Where is standard sand in India sourced from?

It is obtained from Ennore, Tamil Nadu, which is why it is often referred to as 'Ennore sand'.

What are the three particle size grades of standard sand?

Coarse (2mm to 1mm), Medium (1mm to 0.5mm), and Fine (0.5mm to 0.09mm).

What is the chemical requirement for standard sand?

It must be light grey or whitish quartz sand with a minimum silica content of 96 percent and loss on ignition not exceeding 0.25 percent.

In what proportion are the grades mixed for cement testing?

They are mixed in equal parts, i.e., 33.33% of each grade by mass.

IS 650

: 1991

Specification for Standard Sand for Testing of Cement

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationMaterials Science · Cement, Concrete, Aggregates and RCC

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This specification establishes the requirements for standard sand (commonly known as Ennore sand) used to prepare mortar cubes for testing the compressive strength and other physical properties of cement. It defines the required particle size distribution, silica content, and chemical purity to ensure consistent and reproducible testing across all laboratories.

Specification for Standard Sand for Testing of Cement

Quick Reference Values

Minimum silica content96%

Maximum loss on ignition0.25%

Coarse grade fractionPasses 2.0 mm, retained on 1.0 mm

Medium grade fractionPasses 1.0 mm, retained on 0.5 mm

Fine grade fractionPasses 0.5 mm, retained on 0.09 mm

Proportion of each grade in test mixture33.33% by mass

Practical Notes

Always ensure standard sand is completely dry before use; moisture throws off the W/C ratio for cement testing.

For testing cement, standard sand must be mixed in three equal proportions (coarse, medium, and fine) by mass.

Store standard sand bags in a dry environment to prevent contamination and moisture absorption.