Republic of the Philippines

ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC COLLEGE OF BOGO

Bogo City, Cebu

THE DURABILITY OF HOLLOW BLOCKS

USED ON STRUCTURES

OR BUILDINGS

By

Rishel Mia C. Alburo

Juliana Trisha Pevida

Sherlyn A. Mapait

Doven Jay Quilo-an

Johnfel Gemino

Clint Nico Ursabia

Johnkirk Paredes

Greg Anthony Satera

APRIL 2022
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study becomes the reality with the kind support and help of any individuals. We
could like to extend our sincere thanks to all of them.

Foremost, we want to offer this endeavor to our GOD Almighty for the strength, a good
health and a peace of mind in order to finish this study.

We would like to express our gratitude towards our family for the encouragement and for
giving us a financial and moral support.

To our research adviser, Mr. Renz Letrell Lepon thank you for the guidance, constant
supervision and for imparting your knowledge and expertise in this study.

To everyone who willingly helped us out with their capabilities, thank you and we gladly
appreciate it.
 Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the durability of hollow blocks used on
structures or buildings. The researchers selected five (5) establishments within Bogo City that
makes hollow blocks as the respondents of the study. Note pad and pen are the instrument used
to collect the information that needed for the analysis and interpretation by the survey
questionnaire. Data analysis process, the data was tallied according to the response of the
respondents.

After the data was analyzed and interpreted, the researchers has determined the
following; materials needed to create hollow blocks, the sands that are mixed in one (1) sack of
cement, the amount of hollow blocks that are made in one (1) mixture, and “THE DURABILITY
OF HOLLOWBLOCKS USED ON STRUCTURES OR BUILDINGS.

The researchers concluded that all the hollow blocks are durable but if you compared
them to each other, there is only one that will prevail over all. Most all of the establishments used
the same materials except one that experimented their hollow blocks that they added crushed
glass to it, and it gives more durability to the hollow blocks.

It is recommended that other establishments should try adding crushed glass to their
materials on creating hollow blocks because it is proven that it is durable than others.
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

A hollow cement block is one that has space between its walls and is formed of
concrete. A mixture of powdered Portland cement, water, sand, and gravel is widely used to
make hollow blocks. As per the definition given in the ‘Indian Standard – IS 2185 (Part-1)
2005’, hollow concrete blocks are having one or more large holes or cavities which either pass
through the block (open cavity) or do not effectively pass through the block (closed cavity) and
having the solid material between 50 and 75% of the total volume of the block calculated from
the overall dimensions. These holes or cavities reduce the total cross-sectional area of the block
and hence the weight of block structure as a whole.

The purpose of this study is measure the durability of the hollow blocks used on
structures or buildings. According to the study of Haseeb Jamal 2017, durability is defined as the
capability of concrete to resist weathering action, chemical attack and abrasion. It normally
refers to the duration or life span of trouble-free performance. Different concretes require
different degrees of durability depending on the exposure environment and properties desired.
According to the Master Builder a master X-Seed 55 is a patent-pending, strength-enhancing
admixture that improves both early and late-age strength development in concrete, while
supporting sustainable construction. Master X-Seed 55 admixture is based on a unique
technology that facilitates improved cement hydration, thus enhancing strength development.
The strength-enhancing property of Master X-Seed 55 admixture permits a reduction in the total
cementitious materials content of given concrete mixture while maintaining compressive strength
development equivalent to that of reference concrete with associated benefits in CO2 emissions
reductions.

Including admixtures, adjusting the cement type and quantity, reducing the
water/cement ratio and utilizing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) Altering the
aggregates - type and gradations increased the comprehensive strength of concrete hollow
blocks. Mixing with little water and more concrete mix will be dryer and less workable but
stronger. To make the concrete stronger, add more cement or less sand. The closer you bring the
ratio to an even one-to-one of sand to cement, the stronger the rating become.

(https://www.seniorcare2share.com/does-adding-more-cement-make-concrete-stronger/).

Thus, this study is conducted to determine the durability of hollow blocks used on
buildings or structures by dropping the hollow blocks three (3) feet above and observe its
outcome.

Statement of the Problem

This study was aimed to determine the durability of hollow blocks used on structures or
buildings.

Specifically, it aimed to answer the following:

1. How do you check the strength of the hollow blocks?

2. How can you increase the strength of the hollow blocks?
3. What is the difference between a regular hollow blocks and the experimented hollow
blocks?

Research Objectives

The objectives of this study is to determine the durability of hollow blocks used on
structures or buildings.

Hypothesis

 Alternative Hypothesis

There is a durability of the hollow blocks used on structures or buildings.

 Null Hypothesis

There is no durability of the hollow blocks uses on structures or buildings.

Significance of the Study

The importance of this study is to contribute a vast knowledge and relation of knowing
the durability of the hollow blocks used on buildings or structures. The outcome of the study
could benefit the following:
Community:
This research may help them to identify durability of the hollow blocks.
Future Researchers:
This research may be used as a guide in conducting new research that may relate
to the durability materials used on structures or buildings.

Scope and Delimitation

The study focuses on the durability of the hollow blocks. The selection of respondents
will be chosen within Bogo City.

Definition of Terms

 Durability – it is the ability to hold out pressure or damage.

 Hollow blocks – it is a type of concrete block that is used for building.
 Materials- it is a substance or mixture of substance that constitutes an object.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter shows a retrospective presentation of previously written material:

research literature and conceptual that has relevance and significance to the research
under considered.

A. RELATED LITERATURE

Hollow and dense cement concrete blocks, also known as hollow blocks, have been
developed as an alternative to bricks. It is widely use product in construction activity. Hollow
blocks are made of cement, stone chips, stone dust and sand. It’s not only cheaper than the bricks
but have other specialties as well. Blocks have more tensile strength the wall constructed from
these blocks act as thermal insulators because of their hollowness. As the construction activity is
growing this days, there is a good demand for hollow blocks. Cement concrete blocks can be
solid or hollow, it has different sizes and designs that can be given to the blocks. Blocks are
made in the sizes of 12x8x4″; 12x8x3″; 12x8x6″, and etc. Making hollow blocks on your desire
size is by pouring it into your desired size mold. A new type of hollow blocks can be fabricated
out of waste material and soil with minimum amount of cement. According to Dalem (2014), as
far as strength and durability are concerned, results of the test showed that this type of blocks is
comparable to some of the commercial or traditional concrete hollow blocks. This relates to the
study by proving that hollow blocks are durable.

B. RELATED STUDIES

The compressive strength of hollow concrete block is mainly determined by its composition,
especially the binder content in the mixture, compaction level, aggregates used, and the curing
method (Dawood and Ramli, 2010). Ganesan and Ramamurthy recommended a rational method
to test the system under compressive loads while the shear strength was determined in other
studies using the mortar strength with the values observed to have a direct relationship (Yu et al.,
2015, Boulifa et al., 2013). Another study showed that unreinforced masonry generally has good
compressive strength but low tensile and flexural strength and this makes it vulnerable to lateral
loads (Meli and Brzev, 2011, Janaraj and Dhanasekar, 2015). It is, however, possible to increase
the tensile and flexural strengths by embedding a grid of horizontal and vertical reinforcement
into the wall panel (Janaraj and Dhanasekar, 2015). The lateral load-bearing capacity of
unreinforced hollow concrete block can also be improved by plastering it with high strength
mortar produced with steel fibers and microsilica or those incorporated in the head and bed joints
(Al-Shugaa et al., 2019). It is also possible to increase the shear strength of block masonry wall
with a composite material from multiaxial hybrid glass-fibers and polypropylene fabric coated in
a hydraulic lime-based mortar (Giaretton et al., 2018) while the out-of-plane behavior of hollow
concrete blocks can be improved using externally bonded composites (Reboul et al., 2018).
Masonry structures were reported to have poor seismic performance during an earthquake (Chi et
al., 2019) and are usually fully or partially grouted with prestressing technologies to increase
their ability to withstand seismic loads (Janaraj and Dhanasekar, 2014, Janaraj and Dhanasekar,
2016, Zhao and Wang, 2015, Ma et al., 2017, Chi et al., 2019, Calderón et al., 2020) as well as
through carbon fiber reinforced polymer (Can, 2018). Several studies have, however, been
conducted on the seismic response of reinforced concrete block wall buildings (Ezzeldin et al.,
2017, Heerema et al., 2015, Banting and El-Dakhakhni, 2014) while some other studies focused
on hollow block walls thermal properties (Gao et al., 2020, Caruana et al., 2017, Chen et al.,
2016) as well as heat transfer characteristics of building wall elements (Al-Sanea, 2000,
Alwetaishi, 2019).

RELATED STUDY REFERENCE:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksues.2021.01.008

LOCAL STUDIES

Local study of the durability of hollow blocks used on structures or buildings Oyster
(Crassostrea gigas) is used as a common name for several distinct groups of bivalve mollusks
that live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified. Hollow blocks nowadays
are very useful in building materials. It is known as a standard size rectangular block used in
building construction. Since, our country is surrounded by water, most of the products in
different variety are seafood. The study and use of seafood especially the shell of oyster as an
additive material for hollow blocks. Some makers of hollow blocks used the oyster shell in
making and used the blocks to build their home it is very natured and unique. On the other hand,
according to the study of Tablang, Alquinn B. with the title, "Evaluation of Plastic Aggregates
Used as Hollow Blocks, said that “Under normal conditions of use, the factor most strongly
influencing the durability of a materials resistance to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen. PVC,
having the molecular structure where the chlorine atom is bound to every other carbon chain, is
highly resistant to oxidative reactions, and maintains its performance for a long time. Other
general-purpose plastics with structures made up only of carbon and hydrogen are more
susceptible to deterioration by oxidation in extended use conditions (such as, for example,
through repeated recycling). Meanwhile, the researcher also has found out that there is study that
shows the use of coconut shells to contribute the durability of concrete mixture. In the study of
Ganiron, Tomas U. entitled “Sustainable Management of Coconut shells as Aggregates in
Concrete Mixture” states that "This early study found that addition of coconut shell as partial
aggregate replacement reduces the concrete workability owing to its shape and rougher texture.
However, it interesting to note that replacement of natural coarse aggregate by coconut shell
resulted in the increase of compressive strength compared to conventional concrete mixture.
Nevertheless, integration of too much of coconut shell produces harsher mix which causes
difficulties to produce dense concrete thus disrupts the strength performance’. Ganiron, Jr.
Tomas U. “Sustainable Management of Waste Coconut Shells as Aggregates in Concrete
Mixture” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review 6 (5) (2013) 7-14 Dela Paz,
John Edrel B. et al., Durability of Hollow Blocks with Talaba Shells (Carassostrea giga) as
Additive)”. The construction industry is the top contributor to the growing economy of the
Philippines. According to Philippine Statistics Authority [3], the gross domestic product from the
industry increased to 240,706.14 million pesos in the second quarter from 181,395.89 million
pesos in the first quarter of 2017. The industry grew by 6.3percent in the second quarter of 2017.
Our Country today is facing with the problem of rapidly rising demand for new houses. Yet the
building of low-cost housing project is hampered by a lack of such building materials. In this
regard, government should actively pursue policies that lend priority to housing. Joint research
and development programs should be initiated to solve the problem of providing adequate shelter
for millions of people. There are significant advances in scientific and technological research that
have been registered particularly in some countries, with respect to low-cost construction
techniques and building materials. The cost of transferring technologies to the developing
countries, however, is often prohibitive, thus rendering this country with the appropriate
technologies almost impossible. The net result is the pronounced technology gap between the
developed and under develops countries.

Local Study Reference :

https://magdalesblog.wordpress.com/research-design/

https://www.academia.edu/8738681/Plastic_Sand_Hollow_Blocks

http://www.jestr.org/downloads/Volume6Issue5/fulltext2652013.pdf
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, it insights the gradational process that the researchers endure in
conducting the study. Specifically, presents the research design, subjects of the study,
sampling technique, research instrument to be used, procedure of data gathering, and
research environment and locale.

A. RESEARCH DESIGN

The researchers passage to use Comparative study to overlook the durability of the
hollow blocks used on structures or buildings and to describe the current status of a variable or
phenomenon.

B. SUBJECTS OF THE STUDY

The participants of this study are those establishments who makes hollow blocks within
Bogo City, which are five (4) establishments will be randomly chosen, and one (1) establishment
that are the researchers basis for the experiment.

C. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

This study prefers to make use of random sampling in which the researchers will choose
4 establishments within Bogo City.

D. RESEARCH INSTRUMENT TO BE USED

The instrument will be use by the researchers are the note pad, and pen to take note the
data that will be gather.

E. PROCEDURE OF DATA GATHERING

After the research instrument was finalized, the researchers will then start the interview
that will be answered by the five (5) chosen establishments.

F. RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT AND LOCALE

 The study will be done and conduct within Bogo City. It is where the establishments that
makes hollow blocks located.
 CHAPTER IV
DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

This chapter discusses analysis and findings of the data that has been gathered from all of
the establishments that creates hollow blocks around Bogo City. The purpose of this study is to
determine the durability of the hollow blocks that are used in structures or buildings.

Table 1: THE MATERIALS NEEDED TO CREATE HOLLOW BLOCKS

RESPONDENTS SAND CEMENT CRUSHED GLASS
1 √ √
2 √ √
3 √ √
4 √ √
Experimented √ √ √

Table 1 shows that the materials needed to create hollow blocks are the sands and
cements and all respondents 1, 2, 3, 4, and experimented used it. And only the
experimented added crushed glass.
 RESPONDEN RESPONDENT RESPONDENT RESPONDEN Experimented
T1 2 3 T4
20 SACKS
20 SACKS 20 SACKS 20 SACKS 20 SACKS (MIXED WITH
CRUSHED
GLASS)

Table 2: SANDS THAT ARE MIXED IN ONE SACK OF CEMENT

Table 2 shows that the sands that are mixed in 1 sack of cement are both 20 sacks
for the respondents 1, 2, 3, 4, and experimented. And only experimented mix crushed glass.
Table 3: AMOUNT OF HOLLOW BLOCKS THAT ARE MADE IN ONE MIXTURE
RESPONDENTS BELOW 50 51-60 61-70
1 √
2 √
3 √
4 √
Experimented √

Table 3 shows that all of the respondents have the same amount of hollow blocks
that are made in one mixture. They all made 51-60 hollow blocks in one mixture.
Table 4: THE DURABILITY OF HOLLOW BLOCKS USED ON STRUCTURES OR
BUILDINGS

RESPONDENTS BROKEN BROKEN

(small pieces) (chunks)
1 √
2 √
3 √
4 √
Experimented √

Table 4 shows “THE DURABILITY OF HOLLOW BLOCKS USED ON

STRUCTURES OR BUILDINGS”. The researchers level the hollow block above 3 feet
before being dropped, the hollow blocks from respondents 1, 2, 3, and 4 broke into small
pieces, and the experimented hollow blocks that were mixed with crushed glass is also
broken only into chunks.
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings

The purpose of this research was to determine the durability of hollow blocks used on
structures or buildings.

 The materials needed to create hollow blocks are cement and sand. Respondents 1, 2, 3,
4, and experimented use the same materials, only experimented added crushed glass.
 All of the respondents have the same quantity, which is 20 sacks. The 5 th respondent, the
experimented mixed crushed glass on its sand.
 All of the respondents has the same amount of hollow blocks are made in one mixture.
 The hollow blocks that were mixed with crushed glass was more durable.
Conclusion

Based on the data gathered, the researchers concludes that:

 Most of all the establishments that are making hollow blocks use the same
material.
 All of the hollow blocks has the same measurements on its materials.
 Even the experimented hollow blocks added crushed glass on its materials used,
all of them has the same amount of hollow blocks made in one mixture.
 All hollow blocks are durable. However, if you compare them all there will be
one prevail, the one who is more durable.
Recommendations

Based on the findings the researchers recommend that;

 Other establishments should try the adding crushed glass on their material on creating
hollow blocks. Regular way of creating hollow blocks is still durable, but experimented
or the hollow blocks with crushed glass is more durable.