CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

Mortar is a workable paste typically made from a mixture of fine aggregate, a binder

such as cement or lime, and water. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a

rigid aggregate structure. It is used in masonry to bind bricks and stones, to provide an

even bed between joints, and to plaster and point exposed masonry surfaces. Mortar in

a thin liquid form (grout) is used to fill empty joints in masonry, to stabilize soil, to

solidify porous rock, to make cast-in-situ reinforced concrete membranes, and has

many other uses (Zhang et al, 2018).

The over dependent on the utilization of industrially manufactured binding materials

(cement) have kept the cost of construction financially high, and this has up till now

prevented third world countries like Nigeria in providing cheap housing for its citizen

particularly rural dwellers that are mostly agriculturally dependent (Agbede and Joel;

2011). The use of waste materials as a partial or full replacement of cement in mortar

and concrete can be an important step towards sustainability in the construction

industry worldwide, since cement is used as their main binder, (Krammart and

Tangtermsirikut, 2004). The use of alternative binders that are less pollutant and/or

the use of residues could impact the construction industry towards the production of

concrete with less environmental impact. According to Ramezanianpour, et al. (2009)

the cost of cement production is expected to decline when Portland cement is partially

replaced by rice husk ash, a pozzolana from agro-waste product.

Eggshells are agricultural waste materials generated from chick hatcheries, bakeries,

fast-food restaurant among others which can litter the environment and consequently

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 constituting environmental problems or pollution which would require proper

handling.

In the ever increasing efforts to convert waste to wealth, the efficacy of converting

eggshell to beneficial use becomes an idea worth embracing. The composition of

eggshells indicates that the effect of it powder on cement treated materials should be

articulated. It is scientifically known that the eggshell is mainly composed of

compounds of calcium which is very similar to the cement. Literature has shown that

the eggshell ash primarily contains lime, calcium and protein where it can be used as

an alternative raw material in the production of wall tile material, concrete, mortar

and others. Eggshell also contribute to construction industry which is it can be reduce

in construction cost and landfill which it give good performance in properties in

concrete and durability of the concrete. Thus, eggshells can be produced a new raw

material for development in the construction industry as an additive in the

conventional concrete.

Okonkwo et al., (2012) concluded in their research that Egg Shell powder (ESP) can

be used as an alternate for cement which resulted in higher compressive strength of

concrete. Ultimately, they found that soil-cement-egg shell mixture can be used for

road pavements. Arash et al., (2012) carried out the experiment on the effect of

eggshell powder on plasticity index in clay and expansive soils and reported that

plasticity index of the soil can be improved by adding egg shell wastes with the clay

soil and can be used in construction projects including earth canals and earth dams.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Eggshell is another agricultural waste, which was estimated between 10,000–11,000

tons to be disposed annually by egg processors and producers of hard cooked eggs

(Adeleye, 2009). Sahel (2015) stated that the Nigerian poultry industry is estimated at

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 approximately 165 million birds, which produced 650,000 metric tons of eggs in

2013; and from the market size perspective, Nigeria’s egg production is the largest in

Africa.

Waste disposal is one of the factors contributing the environmental problem and

increasing dramatically yearly. The egg consumption of the Nigerians which is still

low. In Nigeria, the per capital egg consumption of the people was recorded at three

egg per week. Hence, the egg consumption of Nigerians is increasing with high

demand for local food industry. Eggshells wastes are seriously affecting the

environment and causing pollution to public health. Eggshell is classified as a waste

material by the food industry but is in fact a highly sophisticated composite. The

ultimate goal is to use the eggshells in packaging to protect egg products giving a

second lease of life to the eggshell in the very role it was created for a true case of

recycling. Therefore, recycling eggshells into the useful product gives good potential

benefit on many levels, both for food manufacturers and a much wider construction

industry.

1.3 Justification

Considering the environmental hazards associated with the production of cement and

the manner in which agricultural waste products are been disposed. There is need to

use alternative, cost-effective, non-conventional and locally available materials

suitable for construction, especially those that can partially or wholly replace cement,

which may also help to prevent environmental pollution. Thus, the research on egg

shell powder (ESP) as a partial replacement of cement in mortar production will go a

long way in addressing the environmental and economic problems of egg shell, as

well as providing innovative material for cement based concretes.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives

1.4.1 Aim

The aim of this research is to investigate the properties of mortar incorporating egg

shell powder with a view to improve on its mechanical properties.

1.4.2 Objective

The aim of the research will be achieved through the following objectives

i. To characterize the constituent material to be used in the research.

ii. To determine the optimum percentage replacement of ordinary Portland cement

by ESP.

iii. To determine the mechanical characteristics of mortar made with ESA in various

proportions of cement replacement.

1.5 Scope and Limitations

1.5.1 Scope

This research is focused on the review of available related literature's on the

performance in mortar, as well as carrying out the necessary experimental

investigation on the effect of ESP as partial replacement in mortar.

The effect of partial replacement of cement with ESP in proportion of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20

and 25% respectively on the properties of mortar.

1.5.2 Limitation

This research work is limited to egg shell powder sourced from Bida Local

Government Area of Niger State. Their effect will be considered to that on 1:3

(cement: sand) mortar.

1.6 Contribution to Knowledge

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This research work when successfully completed will enrich the potential use of

abundant egg shell waste for use in producing mortar. The successful use of ESP in

mortar works may lead to reduction in the cost of such construction. This in addition

will serve as a means of addressing the problem of disposal of egg shell.