Everyone who started the construction of their own home faced such a problem as raising or leveling the site at the planning stage. Sand is quite expensive to use for these purposes. And to the aid comes a sandstone, or (second name) sandy loam. What is it, how and where is it used, let's try to figure it out.
Definition
Sandy loam (sandstone) is a rock used in construction with a specific composition. From the name it is clear that it is something close to the sand. In fact, in addition to sand particles, clay and dust particles are also included.
Being between sand and clay, it is characterized by low bearing capacity, compared with the latter, sandy loam. What it is? Just use it to strengthen the soil is not worth it. Her purpose at the construction site is different.
Description and properties
Regardless of the place of extraction and origin, sand of sandy loam according to the standards of GOST standards is divided into:
- heavy sandy loam, clay content can reach 10 percent;
- light sandy loamy sand - the clay content is small.
The mineral composition of the rock:
- quartz;
- kaolin clay;
- montmorillonite clay.
Due to the presence of sand with large particles, the coefficient of friction increases. Combining clay and sand, sandy loam characteristics has the following: good friability and low dustiness. What is important when draining swamps, laying country roads. It will protect the road surface from getting wet.
When pouring the foundation, it is necessary to take into account the composition of the soil, and if sandy loam is found in it (what it is, we already figured it out), the soil should be strengthened if you want to build a reliable and strong structure.
Application
The main area where sandy loam is used is construction. Breakdown of the site, construction of the facility, construction of a new road. All of these facilities require building material such as sandy loam. What is it and why can’t you use sand? Yes, just as a material it is much more expensive. And you need to close the pit - and here you can’t do without sand. Loam loam even lower in cost is not suitable for this purpose due to its high ductility.
In landscape design, sand paths are sprinkled with sandy loams. In the drainage system he is again. And in winter, what are the tracks sprinkled with during ice? Of course, sand.
On the site where the construction is ongoing, the soil turned out to be loamy. Again you need sandy loam. What is it and why can’t you do without it? And all because loam is highly plastic, and subsequently this characteristic can lead to cracks or even to the destruction of the foundation of the building. Sandy loam will simply reduce the plasticity of the soil, making it more suitable, and also minimize the shrinkage process.
Asphalt mixtures are not made without sand. Align with its help and soil. They are going to lay a road in a marshy area - they use only this breed, loam is not suitable for road works and their construction, and the sand is expensive.
In the production of building materials: ceramics, bricks, blocks - our "hero" is used.
Production
Deposits where sandy loam is mined are found practically throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. Since it is mined in quarries, as well as in trenches and pits (all these are open-type places), one can meet another name for this rock - pit sand. They also get it when digging pits for the construction of multi-storey buildings, in order to further use it on the same construction site.
During the construction of the facility, sandy loam at the nearest field is taken, since it is unprofitable to bring it from another region, to put it mildly. There are many industrial deposits in the European part of Russia, and in Karelia the material is extracted in river valleys, although there are also glacial deposits.
It is clear that not a single construction is complete without sandy loam, be it a house or a road. It is much cheaper than sand, on which unscrupulous sellers earn money. When buying, pay attention to the breed that you brought. You can determine whether it is sandy loam or sand, in the following way: wet a little brought rock and try to roll it - the sand should crumble right away, because it does not contain silt particles, which are responsible for the cohesion of the rock. But in the sand soil they are, and the ball can be rolled out of it. Be vigilant and construction work will be done correctly.