3 ms·
The problem seems to be that desert sand is too smooth to use in concrete. Perhaps a method is needed for fusing desert sand in such a way that it becomes roug
by nanomonkey 7y ago
The problem seems to be that desert sand is too smooth to use in concrete. Perhaps a method is needed for fusing desert sand in such a way that it becomes rough. Perhaps large fresnel lenses that use sunlight to fuse the grains into small clumps?
- gnode 7y agoI had a similar thought, although I think fusing wouldn't solve the problem, as it wouldn't create a rough surface. That said, fusing might make it easier to fracture the sand and make rough surfaces.
- nanomonkey 7y agoRight, like fuse the sand and then drop it into water, or cause some sort of thermal shock (blowing air?) to make it rupture into shards.
- rootusrootus 7y agoPerhaps melt it into glass and then as it cools take the broken chunks and grind 'em up into sand again. A bit energy intensive but hey, if you're running out of sand and and all you have is the wind-blown smooth kind...
- twic 7y agoCrushed or ground glass is already used in concrete: http://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips-nuggets.asp?cmd=display&id=783 http://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips-nuggets.asp?cmd=displa... Interestingly, it can be either aggregate or cement, depending on how finely it is ground.