Aeolian Sands in Self-Consolidating Mortar Formulations: Study of the Mechanical Impacts

The study presented herein explores the altering potential of using fine dune sand (DS) in self-consolidating mortar (SCM), originally formulated with river sand. The research aims to assess how the inclusion of this fine aggregate-seen as an improper source material for cementitious applications—affects the mortar’s rheological, acoustic, and mechanical characteristics. By integrating a very fine Touggourt-sourced DS, we seek to alleviate the pressure on river sand (RS), a resource that currently faces significant depletion. With that intention in mind, mortar mixtures were developed with varying DS content (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by volume of RS) and were tested for flow behavior, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and both compressive and flexural strength. Results indicate that incorporating DS enhances some key properties of the SCM, highlighting its potential even at high substitution rates. Consequently, this research suggests that DS could serve as a sustainable alternative to RS, aiding in the responsible management of river sand resources