Concrete from PGS – where and how it can be used?

Though it’s a versatile and necessary building material, did you know that natural sand and gravel (PGS) can also be used to make concrete? This kind of concrete has special advantages and can be used in a variety of ways. When using PGS concrete, you can achieve strong and long-lasting results whether you’re paving a driveway, building a foundation, or creating decorative elements.

Natural sand and gravel are combined with cement and water to create the sturdy mixture known as PGS Concrete. PGS concrete’s excellent workability and strength are a result of its natural composition, which makes it perfect for a variety of construction projects. It’s especially helpful for structures like retaining walls and foundations that need to be stable and have good drainage.

PGS concrete offers not only practical advantages but also eco-friendliness. By using natural materials, you can lessen the impact of your construction projects on the environment by using fewer processed aggregates. It is therefore a fantastic option for anyone wishing to build sustainably.

Using PGS concrete can help you build more, whether you’re a professional builder or a do-it-yourself enthusiast. Working with this versatile material can be made easier with this guide, which will walk you through everything from understanding where it works best to mixing the right proportions.

What is PGS?

PGS, an acronym for sand and gravel, is a mixture that is extracted from the bottom of rivers and seas and mined in quarries. The specifications of GOST 23735-2014 ("SAND AND GRAVEL MIXTURES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS") govern the primary characteristics of the sand and gravel mixture. ASG is utilized by construction companies for a variety of tasks such as backfilling trenches, arranging foundation cushions, building roads, reclaiming land, landscaping nearby areas, and other auxiliary work.

ASG is only utilized in the construction of private homes as a concrete filler in situations where the structures don’t face heavy mechanical loads. PGS is not used by factories that produce ready-mixed concrete of specific brands, nor is it appropriate for concrete produced in compliance with GOST requirements.

This is because of the makeup and provenance of the relevant material. PGS are pieces of rock with varying hardness and fractions combined with sand that has a variety of particle sizes. Additionally, there are additions of clay, dust, silt, and soil in the extracted gas mixture. Each unique batch of material extracted from a particular quarry has unique particle size, hardness, and composition percentages that make it challenging to identify by these factors alone.

Simultaneously, following enrichment, sand and gravel mixtures make excellent, reasonably priced complex fillers for heavy concrete, from which unloaded low-rise building foundations and walls can be constructed, as well as blind areas, garden paths, playgrounds, and other similar structures.

According to GOST 23735-2014, enriched sand and gravel mixtures are classified into 5 groups based on the percentage content of the main filler (gravel):

• First group: from 15 to 25% gravel.
• Second group: from 25 to 35% gravel.
• Third group: from 35 to 50% gravel.
• Fourth group from 50 to 65% gravel.
• Fifth group from 65 to 75% gravel.

Practice demonstrates that using materials from the fifth group yields the most optimal composition of concrete from sand and gravel mixtures. The most widely used "GOST" grades of heavy concrete, M150 and M200, can therefore be achieved when preparing concrete from sand and gravel mixture of the fifth group. However, it is not possible to prepare concrete material with a grade higher than M200, not even from enriched PGS.

PGS concrete for the foundation

Based on enriched PGS, the most loaded structure that can be filled with concrete is a building’s foundation. Let’s talk about the nuances of getting ready PGS concrete for a low-rise building’s foundation in this context.

As was previously indicated, there is no official data governing the amount of PGS required to pour the foundation per cubic meter of concrete. Therefore, the empirical concrete proportions from PGS should serve as a guide for private developers who have selected this product as a filler:

• 1 part of cement CEM I 32.5N PC (old designation M400) or CEM I 42.5N PC (old designation M500).
• 8 parts of enriched PGS of the fifth group.
• Mixer (water) 0.5-1 part of cement.

Depending on the PGS for humidity, the amount of water may be on the smaller side. The finished product is ready concrete that meets the GOST grade of heavy concrete M150 when the ingredients are mixed in the exact amounts specified.

Concrete from PGS: proportions in buckets

The most common method for measuring the quantity of components when mixing concrete by hand from PGS or other types of components is to use a "bucket." In addition, it is best to weigh a particular mixture on-site at the construction site in order to determine the weight of the "bucket" of PGS if the weights of the mixer and the cement can be standardized and brought to a common denominator.

However, considering the importance of this publication, let us ask the following question: how can one use a standard 10-liter bucket and the average specific bulk density of a mixture of sand and gravel to make concrete from PGS?

• Determining the amount of cement. The generally accepted specific density of Portland cement CEM I 32.5N PC for calculations is 1,300 in 1 m3 of volume. Accordingly, the amount of cement in 1 ten-liter bucket: 1,300×0.01=13 kg.
• Determining the amount PGS. According to the above proportions, we will need: 8×13=104 kg of sand and gravel mixture. The specific density of enriched sand and gravel mixture is 1,650 kg per 1 m3. Accordingly, 1 ten-liter bucket contains: 1650 x 0.01 = 16.5 kg of sand and gravel mixture. Determine the number of buckets: 104/16.5 = 6.3 buckets.
• Amount of water – 0.5 buckets.

Therefore, you will need to add 0.5 buckets of water and 6.3 buckets of enriched sand and gravel mixture to one bucket of cement.

How much sand and gravel mixture is needed for 1 cubic meter of concrete

Using the number of buckets and the kilograms computed above, we can calculate how much sand and gravel mixture is in 1 m3 of concrete. For example, 1 ten-liter bucket of cement contains 6.3 buckets of sand and gravel mixture and 0.5 buckets of water. Let’s move on to the detailed computation:

• Determine the "portion" of concrete components in liters per 1 bucket (10 l) of cement: 10 (cement) + 63 (gravel mix) + 5 (water) = 78 liters.
• We determine how many “portions” fit into 1 m3 (1000 l): 1000/78 = 12.82.
• We determine the amount of gravel mix per 1 m3 of concrete in liters: 63×12 + (63×0.82) = 807.66 l.
• Considering that 1 m3 contains 1,650 kg of the material in question, we convert liters into kg: 1650×0.80766=1332.63 kg.

Following the calculations, we were able to determine the following outcomes: The quantity of sand and gravel mixture in buckets per cubic meter of concrete is 80.7 buckets, while the quantity in kilograms per cubic meter of concrete is 1332 kg.

Natural gravel-sand mixture (PGS) concrete is ideal for a variety of construction projects because it is both economical and versatile. It can be applied to pavements, foundations, and basic structural components. Its natural composition makes it easier to produce and offers good strength and durability. By choosing the appropriate material for your construction needs and knowing when and how to use PGS concrete, you can ensure stability and longevity in your projects.

Conclusion

In summary, the following query from developers must be addressed: What combination should be used for OPGS, or concrete sand and gravel mixture? In the delivery state, enriched sand and gravel mixture can be utilized. More information should be provided regarding the use of a regular mixture.

Large (more than 80 mm) boulders and pieces of rock are included in the unenriched sand and gravel mixture, which is defined by most sources as having a low content of gravel and debris.

These resources provide conflicting advice at the same time. While they recommend that the coarse aggregate fraction should not be larger than 80 mm, they also permit the use of a standard sand and gravel mixture for the production of concrete on its own.

It turns out that before using the material, the developer needs to sort it (enrich it). Consequently, the response is as follows: using an unenriched product is feasible, but it will require manual conversion to the enriched product’s qualitative composition.

Natural sand and gravel (PGS) concrete is a practical and adaptable material for a range of construction projects. It is appropriate for driveways, pathways, and building foundations due to its natural composition, which offers a dependable and sturdy foundation. PGS ensures longevity and durability in concrete, which are critical characteristics for any construction project.

The affordability of PGS concrete is another benefit. Since PGS is frequently sourced locally, builders can save money by choosing it because of the lower transportation costs. Additionally, this kind of concrete has good workability, which makes it simpler to mix and pour and helps to save time and effort when building.

Additionally environmentally friendly is PGS concrete. The use of natural sand and gravel lessens the impact on the environment by reducing the need for artificial aggregates. Its natural components also tend to be more readily available and sustainable, which supports eco-friendly building practices.

In conclusion, PGS concrete is a dependable, affordable, and green choice for a range of building requirements. Because of its strength and longevity, it can be used for a variety of construction projects, including both residential and commercial buildings. Its accessibility locally and ease of use make it a sensible option for a variety of applications, which is particularly advantageous for builders and contractors.

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