THE USE OF SILICA SAND AS AN ALTERNATE FOR SAND IN THE PRODUCTION OF CEMENT BRICKS

Silica sand has various uses in the construction industry such as flooring, mortar, roof tiles, asphalt mixtures, as well as an aggregate in concrete to increase strength and resistance to pressure. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the water absorption rate and compressive strength of cement bricks by using 0%, 7%, and 10% silica sand substitutes, with a mixing ratio of 1:6. The study sample measuring 215mm × 103mm × 65mm was produced using a wooden mould and tested through water diffusion and compressive strength tests on days 7 and 14. The results showed that modified bricks with 7% silica sand had the highest water absorption rates, 17.09% and 16.87% respectively. Bricks with 10% silica sand recorded 14.32% and 14.11%, while control samples (0%) recorded 14.08% and 13.41% on days 7 and 14 respectively. This proves that 7% and 10% modified bricks can reduce water diffusion rates by 0.22% and 0.21% within 7 days, yet still do not meet the MS 7.6:1972 standard of a maximum of 7%. Compressive strength tests showed 7% modified bricks of silica sand recorded 1.93 N/mm² and 2.05 N/mm² on days 7 & 14, increasing by 0.12 N/mm² in 7 days. However, this value is still below the MS 7.6:1972 standard of 5.2 N/mm². However, silica sand has the potential to be used in the production of cement bricks with modifications to meet the standards set as a substitute material.