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Article from CHEMICALS - CONCRETE & ASPHALT RELATED (4 Articles)

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SEASHELLS A POTENTIAL
INGREDIENT IN STRUCTURAL
CONCRETE

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Posted July 01, 2011

Seashells could add strength to structural concrete, adding to its


robustness in general.
A typical batch of the mixture could include about
five per cent shells for structural use

A University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth assistant professor


is using seashells to develop a structurally sound cement mixture that
reduces ones carbon footprint.Nima Rahbar, of the Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering, is mixing ordinary cement with
seashell waste from the local shellfish industry for use as structural supports and in other decorative
applications. He explained that concrete production is an energy intensive process involving grinding rocks and
kilns that can reach temperatures of 1170C. However, by mixing shells into it, Nima believes he can reduce the
energy used to make the cement and assist the shellfish industry at the same time.
I saw a fisherman who said they have a lot of shells and dont know what to do with them, Nima Rahbar
explained. They have to pay somebody to get rid of these shells.
But as he pointed out, studies have shown that seashells are as tough as lightweight biological materials and
therefore economically advantageous because of their wide availability and low cost.
The industrial use of this material decreases the carbon footprint of concrete by reducing the amount of cement
in concrete and decreasing the processing energy, he said. It also helps public health by eliminating waste
materials, and creates technology for the region by establishing the new cement as a sustainable structural
material.
One of Nima Rahbars goals is to develop a sustainable multifunctional composite with higher toughness and
superior thermal property compared to ordinary composites. He has worked with a variety of shells, and said
conk shells were the most promising. He is seeking to improve the quality and strength of his material, is
currently performing tests for strength and toughness and has already started the patent process. He is seeking
funding to continue his work through grants, private industry or venture capital interest.
Assisting Nima Rahbar in the research is a team of UMass graduate students who are working on marketing the
material and determining applications for it. The students created a PowerPoint presentation on the material,
calling it shellcrete.
Mackendy Mondesir, one of Nima Rahbars students, said he and the other students also broke down the classes
of concrete and their minimum specs, such as compressive strength and aggregate size, for slabs and beams,
columns, footings, and slab on grade and foundation walls.
Once testing is done, based on the results, Nima Rahbar said they would go about finding applications for the
material.
While shellcrete can currently be used for decorative purposes like countertops, Mackendy Mondesir said the goal
is to use it for structural purposes and applications like columns and beams, so the research team is reviewing
the specs that have to be met.
Nima Rahbar said the material is ready for non-structural use, and he is close to achieving the strength and
toughness of structural concrete. He said the product should also have better thermal properties than traditional
materials. A typical batch of the mixture could include about five per cent shells for structural use and 15 to 20
per cent for more decorative purposes.
Rahbars students are also looking into the internationally recognised Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certification process, with the hope that building projects could qualify for tax credits by using the

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10/01/13 6:06 AM

Seashells a potential ingredient in structural concrete - Quarry ...

http://www.quarrymagazine.com/Article.aspx?id=1896&h=Sea...

material.
Some people have done concrete with seashells in the past, but their goal wasnt to make stronger materials,
Mackendy Mondesir said, noting that Rahbars process will allow it to be a stronger material.
Sources: Aggregate Research, New England Business Bulletin (US)

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