PENGGUNAAN PASIR SILIKA SEBAGAI BAHAN GANTIAN PASIR DALAM PENGHASILAN BATA SIMEN

THE USE OF SILICA SAND AS AN ALTERNATE FOR SAND IN THE PRODUCTION OF CEMENT BRICKS

Abstract

Pasir silika mempunyai pelbagai kegunaan dalam industri pembinaan seperti pembuatan lantai, mortar, jubin bumbung, campuran asfalt, serta sebagai agregat dalam konkrit bagi meningkatkan kekuatan dan ketahanan terhadap tekanan. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kadar penyerapan air dan kekuatan mampatan bata simen dengan menggunakan bahan gantian pasir silika 0%, 7%, dan 10%, dengan nisbah bancuhan 1:6. Sample kajian berukuran 215mm × 103mm × 65mm dihasilkan menggunakan acuan kayu dan diuji melalui ujian resapan air dan kekuatan mampatan pada hari ke 7 dan 14. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bata ubah suai dengan 7% pasir silika memiliki kadar resapan air tertinggi, 17.09% dan 16.87% .Bata dengan 10% pasir silika mencatat 14.32% dan 14.11%, manakala sampel kawalan (0%) merekod 14.08% dan 13.41% masing-masing pada hari ke 7 dan 14. Ini membuktikan bahawa bata ubah suai 7% dan 10% dapat mengurangkan kadar resapan air sebanyak 0.22% dan 0.21% dalam tempoh 7 hari, namun masih tidak memenuhi standard MS 7.6:1972 maksimum 7%. Ujian kekuatan mampatan menunjukkan bata ubah suai 7% pasir silika mencatat 1.93 N/mm² dan 2.05 N/mm² pada hari ke-7 & 14, meningkat  sebanyak 0.12 N/mm² dalam 7 hari. Namun, nilai ini masih di bawah standard MS 7.6:1972 iaitu 5.2 N/mm². Namun, pasir silika berpotensi digunakan dalam penghasilan bata simen dengan pengubahsuaian bagi memenuhi piawaian yang ditetapkan sebagai bahan gantian.

Silica sand has various uses in the construction industry such as flooring, mortar, roof tiles, asphalt mixtures, as well as an aggregate in concrete to increase strength and resistance to pressure. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the water absorption rate and compressive strength of cement bricks by using 0%, 7%, and 10% silica sand substitutes, with a mixing ratio of 1:6. The study sample measuring 215mm × 103mm × 65mm was produced using a wooden mould and tested through water diffusion and compressive strength tests on days 7 and 14. The results showed that modified bricks with 7% silica sand had the highest water absorption rates, 17.09% and 16.87% respectively. Bricks with 10% silica sand recorded 14.32% and 14.11%, while control samples (0%) recorded 14.08% and 13.41% on days 7 and 14 respectively. This proves that 7% and 10% modified bricks can reduce water diffusion rates by 0.22% and 0.21% within 7 days, yet still do not meet the MS 7.6:1972 standard of a maximum of 7%. Compressive strength tests showed 7% modified bricks of silica sand recorded 1.93 N/mm² and 2.05 N/mm² on days 7 & 14, increasing by 0.12 N/mm² in 7 days. However, this value is still below the MS 7.6:1972 standard of 5.2 N/mm². However, silica sand has the potential to be used in the production of cement bricks with modifications to meet the standards set as a substitute material.