The Probability of Using Pulverized Mussel Shells As Component in Hollow Block Making
The Probability of Using Pulverized Mussel Shells As Component in Hollow Block Making
A Thesis in
Research 1
Presented to the Faculty of Industrial Technology Department
Cebu Technological University – Moalboal Campus
Moalboal, Cebu
In partial fulfillment
of the requirement for the degree
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology
Major in Drafting
December 2021
DEDICATION
To the workforces in the construction and masonry industry who devote their
time, efforts, and knowledge for the sake of improving infrastructures and civilization.
To the teachers, friends, and families of the researchers for giving the guidance,
Most importantly, to the Almighty Father for the knowledge and wisdom
The researchers express their sincere gratitude to their Research 1 professor, Sir
Resti Tito Villarino, for the opportunity to conduct this study and for the patience and
encouragement he portrayed. Sir Resti Villarino is, indeed generous and inspiring as he
This study generally aimed to utilize the feasibility and potential of using
pulverized mussel shells (Perna viridis) as composite materials in hollow block making.
more resilient yet practical hollow blocks by mixing pulverized mussel shells with the
raw materials in the manufacturing process. Moreover, this research study also serves as
a functional substitute for the commercial and chemically manufactured hollow blocks
that are high-priced in the current market. The researchers gather various related
literature and studies, citing different factors and considerations. All the collected data
were theoretically framed and analyzed. The research study results revealed that mussel
shells contain 95%-99% calcium carbonate by weight with fracture toughness of ~3000
times greater than that of the crystals themselves. This application may help in fabricating
new set of raw materials of producing hollow blocks with enhanced structural properties
technology aims to introduce this project to the manufacturers of hollow blocks, the
construction industry, and local government units with abundant resources of mussel
shells. This study also presents another way of addressing the pollution wherein the green
mussel shells have contributed to the tons of solid wastes generated in the Asia-Pacific
Region. Recycling mussel shells and using them to create another innovative material fits
the puzzle. Even more, this product could save our ecology from extreme quarrying of
sand and at the same time decrease the production cost of these materials due to the
INTRODUCTION
Brilliant discoveries continue to make life comfortable and more convenient through
latest inventions offering the best suitable services. In parallel to advancement and
modernization, the researchers intend to uncover studies that will do just that, a research
project concerning an essential material used in almost all infrastructures and building
Hollow blocks are rectangular bricks mostly used in the construction of multi-
blocks, cement blocks, and foundation blocks commonly used in compound walls. These
blocks are made from a mixture of cement, sand, and stone chips. Its presence reduces
According to Varshney (2016) [1], “The first Concrete block as a replacement for
stone and wood in the building was used in the United States. The first concrete block
house built up in 1837 on Staten Island in New York. Harmon S. Palmer designed first
hollow concrete block in 1890. Palmer presented the design of hollow block in 1900 after
10 years of experimental research. Palmer’s blocks were 8-inch (20.3 cm) x 10-inch (25.4
cm) x 30-inch(76.2 cm) and they were heavy in weight. The early hollow blocks were
cast by hand and average output was about 10 blocks per hour. Now concrete blocks are
manufacturing by automated process that can make up to 2000 blocks per hour.” (p. 1)
and research studies focusing on the matter of what component is more convenient to
improve the quality of the hollow blocks. Various related literature and studies, citing
different factors and considerations were collected, theoretically framed, and analyzed.
The research study results revealed that mussel shells contain 95%-99% calcium
carbonate by weight with fracture toughness of ~3000 times greater than that of the
crystals themselves. This application may help in fabricating new set of raw materials of
producing hollow blocks with enhanced structural properties in terms of durability and
compressive strength.
Papadimitriou (2020) studied that [2] “The current trend in concrete engineering
is shifting towards the sustainability aspect due to the depletion of natural concrete –
making materials as well as the environmental impact arising from the utilization of these
concrete.”
and mussels have long been gathered for food by coastal communities in the Philippines,
and bivalve farming began in early 1900. The first farms were no more than a series of
bamboo poles inserted in the muddy bottom of Manila Bay in Bacoor Cavite. In May
1934, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) established a pilot oyster
farm in Binakayan, Cavite Province, Luzon, and a lucrative industry soon grew up. By
1950, about 200 ha of private farms existed in Bacoor Bay, but, in the late 1950s, mussels
appeared on the farms and threatened the industry. The response of BFAR was to initiate
farms for mussels, and the results prompted the establishment of a mussel industry that
communities. The recycling of mussel wastes in addition to hollow block mix will
contribute to the preservation of the environment by reducing the quantity of mussel shell
waste.
The utilization of pulverized mussel shells in concrete could restrain the problem
of excessive consumption of conventional materials and at the same time decrease the
amount of generated waste shells in the Asia-Pacific region. The probability of using
mussel shells as component in manufacturing hollow blocks was studied, and the results
show a great significance here in the Philippines, where increasing amounts of mussel
Natural resources of the world drastically dwindle due to the increasing demand
of natural aggregate for the construction industry. This has also degenerated the
environment and has given impetus to studies and research for sustainable development
from industrial waste such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, bed ash has
led to sustainable materials but due to the lack of production techniques, many of the
developed and under-developed countries have not been able to use them to their
concrete, it favorably assists both the structural stability and economic viability, which
has been convincingly proved in developed countries. [3] (Prusty and Patro, 2014)
According to Reddy et al., (2014), [4] the consumption of the primary aggregate
was 110 million tonnes in the U.K. during 1960 and reached nearly 275 million tonnes in
the year 2006. Similarly, 2 billion ton-nes of aggregate are produced each year in the
United States and it is expected to increase to more than 2.5 billion tonnes by the year
2020.
It has been predicted that the demand for concrete is expected to grow to
approximately 18 billion tons a year by 2050. Such heavy demands draw attention and
preservation of natural aggregates, which are a matter of grave concern. Since aggregates
contribute about 60–80% of the volume of the concrete, effective and efficient use of
agricultural waste contributes to energy saving, conservation of natural resources and
aggregate for concrete production can be considered as one of the environmental benefits
and has shown better thermal property with the proven recognition by most of the
Giving emphasis on the above citations, the researchers decided to look for a
production. Mussel shells for a fact, embodies a good quality of concrete due to their
durable property, but still, it requires a mixture of more cement paste to make it feasible.
component in hollow blocks making, thus opening a new horizon in construction and
natural resources. In the past recent years, extreme efforts were initiated to introduce in
concrete mixing activities the by-products and wastes from various industrial,
agricultural, and other relative sources. Looking through at the fishery industry, seashell
wastes like mussel shells are available in certain regions in the Philippines and is usually
dumped in huge quantities without any reuse and proper waste regulation.
Papadimitriou et al. [2] investigated on mussel shells and its feasibility as an
aggregate replacement concrete. In their project study, the waste mussel shells were dried
and crushed into different aggregates ranging from coarse particulates to powder.
Specimens were prepared by using various types of cements (CEM I 52.5N, CEM
IV/B (P-W) 32.5N and CEM II/A-M (W-L) 42.5R) and mussel shells of different size.
Their 28-day compressive strength and elastic modulus was evaluated and compared with
the one of specimens made with compatible calcareous sand or gravel. Waste mussel
shells material showed characteristics, like limestone, that enable them to be an inert
material due to the high calcium oxide content. However, proper treatment such as
heating at high temperature and crushing to achieve appropriate fineness are desirable for
a better-quality material. It was shown that waste mussel shells could be utilized as a
partial aggregate for adequate workability and strength of concrete for non-structural
The test results also demonstrated that the aggregate fraction plays an important
role in the strength development of mussel concretes. The most impressive observation
was that mussel concretes (code named M1, M4 and M7) made with the coarser gravel
aggregate (4.76 – 12.7 mm fraction) showed strength values lower than the one of
reference concretes with much less cement content, for all types of cement. An
explanation for this result is the one proposed by Garcia et al. (2017), who stated that
the flat and flaky shape of the mussel aggregates, especially the one of the mussel
gravel, act as a barrier to the bleeding water which increases the water to cement ratio
in the downward face of the shell, resulting in a weaker bond between the two phases
obtained for the finer fraction (sand mussel concretes M3 and M6), which exhibited the
lower decrements in compressive strength and elastic modulus when cement types of
CEM I 52.5 N and CEM II/A-M (W-L) 42.5 R were used. [2] (Papadimitriou et al. 2014)
mussel concrete showed that their strength was lower than the natural aggregate
concretes. Their durability and strength are dependent on its amount in the mixture and
the cement type. Their conducted study shows that am adequate fraction of mussel shells
when mixed with a complex cement type containing pozzolan and ground limestone
one. Despite the reduction in the workability and strength, based on the studies
performed, it is suggested that mussel shells waste could still be utilized as a partial
concrete.
Another research study was conducted by a group of students which [8] aims to
develop stronger and tougher hollow blocks by using various shells. In their project
study, “The hollow block is mainly composed of shells and clay, wherein clay has been
researchers added cement to the mixture making the product more compact. Hollow
blocks from various shells and the commercial hollow blocks were set into trials to
compare each strength and ability to withstand weather. Both were stomped by different
people weighing 40kg, 50kg, and 80kg; and were poured with hot water (100 OC) and cold
water (16OC). After the trials, the researchers found out that commercial hollow block
was easily squashed into pieces unlike the study’s hollow block which is weaker in the
The student researchers proved that the hollow blocks with a mixture of 40% clay
and 60% sand seashells, from various shells, are stronger compared to the commercial
hollow blocks. The commercial hollow blocks were easily cracked into pieces unlike the
one with a mixture of different seashells. [8] “The results of the experiment show that the
hollow block is stronger when there are more crushed shells added. The mud clay and
cement react to produce alternative hollow blocks and much more when they are
combined. There is a difference in strength from the highest quantity of crushed shells in
study the effect of using mussel shells on the compressive strength and percentage of
water absorption of the bricks. The bricks were tested at the construction materials testing
center and it proved that the bricks could hold enough strength and can absorb much
water.
According to ASTM c1088 standard specification for thin veneer brick units
made from clay or shale, the compressive strength of the thin veneer bricks is not
necessary because its strength cannot be measured accurately due its thickness. But we
can conclude that the bricks with 100% mussel shell (sample 2) can have more
compressive strength than combining the mussel shell to the sand (sample 3) and bricks
with no mussel shell at all (sample 4). Therefore, using 100% and 50% mussel shell can
increase the compressive strength by 65.29% and 57.56% respectively. [6] (Manao, A.
n.d.)
Based on the studies performed, the brick with mussel shells mixture could be
concrete. Pulverized mussel shells when used as an additive in making hollow blocks can
be used both as a cement substitute and as a filler material for the formulation of non-
structural concrete. This newly formulated mixture can be applied in structures with low
strength concrete requirement. Indeed, this type of hollow blocks or concrete blocks can
be used as strengthening and infill material for confined beams. Another conceivable
service life.
Theoretical Framework
CEMENT
PRODUCTION
MUSSEL SHELLS
WASTE
HIGH DEMAND
BIOREFINERY ENVIRONEMNTAL
ISSUES
SUBSTITUTION OF
CEMENT CONCRETE
BLOCKS
shells in making hollow blocks. Specifically, this study is made to answer the following
problems:
1. What would be the best feasible mussel shells mixture in making the hollow
blocks:
shells and the commercial ones that has been used for years?
METHODOLOGIES
Research Method
Research Design
Study Instrument
Aside from related literatures, books, and other written materials, the researchers
used a survey questionnaire for the study which in Google form. Google forms provide a
fast way to create online survey, and the responses are collected in an online spreadsheet.
The survey questions will be answered from almost any web browser – including mobile
smartphone and tablet browsers using their email addresses. Their responses will be
automatically recorded. The researchers can access the survey questionnaire through the
[1] International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology. (2016). A review study
Special Issue 2016., Vol 4., Issue 03). Department of Civil Engineering, Roorkee
Institute of Technology.
https://www.ijert.org/research/a-review-study-on-different-properties-of-hollow-
concrete-blocks-IJERTCONV4IS03032.pdf
Environmental Engineering.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
344042196_The_use_of_waste_mussel_shells_as_an_aggregate_replacement_in_
concrete
[3] Prusty, J. K., Patro, S. K. (2014). Properties of fresh and hardened concrete using agro
Prasto (Eds.), Construction and building materials 2015 (pp. 101-113). Elsevier
Ltd.
[4] Reddy, B. D., Jyothy, S. A., Shaik, F. (2014). Experimental analysis of the use of
10, Is 6 (Jan. 2014), pp. 06-13). IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil
Engineering.
https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jmce/papers/vol10-issue6/B01060613.pdf
[5] Shafigh, P., Mahmud, H. B., Jumaat, M. Z., Zargar, M. (2013). Agricultural wastes as
https://www.termpaperwarehouse.com/essay-on/Mussel-Shells-As-Bricks/397742
[7] Young, A., & Serna, E. (1982). Country report: Philippines. In F. B. Davy & M.
[8] Cantano et al., (n. d.), Hollow Blocks Out from Various Shells. Academia.edu.
https://www.academia.edu/31118167/Hollow_Blocks_Out_from_Various_Shells