Rockcastle (Pottsville) Conglomerate Sand Evaluation in Portland Cement Concrete

In order to analyze the concrete making properties of a processed Pottsville Conglomerate Sand from Rockcastle County, Kentucky, several batches of portland cement concrete were made. Standard mixing control, strength, and durability tests as well as a short cut test to detect excessive expansion during curing were performed on the concrete. Control specimens were made utilizing an Ohio River Sand, typical for this area, as the fine aggregate. This sand which was acceptable by Kentucky Highway Department Specifications was produced by the Nugent Sand Company of Louisville, Kentucky. The sand was submitted for evaluation in this manner by the State Geologist. The standard physical properties tests were made by his office prior to the submission, and the sand was found to be satisfactory in accordance with those tests