INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES ON

PAPERCRETE

PHASE I REPORT

Submitted by

RALPH LLOYD ALOYSIUS

(Register No: 950118413012)

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

A.R.COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI
NOVEMBER 2019
 ANNA UNIVERSITY: CHENNAI
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project work titled “INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL

PROPERTIES ON PAPERCRETE” is the bonafide work of RALPH LLOYD

ALOYSIUS (Register No: 950118413012) who carried out the research under my

supervision. Certified further, that to the best of my knowledge the work reported here in

does not form part of any other thesis or dissertation on the basis of which a degree or

award was conferred on an earlier occasion in this or any other candidate.

SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
Prof.V.PETCHIAPPAN FOUSIYA.H
Head of the Department Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
A.R College of Engg. & Tech. A.R College of Engg. & Tech.
Kadayam Kadayam

Submitted to Phase I Viva Voice Examination held on______________

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank the almighty GOD for giving us such strength power and knowledge to

complete this project successfully.

My special thanks to our honorable CHAIRMAN, Dr. A.R. ANUB who gave us

full support to finish this project.

I express my deep sense of gratitude and sincere thanks to our respected

PRINCIPAL, Dr. S.ARUMUGOM, M.E, Ph.D., for having given us permission to do

this project.

I feel highly elated in manifesting my deep sense of thankful to our HEAD OF

THE DEPARTMENT, Prof. V.PETCHIAPPAN, M.E., for his motivation and

suggestion during this project.

I heart fully gratify our deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my Guide Ms.

FOUSIYA.H, for her caring guidance and endless encouragement.

Finally, special credit goes to my parents for their moral and financial support

which helped us to complete this training in a successful manner.

iii
 ABSTRACT

Waste arising from construction and demolition constitute one of the largest waste

streams within many developed countries. Of this a large proportion of potentially useful

material disposed of as concrete both wet and dry mix. The environmental and economic

implications of this are no longer considered sustainable and, as a result, the construction

industry is experiencing more pressure than ever before to overcome this. Research of

new economic materials capable of matching the specific design is thus mandatory. This

is mainly because of the depletion of quality primary aggregate and greater awareness of

environmental protection. This paper concerns the use of papercrete as a substitute

material in concrete.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
TITLE
NO NO

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

ABSTRACT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES ix

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS x

LIST OF SYMBOLS xi

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 GENERAL 1

1.1.1 Aggregate-Environment Hazard 1

1.1.2 Reduction to Aggregate 2

1.1.3 Waste Generation 2

1.1.4 Substitution by Papercrete 3

1.1.5 Properties of Papercrete 3

1.2 OBJECTIVE 4

1.2.1 Sub Objective 4

1.3 SCOPE 4

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5

2.1 INTRODUCTION 5

v
 2.2 REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OF MIXED WASTE
5
PAPER IN CONCRETE

3 METHODOLOGY 10

3.1 ORGANIZATION OF CHART 10

4 MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION 12

4.1 GENERAL 12

4.2 MATERIALS 13

4.2.1 Cement 13

4.2.2 Fine Aggregate 14

4.2.3 Coarse Aggregate 15

4.2.4 Waste Paper 16

4.2.5 Water 17

4.3 TESTS ON CEMENT 18

4.3.1 Test for Fineness 18

4.3.2 Test for Standard Consistency 19

4.3.3 Test for Initial and Final Setting Time 21

4.3.4 Test for Specific Gravity of Cement 23

4.4 TESTS ON FINE AGGREGATE 25

4.4.1 Sieve Analysis 25

4.5 TESTS ON COARSE AGGREGATE 28

4.5.1 Test for Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate 28

4.5.2 Test for Water Absorption of Coarse Aggregate 29

4.5.3 Aggregate Impact Value 30

vi
 4.5.4 Aggregate Crushing Value 31

4.6 TEST ON WASTE PAPER 33

4.6.1 Test on Moisture Content of Waste Paper 33

4.6.2 Test on Specific Gravity of Waste Paper 33

4.6.3 Test on Density of Waste Paper 35

4.7 SPECIMEN FOR PAPERCRETE 35

4.8 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF PAPERCRETE 36

4.9 SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF PAPERCRETE 36

4.10 SHRINKAGE AND DENSITY OF PAPERCRETE 36

5 FUTURE WORK 37

REFERENCE 38

vii
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLES PAGE

NO. NO.
4.1 MATERIALS AND TESTS 12
4.2 STANDARD CONSISTENCY OF OPC 53 20
GRADE CEMENT
4.3 INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME OF 22
OPC 53 GRADE CEMENT
4.4 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CEMENT 24
4.5 SIEVE ANALYSIS 26
4.6 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FINE 27
AGGREGATE
4.7 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE 29
AGGREGATE
4.8 WATER ABSORBTION OF COARSE 30
AGGREGATE
4.9 AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE 31
4.10 AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE 32
4.11 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COARSE 32
AGGREGTAE
4.12 MOISTURE CONTENT OF COARSE 33
AGGREGATE
4.13 SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WASTE PAPER 34
4.14 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WASTE PAPER 35
4.15 MIX PROPORTIONS OF PAPERCRETE 36

viii
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLES PAGE

NO. NO.
3.1 FLOW CHART 11
4.1 CEMENT 13
4.2 FINE AGGREGATE 14
4.3 COARSE AGGREGATE 15
4.4 WASTE PAPER PULP 16
4.5 PAPERCRETE MIXING WITH WATER 17
4.6 FINENESS FOR CEMENT 18
4.7 STANDARD CONSISTENCY OF CEMENT 20
4.8 INITIAL SETTING TIME OF CEMENT 22
4.9 LE-CHATLIER FLASK 24
4.10 SIEVED SAND 25
4.11 MECHANICAL SIEVE SHAKER 26

ix
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

OPC Ordinary Portland cement

ASTM American Society for Testing Materials

ABNT Brazilian Brazilian Association of Technical Standards

IS Indian Standards

PPC Pozzolana Portland Cement

CO2 Carbon dioxide

Ca(OH)2 Calcium hydroxide

x
 LIST OF SYMBOLS

D10 Effective size

D60/D10 Uniformity Coeffient

N Newton

W Weight in grams

MPa Million Pascals

xi
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL

Papercrete is a new composite material using waste paper as a partial replacement of coarse
aggregates. This increase in the popularity of using environmental friendly, low-cost and light
weight construction materials in building industry has brought about the need to investigate how
this can be achieved by benefiting the environment as well as maintaining the material
requirements affirmed in the standards. As natural sources of aggregates are becoming
exhausted, it turns out urgent to develop. The majority of abandoned paper waste is accumulated
from the countries all over the world causes certain serious environmental problems. In these
days, the construction is more improving with the new building materials. For instance, the use
of waste rubber, glass powder, industrial waste fibers, wood sawdust wastes and limestone
powder wastes in building material production has received diligent attention over the past few
years.
1.1.1 AGGREGATE – ENVIRONMENT HAZARD
 Aggregate which is one of the ingredients of concrete plays a great role, but it is most

expensive. Fine and coarse aggregate is the conventional material whose production
process is responsible for a part of global CO2 emissions.
 This environmental problem will most likely be increased due to exponential demand of

aggregate. By 2050, demand is expected to rise by 200% from 2010 levels, reaching 600
million tons/year.
 Out of concern for this environment, and in support of sustainable development, cement

industries are improving their production through a alternatives such as, the use of
alternative fuels or increasing the production of quarries.
 In this context, during the Copenhagen Summit held in 2009, different countries agreed

on the necessity of reducing CO2 emissions by 2020. The United States, for example,
made a pact to reduce its overall emissions by about 17% from 2010 in respect to the
levels of 2005.

1
  Several research groups, and even the Quarry industry, are investigating alternatives to

produce green construction materials.

 Papercrete can be considered the most promising one due to its similar, or even better,

mechanical properties and its high durability. These materials can reduce the CO2
emissions.

1.1.2 REDUCTION TO AGGREGATE

 For huge projects that consume a lot of aggregate, reduction of aggregate without
compromising the performance characteristics is very crucial.
 Both aggregate and binding material play important roles in the building construction
industry
 Construction can be made environmental friendly by using energy consuming and even
cheap, waste produced from construction and demolition.
 The energy consumed while manufacturing is also higher
 The paper also states that the cost for aggregate constitutes 30% of concrete which can
be reduced by use of low cost replacements.

1.1.3 WASTE GENERATION

 Large volumes of construction and demolition wastes are generated per year.
 Wastes are dumped as landfills which makes these lands inappropriate for further use.
Day to day the amount of area left behind get reduced whereas the volume of waste
generated hikes drastically.
 The environmental impacts can be reduced by making more sustainable use of these
wastes.

2
1.1.4 SUBSTITUTION BY PAPERCRETE
 Several ecological problems created by the wide usage of natural raw materials
 More economical and environmental-friendly supplementary strengthening materials
have extended interest in partial aggregate replacement materials.
 The effective utilization of Papercrete can be a way to resolve this concern.
 This results in reducing cost, less energy consumption, less carbon dioxide emission and
reduction in amount of waste produced

1.1.5 PROPERTIES OF PAPERCRETE

 Papercrete provides good insulation.
 Papercrete is lightweight.
 It is an excellent mold resistant material.
 It is dimensionally very stable.
 Papercrete provides good sound insulation.
 Resist Rodents.
 It has a good potential for insect infestation.
 The more cement and mineral material is used the more fire-proof it becomes.
 Mix Design including papercrete is economic
 Mix Design including papercrete is ecological
 It has a very rough surface thereby increasing the overall surface area which provides a
very strong bond from one block to the next.
 Papercrete is very workable and can be formed into any shapes such as blocks, sheets and
panels.
 It does not catch fire easily but smolders for hours.
 Reduction in permeability is achieved to a certain extent.
 The resistance to sulphate attack is reduced when mixed with suitable proportions of
cement and other additives.
 It can be used to reduce the amount of aggregate as it acts as fibers which strengthen the
overall strength of the concrete.

3
1.2 OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential of mixed waste paper as a supplementary material in concrete.
1.2.1 SUB OBJECTIVES
 To optimize the percentage replacement of mixed waste paper with aggregate.
 To study the mechanical properties of papercrete.
 To study the economic and ecological benefits over conventional concrete.

1.3 SCOPE
There are numerous paper factory in Kerala which provides tons of waste day by day.
The waste dumped include waste paper or even in pulp form. By the use of these waste the
ecological imbalance caused due to dumping of these waste as landfills can be minimized to a
certain extent. Also by using the mixed waste paper the use of aggregate and other additives can
be decreased to a certain extent thereby decreasing the cost of the overall concrete. The
economy of the construction can be enhanced. Therefore by using mixed waste paper in
concrete economic and ecological construction practices can be made possible.

4
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with review of literature on investigations with the theoretical and
experimental backgrounds conducted on papercrete. In general, from the conclusion of various
literature, mixed waste paper imparts cost and ecological effectiveness to the concrete in many
of the cases.
2.2 REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OF MIXED WASTE PAPER IN CONCRETE.
Fuller.B and Fafitis.A (2006) had done a research on “Structural Properties of a New

Material Made of Waste Paper’’. They conducted a research to determine papercrete is

suitable to mechanical and physical properties to be used as construction material for homes or

not. The parameters that he studied are the Young’s Modulus (E), thermal conductivity (K),

thermal resistance (R), bond characteristics, and creep behavior. The Stress vs. Strain graphs

suggests that, papercrete is a ductile material that can sustain large deformations. Cement plays

an important role in the compressive strength and behavior. Specimens with higher proportion of

cement exhibit larger Young’s Modulus.

H.Jung, H.Yun (2007) conducted an experiment on “Mechanical properties of

papercrete containing waste paper’’. They have done an experiment on bricks for finding the

mechanical properties of waste paper and they reported that the density of Papercrete was

decreased when the ratio of waste paper in Papercrete increased and the shrinkage of Papercrete

was increased according to increase of paper-cement ratio. The stress-strain curves showed that

ultimate strain ranges 0.002-0.003, 0.005-0.007 and 0.008-0.010 when included waste paper

ratio in papercrete is 5%, 10% and 15%.

5
 Titzman L.C (2008) had done a research on “Analysis of Low Cost Building

Material for the Mix Alco Process’’. Titzman carried out a research regarding the weight and

density of papercrete, according to his research the density of the material increased when the

percentage of cement in the mixture increased but when the amount of the paper in the mixture

increased, the density decreased. Titzman showed that the tensile strength was very low. The

maximum and minimum tensile strength of the papercrete was 28.3 and 7.5psi (0.195

and0.052MPa) respectively.

Gallardo R.S. and Adajar M.A (2008) had done an investigation on “Structural

performance of concrete with paper sludge as fine aggregates partial replacement

enhanced with admixtures’’. The investigation covered the following criteria; comparison of

physical properties which includes moisture content, specific gravity and absorption of paper

sludge versus ordinary river sand, the chemical properties, and the quality and durability of

concrete with paper sludge in terms of compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. Based

from results of the study, the most suitable mix proportion is the 5% to 10% replacement of

paper sludge to fine aggregates. Percentage replacement higher than 10% resulted to a decrease

in both compressive and tensile strength. The reduction of concrete strength can be attributed to

the high water-cement ratio and the absence of silica compound in paper sludge, which is

essential for bonding and structuring of fresh concrete.

Malthy.R, Jegatheeswaran.D (2011) had done an experiment on “Comparative

Study on Papercrete Bricks with Conventional Bricks’’. They have done an experimental

study which shows the potential use of paper waste for producing a lowcost and light weight

composite brick as a building material. They investigated three different mix proportions of fly-

6
ash mixed papercrete blocks with and without sand. In all three bricks, the compressive strength

was more than the required i.e. 3.5 MPa. The bricks have water absorption more than 20%.

Papercrete blocks did not burn with an open flame. They smoldered like charcoal. If the interior

plaster and exterior stucco is provided on the bricks, the bricks won’t burn at all. The results

shows that if we increase the percentage of paper then the strength will be frequently decreases.

S.Suganya (2012) had done a research on “Light weight bricks made up of waste

paper’’. After finishing the research, she reported that Papercrete bricks are relatively light

weight, and more flexible. Papercrete bricks are potentially an ideal material for earthquake

prone areas. Papercrete bricks can be used in auditoriums. Since, the waste materials are used; it

will reduce the landfills and pollution.

V.Agilan (2012) had done an experiment on “Energy saving lightweight bricks

using waste newspapers’’. He carried out an experiment on bricks to know the properties of

papercrete. After finishing the experiment he reported that Papercrete bricks are used for non-

load bearing walls. He compared this bricks based on their weights and he has reported that

weight of this brick is 1/3rd to 2/5th lesser than conventional clay brick.

Isaac Akinwumi, Olasunkanmi M. Olatunbosun,OluwarotimiM. Olofinnade,

Paul O. Awoyera (2014) done an experimental research on “Structural evaluation of

lightweight concrete produced using waste newspaper and office Paper’’ and they also

determined that the density, water absorption capacity, compressive strength and fire resistance

of papercrete produced using waste newspaper and office paper. They prepared two categories

of papercrete cubes were produced using either waste newspaper or waste office paper. After

finishing the research, they concluded that the low bulk density of papercrete indicates that they

7
are lightweight and can be used in the form of either hollow or solid blocks for making walls of

buildings. Especially, high-rise buildings. This property also makes papercrete good for building

arches and domes.

M.RameGowda and K.Prasanna (2014) conducted an experiment on

“Development and study of properties of papercrete’’. They work on the Papercrete cubes

made with cement, sand, paper and fly ash in different mix proportions to determine the

mechanical properties. They reported that Papercrete can easily be moulded into any desired

shape, light in weight compared to conventional blocks and very good surface finish can be

achieved.

Bhooma Nepal and VanitaAggarwal (2014) had done an experiment on

“Papercrete: A Study on Green Structural Material’’. They had done an experiment to

obtain mechanical properties like durability, basic physical and chemical properties and the

structural performance of papercrete. In this experiment results indicates that, it is feasible to

reuse waste paper which can be adopted in both self-bearing members and load-bearing

members in civil engineering. It is also found that some differences in the mix proportion and

structure performance exist in such concrete. At last, some suggestions on further studies of

papercrete are recommended according to the ideology of environment protection and the policy

of sustainable development in construction industry. This study focused on the review of

performance of papercrete as an alternative building material. The results suggested that

papercrete if properly mixed and applied, can be used as a great environment friendly

construction material.

8
 Joo-Hong Chung, Byoung-Hoon Kim, HyunKi Choi and Chang-Sik Choi

(2010) investigated on “Development of papercrete due to paper mixing ratio’’. They had

done the experiments to obtain some mechanical and physical parameters of papercrete and

several laboratory tests were performed. The results showed that the compressive strength is

more than 1.2MPa. The experimental results of papercrete will provide some recommendations

for using papercrete. According to their investigation, there was no formal mix design of

papercrete. Mechanical properties of papercrete were changed by paper-cement ratio.

G.V.S Siva Prasad, P.Padmanabha Reddy (2015) had done a research on “Study and

behavior of some properties of papercrete brick with modular brick”. They determine the

density, water absorption capacity, compressive strength and fire resistance of papercrete. They

also conduct soundness and efflorescence tests. After finishing the experiments they concluded

that bricks can be used in inner partition walls. Papercrete has good fire resistance. The

Papercrete bricks are good sound absorbent; hence paper is used in these bricks. So, these bricks

can be used in auditoriums.

From the literature review conducted on papercrete these materials possess essential

properties for which it can be effectively used as a supplementary strengthening material. The

studies conducted regarding these materials are much narrow. So this study aims to find out the

feasibility of using mixed waste paper as a supplementary strengthening material by conducting

mechanical tests.

9
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLGY

3.1 ORGANIZATION OF REPORT

 The report includes five chapters.

 Chapter 1 provides the introduction with general, motivation, scope and methodology.

 Chapter 2 deals with the literature survey i.e. the papers referred during the project.

 Chapter 3 includes the methodology. It also provides information about the organization

of the project.

 Chapter 4 includes the material characterization, i.e. it discusses about the material

collection, experimental studies on materials of concrete which studies about the material

properties of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, mixed waste paper and water. It

also discusses the results on the experiments done on the cement, fine aggregate, coarse

aggregate and waste paper.

 The Chapter 5 deals with the future work to be completed in the next phase

10
 LITERATURE

MATERIAL

DETERMINATION OF MATERIAL

TESTS ON CEMENT

TESTS ON FINE AGGREGATE

TESTS ON COARSE AGGREGATE

TESTS ON WASTE PAPER

MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY TESTS

DISCUSSSION ON RESULTS OF TESTS

SUMMARY

CONCLUSION

Fig. 3.1 Flow chart

11
 CHAPTER 4

MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION

4.1 GENERAL
The different materials used were cement, waste paper, fine aggregate and water. All the
materials used were tested as per standard procedures to assess their engineering properties and
the results are compared with those in the relevant IS codes.
Table 4.1: Materials and Tests

Classification of material Sample Tests to be considered

Cement OPC-Sankar  Consistency
 Initial & final setting
time
 Specific gravity
 Fineness

Fine aggregate River Sand  Sieve Analysis

Coarse aggregate Crushed granite angular  Specific gravity

aggregate  Water absorption
 Aggregate impact
value
 Aggregate crushing
value

Waste paper Waste paper  Moisture content

 Specific gravity
 Density

12
4.2 MATERIALS
The materials used in preliminary tests like Cement, Fine aggregate, Coarse aggregate,
Waste paper and water are tabulated.
4.2.1 Cement
Ordinary Portland Cement of Sankar was used. Properties of good cement depend on its

chemical composition. Tests for fineness, consistency, specific gravity, initial and final setting

time were conducted.

Fig 4.1 Cement

13
4.2.2 Fine Aggregate
Fine aggregates are important constituents in mortar. Aggregates are divided into two
categories based on its size:- Fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. When the size of aggregate is
greater than 4.75 mm, it is considered as coarse and whose size is 4.75 mm and less is taken as
fine aggregate.
The fine aggregate used was River sand. Physical properties of fine aggregate such as
specific gravity, particle size distribution etc., relevant to the behavior of fine aggregates in
mortar were assessed

Fig 4.2 Fine Aggregate

14
4.2.3 Coarse Aggregate
Coarse aggregate are important constituents of the concrete. They impart crushing
strength to the concrete. The size of the crushed granite angular aggregate was between 20 mm
and 4.75 mm. Coarse aggregate with specific gravity 2.79 was used for this investigation.

Fig 4.3 Coarse Aggregate

15
4.2.4 Waste Paper
Waste paper used in this study was collected from schools, administration offices and
libraries. The papers were cut into small pieces by using paper cutter. These small dimensions
prevent the paper from clumping when waste paper is assorted with water so the paper expands
evenly in the papercrete mix. The paper was then soaked in water for three days and then the
paper sludge was placed on non- absorbent plate for squeezing out extra water content, after that
the paper is subjected to grinding by using kitchen blender to obtain the required size of paper
sludge. The paper sludge was collected from the grinder and stored for casting of papercrete
specimens.

Fig 4.4 Waste Paper

16
4.2.5 Water
Water is an important ingredient of papercrete as it is contributory in the chemical
reaction with cement. Potable water was used for both soaking and mixing of papercrete. It was
free from organic matter and the pH value was between 6 and 7.

Fig 4.5 Papercrete mixing with Water

17
4.3 TESTS ON CEMENT
4.3.1 TEST FOR FINENESS
Finer cement offers a greater surface area for hydration and hence faster the development
of strength. Cements with finer particles have more surface area in m2/kg of cement. Fineness of
cement was tested by sieving 100 gms of cement by using IS sieve 90 micron in sieve shaker for
fifteen minutes. As per IS specifications, the fineness of PPC should not be more than 10%. The
procedure for the test was as follows:
 100 gm of cement was correctly weighed and was taken on a standard IS sieve No.90 (90
micron)
 Lumps of the sample were broken with fingers. The sample was sieved continuously by
giving circular and vertical motion for a period of 15 minutes.
 Amount of cement retained on the sieve was weighed.
 Percentage of weight retained was calculated.
 Fineness value was directly derived from the above step.

Weight of cement taken = 100 gms

Weight of cement retained in 90 micron sieve = 4 gms
Fineness of the cement = 4%

Fig 4.6 Fineness for Cement

18
4.3.2 TEST FOR STANDARD CONSISTENCY
For finding initial setting time and final setting time, a parameter known as standard
consistency has to be used. The standard consistency of cement paste is defined as consistency
which will permit the Vicat’s plunger to penetrate to a point of 5-7mm from bottom of Vicat’s
Mould and purpose of this test is to determine the percentage of water required for preparing
cement paste. The procedure for the test was as follows:
 400 gms of pure dry cement was taken and was mixed with 25% of water (by weight of
cement) to form a neat cement paste on a non-porous plate.
 The Vicat mould was filled with the paste and was shaken to expel any entrapped air.
 The mould was placed under a plunger of 10 mm diameter and 50 mm long to touch the
surface of the paste and was allowed to drop into the paste by its own weight.
 The stop watch was started as soon as the water was added to the dry sample and the
paste was taken care to be moulded within 5 minutes.
 The trial paste was moulded with different percentage of water starting with 25% by
weight of cement.
 The process of moulding and filling again and again was repeated by adding 2% of extra
water each time.
 The process was continued till the pointer in the scale of Vicat’s apparatus reached 5mm
to 7mm.
 The corresponding quantity of water expressed as a percentage by weight of cement was
taken as the standard consistency.

19
 Table 4.2 Standard Consistency of OPC 53 grade Cement
NON
WEIGHT OF WATER WEIGHT OF PENETRATION
SL NO SAMPLE ADDED IN WATER DISTANCE
TAKEN (gms) (%) ADDED (gms) (mm)

1 400 25 100 16

2 400 27 108 9

3 400 29 116 5

The Standard consistency of the cement paste was found to be 29%

Fig 4.7 Standard Consistency of Cement

20
4.3.3 TEST FOR INITIAL AND FINAL SETTING TIME
The initial setting time is interval between the addition of water to cement and stage
when ceases to penetrate, i.e. the paste starts losing its losing plasticity. Final setting time is time
elapsed between the moment the water is added to cement and the time when the paste has
completely lost its plasticity which is also found out by using Vicat apparatus.
Procedure for initial setting time:
 500 gms of cement sample was taken and was mixed with 0.85 times the water required
to produce cement paste of standard consistency.
 The Vicat mould was filled with the paste, within 5 minutes. The stop watch was started
the moment water was added to cement.
 The needle of 1 mm square was lowered gently and was brought into contact with the
surface of the filled mould and was released quickly.
 The needle was allowed to penetrate.
 In the beginning the needle was pierced completely through the paste. But after
sometime, when the paste starts losing its plasticity, the needle penetrated to a depth of
33 mm to 35 mm from the top.
 The period elapsing between the time when water was added to the cement and the time
which the needle penetrated the mould to a depth equal to 33 – 35 mm from the top was
taken

Procedure for final setting time:

 The experiment was repeated by a circular attachment with annular collar.
 The period elapsing between the time when water was added to the cement and the
time the needle makes impression on the surface of the mould the attachment fails to
do so was taken as the final setting time.
 In other words, the paste has attained such hardness that the center of the needle does
not pierce more than 0.5 mm through the paste.

21
 Table 4.3 Initial and Final Setting time of OPC 53 grade cement
SL NO WEIGHT OF QUANTITY INITIAL FINAL
CEMENT (gms) OF WATER SETTING SETTING
ADDED (gms) TIME (mins) TIME (mins)

1 300 86.5 30 120

2 300 86.5 32 120

3 300 86.5 30 120

Average : 30.66 120

 Initial setting time of the cement : 30.66 minutes

 Final setting time of the cement : 120 minutes

Fig 4.8 Initial Setting Time of Cement

22
4.3.4 TEST FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF CEMENT
Specific gravity is defined as the ratio between the weight of a given volume of cement
and weight of an equal volume of water. It is determined by using kerosene which does not react
with cement by means of a standard Le-Chatelier Flask.
 Le Chatlier flask or specific gravity bottle with its stopper was cleaned, dried and
weighed.
 A sample of cement was placed upto half of the flask and was weighed with its stopper.
 Kerosene was added to cement in flask till it was about half full.
 It was mixed thoroughly with glass rod to remove entrapped air.
 Adding kerosene and stirring was continued till it was flush with the graduated mark.
 The flask was dried from outside and weighed.
 Entrapped air was removed by vacuum pump.
 The flask was emptied and was refilled with kerosene flush with the graduated mark and
was again weighed.
Weight of cement used W = 70 gms
Initial reading of flask V1 = 0 ml
Final reading of flask V2 = 22.3 ml
Volume of cement particle (V2-V1) = 22.3 ml
Specific gravity of cement = W/(V2-V1)
= 70/22.3
= 3.14

23
 Table 4.4: Physical Properties Of Cement
SL NO PROPERTY RESULT IS SPECIFICATION
1 Fineness 4% <10%,IS : 1489-PART-I
2 Standard Consistency 29% IS:4031,(PART-4)-1988
3 Initial Setting Time 30.66 min Not less than 30
minutes,IS:1489-PART-I
4 Final Setting Time 120 min Not more than 600
minutes,IS:1489-PART-I
5 Specific Gravity 3.14 3-3.15,IS:4031:1988

Fig 4.9 Le-Chatlier Flask

24
4.4 TESTS ON FINE AGGREGATE
4.4.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS
Sieve analysis helps to determine the particle size distribution of the coarse and fine
aggregates. This is done by sieving the aggregates as per IS: 2386 (Part I) – 1963. In this we use
different sieves as standardized by the IS code and then passes aggregates through them and thus
collect different sized particles left over different sieves.

Fig 4.10 Sieved Sand

 The set of sieves were arranged one above the other such that the 4.75 mm sieve is at the

top and the 75 micron at the bottom.

 A cover was placed on the top of the 4.75 mm and pan was placed below the 75 micron

sieve.

 1000 grams of the sample was placed in the top sieve and then the cover was fixed.

 The sieves were shaken on mechanical sieve shaker for about 20 minutes.

 The soil fraction retained on each sieve was collected carefully and the weight of each

fraction was determined and recorded.

25
  The cumulative percentage of weight retained on any sieve was equal to the sum of

percentage of weight retained on that sieve and all other coarser sieve.

 Percentage finer than any sieve was equal to 100% minus cumulative percentage

retained.

The result of sieve analysis is given below:-

Table 4.5 : Sieve Analysis

Percentage Cumulative Cumulative

Weight
IS sieve size Weight Percentage Percentage
Retained
retained Weight Retained Weight Passing
10 mm 0 0 0 100
4.75 mm 0.03 1.5 1 98.5
2.36 mm 0.023 1.15 2.6 97.35
1.18 mm 0.458 22.9 25.5 74.45
0.600 0.766 38.3 63.8 36.15
0.300 0.644 32.2 96.0 3.95
0.150 0.73 3.65 99.0 0.3
Pan 0.006 0.3 10 0

Weight of soil taken = 1000 grams

Fineness Modulus = Sum of cumulative % weight retained / 100
= 287.9/100
= 2.8
Particle size corresponding to 10% finer (D10) = 380 micron
Particle size corresponding to 30% finer (D30) = 500 micron
Particle size corresponding to 60% finer (D60) = 1100 micron

26
Effective size (D10) = 380 micron
Uniformity coefficient D60/D10 = 2.89
Specific gravity, bulk density, voids ratio and bulking values of fine aggregates are given in the
table below.
Table 4.6 : Physical properties of fine aggregate
Sl No Properties Magnitude IS Specification
1 Specific gravity 2.2 Between 1.6-2.5 IS 2386:1983
2 Bulk Density 1.57 g/cm3 Not less than 1.44 g/l
3 Uniform 2.89 Not less than 2.5 IS: 2386 (Part I)
Coefficient - 1963
4 Voids Ratio 0.53 As per IS 383 : 1970
5 Bulking 6% As per IS 383 : 1970

Fig 4.11 Mechanical Sieve Shaker

27
4.5 TESTS ON COARSE AGGREGATE
4.5.1 TESTS FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF COARSE AGGREGATE
 2 kg of aggregate free from dust and finer particle was taken. The aggregate was placed
in wire basket and was immersed in water.
 Immediately after immersion, the air entrapped was expelled from the sample by lifting
containing it 25 mm above the base of the tank and allowed it to drop 25 times at the rate
of about 1 drop per second.
 During this operation, the basket and aggregate was taken care to be completely
immersed in water.
 The basket and aggregate was weighed in water. The aggregate was removed from the
basket and was allowed to drain off for a few minutes.
 The aggregate was taken out of the basket.
 The surface of the aggregate was dried gently with a cloth.
 The aggregate was transferred to second dry cloth and was further dried. The empty
weight of basket immersed in water was weighed.
 The aggregate was exposed to the atmosphere away from sun light for not less than 10
minutes until it appeared completely dry on the surface. The aggregate was weighed in
air.
The result of the test for specific gravity was found from the tabular column given
next page : -

28
 Table 4.7 Specific Gravity of Coarse Aggregate
SL NO PARAMETERS TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3
Weight of aggregate free from dust fine
1 2.00 2.01 2.00
particle (A)
Weight of aggregate + wire basket in
2 3.580 3.590 3.590
water (B1)
3 Weight of wire basket in water (B2) 0.880 0.880 0.880
Weight of saturated aggregate in water
4 2.700 2.710 2.710
(B1-B2) = B
5 Weight of surface dried aggregate (C) 1.980 1.970 1.980
Specific gravity of coarse aggregate =
6 2.778 2.716 2.740
A/(B-C)
Average : 2.745

The specific gravity of coarse aggregate was found to be 2.745

4.5.2 TEST FOR WATER ABSORPTION OF COARSE AGGREGATE
 The sample was thoroughly cleaned to remove finer particles and dust. It was drained and
was then placed in the wire mesh and was immersed in distilled water at temperature
between 22℃ and 32℃.
 After immersion, the entrapped air was removed by lifting the basket and was allowed to
drop 25 times in 25 seconds.
 The basket and sample was remained in immersion for a period of 24+-1/2 hours
afterwards.
 The basket and aggregate was then removed from water. It was allowed to be drained for
a few minutes and then the aggregate was gently emptied from the basket on to one of the
dry clothes and dried.
 Aggregate was then placed in an oven at a temperature of 100℃ to 110℃ for 24 hours.
 Formula as used in water absorption = [(A-B)/B] x 100.
 Two such tests was done and the individual and mean results were reported.

29
 Table 4.8 Water Absorbtion of Coarse Aggregate

SL NO TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3

Weight of coarse 2.00 2.00 2.00

aggregate (A) (kgms)
Weight of oven dried 2.00 2.012 2.01
sample (B) (kgms)
Water absorption of 0.5 0.6 0.5
coarse aggregate =
(B-A)/A. (%)
Total 0.53%

The water absorption of coarse aggregate was found to be 0.53%.

4.5.3 AGGREGATE IMPACT VALUE TEST

 One-third of measure was filled with aggregate which was then tamped twenty five
strokes with the end of a rod.
 The procedure was repeated twice for the remaining two-third portion, adding each time
one third of a volume. The weight of the sample was noted down.
 The sample was transferred to the cylinder in three layers of one third volume and was
tamped as usual.
 The cylinder was placed in its position in the impact testing machine firmly.
 The load was allowed to fall 15 times at one blow per second at constant rate.
 The sample was taken out of the cylinder carefully.
 The sample was sieved on 2.36 mm sieve. The portion passing through the 2.36 mm sieve
was weighed.
 The aggregate impact value was calculated. The same was repeated for the remaining
samples.

30
 Table 4.9 Aggregate Impact Value

Sl No Description Samples

1 Weight of the empty cup (W1) 1.670

2 Weight of the empty cup and aggregate (W2) 2.010

3 Weight of aggregate (A) 0.340

4 Weight of aggregate passing through IS Sieve 2.36 0.080

mm (B)
5 Aggregate impact values (B/A x 100) 23.5%

Aggregate impact value of the sample is 23.5%

4.5.4 AGGREGATE CRUSHING VALUE TEST

 The weight of the cylinder and the base plate (W1) was found out.
 The test sample was then added in three layers in the cylinder, subjecting each layer to 25
strokes using tamping rod.
 The surface of the aggregate was leveled carefully and the sample was weighed along
with the cylinder and the base plate (W2).
 The plunger was allowed to rest horizontally on the surface of the aggregate.
 The apparatus was placed with the test sample and the plunger in position between the
plates of the compression testing machine and was loaded so that it reached 40 tons in 10
minutes at a uniform rate of loading.
 The load was released and the test apparatus was taken out of the testing machine.
 The aggregate was removed from the cylinder and was sieved on 2.36 mm IS Sieve and
was the fraction passing through the sieve (W3). Special care was taken to avoid loss of
the fines.

31
 Table 4.10 Aggregate Crushing Value

Sl No Description Samples

1 Weight of the cylinder with base plate (W1) 1.860

2 Weight of cylinder with base plate + sample (W2) 2.250

3 Weight of sample (W2-W1) 0.390

4 Weight of fines passing 2.36 mm IS Sieve (W3) 0.170

5 Aggregate crushing values W3/(W2-W1) x 100 43%

=0.170/(2.250-1.860) x 100

Aggregate crushing value of the sample is 43%

Table 4.11 Physical Properties Of Coarse Aggregate

Sl No Properties Magnitude IS Specification

1 Specific Gravity 2.74 Between 2.5 to 3.0 IS 12269-1987

2 Water Absorption 0.53% 0.1-2.0g/l

3 Aggregate Crushing Value 43% Shall not exceed 45%

4 Aggregate Impact Value 23.5% Shall not exceed 45%

32
4.6 TEST ON WASTE PAPER
4.6.1 TESTS ON MOISTURE CONTENT OF WASTE PAPER
 The container was cleaned and weighed (W1).
 Sample of 300 g was placed in the container and was weighed (W2).
 The container was placed in an oven and was dried with temperature from 105℃ to
110℃ to a constant weight.
 After drying, the container was removed and was allowed to cool.
 The container was weighed as (W3).
Table 4.12 Moisture Content of Waste Paper

Sl No Description Samples

1 Weight of container (W1) 20 gm

2 Weight of sample + Weight of container (W2) 320 gms

4 Weight of the sample oven dried + Weight of the 313 gms

container (W3)
5 Moisture Content = (W2-W3)/(W3-W1) x 100 2.4%

Moisture Content Value is 2.4%

4.6.2 TESTS ON SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF WASTE PAPER

 2 kg of waste paper free from dust and finer particle was taken. The waste paper was
placed in wire basket and was immersed in water.
 Immediately after immersion, the air entrapped was expelled from the sample by lifting
containing it 25 mm above the base of the tank and allowed it to drop 25 time at the rate
of about 1 drop per second.
 During this operation, the basket and waste paper was taken care to be completely
immersed in water.
 The basket and waste paper was weighed in water. The waste paper was removed from
the basket and was allowed to drain off for a few minutes.

33
  The waste paper was taken out of the basket.
 The surface of the waste paper was dried gently with a cloth.
 The waste paper was transferred to second dry cloth and was further dried. The empty
weight of basket immersed in water was weighed.
 The waste paper was exposed to the atmosphere away from sun light for not less than 10
minutes until it appeared completely dry on the surface. The waste paper was weighed in
air.
The result of the test for specific gravity was found from the tabular column given
below : -

Table 4.13 Specific Gravity of Waste Paper

SL NO PARAMETERS TRIAL 1 TRIAL 2 TRIAL 3
1 Weight of waste paper free from dust 2.00 2.00 2.00
fine particle (A)
2 Weight of waste paper + wire basket in 4.580 4.580 4.580
water (B1)
3 Weight of waste paper in water (B2) 0.680 0.680 0.680
4 Weight of saturated waste paper in 3.900 3.900 3.900
water (B1-B2) = B
5 Weight of surface dried waste paper (C) 1.890 1.850 1.870
6 Specific gravity of waste paper = A/(B- 0.99 0.970 0.98
C)
Average : 0.98

The specific gravity of coarse aggregate was found to be 0.98

34
4.6.3 TESTS ON DENSITY OF WASTE PAPER
 1000 gms of waste paper was taken.
 The sample was allowed to dry,
 A box of volume 1 m3 was taken.
 The sample was weighed with the box flush
 The total weight of the sample required to fill the box was noted.
Density = Mass/Volume
= 800/1
= 800 g/m3
Table 4.14 Physical Properties of Waste Paper
SL NO Properties Magnitude

1 Moisture Content (%) 2.4

2 Specific Gravity 0.98

3 Density (gm/m3) 800

4.7 SPECIMENS FOR PAPERCRETE

Three cubical specimens of size 150 mm x 150 mm were prepared. Specimens
were named A, B and C with three different mix proportions. The constituents are
cement, sand, water, waste paper, coarse aggregate. The proportions of the constituents
are mentioned in the table next page:-

35
 Table 4.15 Mix Proportions of the Concrete Specimen
Sl Speci INGREDIENTS (Kg) Compressive Tensile
No men Waste Water Cement Sand Coarse Strength Strength
Paper Aggregate
1 A 50 450 950 1000 250 34 Mpa 3 Mpa

2 B 100 850 900 750 300 20 Mpa 2.7 Mpa

3 C 150 850 850 500 350 16.5 Mpa 2.3 Mpa

4.8 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF PAPERCRETE

The absorbed water of paper made cement paste through cement hydrate reaction but
when paper include more water which was needed for cement hydrate reaction, it became
surplus water which made decrease of strength. Papercrete containing waste paper is evaluated
that compressive strength of papercrete governed paper-cement replacement ratio.

4.9 SPLITTING TENSILE STRENGTH OF PAPERCRETE

When specimens included higher replacement of waste paper, splitting tensile strengths
were decreased. Similar to the results of compressive strength, increases of the paper-cement
replacement ratio reduced the splitting tensile strength of papercrete. Coefficient of brittleness is
the value of the compressive strength divided by splitting tensile strength of papercrete.

4.10 SHRINKAGE AND DENSITY OF PAPERCRETE

Paper replacement ratio of papercrete affected increase of shrinkage a lot. Because
absolute quantity of cement was decreased but absolute quantity of sand was increased by
decreasing the sand-binder ratio. Specific gravity of cement is larger than sand so total density
of papercrete was reduced.

36
 CHAPTER 5

FUTURE WORK

Some of the important tests are to be done as future work for the proving the potential of

papercrete as a concrete material. In future research we go for the definite and perfect mix

proportion i.e. mix design for the papercrete. It will also give the results of papercrete strengths

by doing compressive, flexural strengths, slump tests and fire resistance tests.

37
REFERENCES

1. J.H. Chung, B.H. Kim, H.k. Choi & C.S. Choi, Int. Con. on S. B. 14, 317-318 (2015).
2. C. Aciu, D.A. Ilutiu, N. Cobirzan, & A. Balog, Int. Con. Int. in Eng., 295-300 (2014).
3. R.S. Gallardo & M.A. Adajar. Sym. on Inf. D. & E. 2006, 7-8 (2006).
4. V.K. Vishwakarma, & P.K. Patil, Int. J. for Sc. R. & D. 4, 561 (2016).
5. J. Singh & P.K. Patil, Int. J. for Sc. R. & D. 4, 784 (2016).
6. A. Hashmi, H.N. &, N. Baig, Int. J. of Eng. 11, 337-340 (2013).
7. S. F. Seyyedalipour, D. Y. Kebria, N. R. Malidarreh, & G. Norouznejad, Int. J. of Eng. R. &
A. 4, 115122 (2014).
8. S. Khandelwal, K. L. Prajapat, M. Kumar, L. Bhantia, A. Sharma, V. Sharma, Int. J. of C. R.
& D. 4, 668 (2015).
9. I. Vegas, J. Urreta, M. Frías, & R. García, C. & B. M., 23(8) (2009).
10. G.V.S. Prasad, P.P. Reddy, M.Swathi, P.D.V.Kumar, T.Praveenraja, M.Naveen, In. J.of
Eng. R., 3 (2015).
11. B J Fuller, AFafitis and J L Santamaria. ASCE Civil Engineering 75, 72 -77 (2006).
12. IQS. No.5-1984, "Portland cement", Iraqi Standard Organization, Central Organization for
Standardization and Quality Control.
13. IQS. No. 45-1984," Aggregate from Natural Sources for Concrete", Iraqi Standard
Organization, Central

38
39