It is a common fact that the selection and calculation of building materials in any construction project will affect the quality of its final result. One factor that you should not ignore is the need for sand for castings, which is very crucial to maintaining the strength and durability of concrete.
To create an optimal concrete mix, the ratio between cement and sand must be carefully measured. Without accurate calculations, you could face structural problems later on. This article will discuss the important steps in calculating sand requirements for castings per m3 and tips on choosing the right building material. Check out the information below!
The Importance of Proper Material Comparison
Cast concrete is a mixture of materials that harden and form a strong structure. The composition of the concrete mix is cement, sand, aggregate (split stone), and water. By making the right mixture of materials, you can produce solid and long-lasting casts. Here are some other benefits you can get with the right mix of materials:
- Increase structural strength: The right mixture of cement and sand can produce cast concrete that is able to withstand heavy loads, both for building foundations and floors. An appropriate material ratio will ensure that the cast results are more robust, durable, and can withstand environmental pressures, such as vibrations or ground shifts.
- Prevent cracking and damage: With the correct mixture, cast concrete becomes denser and has minimal air voids. This is important to prevent premature cracking, which can reduce the structure's long-term durability.
- Guarantees resistance to water and weather: Concrete casts made with the right material ratio will be better able to withstand water or humidity, thereby reducing the risk of damage due to rain, waterlogging, or extreme weather changes.
- Ensures a neat and precise finish: An optimal mixture can produce cast concrete with an even and strong texture, making the process easier when finishing it, such as painting or installing floor coverings.
Read also: The Right Ratio of Cement and Sand for a Sturdy Building
How to Calculate Sand Requirements for Casting per m3
To calculate the proper concrete requirements for building a house, you must follow the Indonesian National Standards (SNI) rules. These rules are stated in SNI 03-2834-2000, which discusses the Procedures for Making Normal Concrete Mixtures.
For the manufacture of concrete deck houses, K-225 concrete quality is generally used because its strength suits the construction needs. When calculating the sand requirements for concrete castings per m3, you need to consider several important aspects to ensure the results are more optimal. Check out the aspects below:
1. Determining the Composition of Concrete Mix
According to SNI, the composition of concrete mix ingredients for quality K-225 with a ratio of 1:2:3 consists of:
- 1 part cement.
- 2 parts sand.
- 3 parts gravel.
As an illustration, to make 1 cubic meter of K-225 concrete, you need around 371 kg of cement, 0.5 m3 (698 kg) of sand, 0.8 m3 (1047 kg) of gravel, and 0.215 m3 (215 liters) of water.
However, in practice, builders usually still carry out manual calculations, especially if the size of the area that requires concrete casting needs to be more precise.
2. Calculating the Volume of Concrete Base
For example, suppose you will build a concrete roof for the second floor with dimensions of 3 x 4 meters and a 12 cm or 0.12 m thickness. In this case, the first thing you have to do is calculate the volume of the concrete roof using the following formula:
Volume of concrete slab = Length × Width × Thickness
Using the numbers above, the calculation becomes:
Volume dak concrete = 3 m × 4 m × 0,12 m = 1,44 m3
Thus, the necessary volume of concrete cast is 1.44 m3.
3. Calculating Material Requirements by Volume
After knowing what volume of concrete tile you will make (1.44 m3), let's calculate the amount of materials needed. To do this, multiply the material requirements for 1 m3 of concrete by the total volume of the roof.
Cement:
Cement requirement for casting per m3 = 371 kg/m3 × 1.44 m3 = 534.24 kg
If you use 50 kg of cement, then use it in the following calculations:
Number of cement bags = 534.24 kg ÷ 50 kg/bag = 10.68 bags
So, you will need 11 bags of cement.
Sand:
Sand requirement for casting per m3 = 0.5 m3 × 1.44 m3 = 0.72 m3
Coarse aggregate or gravel:
Need for cast gravel per m3 = 0.8 m3 × 1.44 m3 = 1.152 m3
Water:
Water requirement for casting per m3 = 0.215 m3 × 1.44 m3 = 0.3096 m3 or 309.6 liters
So, in conclusion, to make a concrete deck with a volume of 1.44 m3, you need to prepare:
- 11 bags of cement (50 kg/bag)
- 0.72 m3 walk
- 1,152 m3 kerikil
- 309,6 liter air
The method for calculating the need for concrete casting materials above allows you to estimate the costs required to purchase all building materials. That way, you can prepare your budget better.
Read also: The Right Concrete Mix Ratio According to SNI Standards
Tips for Selecting and Using Building Materials for Cast
Choosing the suitable building material for casting is crucial so the construction results are solid and long-lasting. By using quality materials and according to calculations, you can avoid problems, such as cracks or damage. Here are some tips for choosing and using building materials for cast concrete:
1. Choose High-Quality Building Materials
The strength and durability of concrete depend on the quality of the materials that make it up. By using cement, sand, and coarse aggregate that meet quality standards, concrete will have optimal performance and be long-lasting.
2. Pay attention to the Water-Cement Ratio (W/C)
To achieve optimal concrete strength, you need to maintain the water-cement ratio (W/C). Excess water will reduce the strength of the concrete, while a lack of water will make it challenging to work with.
3. Choose the Right Concrete Mix
Various kinds of concrete mixes are available with different strength and durability characteristics. Each is designed to meet a project's specific needs. Therefore, it is vital to choose the type of concrete that best suits your project specifications. Hence, the results are maximum and follow the desired construction objectives.
4. Consider the Use of Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is a ready-to-use concrete mixture that can be used immediately without needing another mixing process. This makes construction work more efficient and produces concrete with consistent quality.
That was the information and tips on calculating the sand requirements for castings per m3. With an accurate comparison of materials, you can create concrete that is strong, durable, and meets the project's needs.
In order to get satisfactory results during the casting process, make sure you choose high-quality cement to maintain your building structure in the long run. In this case, Semen Merah Putih Watershield is the right choice for your construction project.
With the advantage of Triple Protection technology, Semen Merah Putih Watershield provides maximum protection to the wall, keeping it free of seepage from outside, inside, and soil, making the building stronger, more durable, and less maintenance.
In addition, you can also choose another more practical option, which is using ready-mix concrete. Through our subsidiary, Beton Merah Putih, we provide high-quality ready-mix concrete that meets the latest construction standards. Not only that, we also offer superior precast concrete and aggregates that can help improve the stability and strength of building structures.
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