
- sand cone density
- tensile strength of construction materials
The tensile strength of asphalt or concrete is determined through Indirect Tensile Strength Tests, where Ottawa Sand is incorporated as a component of the testing material mixture. This careful use of Ottawa Sand in the tensile testing of asphalt concrete mixtures may lead to a decrease in strength characteristics attributed to its natural material properties.
Filtration Medium
Beyond testing, Ottawa Sand serves as an effective filtration medium in a variety of applications such as laboratory control and matrix spike testing, as well as in pool filtration systems. Its semi-angular shape and larger particle size contribute to its effectiveness in capturing particles.
The effectiveness of Ottawa Sand infiltration can be attributed to:
- Its efficiency
- Its ability to fill the filtration space to a high degree, thereby enhancing filter performance significantly
- Its capability to filter a diverse range of contaminants from water, encompassing both dissolved and suspended substances.
This makes this sand highly versatile, effectively serving the filtration needs of both industrial and residential applications.
More Reading: Understanding Sand Equivalent Test for Soils and Aggregates.
ASTM and AASHTO Testing
The unique properties of Ottawa Sand allow it to be a valuable asset in several ASTM and AASHTO tests, including:
- ASTM C109: determination of initial and final set times of cement and mortar
- ASTM C596: determination of initial and final set times of cement and mortar
- ASTM C778: determination of initial and final set times of cement and mortar
- ASTM C806: determination of initial and final set times of cement and mortar
- ASTM D-1556: determination of the bulk density of soil.
Meanwhile, in AASHTO T-tests, Ottawa Sand is essential as it adheres to the specified grading requirements, ensuring the dependability and uniformity of test outcomes. Let’s explore more about these tests and the role of Ottawa Sand in them.
ASTM Tests
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has a series of tests for construction materials, specifically in the preparation of cube molds for cement testing, where Ottawa Sand serves as a specially graded silica sand. Ottawa Sand is utilized in several ASTM tests including:
- ASTM C109
- ASTM C596
- ASTM C778
- ASTM C806
- ASTM C807
- ASTM C87
The uniform particle size distribution of Ottawa Sand plays a crucial role in maintaining consistent packing density in cube molds, thereby minimizing variations in test results and improving the reliability of compressive strength measurements for concrete in ASTM tests. This quality of Ottawa Sand enhances the accuracy of these tests, making them dependable for quality control and research purposes.
You May Also Read: What Is Silica Sand and Its Uses (Updated In 2024).
AASHTO T-Tests
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) T-tests, on the other hand, assess the quality of aggregates, soils, and other materials used in transportation infrastructure to ensure that each material meets requirements. Here, Ottawa Sand is required for the AASHTO T106 test.
Ottawa Sand’s adherence to ASTM C109 and AASHTO T106 standards makes it a preferred choice in tests. The AASHTO T-test evaluates cleanliness, proportions of sand and clay particles, and particle size distribution. It validates Ottawa Sand’s quality and ensures test outcome reliability.
EPA Methods: Matrix Spike and Laboratory Control Blanks
In the realm of environmental testing, this sand is again a star player. It serves as the designated sample medium used for conducting Matrix Spike and Laboratory Control Blanks, which are crucial for evaluating method precision and accuracy in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods.
Its consistent particle size distribution and specially graded nature make this sand favored for EPA methods, contributing to accurate and reproducible results in testing and filtration applications. Now, let’s explore in more detail what Matrix Spike and Laboratory Control Blanks entail, and how Ottawa Sand contributes to these processes.
Matrix Spikes
Matrix spikes in environmental testing or matrix spikes are representative client samples that have known concentrations of analytes. The process of creating a matrix spike typically involves taking representative client samples and spiking them with known concentrations of analytes before sample preparation.
The process of spiking samples with known concentrations of target analytes entails:
- Adding a predetermined quantity of analyte to a sample
- Conducting tests on the spiked sample
- Ascertaining whether the added amount is retrieved accurately during the analysis
Ottawa Sand, with its uniform properties, is an ideal choice for this Ottawa test sand process.
Don’t Miss Essential Sand Cone Test Equipment & Steps [Updated 2024].
Laboratory Control Blanks
Laboratory Control Blanks (LCBs) are another critical aspect of maintaining quality control in EPA methods. They are utilized to evaluate and oversee potential contamination throughout the laboratory analysis procedure, aiding in the identification of contamination within the laboratory setting.
This sand serves as the designated sample medium for Laboratory Control Blanks in various U.S. EPA methods because of its exceptional quality and uniform properties. The purpose of Laboratory Control Blanks is to identify any contaminants or analytical errors that could arise from sample collection and analysis procedures, thus ensuring the integrity of test results.
Purchasing Ottawa Sand
Having comprehended the significance and applications of Ottawa Sand, we can now discuss the factors to consider when purchasing this material. The quantity, sieve size, and packaging options play a significant role in meeting your specific needs.
The quantity of this sand varies based on project requirements, and adherence to ASTM standards mandates specific quantities of Ottawa Sand for various tests. The sieve size determines its particle size distribution, thereby influencing its properties and applications. Moreover, packaging options ensure the sand remains uncontaminated during transport and storage.
Let’s explore these considerations in more depth.
Quantity
This sand is typically sold in quantities of 500 g or 2.5 kg, catering to different project requirements. Determining the quantity of Ottawa required for different projects involves methods such as permeability and shear strength testing, as well as simulations to ensure specimen equilibrium.
For construction purposes, you can calculate the quantity of this sand using a sand calculator that considers the specific gravity, desired sieve sizes, and the required volume. In a laboratory setting, engineers determine the quantity of Ottawa Sand needed by conducting various tests to assess its quality.
Sieve Size
The ‘sieve size’ of Ottawa signifies the range of particle sizes passing through a sieve, impacting grading and quality assurance. Grading the sand establishes its actual sieve size, retaining percentages on specific sieves like No. 100, and No. 50. These sieves have a specific gravity of 2.65, or No. 40.
Applications demanding precision specifically employ the 20/30 mesh Ottawa, such as testing and filtration. The sieve size directly impacts the physical characteristics of Ottawa Sand, including its particle size distribution. Ottawa sand is typically graded between the Nos. 50 and 200 sieve sizes, and this has implications for its performance in different applications.
Packaging Options
Preserving the quality of Ottawa Sand during its transportation and storage is paramount. To this end, manufacturers commonly package this sand using durable and moisture-resistant materials and bags such as plastic bags or woven polypropylene containers.
They carefully package this sand in bulk quantities, 50 lb. paper or plastic bags, or in 3,000 lb. bags or boxes (super sacks) to safeguard its quality during transportation and storage. The typical dimensions for packaging Ottawa Sand are 2.5 kg and 500 g, as well as 22.7 kg (50 lb.) bags or boxes.
Summary
In summary, Ottawa Sand, with its unique properties and varied applications, stands as a silent hero in industries ranging from construction to environmental testing. Its uniformity, high silica content, and consistent particle size distribution make it an ideal choice for precision testing and filtration processes. The use of this sand in ASTM and AASHTO tests, EPA methods, and a variety of other applications is a testament to its versatility and quality. Whether you’re a construction professional, a laboratory technician, or someone in need of an effective filtration medium, this sand is a reliable option to consider.
Certified MTP has the largest selection of aggregate testing supplies, showcasing industry-leading brands for Sieve Shaker Machines, test sieves, Classification Devices for Aggregate Testing, Sample Splitters and Dividers, and ASTM Test Sands such as 20-30 Silica Sand (Tensile Test Sand), Graded Sand #30-#100, Ottawa Test Sand For Cube Mold, and Density Test Sand (Sand Cone).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sand from Ottawa?
Manufacturers produce this sand as a specially graded sand made of naturally rounded silica sands of nearly pure quartz, mined from the Ottawa, Illinois area. It is manufactured to pass the No. 20 (850 m) sieve and be retained on No. 30 (600 m).
What is the grain size of sand from Ottawa?
The grain size of this sand is described using US standard sieve numbers of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 100, and 200, with a mean grain size of 0.23 mm, equivalent to the number 65 sieve opening.
What is the dry density of sand from Ottawa?
The dry density of this sand is 1667 kg/m3, determined through calibrated measurements.
Where is silica sand found in the US?
Silica sand is found in the United States in regions like the Intermountain West, Midwest, the Great Lakes area, the southern parts, southeastern and south-central Minnesota, and southwestern Wisconsin. This natural resource is abundant in these areas.
What is sand from Ottawa used for?
This sand is commonly used as standard sand in cement testing due to its uniform particle size distribution and consistent properties according to ASTM C109 and AASHTO T106 standards.
