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ASIAN GREEN MUSSEL (Perna viridis) SHELL AND WOOD ASH

AS CEMENT MATERIALS

INTRODUCTION

Cement is mainly used as a binder in concrete, which is a basic material for all types

of construction, including housing, roads, schools, hospitals, dams and ports, as well as for

decorative applications (for patios, floors, staircases, driveways, pool decks) and items like

tables, sculptures or bookcases. Concrete is a versatile and reliable construction material

with a wide range of applications.

According to Dempsey (n.d.), mussel shell is almost pure Calcium carbonate, a

fundamental raw material for cement. It is now sourced from limestone in the quarry but

mussel shells provide a particularly pure supplement. He stated that, “The benefit comes

from having a higher quality raw material. The cement quality will be the same. Essentially

it is a cheaper way of supplementing the limestone that we need.” He also stated that there

is still about 50-year worth of limestone in the quarry, and it is not trying to extend the life

of the quarry. It is to utilize good quality material for the processing and also to solve an

ecological problem for the companies producing the mussels.

According to S. Chowdhury who conducted a research about the “Strength

Development in Concrete with Wood Ash (WA) Blended Cement and Use of Soft

Computing Models to Predict Strength Parameters”, the results of compressive strength,

split tensile strength and flexural strength showed that the strength properties of concrete

mixture decreased marginally with increase in wood ash contents, but strength increased

with later age. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) test results and chemical analysis of WA
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showed that it contains amorphous silica and thus can be used as cement replacing material.

Through the analysis of results obtained in the mentioned study, it was concluded that WA

could be blended with cement without adversely affecting the strength properties of

concrete.

These background of information helped the researchers to come up with an idea

of combining AGM shells and wood ash as a partial replacement of cement. The

researchers believed that both materials will develop better quality of cement.

Objectives of the Study

Generally, the main objective of the study is to determine the usefulness of Asian

Green Mussels and wood ash as materials in cement manufacturing.

Specifically, this study aimed to:

1. develop cement product made up of AGM and wood ash;

2. determine the significant difference among the mixtures of cement in

terms of:

a. color;

b. presence of lumps;

c. temperature;

d. setting; and

e. compressive strength (physical laboratory test);

3. conduct cost analysis.

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Hypotheses of the Study

H0 There is no significant difference among treatments of the three mixtures in

terms of temperature and compressive strength.

H1 There is significant difference among treatments of the three mixtures in

terms of temperature and compressive strength.

Significance of the Study

This study returned the benefit to the people who utilize cements to come up with

reliable and cheaper resources.

For the future researchers, the study will help them to have new and deeper

understanding of the possibility of using AGM shells and wood ash as cement materials.

Also, through this research they can help people conserve the natural resources and reuse

and reduce waste production.

Time and Place of the Study

This research study was conducted from September 2017 up to March 2018 in

General Trias City, Cavite.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This research focused on the usefulness of adding AGM and wood ashes as partial

replacements to cement. The product was measured in terms of color, presence of lumps,

temperature, setting and compressive strength. Three mixtures were prepared and

compared to pure cement. The researchers sought the expertise of people in civil works

and subject the product to physical laboratory test.

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Definition of Terms

Asian Green Mussel (Perna viridis) is a bivalve mussel widely distributed in the

Asia-Pacific region also known as Philippine mussel (tahong).

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a compound found in an inorganic salt used as an

antacid (DrugBank, 2010).

Wood ash is a substance resulted from burning of wood.

Limestone is a rock that consists mainly of Calcium carbonate that is needed in

cement manufacturing.

Pozzolans are broad classes of siliceous or aluminous materials.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) provides detailed information on the crystallographic

structure and physical properties of materials and thin films.

Conceptual Framework

After checking the quality of materials and following the research design,

objectives and procedures, experiments on cement with AGM shell and wood ash were

conducted and tested. The results of the test were used to determine the feasibility of

cement with AGM shell and wood ash as cement materials.

The independent variables of this study were the amount of cement, AGM shells

and wood ash while the dependent variable was the final product.
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Input Process Output

AGM shell Pulverizing Cement with partial

Wood ash replacement of AGM

Incineration
Water and wood ash as
Mixing of materials
Cement alternative

Comparison and supplement

Evaluation

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Calcium Carbonate in AGM

According to Michele Regina Rosa Hamester (2012), there is a high content of

calcium carbonate in mussel and oyster shells, which can be used in the formulation of

medicine, in construction or as filler in polymer materials. This work has as its main

objective to obtain calcium carbonate from mussel and oyster shells and used as filler in

polypropylene compared their properties with polypropylene and commercial calcium

carbonate composites.

One of the types of calcium carbonate is limestone. Crushed limestone has several

important advantages over river gravel as an aggregate for concrete. First, for a given

amount of cement in the mix, crushed limestone concrete will have an approximately 10%

strength advantage. This strength advantage comes from the fact that cement bonds tighter

to limestone than to a slick/smooth gravel and the strength that is derived from the sharp

angular faces of the crushed aggregate. Second, because crushed limestone has a lighter

unit weight than gravel, it will require about 12% less crushed limestone than gravel to mix

a cubic yard of concrete. Additionally, crushed limestone concrete is easier to saw through

than gravel concrete. This is because most gravel is silica. Silica is almost impossible to

cut with a steel saw. (Texas Crushed Stone Company, 2011)

Crushed limestone concrete also has a lower thermal coefficient of expansion than

gravel concrete. This means that slabs poured with limestone concrete will expand and

contract less than gravel concrete for a given change in temperature. Studies have shown

that this thermal stability coupled with limestone’s superior curing properties results in
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greater crack spacing, and less crack width in limestone concrete slabs. (Texas Crushed

Stone Company, 2011)

Wood Ash

In line with this, one of the major components of wood ash are lime that is actually

needed in cement production. Chemical analysis of wood ash showed that it contains

amorphous silica and thus can be used as cement replacing material. As the cement industry

at present is on a booming rise, the demand for cement is increasing but the cost should

remain normal. So utilizing the wood ash by efficient means solves a twofold problem of

their disposal as well as providing an efficient replacer for cement. A number of tests are

carried by researchers which show positive effects of wood ash in cement. Hence using

these wastes will be beneficial economically and environmentally. Also, the wood ash

incorporated as partial replacement of cement helps avoiding insignificant and bulk

consumption of pure cement. Besides this the production of cement material all alone

results in increased emission of certain greenhouse gases and much more pollutants. Hence

replacing with wood ash leads to less production of cement, thus proving environmentally

safe. Apart from this, this replacing technique reduces the cost also. (Amir Shafi Batt,

2017)
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METHODOLOGY

Materials

Table 1. Materials used and its specifications

MATERIALS SPECIFICATION PHOTO

Asian Green mussel It is rich in calcium

shell carbonate a fundamental raw
material for cement.

Wood ash It has pozzolanic property

which is siliceous that is
needed for cement.

Cement This serves as commercial

base product.

Water It mixes the materials.

Measuring scale It is used to measure the

needed materials according
to the required amount.
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Methods

In this study, the AGM went through pulverization process through the use of

mortar and pestle. Then, wood went through incineration or burning process to form wood

ash. The pulverized AGM and wood ash were mixed in cement with different proportions

according to the given amount per trials and was tested to compare with pure commercial

cement which was readily available in market. After that, the researchers determined the

result of the tests in terms of color, presence of lumps, temperature, setting and compressive

strength. The researchers also conducted cost analysis.

Experimental Unit

In this study, the experimental unit was the cement with partial replacement of

pulverized AGM shell and wood ash.

Experimental Design

The researchers used posttest design which uses two groups, one is for tested group

and the other is data gathering. The controlled group (t0) received no treatment over the

same period of time but underwent the same tests.

Experimental Treatment

The researchers prepared three mixtures in producing 400g of cement with AGM

shell and wood ash. In the first mixture, 25% of the cement was replaced with wood ash

and 25% AGM shell. In the second mixture, 30% was replaced with wood ash and 20%

AGM shell. In the third mixture, 20% of the cement was replaced with wood ash and 30%

AGM shell. These three mixtures were compared to 400g of pure cement in three trials.
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Data Gathered

The data gathered in this study were the results of color test, presence of lumps test,

temperature test, setting test and compressive strength test of the cement in three trials. The

feasibility of Asian green mussel shell and wood ash as a cement material was determined.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The researchers used paired sample t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance

(ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) in evaluating the

parameters of the study.

Paired sample t-test was used to test if the means of two paired measurements, such

as the result of before and after in each parameter, are significantly different.

One-way ANOVA was used to determine if there is a significant difference among

the mixtures of cement in terms of color, presence of lumps, temperature, setting, and

compressive strength while Tukey’s HSD is used to test differences among sample means

for significance. In this study, it was used to determine the best mixture.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Color Test

Based on the researcher’s observation, the color of mixtures 1, 2 and 3 were just the

same as the color of the cement which is gray.

Presence of Lump Test

After preparing the three 400-gram mixtures, the researchers sifted the products and

then measured again its masses. Table 2 shows that there is no change in the mass of the

three mixtures after the test. There is no significant difference in the results of the three

trials for the three mixtures.

Table 2. Presence of lump test

Mass (g)
Trial Pure Cement Mixture 1 Mixture 2 Mixture 3
Before After Before After Before After Before After

t0 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400

t1 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400

t2 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400

Temperature Test

The researchers used thermometer to get the temperature of the pure cement and the

three mixtures. The thermometer was inserted to the bag of each mixture and measured the

temperature for two minutes for the first trial, four minutes for the second trial and six

minutes for the third trial.

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Table 3 shows the ANOVA result of temperature test conducted in the three

mixtures. Since Fcomputed value of 7.08 is greater than the Ftabular value which is 3.22, then

the null hypothesis is rejected. There is a significant difference among treatments of the

three mixtures in terms of temperature.

Table 3. ANOVA result of temperature test

SS Df MS Fcomputed Ftabular Decision

Between 6.44 7 0.92

Within 2.10 16 0.13 7.08 3.22 Reject Ho

TOTAL 8.54 23

Reject Ho if Fcomputed ≥ Ftabular

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Since there is a significant difference among the treatments of the three mixtures,

using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD), Table 4 shows that Mixture 3 with

a mean difference of 0.02 is highly significant to the pure cement.

Table 4. Tukey’s HSD of the temperature test

Mean Difference
Group 1 (I) Group 2 (J) Std.error
(I-J)
Pure Cement Mixture 1 0.54 3.65
Mixture 2 1.24 3.65
Mixture 3 0.02* 3.65
Mixture 1 Mixture 2 0.7 3.65
Mixture 3 -0.52 3.65
Pure Cement -0.54 3.65
Mixture 2 Mixture 3 -1.22 3.65
Mixture 1 -1.24 3.65
Pure Cement -0.7 3.65
Mixture 3 Mixture 1 -0.02* 3.65
Mixture 2 0.52 3.65
Pure Cement 1.22 3.65
*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

Setting Test

The researchers put a paste of pure cement and three mixtures on a glass plate and

put it under water for 24 hours. The researchers compared the three mixtures to pure cement

and observed that the pure cement did not have any floating small particles. Among the

three mixtures, mixture 3 had the least observable floating particles.

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Compressive Strength Test

Table 3 shows the ANOVA result of compressive strength test conducted in the

three mixtures. Since Fcomputed value of 12.78 is greater than the Ftabular value which is 5.42,

then the null hypothesis is rejected. There is a significant difference among treatments of

the three mixtures in terms of compressive strength.

Table 5. ANOVA result of compressive strength test

SS Df MS Fcomputed Ftabular Decision

Between 257.63 3 85.88

Within 53.72 8 6.72 12.78 5.42 Reject Ho

TOTAL 311.35 11

Reject Ho if Fcomputed ≥ Ftabular

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Since there is a significant difference among the treatments of the three mixtures,

using Tukey’s HSD, Table 6 shows that Mixture 3 with a mean difference of 1.03 is highly

significant to the pure cement.

Table 6. Tukey’s HSD of the compressive strength test

Mean Difference
Group 1 (I) Group 2 (J) Std.error
(I-J)
Pure Cement Mixture 1 11.72 3.65
Mixture 2 10.45 3.65
Mixture 3 9.42 3.65
Mixture 1 Mixture 2 -1.27 3.65
Mixture 3 -2.3 3.65
Pure Cement -11.72 3.65
Mixture 2 Mixture 3 -1.03* 3.65
Mixture 1 -10.45 3.65
Pure Cement 1.27 3.65
Mixture 3 Mixture 1 2.3 3.65
Mixture 2 1.03* 3.65
Pure Cement -9.42 3.65
*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

Cost Analysis

Table 7 shows that the mixtures have the same unit prices since parts of the mixtures

(wood ash and AGM) are all household wastes.

Table 7. Cost analysis of pure cement and three mixtures

Set Up Price (PhP)

Pure Cement (400 g) 4.80

Mixture 1 2.40

Mixture 2 2.40

Mixture 3 2.40
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SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

The main objective of the study is to determine the usefulness of Asian Green

Mussels and wood ash as materials in cement manufacturing. Specifically, this study aimed

to (1) develop cement product made up of AGM and wood ash; (2) determine the

significant difference among the mixtures of cement in terms of color, presence of lumps;

temperature; setting; and compressive strength (physical laboratory test); and (3) conduct

cost analysis. The study also tested two hypotheses which are: (H0) There is no significant

difference among treatments of the three mixtures in terms of temperature and compressive

strength; and (H1) There is significant difference among treatments of the three mixtures

in terms of temperature and compressive strength.

The researchers conducted three trials in producing 400g of cement with AGM shell

and wood ash. In the first trial, In the first mixture, 25% of the cement was replaced with

wood ash and 25% AGM shell. In the second mixture, 30% was replaced with wood ash

and 20% AGM shell. In the third mixture, 20% of the cement was replaced with wood ash

and 30% AGM shell. These three mixtures were compared to 400g of pure cement in three

trials.

The researchers used paired sample t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance(ANOVA)

and Tukey’s HSD in evaluating the parameters of the study. Paired sample t-test was used

to test if the means of two paired measurements, such as the result of before and after in

each parameter, are significantly different. One-way ANOVA was used to determine if

there is a significant difference among the mixtures of cement in terms of color, presence
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of lumps, temperature, setting, and compressive strength while Tukey’s HSD is used to test

differences among sample means for significance. In this study, it was used to determine

the best mixture.

Conclusion

Based on the gathered data, the researchers presented the conclusions below:

1. There is no difference in the color of the pure cement and the three

mixtures.

2. There is no significant difference in the results of the presence of lumps

test.

3. In temperature test, Tukey’s HSD proved that Mixture 3 is highly

significant to the pure cement.

4. In setting test, Mixture 3 had the least observable floating particles.

5. In compressive strength test, Tukey’s HSD proved that Mixture 3 is

highly significant to the pure cement.

6. Based on the cost analysis conducted, there is no difference in the

amount of each mixture since all materials are considered household

wastes.

7. Based on the five tests conducted in the treatments, Mixture 3 has the

most acceptable characteristics as compared to pure cement. Thus, it is

the most recommended mixture of pure cement, AGM and wood ash.
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Recommendation

The following are the recommendations made:

1. further study may be conducted to subject the mixtures to chemical

laboratory tests; and

2. conduct product demonstration to household communities and evaluate

the acceptability and acceptance of the finished products.

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REFERENCES

Abdullahi, Mohammed (2006), Characteristics of Woods Ash/OPC Concrete,

ResearchGate GmbH.

Batt, Amir Shafi (2017), Partial Replacement of Wood Ash with Ordinary Portland Cement
and Foundry Sand as Fine Aggregate, Journal of Civil and Environmental
Engineering.

Case, Raegan J., (2012), On Effects of Fly Ash as a Partial Replacement of Cement on
Concrete Strength, ResearchGate GmbH.

Chowdhury S., Maniar, A. and Suganya, O.M (2014) Strength development with wood ash
blended cement and use of soft computing models to predict strength parameters,
Journal of Advanced Research.

Crushed Limestone Concrete Aggregate (2011), Texas Crushed Stone Company.

Hamester, Michele Regina Rosa (2012), Characterization of Calcium Carbonate Obtained

Form Oyster and Mussel Shells and Incorporation in Polypropylene, ResearchGate
GmbH.

Test on Cement at Construction Site to heck Quality of Cement, The Constructor Civil
Engineering Home.