Abstract:
Emerging environmental problems are identifed due to the improper sand extraction near the riverbeds for the construction
activities. This research was involved with completely replacing river sand by alternatives in masonry works. Manufactured
sand and ofshore sand were utilized as the substitutions for river sand and incorporated in mortars in the forms of manufactured sand alone and blending of both alternatives. Cement–sand and lime–cement–sand mortars were prepared to fabricate
the masonry specimens and brick–mortar joints. The mechanical characteristics of masonry and brick–mortar joints were
investigated using the available standards. The compressive and fexural strengths of masonry were greatly improved by the
mortars included manufactured sand alone and the blended sand mortars. The diagonal tensile strength of masonry with the
alternatives showed conficting trends. Shear and adhesive strengths of brick–mortar joint were signifcantly advanced by
the alternative mortars. Fine aggregate properties such as angularity, surface roughness and packing density were correlated
with the masonry properties and some models were proposed to evaluate the rationale behind these efects.
