CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

As years pass by, the world becomes more diverse and open to new

discoveries conducive to humankind. These knowledgeable applications

contribute in the development of economic and industrial sectors, as well as

the improvement of human lives. With the increasing global demands due to

the constant evolving of technology, professionals catalyzed numerous

alternatives for different material productions without disturbing the

intended innovative approaches.

Concrete is a prominent solid mass of versatility in the production of

materials used in construction. According to Gagan & Lejano (2016), it is

considered as the second most consumed substance in the world next to

water. Buildings, infrastructures, and frameworks built today are made of

concrete. Concrete bricks are load bearing, lightweight and are a mixture of

cement and aggregate, usually sand, formed in molds and cured. It may vary

in texture, colors, and pattern. Concrete bricks are compacted by high

pressure and vibration, which make them unbearable and able to withstand

a high level of loading. They also have a high fire resistance and no salinity

which reduces their maintenance cost (Tajin, 2018).

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 As of 2012, a total of 11.5 billion tons of concrete are produced each

year and is expected to increase to approximately 18 billion tons a year by

2050 (Mehta & Montiero, 2013). Its production plays significant roles in the

economic growth of every nation for the past decades. Industries guarantee

the usage of concrete as constructional materials because of its firm and

solidified structure compared to the other materials in building frameworks.

It has been widely used as the main construction material because of its

excellent compressive strength, versatility, availability, fire resistance and

economical value (Awang-Hazmi, et.al, 2007: Mohamed, et.al, 2012:

Othman, et.al, 2013).

In producing concrete structures, the utilization of cement serves as a

main component. Cement plays the role of a binder, a substance that sets

and hardens and might bind alternative materials along (Mohammad, 2017).

Ordinary Portland cement, also known as OPC, is one of the most produced

concrete components worldwide. It is estimated that about 1.8 billion tonnes

of OPC are manufactured annually worldwide (Liska & Al-Tabbaa, 2008). It is

one of the most important materials manufactured around the globe

resulting to the increase of global demands inside markets. However, the

widespread yielding of these materials effectuated numerous harmful

outcomes to the environment. Decades had passed since the manufacture of

cement began, resulting in the continuous depletion of the utilized sources

that impacts the cost of construction. The increases in the production of

Portland cement many causes greater concern because of high carbon

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content (Elango, et.al, 2017). During production of cement and hydration

process of cement, the amount of CO2 emitted by the industry is nearly 900

kg of CO2 for every 1000 kg of cement produced (Natesan, et.al, 2003). In

addition, Rubenstein (2012) stated that approximately 5% of the total carbon

dioxide emission all over the world is constituted to concrete production.

Hence, the constant production of cement causes serious environmental

damages.

As the results of the production are aggravating, researchers

have designed alternative productions of materials that perform as a

substitute in manufacturing cement and concrete. Their objectives are to

minimize the negative effects brought of concrete and cement production to

the environment as well as providing cheaper costs of these materials. There

are have been strong economic arguments and evidence to modify the

fitness of the industrial (or agricultural) byproducts rather than that of the

Portland cement, and thus had ensured that they are manufactured, for

durability rather than the strength (SWAMY, 2008).

Being an archipelagic country, Philippines is ecologically diverse and

rich in coastal resouces. Bivalves’ production took place for several decades

under the fisheries sector that contributes in the economic growth of the said

country. However, their shells are non-biodegradable and are considered

wastes (Talagtag, 2014). The sea shells are high potential materials to

become partial cement replacement and filler in concrete. The calcium

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carbonate (CaCO3) in the sea shells is more than 90% and is similar to the

contain of calcium carbonate in the limestone dust that been used in the

Portland cement production (Shad, et.al, 2012).

The coastal sources like seashells are beneficial in various sectors such

as industrial, economic and technologically relevant sectors. Since then,

major and minor industries prioritize utilizing material replacements for

concrete production, and among those replacements are pulverized shells.

With the similar components of the two, the capability of shells to replace

the utilization of cement in concrete manufacturing is being thoroughly

discussed in various studies. Also, both the shell wastes and harmful

emissions of cement produced each year will lessen. Adding value to this

byproduct, it may have a positive factor on the industry (Kansas State

University, n.d.).

The world production of bivalves is represented by 5 main groups:

clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, and abalones have been steadily

increasing since the 1990s to reach a new record of 13.6 million metric

tonnes (mt) in 2005. World production of mussels in the last twenty years

has increased almost two-fold. Mussel shell recycling plants converts it into

calcium carbonate of 96% purity, which can then be used in the chemical

industry as fertilizer, an animal feed additive or in construction (Yoon, et.al,

2003: Yoon, et.al, 2004).Clam production during 2011 was 4.93 million tons:

this was followed by oysters with 4.52 million; mussels with 1.8 million tons;

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scallops with 1.52 million tons; and finally abalones with aquaculture

production of 395,000 tons (www.seafish.org, 2015). Shell by-products have

long been applied in industries (Barros et al., 2009). Its comparative

properties are mentioned as replacements of various innovative operations

in the field. Its application is used in the construction of roads, replacement

of industrial lime, ash cements, fertilizer, lime agent, moisturizers and tile

(Othman, et.al, 2013).

Moreover, investigation on the possibility of using wastes and synthetic

natural materials of different origin for concrete works began due to the

finding of the discrimination of the use of natural resources. As a result,

research on natural materials with cement based composites has been

revived. Thus, rediscovery of concrete mixtures using indigenous materials

prove to be the answer to the current search for low cost building structures

(Binag, 2017).

Mussel shells, also known as “tahong” in the Philippines, are abundant

and are being harvested by fishers from selected bodies of water like bays. It

is one of the members of the superfamily Mytiloidea that is a main source of

protein served as food. When green mussel shells are exposed to heat, it

turns brittle and can be turned into a powder by grinding. By turning green

mussel shells into powder, it is possible to use green mussel shells as

cement replacement (Lejano et.al, 2018). It happens through a chemical

process called calcination.

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 Although their production is common, mussels as of today are traded

internationally. France is the largest importing nation with almost 43,000 mt

and the majority of mussel exports originate from four countries; Chile,

Spain, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, which accounted for around

140,000 mt of exports in 2013 (www.seafish.org, 2015). Philippines is known

for its extending green mussel productions remarkets to different countries.

As an outcome, shells piles commonly in areas of seashells production with

no further utilization. Tahong (Perna Viridis) or mussel shell with other similar

species are made up of layers of calcium carbonate that are disposed from

households, restaurants, markets and along coastal areas such as Manila

Bay, Cavite, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga and other parts of Luzon, Visaayas,

and Mindanao (Mamon, S.J., 2017). In Sorsogon, one of the provinces of

Region V (Bicol) preserves several bodies of water like bays which mussel

shells grow and reproduce. The widespread production of these coastal

sources in South Asia is discussed systematically determining its relative

strength, durability, and other characteristics to cement. t

Upon discussing the feasibility of green mussel shells (GMS) as an

alternative component in concrete productions, studies regarding that

matter will provoke interests when its application is introduced in societies.

Furthermore, the continuous increases of demands in construction globally

proceed to more hazardous environmental impacts due to the calcination of

Portland cement as well as the other types. Also, coastal wastes such as

green mussel shells are being mishandled because of its massive production.

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To conclude, the main objective of this study is to reduce the emission of

calcium carbonate and shell wastes expenditure by searching for

alternatives other than the harmful components of concrete.

Locale of the Study

The study will be conducted at Sorsogon Province, where the

researchers are situated to. The province is located at Southern Luzon

Region V (Bicol) that is known for its preservation of natural resources such

as aquaculture, where green mussel shells (GMS) grow and reproduce so as

attaining the desired results and information about its feasibility as partial

cement substitute in concrete production.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the study is to determine the feasibility of pulverized

green mussel shells as partial cement substitute for concrete production.

Specifically, it aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. To identify the comparative strength and durability of pulverized green

mussel shells as partial cement substitute for concrete productions;

2. To determine the cost effectiveness of the pulverized green mussel

shells compared to the original cement mixture and components; and,

3. To ascertain the most effective treatment of pulverized green mussel

shells for the development of concrete.

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Research Questions

The study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the ratio needed in concrete combined with Pulverized Green

Mussel Shells (GMS)?

2. What are the effects of Pulverized Green Mussel Shells (GMS) as partial

cement substitutes on the four treatments of the development of

concrete in terms of:

a.) Workability

b.) Water Absorption

c.) Compressive strength

3. How the Pulverized Green Mussel Shells (GMS) that is utilized as an

additive will affect the concrete’s compressive strength?

4. Which treatment of pulverized green mussel shells is best suited for

the development?

a.) 10% Pulverized GMS, 90% Grave

b.) 20% Pulverized GMS, 80% Gravel

c.) 30% Pulverized GMS, 70% Gravel

d.) 40% Pulverized GMS, 60% Gravel

Scope and Delimitation

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 This study was formulated to determine the feasibility of pulverized

green mussel shells (GMS) as partial cement substitute for producing

concrete. The study will focus on the potential of the said alternative

products to be used as a replacement for cement in developing concrete

which involves a series of experiments in order to test the effects of

pulverized mussel shells when added in the concrete in terms of their

durability, workability, strength, water absorption, versatility, and unit

weight. The study centers on the maximization of utilizing alternative raw

materials without the absence of the characterized standard and qualified

properties of concrete.

This study is limited in determining the compressive strength, water

absorption, workability and durability. This study will take account on the

amount of pulverized green mussel shells (GMS) to replace cement in the

concrete admixture and the change in the properties of cement relative to

the amount of pulverized mussel shells added in the admixture. Additionally,

the researchers will not conduct the experiment inside the school, but rather

outside its premises. The study cannot be successful without seeking

professional help due to the fact that compressive strength needs to be

determined through laboratory analysis. Hence, the study involves gathering

of statistical data and treatments.

Significance of the Study

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 The findings of the study will determine the capability of pulverized

green mussel shells (GMS) as partial cement substitute for concrete

production. In addition, it will associate the cost effectiveness of GMS to the

standard cement mixture and its components along with the most suitable

treatment for concrete development in terms of its workability, water

absorption, and compressive strength. Secondly, the extended utilization of

industrial byproducts and coastal wastes will promote green technology that

befits alternative raw materials for concrete production.

Moreover, the study aspires to minimize harmful environmental

impacts as well as lessen environmental wastes by developing those as a

replacement to concrete components. Pulverized green mussel shells (GMS)

proposed as partial cement substitute for developing concrete will not only

achieve the industrial global demands of the nation but it will also promote a

greener and more productive disposal of waste materials that cultivates a

safer environment. On account of these applications to the modern world,

natural resources will undergo constant maintenance, economic sectors will

improve its stocks and sales, and health risks will be reduced. Furthermore,

benefiting from the study are the following:

Humankind. As the nation undergoes series of development, its

citizens tend to stipulate its necessities to industrial sectors.

Determining raw material substitutes for manufacturing at cheaper

costs but hold the same strength, workability and durability of the

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standard material will match the people’s financial gross as well as

utilizing it sufficiently and practically at their homes especially those

who dwell in coastal areas.

Environment. Harmful impacts on the environment are increasing

nowadays. To reduce the impacts, this study will determine the more

effective and formative way of waste disposal that promotes a greener

and sustainable environment.

Society. The society and its linking big and small establishments avail

in this study by gaining the comprehension regarding the use of

coastal wastes like GMS and several approaches of its recyclability.

Also, purchasing of alternative yet cheaper and eco-friendly materials

for construction will foster in every structure built in the society.

Aquaculture/Fisheries Industries. These industries of economic

sectors play significant roles where mussel breeding and harvesting

are involved. Proposing GMS to their respective industrial actions and

production will promote better results in the states of their economy.

Mussel Breeders and Fishermen. These are the workers

responsible for mussel reproduction and harvest that will receive

advantages in the study by introducing essence of shell wastes as

alternative materials that could be another cause of additional income.

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Concrete Industries. Concrete industries include concrete producers

and distributors that will benefit from this study by examining the

probability of alternative raw materials for the development of

concrete therefore manufacturing immense quality but in cheaper

costs. Industries will also sort their inventory of manufactured

concretes and cements providing less risk to the society along with the

environment that leads to sales improvement.

Consumers. Green Mussel Shells (GMS) is well-known seafood

adapted by different cuisines around the world. The consumers will be

acquainted of the GMS utilization in construction by learning from this

study. Additionally, concrete users will find a new match of their needs

with similar characteristics and quality but cheaper and eco-friendly

materials that are functional in construction as well as promoting a

safer environment.

Government Agencies. Pulverized green mussel shells as partial

cement substitute for concrete productions is a new practice of

preserving the country’s natural resources such as aquaculture.

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) and

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are some of the

concerned agencies of this matter that will benefit the most from this

study by discovering new set of ideas on how to dispose and recycle

coastal wastes like GMS.

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Economy. Creating alternatives for cement in concrete production will

result to the betterment of the country’s economy and will boost the

country’s transactions of innovative pathways.

Researchers. The findings and recommendations of this study will

serve as a guide that directs a way to future researchers who intend to

investigate relevant researches about this topic.

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