Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Arceo, Chester
Lim, Kyle
Mabasa, Jojo
Marquez, Avery
Sonza, Ethan
This study is dedicated to people who have curious minds that could devote their time,
body, mind, money, and heart for the sake of Science and for the sake of the improvement of
civilization. This study is also aimed for the sake of the prominent minds and bright futures of
Physics teacher, Sir Armand John Yangat for being their light and guide in conducting the
research.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers express their utmost gratitude to their Physics teacher, Sir Armand
John Yangat, for giving them the opportunity to conduct this experiment and for the support,
encouragement, patience and perseverance he portrayed. Sir Yangat is, indeed, a true
inspiration and role model to society. The researchers would also like to thank the people who
have had helped them in conducting, researching and printing the experiment and research
such as the parents of the researchers for providing the materials, mainly the mussel shells, the
High School Library of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong for providing useful and detailed
information related to the research, the University of the Philippines' Institute of Civil
Engineering for providing past, similar, researches and for testing the components of the hollow
blocks. Lastly but certainly not the least, the researchers would like to thank the people who
have whole-heartedly read, studied and used this research for the greater good of the world.
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ABSTRACT
This study aims to develop with stronger and tougher hollow blocks by the means of
adding mussel shells to the base composition of the hollow block so that it could withstand
greater compressive strength. This will also serve as a substitute for the regular, commercial
hollow blocks that are deemed quite expensive in the current market. Based on initial research,
the researchers believe that mussel shells, or rather a crustacean shell, can offer extra strength
and durability when used properly hence, leading to mussel shells used as an additive in hollow
block making. The study is mainly for the betterment and improvement of civilization by killing
two birds with one stone: addressing the pollution and solid waste problem by recycling mussel
the base which, in the Philippines, is usually hollow blocks integrated with the famous cooking
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - i
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - iii
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - iv
Definition of Terms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4
Research Design - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11
Sampling Procedure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11
Instrumentation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11
Research Procedure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 - 12
Research Diagram - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12
Summary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15
Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15 - 16
Recommendation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16
Bibliography - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - v
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
must. As part of human nature, man continues to make life 'easier' through inventions,
discoveries and innovations hence, the assurance of the best possible service and materials
available for the daily lives of man. As an attempt to 'innovate', the researchers have decided to
commit ourselves to a research that will do just that. An experiment revolving around a common
building tool used in almost every infrastructure around the world: hollow blocks.
Hollow blocks are large rectangular bricks used in construction. It is a basic building tool.
It is also known as concrete blocks, cement blocks and as foundation blocks. These are made
in several different ways such as, in Portland, cement and either sand and fine gravel
aggregates for high density-blocks or industrial wastes for low density-blocks. Those that use
cinders -fly ash or bottom ash- are called cinder blocks in Canada, the US and New Zealand,
breeze blocks -breeze is a synonym of ash- in the UK. Hollow blocks in the Philippines and are
also known as besser blocks or bricks in Australia. Clinker blocks use clinker as aggregate. In
non-technical usage, the terms cinder block and breeze block are often generalized to cover all
of these varieties. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using aerated concrete.
Several environmentalist groups, researchers and students has had experimented over
the matter of what additive is suitable to increase the effectiveness of hollow blocks wherein
lime soil, coconut coir, rice hull, plastic and a few others were used as an additive. This,
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however, did the opposite wherein the hollow block became less 'solid', making its building
options lesser for instance, walls and fences were the only stable products.
After initial research, the researchers stumbled upon a common product that could
strengthen materials with its high calcium carbonate that will supposedly strengthen cement.
Mussel shells, the common product, are considered waste for it is usually thrown out
immediately after consumed. Mussel shells contain 95-99% calcium carbonate by weight, while
an organic component makes up the remaining 1-5%. The resulting composite has fracture
toughness ~3000 times greater than that of the crystals themselves. In the biomineralization of
the mollusk shell, specialized proteins are responsible for directing crystal nucleation, phase,
morphology, and growths dynamics and ultimately give the shell its remarkable mechanical
strength. The application of biomimetic principles elucidated from mollusk shell assembly and
structure may help in fabricating new composite materials with enhanced optical, electronic, or
structural properties.
How will mussel shells used as an additive affect the hollow block's compressive
Will a commercial hollow block be better than the home-made hollow block with mussel
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Hypothesis of the Study
There is no significant difference in the feasibility of the hollow block based on the
The chosen study, Feasibility of Mussel Shells in Making Hollow Blocks, can help the
society in its crisis in solid waste management because with the help of this study, the
researchers can reuse the shells as an additive instead of simply disposing them. This study
can also help the construction industry in producing more efficient and stronger hollow blocks.
Stronger hollow blocks would mean a better, more reliable foundation for infrastructures such as
houses, buildings, bridges, towers and the like. This would also benefit the economy due to the
successful, an easier and more common way to produce better hollow blocks. Ecology-wise,
this would also beneficial due to the reuse of empty mussel shells because mussel shells are
not easily decomposed. Burning these will harm the atmosphere, environment and the people.
The study was formulated to determine if using mussel shells as an additive to hollow
blocks would either make the hollow block stronger or weaker. The research would have four
set-ups; one commercial hollow block and three with mussel shells as an additive but with
different amounts of mussel shells and sand; 40-60, 50-50 and 60-40 respectively.
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The limitation of the study is that the researchers will not conduct the experiment inside
the school, but rather outside of its premises hence, the hollow block would be homemade. The
study cannot be successful without seeking professional help due to the fact that compressive
strength needs to be determined through thorough laboratory analysis. The study will be tested
at the University of the Philippines' Institute of Civil Engineering. Additionally, the research is
only limited in determining the compressive strength of the hollow blocks, making the
conclusions and interpretations of this experiment solely based on the PSI. Any form of building
Definition of Terms
cement. a building material made by grinding calcined limestone and clay to fine powder, which
can be mixed with water and poured to form a solid mass; used as an ingredient in making
mortar or concrete
compressive strength. maximum stress a material can sustain under crush loading
hollow block. concrete or burnt clay hollow blocks used for construction of hollow-tile floors
mussel. any of various marine bivalves of the genus Mytilus and related genera especially
medulis. edible mussel; having a dark, slightly elongated shell and, usually, attached to rocks
psi. a unit of pressure or of stress based on avoirdupois units. It is the pressure resulting from a
ultimate load. a statistical figure of the maximum weight a substance can withstand
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CHAPTER II
This chapter deals with the concepts, research studies and literature of the study. The
concepts are organized around major topics that are derived from the variables that have been
Concrete blocks are made from cement and aggregate blocks. They are cheaper and
more utilitarian than traditional clay bricks. They are often used for retaining walls and garden
screens, although some blocks that mimic the colour and texture of store are widely used for
dwellings.
A mussel is any bivalve mollusk, especially and edible marine bivalve of the family
Mytiliadae and a freshwater clam of the family Unionidae. The byssal threads of the mussel are
so adhesive that they even cling to Teflon; scientists are now trying to develop a mussel-based
adhesive for use in eye surgery. The oyster creates its own environment by secreting a shell
composed or ninety-five percent (95%) of calcium carbonate. The remainder of the shell is
made up of organic material and trace amounts of manganese, iron, aluminum, sulfate and
magnesium. The structure or the shell of a mussel consists or four distinct layers: periostracum,
a tissue of organic material called conchiolin, secreted by the cells located near the edge of the
mantle. The periostracum is poorly developed in crassostrea virginica and it is not round in old
shells, prismatic layer, which is made up of bricklike prism units. Each prism consists or calcite
crystals laid in a matrix of conchiolin. The conchiolin can be destroyed by boiling in potassium
hydroxide and the prisms are separated, calcite-ostracum is a subnacreous layer consisting or
foliated sheets or calcite laid between thin membranes of conchiolin. This layer is interrupted by
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soft chalky deposits which consist of amorphous material. This layer makes up the major part of
the shell, hypostracum layer is made or shell material under the abductor muscle. In the
crassostrea virginica the layer is pigmented and consists of aragonite. As the oyster grows the
adductor muscle increases in size and the new areas or attachment become covered with
aragonite.
Shells grow by the accretion of material secreted at their edges. The rings on the outer
surfaces or a bivalve shell represent the contours of the shell at different ages. Rings are
common to all bivalves’ shells. Depending on the shape of the shell, the rings are either circular
or oval with a common point or origin at the extreme dorsal side near the umbo. The rate of
growth along the edge of the shell is not uniform and may actually change direction in response
to environmental factors
The mantle of the mussel; the animal inside the shell is covered by a mantle. The
principal function of the mantle is the formation or the shell and its calcification. It is made up of
soft and freshly tissue. The structure of the mantle consists of a sheet of connective tissue
containing muscles, blood vessels, nerves and it is covered on both sides by epithelium. The
mantle receives sensory stimuli, and conveys them to the nervous system and aid in the
shedding and dispersal of eggs. It also participates in respiration, stores reserve materials,
The most obvious components of the mantle are the radial muscles, blood vessels and
nerves. The radial muscles are large bands of fibers which extend almost the entire width of the
mantle. The radial muscle contracts and pulls the entire mantle inside and throws its surface
into ridges. The mantle’s blood vessel are the circumpallial artery which sends out many
branches; the common pallial artery, and a large pulsating vessel in the anteriorventral part of
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the mantle called the accessory heart. The nerve provides communication. Close nerve contact
is maintained between the muscles and the organs of the mantle through a fine nerve network.
An important use of calcium carbonate is in the building industry. Due to its wide
abundance and properties, it has been used as a building substance since ancient times. For
example, the Egyptians used limestone for building their pyramids. Another notable monument
made up of white marble is the Taj Mahal in India. Today, calcium carbonate is used in
Besides construction, calcium carbonate is also used in other industries like paint,
plastic, rubber, ceramic, cement, glass, steel, oil refining, iron ore purification and biorock
creation for mariculture of sea organisms. It is used as a blackboard chalk and as pH correcting
compound in swimming pools. As per statistics, about 200 tons of chalk is used every year.
Calcium carbonate is the most preferred mineral in the paper industry, used for filling and
Since calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth, calcium carbonate is used as
dietary calcium supplement. Calcium carbonate supplement is effective to treat certain ailments
related to calcium deficiency, for example, osteoporosis and acidity problems. Calcium
supplements, made from calcium carbonate, are prescribed in various doses as per the
lime, which is used for neutralizing soil. Acidic soils can be treated with garden lime to enhance
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the soil quality. Garden lime when added in soil acts as a calcium source for plants as well as
increases the pH and water retaining capacity of acidic soils. Calcium carbonate sources such
as limestone and chalk, along with other chemical compounds are used in preparation of garden
lime.
drinking water, desulphurisation of flue gas and waste water treatments. Water bodies affected
by acid rain can be neutralized by using calcium carbonate. However, care has to be taken as it
directed pushing forces. It provides data (or a plot) of force vs deformation for the conditions of
the test method. When the limit of compressive strength is reached, brittle materials are
crushed. Concrete can be made to have high compressive strength, e.g. many concrete
structures have compressive strengths in excess of 50 MPa, whereas a material such as soft
sandstone may have a compressive strength as low as 5 or 10 MPa. By contrast, a small plastic
substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine
organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient
in agricultural lime, and is usually the principal cause of hard water. It is commonly used
hazardous.
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Ms. Frances Monina M. Obrero’s study, according to investigatoryprojectexample.com,
focused on the possibility of replacing silica in ceramic production with oyster shells. Powdered
oyster shells were used instead of silica in the production of ceramics. The texture, color and
durability of the ceramics were compared to those made with silica. Six kilograms of Vigan clay
and 2.5 kg of ball clay were mixed and soaked in water overnight. The following day, the mixture
was kneaded again and filtered. The mixture was placed over Plaster of Paris for the water to
be absorbed.
The solidified mixture was then rolled and compressed to let the air escape from the
spaces inside the solidified mixture. After this, the mixture was molded, air dried for four days
and fired in a furnace. Three trials were made at different temperatures – 900 degrees Celsius,
950 degrees Celsius and 1000 degrees Celsius. The finished products were compared in terms
of texture and color to those made using silica. Ten evaluators from the staff of the University of
Northern Philippines – Ceramics Research, Training and Development Center rated set-ups in a
scale of 1-10 with 1 being the lowest rating and 10 the highest. It was found that the texture of
the experimental set-up is better than the control set-up. It was also found that the color of the
experimental set-up is comparable to the control set-up. Tests on durability of the ceramics,
which were done at SLU College of Engineering Laboratory, revealed that the experimental set-
up is more durable than the control set-up. This proves that oyster shell can be utilized in the
production of ceramics. It also affirms that ceramics made using oyster shells are better than
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
The study used the experimental method of research. In this kind of research the
Research Design
Hollow Block
The experimental method is used to determine the relationship of the variables wherein
the dependent variable would be the compressive strength of the hollow block, the ultimate load
and the quality of the hollow blocks while the independent variables would be the amount of
mussel shell additives and the amount of sand additives and the constant variables would be
the amount of cement, amount of water, the dried mussel shells and the size of the hollow block
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Sampling Procedure
This part of the study briefly discusses the procedures in conducting the study. The
follow steps were taken by the researchers to complete their study; first, they gathered all the
required materials: a hammer, spatula, Tupper wear, mussel shells, sand and water, second;
they sun-dried the shells then crushed them thoroughly, third; prepare the four set-ups. Testing
would be done by people from the University of the Philippines due to the researcher's lack of
Instrumentation
The researchers aim to make hollow blocks with mussel shells as an additive. To do so,
several tools and materials are required such as: a hammer to crush the shells; a weighing
scale to measure the materials like sand, cement, mussel shells; shovel, a spatula or a wooden
rod for mixing substances and mixtures and; a Tupper wear or any molding material to mold the
hollow block. The study will be going to the University of the Philippines' Institute of Civil
Research Procedure
This part of the study is a detailed procedure of the whole experiment. The gathered
mussel shells were sun dried for half a day on a sheet of foil. These were then crushed with the
hammer. The set-ups were made by the people from the University of the Philippines wherein
the researchers only provided the materials. As recorded by UP, there were 4 set-ups: A, B, C
and D. Set-up A was a commercial block; set-up B's additive composition had 60% mussel
shells and 40% sand while; set-up C had 50% mussel shells and 50% sand and; set-up D with
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40% mussel shells and 60% sand. They also claim that similar students has had done this exact
request before, making it easier for them. The blocks were left to harden up and will be tested at
their laboratories immediately after the completed hollow block making process. The laboratory
tests would test the four blocks’ compressive through pound force per square inch or PSI. The
results would be sent to the researchers for further analysis and interpretations that would lead
Research Diagram
Testing its
Clean the Bring them to
compressive
mussel shells. the laboratory.
strength.
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CHAPTER IV
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
As presented in the table, the results of the compressive strength test from the
University of the Philippines' tests is as follows: set-up A, the commercial block, had an ultimate
load of 50,000 pounds resulting to a 1.023 psi (Pounds per Square Inch) while; set-up B, 60/40,
had an ultimate load of 65,000 pounds resulting to a 1.19 psi; set-up C, 50/50, had a 54,500
pound load, leading to a 1.089 psi and; set-up D, 40/60, had the load of 51,500 pounds with the
As seen in the table and by analyzing the results, it is clear that the amount of mussel
shells does indeed affect the compressive strength of the hollow blocks and, as it seems, affects
it in a more positive way wherein its compressive strength is somewhat higher and better than
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that of a commercial hollow block. Additionally, the ratio of mussel shells to sand also affects the
results. As observed in the testing, the more mussel shells there is, the higher compressive
strength and the less mussel shell there is, the lesser the compressive strength. To emphasize
and to clarify the interpreted data regarding the effects of the hollow block-to-sand ratio to the
Set-up B
Set-up D
Set-
up B
Set- Set-up D
up C Set-up C
Set-up B
Set-
up D
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CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary of Findings
The results from the conducted tests show that blocks with mussel shells as additives
are indeed more effective wherein, considering the compressive strength and the additional
results of the ultimate load: Set-A, the commercial block, had an ultimate load of 50,000 lbs.
with 1.029 psi while Set-B, having 60% mussel shells, had more than 15,000 lbs. ultimate load
compared to Set-A. The results deem that the compressive strength is directly proportional to
the ultimate load hence, as the ultimate load increases, the compressive strength does too. With
that, comparing Set-C and Set-D respectively to Set-A: 4,500 lbs. difference with 1.089 psi and
Conclusion
By observing the analysis, tests and summary of findings, the research’s statement of
the problem can be claimed that the percentage of mussel shells is directly proportional to the
ultimate load which is also directly proportional to the compressive strength hence, concluding
that mussel shells used as an additive in hollow block making does in fact make the hollow
block’s compressive strength greater which can be basically summed up to: mussel shells
additives increase the compressive strength of hollow blocks. As seen at the results of the tests,
the amount of clam shells, particularly set-up B: the 60% mussel shell additive, is a clear result
that more mussel shells would make the hollow block stronger in terms of compressive strength
and ultimate load. Comparing it to set-up A: the commercial hollow block, set-up B would
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appear superior. Same goes to set-up C: 50% mussel shell additive and set-up D: 40% mussel
shell additive in contrast with set-up A. These set-ups support the statement that the more
mussel shell additive added to the hollow block would make the hollow block’s compressive
strength greater wherein these set-ups determined that the less mussel shell additives made the
hollow block’s compressive strength lower. Therefore, the conclusion: mussel shells used as an
additive in hollow block making would make the hollow block stronger in terms of compressive
Recommendation
recommended for the next batch of researchers for collecting a sizable amount of mussel shells
poses to be an easy task but in reality, it is rather a tedious act. Additionally, the testing
laboratory at the University of the Philippines is highly recommended for testing various
quantities, qualities and compositions such as, in this experiment’s case, ultimate load and
compressive strength. However, planning the tests ahead of schedule would be, also, highly
recommended due to the fact that the people at the University of the Philippines are quite busy;
a scheduled appointment is a must. It is also recommended that instead of using mussel shells,
several other additives may be used such as, as mentioned in the introduction, lime soil,
coconut coir, rice hull, plastic or other Mollusks such clams, oysters, crabs, lobsters and the like.
It is also recommended to, as the original plan of this experiment, try pure additives without the
mix of others such as, in this case, sand; making the experiment only 100% mussel shells or
100% chosen additive which, by theory, should make the hollow block even stronger. Another
recommendation would be seeking professional help in making the hollow block to secure the
best and most accurate results, as did in this experiment. Proper testing, however, would cost at
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Journals:
Websites: