Sand with impurities creates cracks and failure of structural concrete, which leads to loss of investment, lives, and injuries. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of Delibina, Hamessa, and Kayle rivers' sand for structural concrete. 18 sand samples were collected by using BS 812 standards per depth and stream stations, and 126 concrete (C-30) specimens were cast with constant quality of concrete ingredients but sand with impurities. The standards testing methods used in this study were ASTM, ACI, BS 882, IS, and the Ethiopian standard for testing sand properties and impurities. The results of this study indicated that 66.67% moisture content of sand was a suitable value per depth and stream station, whereas the silt content and clay content of sand were 50%, 11.11%, 33.34%, and 27.78% passed per stream station and per depth, respectively. The particle size distribution of sand was 62.5% coarser and 37.5% fine sand per six stream stations, while the specific gravity, water absorption, and loose and compacted unit weight of sand were 100% past the limit. The organic impurities of sand per depth had 11.11%, 72.22%, and 16.67% darker, lighter, and colorless than the standard solution, respectively. The slump and unit weight of fresh concrete was 66.67% acceptable for normal concrete, whereas the compressive strength at 7 and 14 days was 75%, and at 28 days, 100% passed the limit. The study concluded that the quality of Delibina River sand was better than Hamessa and Kayle rivers' sand, and it recommended that Delibina, Hamessa, and Kayle River sand source users have to wash, dry, and screen sand before use.
Fikremariam et al. (Wed,) studied this question.