An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production

Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska 2026, vol. 28, pp. 575-586

Sujin George1, Rafat Ali Vilayat Ali2, Shahid Akhtar Sheikh3, Syed Aamir Hussain4, Dhiraj Agrawal5 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Nisha Thakur6, Abdullah Faiz Al Asmar7, Saiful Islam7

1. St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering and Technology, India
2. Government Polytechnic, Amravati, India
3. Manoharbhai Patel Institute of Engineering and Technology, India
4. Anjuman College of Engineering and Technology, India
5. Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, India
6. Bajaj Institute of Technology, India
7. King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

This study aims to assess the use of quarry sand (QS) as a substitute for natural sand (NS) in concrete production, with a focus on sustainability impacts arising from NS overexploitation. It also aims to determine the optimal substitution levels of QS from local industries around Nagpur, India, which were tested per Indian standards. The study examines the mechanical performance of concrete in terms of strength and durability, using QS as a replacement for NS at replacement proportions up to 60% in 15% increments. This research demonstrates the possibility of replacing NS with QS up to 45% in concrete without losing its mechanical and durability properties, turning concrete into a more sustainable product with fewer harmful effects on the environment. The importance of finding solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of sand scarcity, such as the destruction of natural ecosystems and illegal sand extraction, was another crucial outcome of the study. This study builds on prior studies by aiming to clarify the use of QS without any accompanying cementitious materials added to the mix. The study uses Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to determine the optimal values of the input factors for the mixtures. Results from regression analysis showed R² values of 0.9374 for compressive strength and 0.9813 for workability, which reflect the credibility of the model. Optimization carried out throughout the process yielded 0.9289, indicating a moderate desirability level.

 

quarry sand, natural sand, sustainable concrete, statistical optimization of concrete

 

AMA Style
George S., Ali R.A.V., Sheikh S.A., Hussain S.A., Agrawal D., Thakur N., Al Asmar A.F., Islam S. An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production. Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska. 2026; 28. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

ACM Style
George S., Ali R.A.V., Sheikh S.A., Hussain S.A., Agrawal D., Thakur N., Al Asmar A.F., Islam S. 2026. An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production. Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska. 28. DOI:https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

ACS Style
George S.; Ali R.A.V.; Sheikh S.A.; Hussain S.A.; Agrawal D.; Thakur N.; Al Asmar A.F.; Islam S. An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production. Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska 2026, 28, 575-586. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

APA Style
George S., Ali R.A.V., Sheikh S.A., Hussain S.A., Agrawal D., Thakur N., Al Asmar A.F., & Islam S. (2026). An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production. Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska, 28, 575-586. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

ABNT Style
GEORGE S.; ALI R.A.V.; SHEIKH S.A.; HUSSAIN S.A.; AGRAWAL D.; THAKUR N.; AL ASMAR A.F.; ISLAM S. An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production. Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska, v. 28, p. 575-586, 2026. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

Chicago Style
Sujin George, Rafat Ali Vilayat Ali, Shahid Akhtar Sheikh, Syed Aamir Hussain, Dhiraj Agrawal, Nisha Thakur, Abdullah Faiz Al Asmar, and Saiful Islam. 2026. "An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production". Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska 28, 575-586. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

Harvard Style
George S., Ali R.A.V., Sheikh S.A., Hussain S.A., Agrawal D., Thakur N., Al Asmar A.F. and Islam S. (2026) "An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production", Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska, 28, pp. 575-586. doi:https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039

IEEE Style
S. George, R.A.V. Ali, S.A. Sheikh, S.A. Hussain, D. Agrawal, N. Thakur, A.F. Al Asmar, and S. Islam, "An Environmental Solution to Sand Overexploitation: Statistical Optimization of Quarry Sand in Concrete Production", RoczOchrSrod, vol. 28, pp. 575-586. https://doi.org/10.54740/ros.2026.039