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Indeed. Not all sand is created [1] equal. For a funny example, see http://www.utrechtcentral.com/featured/soil-expert-from-utre... (not quite selling sand in the Sahara, but reasonably close)

For the Sahara example, I fear that part of 'strength' here is brittleness. The concrete may be strong enough, as long as you don't drop heavy objects onto it or hit it with a hammer.

Ignoring that, thicker walls in the Sahara probably are a good idea to keep rooms cooler, but can be problematic in high-rise buildings, as they weigh more, and thus require even thicker walls at lower levels. Floors are a problem, even in single-floor buildings.

[1] Actually, it is not just creation. Age plays a role, too. For example, you have to replace sandbox sand once the smaller grains have been rained out of it because it stops 'sticking'.



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