ADDITIVES IN CONCRETE BRICKS: A CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT

A Thesis Proposal Presented

To The Faculty of Basic Education Program

RAMON MAGSAYSAY MEMORIAL COLLEGES

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement

In Research for Daily Life 2 (9:30 - 11:15 A.M.)

Proponents:

Alcaria, Rhearose B.

Balanon, Ylen Criz S.

Datahan, Janna Sophia R.

Yana, Angela Trisha Mae O.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Chapter 1
Introduction

Lack of investment in high-quality construction requirements and materials

are one of the most pervasive problems in the engineering sector. It is important

to spend money on materials that will undoubtedly aid in reinforcing the

foundation of infrastructures, such as adding chemicals to concrete bricks,

particularly in light of the numerous geological disasters we are undoubtedly

facing today. To help reinforce and extend the life of a concrete, additives are

added into a cement mixture, producing durable finishes. The characteristics of

cement are enhanced by additives. Given that many of the nearby areas are

vulnerable to geological disasters like earthquakes, this study is essential.

A concrete block provides a wide range of advantages when put together

properly. However, despite the benefits of building homes out of concrete blocks,

there are a number of problems that go unnoticed when doing so. The most

common drawbacks of concrete blocks include that building a house out of

concrete blocks is expensive. Concrete block home construction is three times

more expensive than home construction using wood framing and drywall ,and

concrete blocks may not be available in some areas. Some communities do not

produce this type of material, and others have limited resources for producing

concrete blocks (Miller, B. 2020, February 5).

This research focuses on its objectives to support the development of

today's modern construction, replace the existing mixtures that are subtly

harmful to organisms, and strengthen the foundation of further manufactured

establishments. For instance, recycled polymers have demonstrated increased

toughness when used as concrete aggregate, a characteristic that suggests a

higher energy absorption capacity prior to material collapse. Material tensile

properties include diffusion and penetration coefficients. Attention to these

factors greatly enhances our local community's ability to withstand earthquakes

or other greater disasters, even helps to aid the dilemmas that go unnoticed often

like how one of the main producers of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse

gases is the cement industry. This raises concerns about our health and the well-

being of nature itself. It can damage the topsoil, which is the most fertile layer on

earth. It overheats our cities, overfills our garbage dumps, causes floods that

could kill a dangerous amount of people—and structurally changes the way we

relate to the planet (Gunasekar & Zhang, 2019).

In this regard, the researchers are determined to prove the durability of

cement bricks when additives are being added.

Review of Related Literature and Study

 Since the first concrete block was molded in 1882, concrete masonry units

have been acknowledged as a standard material. Beginning in the early 1900s,

concrete blocks were widely manufactured, and their appeal increased quickly.

Structures gained notoriety due to a variety of their benefits, including

affordability, fire resistance, energy efficient, and minimal maintenance. A

concrete block is generally used in the construction of structures as a building

material. It can also be referred to as a concrete masonry unit (CMU). Concrete

blocks made of cement can be solid or hollow, and they can have a variety of

sizes and patterns. Due to its versatility and durability, concrete is the most

common building material used worldwide (Carrillo et al., 2017).

Hollow concrete block masonry walls have replaced burned clay brick

masonry walls in both developed and developing nations, and as a result, they

today play a significant role in the modern building industry. Both load-bearing

and non-load-bearing walls can use it. Especially because it is fire-resistant, uses

less raw materials, has a smaller environmental impact, and requires little

maintenance over its lifetime (Zhou et al., 2019, Yang et al., 2019).

In particular, the amount of binder in the mixture, the level of compaction,

the type of aggregates used, and the curing technique all play a significant role in

the compressive strength of hollow concrete blocks. While the shear strength

was obtained in prior research using the mortar strength with the results

observed to have a direct relationship, a logical method has been advised to test

the system under compressive pressures. Plastering unreinforced hollow

concrete blocks with high strength mortar made with steel fibers and microsilica,
or using those at the head and bed joints, can also increase their ability to

support lateral loads. Additionally, a composite material made of multiaxial hybrid

glass fibers and polypropylene fabric that has been covered in a hydraulic lime-

based mortar can be used to boost the shear strength of block masonry walls.

While using externally bonded composites, the out-of-plane behavior of hollow

concrete blocks can be enhanced (Reboul et al., 2018).

It has been reported that masonry structures perform poorly seismically

during earthquakes, and are typically fully or partially prestressed grouted to

strengthen their resistance to earthquake loads, as well as via polymers

reinforced with carbon fiber. However, some research concentrated on the

thermal qualities of hollow block walls, while others examined the seismic

response of reinforced concrete block wall structures (Gao et al., 2020, Caruana

et al., 2017,).

In order to minimize the slab's total weight and concrete volume, holes

were made, but these gaps have the potential to severely lower the slab's

capacity and induce early shear collapse. In addition, a recently developed

hollow composite reinforcing system has been shown to increase the structural

performance of hollow concrete slabs by using glass fiber reinforced polymer

bars and four flanges to improve the bond with the concrete (Al-Rubaye et al.,

2020).

One of the most widely consumed cuisines worldwide is oysters. Even

though these shells are typically thrown away after meals, they can strengthen
construction materials and act as pillars and other supports for constructions like

walls, pillars and as an additive material for hollow blocks. (Cimons, 2017).

Based on a study, adding nopal mucilage to concrete mixtures results in a

noticeably higher flexural and compressive strength than using a regular

concrete mix. The Ixtle fiber, on the other hand, appears to enhance the nopal

mucilage effect and give materials the ability to delay heat transfer without

compromising their mechanical properties. It was discovered that adding nopal

mucilage raises the concentration of organic calcium and potassium ions. The

crystallization processes may be accelerated as a result, potentially affecting the

mechanical properties on shorter setting times. These could be utilized as

environmentally friendly building materials. (Gallegos-Villela et al, 2021).

A study deals with the impact of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes powder on

the mechanical characteristics of Portland cement mortar, such as setting time

and compressive strength. A control specimen consisting of regular Portland

cement was created, and in the other specimens, cement was replaced with the

powder from the Opuntia ficus-indica cladode. The acquired results

demonstrated that, in comparison to the reference specimen, setting times were

significantly reduced with the addition of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes, and that

mechanical strength and resistance to acetic and hydrochloric acid solution were

both improved. (El Azizi et al, 2019).

One of the main study areas in the construction industry is energy

efficiency in building materials, with the goal of lowering energy consumption and
promoting sustainability. Unfired brick samples with low energy demand were

created in a study with the addition of waste water treatment plant sludge. A

cleaner production protocol was used during the manufacturing process. This

made it possible to contribute to significant energy savings and carbon emission

reductions. Additionally, samples of the manufactured bricks demonstrated

enhanced thermal insulation as well as adequate mechanical and

physicochemical qualities (Limami et al, 2021).

Utilizing waste materials as alternatives when building would be a

sustainable way to save resources while addressing grave health risks like dog

poop polluting the streets. According to a study's findings, hollow blocks made

from dog excrement and polystyrene are effective in producing long-lasting

hollow blocks that could be of great use to those on a limited budget.

Additionally, the findings show that the quality is more highly commended when

the combination is more concentrated and contains more manure and

polystyrene (a good insulator). Given these results, the authors advise that the

study warrants serious concern since it has a greater opportunity to be

implemented, offering a productive quality at an affordable cost that is more

affordable than the hollow blocks now on the market (Canono et al, 2020).

A study was conducted by using concrete bricks which were made from

rice straws, cement, sand, and water as the test sample. Glue-coated straws

were pressed into hay to create the concrete blocks, which were then measured

volumetric variances. The outcome demonstrates that the straw concrete bricks

attained their highest level of water absorption and compressive strength. The
concrete bricks manufactured met the required standard quality based on

measurements of items in the Standar Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian product

standardization) (Sumarni et al, 2018).

The idea of green architecture, which is identical to natural shades, goes

beyond design to include the kind and source of the materials used in

construction as well as ongoing innovation, like the industrial solid limah process

that turns tapioca into charcoal and uses it as a block-making additive. Because

it contains silica by nature, charcoal pozzolan aids in the bonding reaction

between the cement and the aggregate filler paste adobe. The test findings

showed that the average adobe specimen strength was B1 quality, which is the

standard for bricks used in building. The use of tapioca (waste cassava) as a

product innovation and appropriate for the construction of green architecture is

one of the tangible benefits of this product, which also results in less waste that

might be harmful to the environment (Kusuma et al, 2017).

A study's findings from its experiments suggest that coconut fibers and

shells can be used in place of coarse aggregates in concrete hollow blocks, at

least in part. Coconut shells and fibers are categorized as a miscellaneous

material used for wall panels and partitions and a non-load bearing type of hollow

block because after 28 days, the compressive strength increased more than the

standard concrete hollow blocks. The particles, shape, and texture, resistance to

crushing, absorption and surface moisture, grading, resistance to freezing and

heating, and lightweight are all excellent indicators of the quality of coconut shell

and fiber used as aggregate in concrete hollow blocks (Ganirons, 2017).

 As reported by a study focused on the use of wood ash as a partial

replacement for cement material during sand cement block manufacturing. In the

cement block manufacturing industry, wood ash has the potential to partially

replace cement. The findings show that wood ash works well as a cement

replacement resulting in a block with a high compressive strength. After a 21-day

curing period, a water absorption capability of wood ash replacement is attained.

As a result of its sluggish rate of heat release and the fact that it was replaced,

wood ash is a desirable addition. Wood ash combined with other cement

components can be added to the Blocks to modify them (Prabagar et al, 2022).

As stated in a study that looks into using cockle shell powder (CSP) as a

replacement for some of the tiny aggregates used to make cement brick (CB).

Overall findings suggested that a cockle shell powder content was ideal for

cement bricks, indicating higher compressive and lower water absorption. As a

result, the addition of cockle shell powder as a sand replacement in bricks may

enhance and improve the physical and mechanical improvements of bricks as

the curing period is increased (Othman et al, 2020).

In proportion to a study that aimed to determine the ability of polystyrene in

ballpen barrels of making a brick to be more compacted than the ordinary clay

bricks. From the data gathered, it concluded that polystyrene from the ballpen

barrel and wood ash are effective additives in production of lightweight bricks.

However, various ratios of additives have different responses on different tests

conducted (Borela et al, 2021).

 In line with the study that evaluated the usage of additives in foamed

concrete blocks created by completely swapping natural sand for civil

construction waste (CCW). The cement type, additive use, and foam amount

were three elements that were taken into consideration for the experimental

design that used the complete factorial statistical method to create the concrete

blocks. On the following response variables: compressive strength, dry and

saturated density, air voids, water absorption, and thermal conductivity, the

effects of each factor and their interactions were evaluated. The findings

demonstrate that each component significantly affected the variable response.

For instance, the use of the superplasticizer additive led to improvements in

compressive strength, density, air void content, and thermal conductivity.

Therefore, compared to the other components, the usage of additives had a

negligible impact on the response variables (Favaretto et al, 2019).

In a study focusing on the Effects of Natural Additives on concrete

mechanical properties, it is said that despite the high amounts of pollution in its

manufacturing process, steel-reinforced concrete is frequently used in the

building industry. The dosing effect of nopal mucilage and ixtle fiber was
investigated in this study as additives to improve the mechanical properties of

concrete, flexural strength, heat transfer coefficient, including compression

strength, ED-XRF, ultrasonic pulse rate, and roughness by fractal dimension

analysis. There has been a significant advancement in mechanical qualities

when using both organic additives. Following additive dosing, a rise in the

concentration of calcium ions and potassium was seen. The blend's suitability for

usage in the engineering and construction sector to cut down on the use of

cement or steel is determined by this characteristic (Gallegos-Villela et al., 2021).

A research conducted by the International Conference, ILEE, has recorded

that concrete, brick, wood, and other materials are currently regarded as the

primary building materials. Modern scientific research's top objective is to

improve these materials' operating qualities. The reliability and state of

construction materials are significantly impacted by frequent transitions below

zero degrees during the autumn and spring seasons, as well as other aggressive

variables. (Egorova A.D. et al., 2019)

This study demonstrates the experience of modifying heavy concrete,

wood, and abolite using Yakutian native raw materials changed by "Silor-Ultra"

polymeric impregnations. As a result, fresh experimental data on the

improvement in these materials' strength traits under compression by concrete

and arobite, as well as by compression and bending of wood, were gathered.

The study demonstrates how samples of wood, heavy concrete M200, and

arbolite were modified enables these materials' strength to be increased (Kuzmin

S.A. et al., 2019).

 Industrial lignins, particularly kraft lignins and lignosulfonates, have long

been extensively studied for their potential use as advantageous additions in

cementitious materials. In contrast, less research has been done on cement

setting in the presence of lignin or hemicellulose that has been alkali-leached

from plant fibers and added to cement ingredients (Breilly et al., 2021).

The stark structural discrepancies between alkali-leachable miscanthus

polymers and commercially available wood polymers are a significant and

underappreciated downside. For kraft lignins that were severely damaged during

the hard kraft cooking process, such a structural gap is especially noticeable

(Kochova et al., 2017).

The current investigation on the effect of lignins and hemicelluloses on

cement hydration is the first to use polymers recovered from a plant species and

by a gentle process that retains the structural uniqueness of cell wall polymers to

the greatest extent possible. The lignin samples used in previous investigations

on the effect of lignins on cement hydration were from industrial delignification

processes, which significantly weaken the structure (Girones, J. et al., 2022).

One of the materials that people utilize the most is concrete. Its

mechanical, visual, and processing features can vary greatly. Cement, water,

mineral aggregates, and various admixtures and reinforcing agents are the

materials that make up this material (Nazar et al., 2020).

A study shows that the addition of plant fibers minimizes the carbon

footprint of concrete in a positive way, but it may have a negative impact on

cement's setting and mechanical qualities to varying degrees depending on the

type of plant material (Amin et al., 2022).

This impact could be attributed to substances that were discharged from

plant fibers into the alkaline cement-water mixture and interacted with cement

particles to alter hydration of cement and setting (Bourdot et al., 2019).

Significance of the study

The purpose of this study is to identify some concrete brick properties, such as

compression strength, flexural tensile strength, density, and their implications on

concrete behavior. The organic wastes (agro-wastes) that are incorporated in this
study as additions are specifically; rice husks, wood sawdust, coconut pith, and

cork granule.

This study is significant because it intends to enhance the durability and strength

of concrete bricks through concrete testing, which benefits the building industry

and the economy as a whole. The results of the study will be of great benefit to

the following:

The contractors. The study encourages them how adding organic wastes as

additives to a water-cement combination might lengthen the lifespan of the

concrete, harden it, and improve its general behavior. An advantage of

employing admixtures is their ability to enhance and impart concrete's qualities

for the complicated modern constructions, which is what is anticipated to boost

the market for concrete admixtures.

The nation. With the results of the study– The use of organic wastes as concrete

brick additions is significant because it not only produces a stronger and more

long-lasting concrete alternative but also safeguards the environment and human

health.

Future researchers. A study about additives in concrete bricks will provide

further opportunities for other researchers to develop and broaden their research

on additives in concrete bricks. They might use this as guide for their information

gathering and as a foundation for a larger study.

The researchers. The study has relevance for the researcher as well. They

would become more adept at engaging in this kind of experimental study,

particularly, they are stem students.

Theoretical framework

Productivity has a significant role in determining and propelling the success of

building projects. The definition of productivity as a ratio of outputs to inputs

comes from the manufacturing industry. Prior studies on construction productivity

focused on quantitative assessments of construction processes from the

perspective of contractors and were generally based on the manufacturing-based

productivity notion. The necessity to relate the characteristics of building projects

to those of manufacturing, as well as to address the intangible aspects of

construction projects, is becoming increasingly recognized. To gauge the

productivity of systematic construction projects, a theoretical framework made up

of site effectiveness, product effectiveness, and capacity effectiveness has been

devised. By combining the involvement of contractors and clients (the

stakeholder dimension), incorporating the tangible and intangible parameters of

finished projects and constructed facilities as well as the soft outcomes of those

projects and facilities during their operation (the variables dimension), and

extending the time-boundary to integrate construction and operation processes,

this framework contributes to a multi-dimensional productivity measurement for

construction projects (time frame dimension) (Wenting, Z., & Wei, P., 2018).

Also according to the theory of Strength of Masonry Built With Theory Concrete

Block System.Recessed channels are used in the "Theory" Concrete block

system to permit horizontal reinforcement and provide mechanical interlocking at

the unit-mortar interfaces. As an appealing replacement for the traditional

concrete block with horizontal steel in bond beams, and novel method with

reinforcing rods.One of the most significant advancements in concrete masonry

is the hollow concrete block, which is also the most popular material for load-

bearing masonry building. It is constructed of a concrete mix with heavy or light

aggregate and cement and sand.Improvements in concrete block quality and

uniformity, as well as the availability of the essential raw materials, technology,

and equipment for block manufacturing.The economics of its utilization in

comparison to other structural materials have significantly changed due to

production and the probable cost savings from faster installation.Automated

machinery are used to create concrete masonry units. These blocks are sized to

allow manual placing because of their proportions. There is a wide variety of

block forms to choose from as a result of the many different block shapes that

have evolved over time to fit different specific situations.In order to enhance the

structural performance of masonry, numerous studies were done to change the

shape of the block.(Ahmad A. Hamid and Gouda M.Ghanem,2015).

Definition of terms

Capstone research - a study focusing on finalized experimental work.

Flexural strength - refers to how much pressure a material can withstand.

Load-bearing - a type of wall that can support the mass of most of the portions

in a building.

Non Load-bearing - a type of wall that can only support its own mass.
Pervasive - a matter that is influential or omnipresent.

Prestress - procedure of a concrete component being compressed.

Seismic response - refers to a subject's reaction towards quavering caused by

earthquakes.

Superplasticizer - a chemical composite used to improve compressive strength,

density, thermal conductivity and more.

Thermal conductivity - measurement of ability to transmit heat from source to

another.