Hol

low
Blo
cks Group Leader:
James Carl Señor

Group Members:
Kyle Anton Aligno
Kathleen Joyce Atejera
Chenny Marie Cantano
Christine Joyce Inso
Alan Roy Redulla
Cloie Vidal
 Acknowledgement
The researchers have taken efforts in this project but it would not have been possible
without the kind support and help of many individuals.
The researchers would like to express their greatest gratitude first and foremost to God,
who made everything possible and for making this research successful, to the parents for their
encouragement and never ending support especially in financial needs and considering time
allotment extension. Special thanks to Engr. Onairda Montejo for sharing her pearls of wisdom
with us during the course of this research in improving the project. We would also like to thank
the school, for letting us what research is and providing us the materials we need in the research,
to the authors, articles, and sources for providing us variety of information. Appreciation to our
friends, classmates, and teachers for their kind cooperation, encouragement and willingness to
help our project. We are highly indebted to our beautiful Research Teacher, Ms. Tresica
Silvederio for the support, patience, guidance to our project and constant supervision as well as
giving necessary information regarding to our research.
 Table of Contents

Title Page
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents 1
List of Figures 2
List of Tables 3
Abstract 4
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction and Its Background 5

1.2 Statement of the Problem 6

1.3 Formulation of Hypothesis 6

1.4 Significance of the Study 6

1.5 Scope and Delimitations 7

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES 8-10

CHAPTER III: MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Materials 11

3.2 Procedure 12-13

CHAPTER IV: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

4.1 Presentation of Data, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data 14-15

4.2 Results 15

4.3 Discussion 16

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 17

Bibliography 18
 List of Figures

Figure 1. Crushing the shells into tiny pieces 12

Figure 2. Mixing all the materials 12
Figure 3. Put the mixture in the molder 13
Figure 4. Drying up the setup
13
 List of Tables

Table 1.
Table 2. Measuring of Strength of Hollow Blocks Out from Various Shells
(60% Seashells and 40% Clay) vs. Commercial Hollow Blocks 15
Table 3. Comparison of Ability to withstand Weather Changes 16
Abstract
The study aims to develop stronger and tougher hollow blocks by using various shells
with high quantities of calcium carbonate, as the main ingredient in the study which increases its
ability to withstand greater compressive strength. Based on initial research, the researchers
believe that the application of biomimetic principles elucidated from the shell structure can offer
extra strength and durability when used properly, hence, leading to shells used as a sub-
admixture in hollow block-making.

The hollow block is mainly composed of shells and clay, wherein clay has been
indispensable in architecture, infrastructure and is an insulator to weather. The 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°C) and cold water (16°C). 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 hollow part.

The study serves as an alternative for the commercial hollow blocks that are quite weaker
than they actually look. The study attempts to innovate the civilization by killing two birds with
one stone: addressing the pollution and solid waste problem by recycling shells and improving
infrastructures by strengthening the foundations of it through improved hollow blocks which are
commonly used as a building tool in the Philippines.
 Chapter I

Introduction

The world progresses alongside civilization, culture and technology and as part of human
nature, man continues to invent, discover and innovate to make life 'easier'. In addition, man
persists to come across the best possible alternative services and materials available for the daily
lives of man. As an attempt to 'innovate', the researchers have decided to obligate themselves to
a research that will do just that. An experiment intended to 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 cement and either sand and fine gravel comprehensive for high
density-blocks or industrial wastes for low density-blocks.

Several environmentalist groups, researchers and students have experimented over the
matter of what admixture 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 admixture.

After initial research, the researchers stumbled upon a common product that could
strengthen materials with its high calcium carbonate that will supposedly strengthen cement: sea
shells. Sea shells are considered waste for it is usually thrown out immediately after consumed
and it takes decades to decompose. Sea shells contain 95-99% calcium carbonate by weight. In
the bio mineralization of the sea shell, calcium and 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 the shell assembly and structure may help in fabricating new composite materials with
enhanced optical, electronic, or structural properties.

Philippines with its thousand reefs, islands, channels and different marine habitats is
considered as mecca for sea shell collectors. The Indo-Pacific Region contains the world’s most
diverse offering of shells and within this vast region, the Philippines has greatest variety. The
best haunting grounds are said to be around the islands in the Sulu Sea and an area of Cebu
known as Camotes.

Furthermore, the researchers hit upon an additional admixture to strengthen cement.

From prehistoric times, clay has been indispensable in architecture and infrastructure. Clay is
one of the best materials man uses to build a sustainable construction.In addition to using as a
building material, it is an insulator to the weather. This allows homes to maintain their heat
during the winter months and maintain the comfortable temperatures during the summer months.
More importantly, it is a natural way to provide energy efficiency so buildings are not using too
much in order to maintain the proper temperature.

Statement of the Problem

The researchers aimed to determine if using sea shells, to make a hollow block stronger,
and using clay instead of cement, to compact the shells together, could be developed as effective
alternative hollow blocks.

Specifically, the study is made to answer the following problems:

1. What would be the best percentage of shells and clay in making the hollow blocks:
a. 50% shells 50% clay?
b. 60% shells 40% clay?
c. 40% shells 60% clay?
2. Is there a significant difference between the hollow blocks made from sea shells and the
hollow that has been commonly used for years?
3. From sea shells and clay, what characteristic of an improved hollow block is much
greater proven in the results of the study?

Formulation of Hypothesis

The hollow blocks out from various shells would be the improved version of the
commonly used hollow blocks for years. It is much stronger than the ordinary hollow blocks
that we are currently using in our construction materials.

Significance of the Study

This study will be significant not just for the students and school but of course for the
society. The researchers’ goal is not just to conserve our natural resources but also we want to
offer the 21st century people the hollow blocks that are much stronger than the commercial one.

Since common shells would take 20 years to decompose, instead of throwing the shells
we use at home - since some shells are edible such as oyster and clams while other shells can be
used for decorations - we can recycle them by using them as a main component in making
alternative hollow blocks.

However, the researchers’ goal doesn’t only focuses in conserving our natural resources
but to also give convenience to people who needs immediate materials for building whenever the
commercial hollow blocks isn’t available in their place. This is due to the availability of the
materials being used. Our study would also be very helpful in building cottages. It may also be
used in building houses for the pets who stays outdoor. Furthermore, it can also be used in
building fences. In fact, the fence made from our project would be stronger than the usual one
that is made from commercial hollow blocks.

Scope and Delimitation

The main purpose of this study is to provide cheaper and stronger alternative hollow
blocks regarding the high demand of commercial concrete hollow blocks in making houses and
buildings. In order to make up what they aim, the variables “measure of the crushed shells” and
“measure of the mud clay” were also considered by identifying the best percentage of the
measurements in making a hollow block. Justifying why that percentage is more effective than
the others is not part of the scope of the study.

The study considers this as an alternative because it is limited only for small quantity
construction. The researchers limited the product of the study to be used only on town houses,
and any other simple structural frameworks due to limited resources, just like these various
shells, and also limited to changing weather, for it boosts in decomposition on these hollow
blocks, and weaker in the hollow part, because mud is still washable by water.

The Hollow Blocks Out from Various Shells was conducted from June 2015 to January
2016 at Consolacion National High School-Day Class. For the molder of the product, the
researchers only used resources they can see in their surroundings like the plywoods that are no
longer in used by the owner.
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

MUD CLAY

“The plentiful adobe clay in California is mixed with sand, and other materials such as
straw or even manure to make a strong material when hardened. Recipes and methods of mixing
vary. Cob house builders mix the clay with their feet on tarps, while traditional indigenous
people used clay pits in the ground. Clay, sand and straw are mixed by foot on a tarp or with a
cement mixer to speed up the process.  Clay acts as the glue, sand hardens the structure, and
the straw works like rebar to give the walls tensile strength “. (Camarillo, 2005)

“Mud bricks could have the lowest impact of all construction materials. Mud brick should
not contain any organic matter — the bricks should be made from clays and sands and not
include living soil. They require very little generated energy to manufacture, but large amounts
of water. Their embodied energy content is potentially the lowest of all building materials but the
use of additives such as cement, excessive transport and other mechanical energy use can
increase the ‘delivered’ embodied energy of all earth construction.” (Downtown, 2013)

Laurie Baker stated that, “The thing that hit me in the eye, right from the beginning, was
that an enormous amount of use was made of mud! The first thing I discovered was that mud is
one thing in one place and a different thing in another. It is used for different purposes and is
used in different ways! There are different techniques of sticking it together and making it into a
wall or whatever. This varied considerably, even sometimes in a matter of a few miles, from one
district to another” (Laurie Baker, n.d.)

“Building with earth has a great past, but also a promising future, especially in Auroville.
It is definitely an appropriate, cost and energy-efficient, and eco-friendly technology which can
promote a sustainable future. Obviously, one has to master the material the techniques so as to
obtain the optimum possibilities for a harmonious, durable, agreeable and efficient architecture.”

“This Visitors’ Centre of 1200 m² was granted the “Hassan Fathy Award for Architecture
for the Poor” in 1992. Built of compressed stabilized earth blocks, it demonstrated the potential
of stabilized earth as a quality building material. Vikas Community was a finalist for the “World
Habitat Award 2000: and its 3rd building was built on 4 floors. Since then, the value of earth as a
building material has been acknowledged for its economic advantage, as well as its comfort and
quality, which promotes indigenous and sustainable development. Today, Auroville can show a
wide variety of earthen projects: public buildings, schools, apartments and individual houses.”
(Auroville Earth Institute,n.d.)
SEASHELLS

From the article of Ben Coxworth, it was stated that, “Taking inspiration from shells,
researchers from the University of Manchester and the University of Leeds have successfully
reinforced calcium carbonate, or chalk, with polystyrene particles such as those used in
disposable drinking cups. Their achievement could lead to stronger building and bone
replacement materials, or other practical applications. (Coxworth, 2010)

By combining calcite crystals with polystyrene particles, the scientists created a ceramic polymer
that is less brittle than chalk, and thus less prone to cracking. When the material did crack, they
noticed that the polymer lengthened within the cracks, instead of simply snapping – this is a
known mechanism for absorbing energy and enhancing durability. By selecting particles of
different shapes, sizes and composition, the scientists said the properties of the material could be
tweaked for different purposes. And no, seashells don’t contain polystyrene, but they do contain
proteins that serve a similar purpose.” (Eichhorn, 2010)

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica stated that, “Seashell is the hard exoskeleton of
marine mollusks such as snails, bivalves, and chitons that serves to protect and support their
bodies. It is composed largely of calcium carbonate secreted by the mantle, a skin like tissue in
the mollusk’s body wall. “(The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015)

“Calcium carbonate is critical to the construction industry, both as a building material in

its own right (e.g. marble), and as an ingredient of cement.  It contributes to the making of mortar
used in bonding bricks, concrete blocks, stones, roofing shingles, rubber compounds, and tiles.
Calcium carbonate decomposes to form carbon dioxide and lime, an important material in
making steel, glass, and paper.  Because of its antacid properties, calcium carbonate is used in
industrial settings to neutralize acidic conditions in both soil and water.” ("What is Calcium
Carbonate?", n.d., paragraph 9.)

“Some communities in coastal Nigeria have started using the waste shell in civil
construction activities. This study was carried out in ten selected coastal communities in Bayelsa
State to find out about the various ways to which waste sea shells have been put to use using a
combination focus group discussions and walk-through surveys. Result shows that the selected
communities use waste sea shells for civil construction including building, pavement, gutters,
foundation, filling, septic tank, grave site, shoreline protection etc. The utilization of waste shell
that hitherto causes pollution for beneficial use in response to ecological constraints is a major
plus for sustainable development.” (“Research Journal of Biological Sciences”, 2009, paragraph
1)

“The shell of mollusks is a remarkable example of a natural composite biomaterial,

synthesized at ambient temperature. Consequently, many consider it as a model for trying to
develop at little cost new biomimetic materials of superior mechanical properties. The peculiar
resistance of shells to fracture lies in an organic matrix, which is closely associated with the
mineral phase. This matrix regulates the crystal growth, by allowing nucleation of the crystals
only where appropriate, by favoring crystal elongation in privileged directions, and by inhibiting
their growth. This matrix is a mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, the primary
structure and function of which are poorly known. Pinna nobilis, the Mediterranean fan mussel,
is one of the few mollusks for which molecular data on shell proteins are available. In the present
paper, we review what is known, at molecular level, on the macromolecular constituents of the
shell of P. nobilis by describing three proteins, the characterization of which is still going on: the
first one, mucoperlin, is specific of the nacreous layer. The two others were obtained from the
calcitic prismatic layer and one of them was localized by immunogold and further tested to check
its ability to modify the shapes of CaCO3 crystals. The data shown here, together with data
obtained from the pearl oyster or the abalone, put into question some common ideas about
molluscan mineralization.” (Elsevier B.V., 2005)

BIOMINERALIZATION IN SHELLS

“The biological approach to forming crystals is proving to be most surprising. Mollusks build
their shells by using a hydrophobic silk gel, very acidic aspartic acid rich proteins, and
apparently also an amorphous precursor phase from which the crystals form. All this takes place
in a highly structured chitinous framework. Here we present ideas on how these disparate
components work together to produce the highly structured pearly nacreous layer of the mollusk
shell.” (Addadi, Joester, Nudelman and Weiner, 2005)

“Most organisms, when forming biominerals, organize the minerals in a form that is much
stronger than the substance initially. Some of these substances are organized up to the nanoscale,
creating significantly stronger structures” (Virginia A. Davis, 2005)
 Chapter III

Methodology

Materials:

4 kg of various crushed shells 3 kg mud of clay 1¼ kg of cement

Molder Basin/Container Weighing scale

Mortar & Pestle Hammer

Thread

Water (which depends on the consistency of the dry materials)

Procedure:
1. Prepare the materials.

2. Crush the shells into tiny pieces using the hammer.

Figure 1. Crushing the shells into tiny pieces

3. Prepare the clay and the cement in two separate containers.

4. Measure the mass of the clay and the cement including the crushed shells. The weight of
the clay should be 3 kg, the cement should weigh 1/4 kg, and the crushed shells should
weigh 4 kg.

5. Mix all the materials which are the cement, clay and the crushed shells.

Figure 2. Mixing all the materials

6. Add water to the dry materials.

7. Put it in a molder after mixing it.

Figure 3. Put the mixture in the molder

8. After shaping in the molder, use a piece of thread to split the surface of the hollow blocks
from touching the molder.

9. Leave it until it dries up.

Figure 4. Drying up the setup

 Chapter IV

Presentation of Data, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

Table 1.

Percentage Results

60% Clay and 40% Seashells

50% Clay and 50% Seashells

40% Clay and 60% Seashells

Table 2. Measuring of Strength of Hollow Blocks Out from Various Shells (60% Seashells
and 40% Clay) vs. Commercial Hollow Blocks

Hollow Blocks Out from

Trials Commercial Hollow Blocks
Various Shells

A 40-kg man stomp on

the hollow blocks

A 50-kg woman stomp

on the hollow blocks

An 80-kg man stomp on

the hollow blocks
Table 3. Comparison of Ability to withstand Weather Changes

Trials Hollow Block from Various

Commercial Hollow Blocks
(Pouring Cold and hot Water) Shells

First

(pouring 6 mugs of both hot and

cold water)

Second

(pouring 6 mugs both hot and cold

water)

Temperatures of water used: hot water – 100 ˚C and cold water – 16 ˚C

Results

The researchers proved that the hollow blocks, having 40% of clay and 60% seashells,
from various shells are stronger compared to the commercial hollow blocks.

As shown in Table 3, the researchers used hot water with temperature of 100˚C to
represent the hot weather that the hollow blocks will experience when used. On the other hand,
the researchers used cold water with 16˚C as a representation of the cold weather.

The researchers found out that the product of the experiment is weaker in the hollow part.
The commercial hollow block was easily squashed into pieces unlike to the hollow blocks from
various shells.
Discussion

The results of the experiment show that the hollow block is stronger when there are more
crushed shells added. The mud clay and cement reacts to produce alternative hollow blocks and
much more when they are combined. There are two types of crushed shells used in the study, the
powdered and the normally crushed shells.

The results show that there is a difference in strength from the highest quantity of crushed
shells in each mixture of mud clay and cement. Highest amount of crushed shells, average
amount of mud clay and cement with the smallest amount are used by the researchers in order to
come up a stronger hollow block.

In order to show that not only the cement can make the hollow block concrete, the
amount of shells added to the mixture should always be greater than the amount of cement and
mud clay. The amount of crushed shells is directly proportional to the amount of the other
ingredients used in the mixture which means if the amount of shells in the study increases, the
amount of clay, cement and water also increases proportionally.

Table 1 shows that each trial is to measure the strength, which means that the hollow
blocks from various shells are stronger than the commercial ones.

Table 2 shows that each trial shown is to measure the strength in changing weather, and
found out that the hollow blocks from various shells are weaker in the hollow part.

In molding the hollow block, a properly-mixed mixture is a must to make the blocks
hollower and more concrete in the inside in shaping. Let it dry under the heat of the sun.

Chapter V

Conclusion
 Based on the results made on the experiment, the researchers were definite of strong and
hard alternative hollow blocks after some tests with the blocks made from crushed shells and
mud clay combined with cement and water. The results also state that the hollow block’s strength
is the characteristic that is greatly proven.

The amount of shells is 60% while clay would be 40% for better and stronger hollow
blocks.

There are significant differences between the hollow blocks in this study and the hollow
blocks used for years, such as the color since commercial ones are greyish white while this study
makes brown blocks. Another difference is their strength: commercial ones are way weaker than
the hollow blocks made out from various shells. Lastly, hollow blocks in this study could easily
be made at home just by following this study’s methodology while commercial ones are
basically made from factories with more complex methodology.

Recommendation

The researchers recommend to the next researchers of this project a fast decision-making
on the specific and quantitative materials to be used for them to work on the hollow blocks as
early as possible together with an efficient molder. Proper mixing of the materials and molding
of the mixture are needed to prevent having holes inside the blocks. Production of many blocks
is required to be able to test lots of aspects of the hollow block such as its strength, durability,
and its compatibleness with a sudden change in the climate (since mud clay is still mud, it can be
washed away by water in a span of time during rainy season). Lastly, for a better outcome in the
successfulness of the study, the researchers recommend to concretely prove that these alternative
hollow blocks are ready for house-building or for building purposes.

Bibliography
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Seashell. (2015, November 20). Retrieved February 16, 2016, from

http://www.britannica.com/science/seashell

Downtown, P. (2013). Mud brick. Retrieved February 16, 2016, from

http://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/mud-brick

Camarillo, A. (2005). Adobe Mud - Juana Briones Heritage. Retrieved February 16, 2016, from
http://www.brioneshouse.org/adobe_mud.htm

Baker, L. (2008-2014). Mud Architecture - Construction Details and Techniques. Retrieved

February 16, 2016, from http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/712/mud-architecture-
construction-details-and-techniques

Addadi, L., Joester, D., Nudelman, F., & Weiner, S. (2005, November 28). Mollusk Shell
Formation: A Source of New Concepts for Understanding Biomineralization Processes.
Retrieved February 16, 2016, from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/chem.200500980/abstract?systemMessage=Wiley
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