Initial River Sand Characterization from Five Quarry Sources in North Luwu Regency as a Construction Material Database

Andi Maal Latif; Hasmar Halim; Erning Ertami Anton; Syahlendra Syahrul; Andi Muhammad Subhan

doi:10.48084/etasr.17616

Authors

Andi Maal Latif Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
Hasmar Halim Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
Erning Ertami Anton Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
Syahlendra Syahrul Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
Andi Muhammad Subhan Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 35418-35426 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.17616

Received: 18 January 2026 | Revised: 22 February 2026 and 4 March 2026 | Accepted: 6 March 2026 | Online: 6 June 2026

Corresponding author: Andi Maal Latif

Abstract

River sand is a primary fine aggregate extensively used in cement concrete, asphalt pavements, and precast concrete products. Its performance is governed by physical and chemical characteristics, which in practice often vary significantly between material sources. North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, possesses abundant river sand resources derived from several major river systems. However, a systematically documented database of sand characteristics is still lacking. This study aims to characterize the physical and chemical properties of river sand obtained from five quarry sources in North Luwu Regency, namely the Masamba, Rongkong, Radda, Baliase, and Baebunta Rivers. The testing program included particle size gradation, sand equivalent, mud content, specific gravity, silica (SiO₂) content, and sulfate (SO₄^2-) content. The results demonstrate pronounced inter-quarry variability in sand characteristics, although all samples comply with construction material standards. Sand from the Rongkong and Masamba Rivers exhibits superior quality in terms of cleanliness, density, and chemical stability, whereas sand from the Baebunta and Radda Rivers shows marginal conditions for several cleanliness-related parameters. This study establishes an initial regional database of river sand characteristics that can support material selection and quality control for construction applications in North Luwu Regency.

Keywords:

river sand, fine aggregate characteristics, sand equivalent, gradation, material database

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