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So is there research on turning desert sand into construction material? Taking sand out of the Sahara's borders would be a good thing, right?

beat 12y ago
The Sahara is a complex ecosystem, like everywhere else (actually, it's a network of several deserts with different geographies, climates, and ecosystems). It's not a dead place, and can't just be harmlessly stripped. That said, it's easier to make square sand round than round sand square. It's probably easier to crush rock into concrete-appropriate sand than to turn desert sand into concrete sand.
- angersock 12y ago
  It's not a dead place, and can't just be harmlessly stripped. That's never stopped us before!
seunosewa 12y ago
It helps to know why it is currently not used: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/desert-sand/article940564.ece http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech... (The grains are too smooth and too small) I wonder what the magnitude of the resulting loss of strength is and if it can be compensated for by making concrete structures built with desert sand much thicker (though this might not be economical) This study addresses the issue but is behind a paywall: http://www.scientific.net/AMM.174-177.604 http://www.scientific.net/AMM.174-177.604
- Someone 12y ago
  Indeed. Not all sand is created [1] equal. For a funny example, see http://www.utrechtcentral.com/featured/soil-expert-from-utrecht-sells-300-containers-of-sand-to-qatari-sheikhs-10057/ http://www.utrechtcentral.com/featured/soil-expert-from-utre... (not quite selling sand in the Sahara, but reasonably close) For the Sahara example, I fear that part of 'strength' here is brittleness. The concrete may be strong enough, as long as you don't drop heavy objects onto it or hit it with a hammer. Ignoring that, thicker walls in the Sahara probably are a good idea to keep rooms cooler, but can be problematic in high-rise buildings, as they weigh more, and thus require even thicker walls at lower levels. Floors are a problem, even in single-floor buildings. [1] Actually, it is not just creation. Age plays a role, too. For example, you have to replace sandbox sand once the smaller grains have been rained out of it because it stops 'sticking'.

beat 12y ago

The Sahara is a complex ecosystem, like everywhere else (actually, it's a network of several deserts with different geographies, climates, and ecosystems). It's not a dead place, and can't just be harmlessly stripped. That said, it's easier to make square sand round than round sand square. It's probably easier to crush rock into concrete-appropriate sand than to turn desert sand into concrete sand.

angersock 12y ago
It's not a dead place, and can't just be harmlessly stripped. That's never stopped us before!

seunosewa 12y ago

It helps to know why it is currently not used: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/desert-sand/article940564.ece http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech... (The grains are too smooth and too small) I wonder what the magnitude of the resulting loss of strength is and if it can be compensated for by making concrete structures built with desert sand much thicker (though this might not be economical) This study addresses the issue but is behind a paywall: http://www.scientific.net/AMM.174-177.604 http://www.scientific.net/AMM.174-177.604

Someone 12y ago
Indeed. Not all sand is created [1] equal. For a funny example, see http://www.utrechtcentral.com/featured/soil-expert-from-utrecht-sells-300-containers-of-sand-to-qatari-sheikhs-10057/ http://www.utrechtcentral.com/featured/soil-expert-from-utre... (not quite selling sand in the Sahara, but reasonably close) For the Sahara example, I fear that part of 'strength' here is brittleness. The concrete may be strong enough, as long as you don't drop heavy objects onto it or hit it with a hammer. Ignoring that, thicker walls in the Sahara probably are a good idea to keep rooms cooler, but can be problematic in high-rise buildings, as they weigh more, and thus require even thicker walls at lower levels. Floors are a problem, even in single-floor buildings. [1] Actually, it is not just creation. Age plays a role, too. For example, you have to replace sandbox sand once the smaller grains have been rained out of it because it stops 'sticking'.