THE BEST SAND IS LOCAL – WHEREVER YOU ARE

EXPERIENCE CRUSHOLOGY

Natural sand has long been the top choice for construction, but increasingly stringent environmental regulations often mean that is not a possibility. Today, however, it’s possible to produce the same quality locally, without the need for expensive imports.

Particle shape has become increasingly important to the concrete industry as it is the key factor influencing quality, and therefore concrete strength. When sand particles sit together tightly, you get fewer voids and need less water and cement.

Shape is critical

There are high demands on concrete in the construction industry, and environmental issues are far from the only limitation when it comes to natural sand. Locally available sand may not have the right particle shape for applications where strength is important.

That was the situation faced by Oahu-based Hawaiian Cement, which supplies aggregates and cement products to the island’s construction industry. The right type of natural sand was scarce on Oahu, and its use limited by legislation. To meet its needs, Hawaiian Cement had to import sand from British Columbia – more than 2,000 miles away.

Meeting the challenge

“The ideal shape for sand particles is cubic – they fit together like building blocks, with few voids, resulting in higher compressive strength.”

EXPERIENCE CRUSHOLOGY

This is just one example of the many uses of Sandvik VSI crushers. The precise control they give over output size and shape – down to micron level – enables a new generation of pro-ducts. Now it’s possible, for example, to recycle industrial waste into new revenue streams, turning waste products such as quarry dust or used glass into valuable products.

New possibilities

A local and more cost-effective solution was made possible by a new Sandvik CV229 VSI crusher. This enables the company to supply materials of the highest quality while reducing its carbon footprint. The machine is fitted with an HP85 rotor, which has the lowest number of wear parts within a closed rotor of its size on the market.

With the VSI crusher, Hawaiian Cement has been able to locally produce 40,000 tons of sand per month – with a consistently optimal particle shape. This translates into better roads and concrete products, and a higher return on investment for construction projects.

Environmental performance

For more information on how to improve your operations, contact your local Sandvik team or call our global head office on +46 (0) 8 456 11 00.

CRUSHOLOGY.SANDVIK