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CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Setting
Introduction
Nowadays, it is evident in construction that even what has been, just isnt enough.
The believed materials to be heavy duty, durable and strong just isnt enough
anymore. One essential material is cement, and cement plays a big part in building &
construction, but cement eventually wears out under the influences of pressure,
temperature, and usage. A normal cement mixture could last for up to 100 to 16,000
years, which is cements life span, (if an Ultra-High-Density (UHD) mixture is used. But
outer influences aforementioned does dramatic effects on cement and that can affect a
concretes life span. Continuous construction, which is evident in our own areas, proves
that cement doesnt last long, and a stronger type of material is needed. In order to
make up for this, cement wont be replaced, but a new component will be introduced,
and that is apple snail shells, which are hypothesized to make a great change in the
construction agency.
Apple snails are tropical and sub-tropical freshwater snails from the family
Ampullariidae. They are exceptionally well adapted to tropical regions with periods of
drought alternated with periods of excessive rainfall which is why they are commonly
found in Asian regions like the Philippines. Recent research reveals the catastrophic
nature of the Pomacea invasion in new habitats: the snail herbivory drastically alters the
state and function of invaded natural wetlands. When the plants are consumed,
nutrients in the system are shunted to phytoplankton instead of the plants which creates
dense algal blooms.
The researchers awareness of the Calcium carbonate content of the snail shells
urges them to conduct a thorough study of its possible contribution in the construction
world. Furthermore, they want to utilize the least wanted raw materials to answer the
crisis of minimal lifespan of the current building materials.
the composition of cement in order for it to become stronger and durable in the sense of
making a structure.
The researchers believe that Apple Snail shells may be use as a possible additive in
enhancing the concreteness of structures that is not so expensive but will assure the
peoples safety most of the time. Apple snails are tropical and sub-tropical freshwater
snails from the family Ampullariidae. They are exceptionally well adapted to tropical
regions with periods of drought alternated with periods of excessive rainfall which is why
they are commonly found in Asian regions like the Philippines. Recent research reveals
the catastrophic nature of the Pomacea invasion in new habitats: the snail herbivory
drastically alters the state and function of invaded natural wetlands. When the plants are
consumed, nutrients in the system are shunted to phytoplankton instead of the plants
which creates dense algal blooms. The researchers awareness of the Calcium
carbonate content of the snail shells urges them to conduct a thorough study of its
possible contribution in the construction world. Furthermore, they want to utilize the
least wanted raw materials to answer the crisis of minimal lifespan of the current
building materials. One more thing, the researchers have chosen the Apple snail shells
for its abundance in the community. But, on the other hand, the finished product must be
tested so that the researchers can assure that their concept was really that efficient.
The final product will undergo three tests: fire resistance, water resistance and
durability. Fire resistance will be determined by the final color and appearance of the
blocks after subjecting those under both even and uneven heating. Water resistance
will be measured by checking the amount of debris and presence of bubbles after
submerging the blocks into containers having enough water. Though concrete is already
known to be fire resistant, there are still cases that it gets burned when subjected to
very high temperatures. Spalling is a physical process of the breakdown of surface
layers of masonry (typically concrete) which crumble into small pebble-like pieces in
response to high temperatures and/or mechanical pressure. This process breaks the
bond that holds the solids together and thus cause the concrete to crumble (Dipierro,
2016). The researchers decided to test the water resistance because according to
Understanding-cement.com, one of the relevant factors in concrete weakness is
concrete porosity. Voids in concrete can be filled with air or with water. Air voids are an
obvious and easily-visible example of pores in concrete. Broadly speaking, the more
porous the concrete, the weaker it will be. Durability will be assessed by checking the
intensity of damage in both blocks after dropping them at varying heights. They decided
to test the durability because according to Understanding-cement.com, Another factor
that contributes to concrete weakness is Aggregate-paste bond which is the integrity of
the bond between the paste and the aggregate is critical. If there is no bond, the
aggregate effectively represents a void; as discussed above, voids are a source of
weakness in concrete.
FireROK heat resistant cement concrete has been engineered to produce a
concrete that provides superior durability in environments subject to high thermal cycles
and temperatures. FireROK cement concrete can withstand intermittent temperatures
as high as 1000C (1850F) and sustained temperatures up to 300C (570F) without
significant loss of strength.
British Standards set out to ensure that reinforced concrete structures provide the
degree of protection, internal environment and functionality required by owners or
developers.
The term 'Waterproof' therefore conjures up a whole range of ideas. If the
structure in question is to retain water, say a water storage tank, then the designer may
simply work to the design requirements of the water retaining code, BS 8007, which sets
out to limit crack width. This may be achieved by utilizing a good quality, ordinary
concrete, close attention to joint details and providing extra crack control reinforcement;
dampness being acceptable.
Durability is the ability to last a long time without significant deterioration. A
durable material helps the environment by conserving resources and reducing wastes
and the environmental impacts of repair and replacement. The production of
replacement building materials depletes natural resources and can produce air and
water pollution.
Concrete resists weathering action, chemical attack, and abrasion while
maintaining its desired engineering properties. Different concretes require different
degrees of durability depending on the exposure environment and the properties
desired. Concrete ingredients, their proportioning, interactions between them, placing
and curing practices, and the service environment determine the ultimate durability and
life of the concrete.
Conceptual Framework
The research paradigm as shown in page four demonstrates the general flow of the
experimentation process. The researchers will start by gathering Apple snail shells from
their target source. After thorough cleansing of shells, the researchers will let those dry
before pounding. Those powdered shells will be utilized in making the controlled mixture
of cement. They will also prepare a regular mixture of cement. They will let both
mixtures to dry and to form blocks. To prove the efficacy of the controlled mixture, the
researchers will run three tests: durability test, water resistance test, and fire resistance
test. In durability test, they will drop the blocks at varying heights. In water resistance
test, they will submerge the blocks for a week. In fire resistance test, they will try both
even and uneven heating. They will use oven and stove for even heating and alcohol
lamp for uneven heating. They will record all the changes that will happen to both blocks
during and after each test.
Research Paradigm
Durability
Water Resistance
Fire Resistance
What are the features of apple snail shells that made this as probable
material?
What are the other benefits the apple snail shells can contribute in the
construction world?
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This study is expected to reveal the potential uses of Apple Snail shells considering
the nuisance brought to the community by the shells. Furthermore, it is also beneficial
for the following group of people:
To students. This study will make the students realize that even the simple things in
their surroundings can be very useful if only they combine their curiosity and creativity.
Also, this study will make them aware of what they can do to improve their world. This
study will further boost their self-esteem and desire to know more that will automatically
force them to observe their surrounding even deeper and think critically on how to
create useful materials from useless things that can improve a certain thing.
To farmers. This is essential to farmers since snails are classified as pest when it
comes to farming. This study will help them eliminate snails from their fields since the
establishment of this study will make way to the utilization dead snails.
They can
recycle its shells and perform this study themselves or they can sell it to create extra
cash. This study will also make the farmers realize that snails are not just pest but are
useful creatures too in some instances.
To construction firms. This study will also become beneficial on any construction
firms since this study equates to lesser cost and greater profit because of the primary
raw material to be utilized. This will also propel the increase in demand since more
people will become eager to ensure their safety inside their houses.
To society.
This is also important to our society because this will help our
government create infrastructures that can endure the wrath of any natural phenomena.
This will greatly lessen the intensity of damage during calamities.
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mixture. In the set-up, they have two mixtures: one with apple snail shells and one
without shells but both contain the same amount and white cement. The second is that
they consider the gravel to be used and the last one is the amount of water to be added
to both mixtures. They make these two blocks with right type and kind of materials used
for the validity of the outcomes. Also, the type of block they make is an alternative block
designed for regular constructions only for houses and buildings and not for those
infrastructures that need specialized material. This study is also limited in the use of
Apple snail shells alone as supplement to regular block mixture in making more durable
structures. Overall, they consider the measurements, types and kinds of materials to be
used and its designated purpose in order to keep the outcome of this investigatory
project exact and reliable.
Definition of Terms
The following are the words used in the study. They were defined in accordance to their
use in the research.
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Local Literature
Ruiz, et.,al. (2013) said that coconut shells are mostly used as ornaments and as
sources of activated carbon in industries of plastics, glues and abrasive materials. They
are produced in large quantities; thus, these are the wastes most commonly found in
landfills. This situation poses a great threat to the environment because landfills
contribute to global warming by emitting harmful gases like carbon dioxide and
methane. The growing problem in waste prompted the researchers to use coconut shell
as additives in concrete mixture, and to determine whether it significantly increases the
flexural and compressive strength of concrete. This study used experimental design to
determine the effectiveness of adding crushed coconut shell as additives in concrete
mixture. The t-test analysis revealed that the flexural and compressive strength of
concrete with crushed coconut shell was significantly higher than the flexural and
compressive strength of concrete without crushed coconut shell. These findings mean
that the addition of crushed coconut shell increases the flexural and compressive
strength of concrete.
Fernandez (2015) stated that indigenous or recycled shells such as those of golden
apple snail (golden kuhol) and mussel (tahong) could be used for tile-making, according
to Dr. Felizardo P. Ubando and Rosalinda G. Nones in their research project titled
"Powerred
Shells
as
Tiles".
The study was monitored by the Los Baos-cased Department of Science and
Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development
(DOST-PCAMRD). Currently headed by Executive Director Rafael D. Guerrero III,
PCAMRD is DOST's planning council for fisheries and aquatic resources that
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Foreign Literature
Howarth (2004) stated an original project carried out by a UK year 9(1314 year-old)
science class is described. The reaction between acid and snail shells was investigated,
and the effects of different acids, acid concentration, and temperature and shell size
were studied. The results were related to the effects of acid rain on snails in the wild.
Students responded with interest and the project not only encompassed many chemical
and biological ideas but encouraged teamwork and the development of good practical
skills. It could equally well be a useful project after key stage 3 SATs or the basis of
GCSE coursework.
Seker (2011) stated eggshells can be utilized for various purposes that minimize their
effect on environmental pollution. Eggshells present healthy, balanced calcium due to
its trace amounts of other minerals and is probably the best natural source of calcium.
One whole medium sized eggshell makes about one teaspoon of powder, which yields
about 750-800 mgs of elemental calcium plus other micro elements. Eggshell powder
has been reported to increase bone mineral density in people and animals with
osteoporosis. In laying hens in the late production phase, eggshell powder has been
found to increase egg production and improve the quality of shells. Discarded
eggshells are often used as a plant fertilizer and are effective timing sources. This is
because eggshells contain calcium that raises, or neutralizes, the pH level of overly
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acidic soil. Chicken eggshells can be used as an alternative soil stabilizer like lime since
they have the same chemical composition. Such stabilized soil can be used as
subgrade materials in road construction works.
Liang & Wang (2013) stated the cementing potential of pulverized oyster shell, rich
in calcium, when mixed with fly ash and soil. Cylindrical compacted soil and cubic lime
specimens with different proportions of the shells and fly ash are made to study the
strength variance. Soil, which is classified as CL in the USCS system, commercialized
pulverized oyster shell, F-type fly ash, and lime are mixed in different weight
percentages. Five sample groups are made to study the compressive strength of soil
and lime specimens, respectively.
Etuk, B., Etuk, I. & Asuquo (2012) discussed about producing pozzolanic admixtures
from waste shells of periwinkle, oyster and snail. The clean shells were ashed at 800 C
and analysed for chemical composition. The results show that they are pozzolanic in
nature. The effect of using the shells ash as admixtures on the setting time and
compressive strength of cement paste and mortar were investigated using varying
percentages of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight of each of the shell
ashes. The results show that the water consistency, initial, and final setting times of
each of the cement blends were increasing with increase in percentage replacement of
cement with each of the shell ashes. The optimum compressive strength with
percentage replacement level of 10% for periwinkle shell ash (PSA), 15% for oyster
shell ash (OSA), and 20% for snail shell ash (SSA) were obtained with ashes produced.
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Adewuyi, Franklin & Ibrahim (2015) stated the ability to reduce, reuse and recycle
mollusc shell waste for civil and construction engineering applications is an attractive
component of integrated waste management scheme. This paper presents the
applicability of mollusc farming residues especially the shells and shell-ash in partial or
full replacement for coarse aggregate and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) respectively.
The chemical constituents of mollusc shell ashes at 800o C which qualify as pozzolans
are comparable with the conventional cements. The physical properties and size
distribution of periwinkle, cockle and oyster shells qualify for coarse aggregate which
with paste and fine aggregate produce lightweight concrete without jeopardizing
strength. Finally, the durability of concrete so-produced from shell-coarse aggregate is
guaranteed at a maximum temperature of 300o C and the shell ash-blended cement
concrete under sulphate attack experienced the least reduction in compressive strength.
Olusola & Umoh (2012) stated that the study investigated the effect of periwinkle
shell ash (PSA) as cement substitute on the strengths of concrete. Specimens were
prepared from a mix of designed strength 25N/mm2 and the replacement of cement with
PSA was from 0% up to 40%. A total of 180 specimens were cast and tested for
compressive and tensile splitting strength at 7 and up to 180 days. The results revealed
that compressive strength increased with the increase in curing age but decreased as
the PSA contents increased. The design strength was attained with 10% PSA content at
28 days. The tensile splitting strength with 10% PSA was higher than the control (i.e.
mix only having cement as the binder) at ages above 14 days. The relationship between
tensile splitting strength and compressive strength of PSA blended cement concrete is
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similar to that of the conventional concrete. The study concluded that 10% PSA content
is adequate as cement substitution for structural concrete.
Local Studies
Alfante, Apuya & Capinan (2013) said that discarded mussel (tahong) shells can be
utilized as raw inputs in the production of stronger and lighter hollow blocks, a winning
business proposal by University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Tacloban College
(UPVTC) students. The prototype product showed about 650 pounds per square inch
(psi) level, way above the standard load-bearing requirement for construction. The
target beneficiaries of the project are mussel farmers in the municipality of Jiabong,
Samar where mussel farming is the main livelihood, an activity that produces
marketable products. Unfortunately, the shells are also an excessive waste by-product.
The idea is not actually new because even during the Spanish period, coral shells
have already been used as materials in building churches. This project also aims to
introduce a new building material that is both economically and ecologically sustainable.
Damalerio & Bulasa (2015) find out that rice field snail shells can be used as an
alternative raw material in making hollow blocks. By this, we cant just lessen the burden
of the farmers but also it can be a great help in the field of architectural design and
construction. Researchers believe that this research may lead to the workability, cost
efficiency, sustainability and environmental concerns of the hollow block as well as to
the reduction of the pest in the farm.
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Foreign Studies
Karthick, Jeyanthi & Petchiyammal (2014) said that throughout the world, concrete is
being widely used for the construction of most of the buildings, bridges etc. Hence, it
has been properly labeled as the backbone to the infrastructure development of a
nation. To meet out this rapid infrastructure development a huge quantity of concrete is
required. Unfortunately, India is a not self-sufficient in the production of cement; the
main ingredient of concrete and the demand for exceed the supply and makes the
construction activities very costlier. Hence currently the entire construction industry is in
search of a suitable and effective the waste product that would considerably minimize
the use of ultimately reduces the construction cost. Few of such products have already
been identified like Rice Husk, fly ash, Silica Fumes, Egg shell etc. Among these and
egg shells are known to have good prospects in minimizing the usage of sand. So, in
our concept of the project is replacing the fine aggregate by egg shell, and also reduce
the weight of the concrete with achieve the required strength of concrete.
Tsesarsky, et.,al.(2013) stated the mechanical behavior under impact loading of
concrete elements strengthened with shells of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) was
studied. The strengthening shells were made of either alkali-resistant glass or
polyethylene (PE) fabrics that were impregnated with several cementitious matrices
modified by common admixtures. Testing the strengthened elements for impact loading
(strain rate from 0.4 to 1 s1) at flexure showed that the TRC reinforced elements
conferred improved load capacity and impulse absorption.
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Wahyuni, et.,al. (2014) stated that concrete has good compressive but low in tensile
strength. The addition of natural fibre into fresh concrete can increase the ductility of the
concrete matrix. This research aims to investigate the tensile strength of concrete with
0.50% addition of bamboo fibre based on cement weight. To increase the strength of
concrete, the mixture of rice husk ash (RHA) and sea shell ash (SSA) was used as
partial replacement of fine aggregate. The replacement is devided into four different
percentages namely 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% based on the weight of fine aggregate.
The experimental work consisted of casting 13 different types of concrete to be
compared in term of splitting tensile strength at the age of 28 and 90 days. In general
the tensile strength of bamboo fibre reinforced concrete is comparable to that of Normal
Concrete.
CHAPTER III
Research Methodology
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Materials
Equipment
Materials
Amount
Sand
1000 grams
Cement
1000 grams
Water
300 mL
150 grams
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Equipment
Number
Meter stick
Beaker
Iron plates
Alcohol Lamp
Tripod
Wire gauze
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Procedure
The researchers will gather at least a kilogram of Golden snail shells and will
wash them to get rid of the algae. Then, they will dry the shells. Afterwards, they will put
them inside a resealable plastic bag and will pound them with the use of mortar and
pestle until such time that they get the right powder consistency they desired. The
second part of the experiment will be the preparation of two identical containers labeled
with Regular Cement and Mixture with Apple Snail Shells. For the regular cement
mixture, they will combine two cups of sand and two-thirds cup of cement then add 150
mL of water and will mix them evenly. The mixture will be poured into the regular cement
mixture container. On the other container, they will do the same thing but they will add
one half cup of the powdered apple snail shells. And let them solidify for days.
After the solidifying process, the regular cement and the one with Apple snail
shells will be subjected to multiple tests to prove which one is stronger between the two.
The first test will be heating the two blocks in three different ways: using stove, oven and
alcohol lamp.
For even heating, they will heat the blocks using a stove, they will prepare the two
blocks and will heat it for 30 minutes in a medium heat. In using an oven, they will put the
blocks inside the oven at 350 degree Celsius for 30 minutes and observer the changes
while and after heating. For uneven heating, they will use alcohol lamp for heating the
blocks. They will let those sit there then wait for 30 minutes.
The second will be to test the hardness of the blocks. They will drop the blocks at
different heights with the aid of a meter stick.
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The third test will be done to determine the ability of the blocks to resist water.
First, they will prepare two beakers then will pour in 250 mL of water. Then, they will get
a small portion from both blocks and put them in the beaker. They will settle it for a
week and will observe what will happen.
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Standard deviation
Variance
The means will be analyzed the through use of ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) or
F-test. Based on the data that will be gathered, the test statistic will be computed at =
0.05 level of significance with the other formula as follows:
F = MST / MSE
MST = SST / (k-1)
MSE = SSE / (N-k)
SSE = (n-1)s2
SST = n(x-)2
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