I.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The tourism industry of the Philippines is slowly but surely growing and is in
fact became the third growth engine in the service sector, after remittances
from overseas Filipino workers and the BPO-IT sector. Analyst Jose-Paolo
Fontanilla of CLSA forecasted that the international tourist arrivals will grow at 16
percent annually for the six years. It helped that massive infrastructure projects
are initiated by both private and public companies to ensure that the roads and
airports leading to wonderful destinations in the country are safe and well-
constructed.

Along with the development of the tourism industry is the boom of the
construction companies selling out the hardware materials used to improve the
roads and buildings near popular tourist destinations. One of the commonly
used concrete product are the pavements. Pavements are generally referred to
as an outdoor floor or superficial surface covering. It can also function as a road
surface recognized for durable surfacing of roads and walkways.

To better promote a tourist destination, it is a must that the environment of

the travel destination also looks adorable. Landscape architects often turn to
pavements as part of the hardscapes used on sidewalks, road surfaces, patios
and courtyards. A paver is a paving stone, tile, brick or brick-like piece of
concrete made by pouring a mixture of concrete and some type of coloring
agent into a mold of some shape and allowing it to set.

Stone pavers are another type of paver used widely in building and
landscaping due to its beauty, strength and durability. These are mostly made of
limestone, bluestone, basalt, sandstone and granite.

The product developers want to innovate the components of a

pavement by utilizing resources available in the country. Philippines is a home to
marine resources and oyster farming is one of the country’s livelihood. Oyster
shells are discarded with no further use once the flesh is stripped off. Chemical
and microstructure analyses showed that oyster shells are mostly composed of
CaO similar to lime. A study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production
showed that the recycled oyster-shells ash can be used in both wet and dry
environment with the increased mechanical properties and improved durability.
On the other hand, plastic bags are turned into bricks in India as a part of the
movement of recycling plastic wastes.

Thus the product developers propose a pavement with incorporated

materials of oyster shells and plastic wastes. The oyster shells will be finely
crushed and will be mixed with shredded plastics wastes (e.g. wrappers and
bottles) together with the cement and water. These mixtures will be prepared in
different proportion and will be put into a molder and will be allowed to set. This
innovative product will be very useful as an outdoor flooring and also in
landscaping.

II. RATIONALE

Philippine’s construction sector is continuously growing up to this day with

an abundant opportunities awaiting for the industry particularly given that the
Philippine economy is projected to be the 16th largest economy in the world by
2050. However, despite of this positive movement toward infrastructure
development, the industry faces many challenges, foremost among which is
the uncompetitive cost of local players compared to their foreign counterparts.
Local firms have higher costs as a result of high fuel and power cost, the limited
local source of and high raw material cost, high repair and maintenance cost of
aging machinery, and high domestic inland freight costs. The competition
presented by the entry of imported ceramic bricks is heightened by their non-
compliance to product standards and thus this situation calls for the need to
innovate a low cost ceramic tile with its efficiency not being sacrificed as to any
extent.
 In the light of innovating such ceramic bricks with low cost production with
the edge to compete within the other locally available ceramic tile, the use of
recycled aggregates from waste products wastes is showing prospective
application in construction as alternative to primary (natural) aggregates; one
of which is the use of plastic and oyster shells aggregates. Recently, an
environmental group ranked the Philippines being the third-worst polluter into
the world’s oceans” after China and Indonesia with plastic being the leading
waste product causing pollution to the oceans. In addition to this, the country
contributed 1.88 million tons of “mismanaged plastic waste” each year. On the
other hand, Oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) shells are a waste product from
mariculture that contributes to water pollutions to some extents, the shells
presents a major disposal problem particularly in the coastal regions of the
country.
The high amount of CaCO3 in oyster shells and the capability of recycled
plastic substitution in enhancing the porosity of the material would be a new
raw material for the making of ceramic bricks. This project is initiated with the
goal of reducing solid waste materials like oyster shells and plastics by recycling
them as aggregates in the production of ceramic bricks such in this case, low
cost production and eco-friendly by product is achieved with exceptional
properties.

III. PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCT

Bricks are one of the essential products used in building the foundation of
different buildings and infrastructures we see in our daily life. This product is
usually laid flat and are usually bonded forming s structure to increase its stability
and strength. This also comes in different types and specially has different
structure and strength properties.
 Bricks as one useful material in building pavements and other
infrastructure is very popular because it has certain advantages. These are the
following:

 Aesthetic;
 Strength;
 Fire Protection;
 Sound Attenuation; and
 Durability

Bricks are also made from natural materials such as clay and shale which
are abundant materials in the Earth’s surface. This material has already been
proven useful and was already used even in the past especially in Ancient
Egyptian civilization.

The use of organic materials in making bricks have been devised since the
time of Tom Shaw who first used sludge in making his own bricks but the idea
was ahead of his time so Shaw’s idea was completely neglected but recently
sludge posed great disposal problems that this idea of his could be of great
help.

Like the problem with sludge, one major problem of the world is the
increasing number of plastic everywhere. Just as Shaw’s idea to use sludge in
making his bricks, which are organic. The use of plastic integrated in bricks is also
possible and can be one way to have a solution with this increasing
environmental problem. Also, not only plastic could be used in making bricks but
also the shells of mussels. This shells are no longer used after people have
consumed its content for their tummy. Integrating this two materials in a product
could be of great help to human advancement.

The integration of plastic in bricks was one idea of Vestergaard in solving

the problem of India with soft plastic waste and weak bricks used in houses. She
solves this problem with her “Green Project” wherein she developed a brick
made of soft plastic that could withstand six ton of pressure while mussels’ shell
could be used as component in making bricks for a lighter and also stronger
bricks.

The addition of plastic and unused shells of mussels could be great

breakthrough to make a material that could be of great help to civilization’s
advancement. Two great ideas integrated into one could produce one great
product and in this case the use of plastic and unused mussels could gain the
product of lighter and much stronger bricks rather than the ones we
commercially know.

IV. SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF THE PRODUCT

Several gases are released that is included in manufacturing fired bricks,

such as CO2, SO2, and others. These emissions and consumption are considered
to be an environmental concern. Hence the production of unfired bricks is
important for construction of infrastructures of developing countries (Cicek and
Tanrıverdi, 2007; Freidin and Erell,1995; Gencel et al., 2012a,b). It is high time that
environmental factors be considered in the development of construction most
importantly for developing countries, (Chindaprasirt and Pimraksa, 2008; Gencel
et al., 2012a,b; Kumar 2002; Sutcu et al., 2014; Uygunoglu et al., 2012), therefore,
the use of renewable products, renewable natural resources that are alkaline
activated agents should be used to aggregate the binds between molecules of
calcium silicate fibrils.

Lime is one of the most widely used alkaline activator that is produced by
grounded limestone which is calcined to remove the carbon dioxide molecules.
However, it is a non-renewable natural source, the over mining and
consumption that is related with the use of lead is also another environmental
factors that should be considered, because it destroys vegetation, cause water
loss and soil erosion, and an environmental pollutant (Chindaprasirt and
Pimraksa, 2008; Gencel et al., 2012a,b; Grutzeck and Siemer, 1997). Hence, it is
also high time to use alternative to lime by waste materials that will contribute to
more sustainable infrastructures and environmental friendly. Nowadays,
recycling has been rampant in many parts of the world, the use of waste
materials to construction do not degrade the quality of the establishment. In
fact it has many economic and environmental benefits to the community. (Guo
et al., 2010; Kumar 2002; Li and Zhao, 2003; Rahman et al., 2014; Suaiam and
Makul, 2014; Sutcu et al., 2014; Uygunoglu et al., 2012).

One of the renewable sources that the group considered in making bricks
is with the use of talaba shells also known as the oyster shells, it is a by-product of
ostreaculture, are easily accumulated in the coastal areas, which includes
Southeast Asian countries. It is readily available in markets and could easily be
collected. (Chiou et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2010, 2005; Yoon et
al., 2003). In the form of oyster shell freshly collected, it is an environmental
damage and has a strong odor that has a negative impact in the environment
and local health. In order to solve the prevailing problem, studies have found
that the use of oyster shells when dry and grounded like lime can improve
materials, especially the ceramics and cements to make bricks. It is a good
substitute for aggregates in construction materials (Chiou et al., 2014; Kuo et al.,
2013; Wang et al., 2013; Yanget al., 2010, 2005; Yoon et al., 2003).
Bricks are ceramics, ceramics are Inorganic and non-metallic materials
that are commonly electrical and thermal insulators, brittle and composed of
more than one element. When mixed with water, it forms a paste that
subsequently sets and hardens. It is produced by grinding and intimately mixing
clay and lime-bearing minerals in the proper proportions, and then heating the
mixture to about in a rotary kiln; this process, sometimes called calcination. The
setting and hardening of this material result from relatively complicated
hydration reactions.
Reaction of hardening: 2CaO-SiO2+ xH2O  Calcium Silicate Fibrils
 Oysters are renewable natural resources that mainly comprise calcium
carbonates (Chiou et al., 2014; Yoon et al., 2003). It could be used to replace
the use of lime in making ceramics as alkali-activator in the production of
unfired bricks; it could be more beneficial to the society.
Studies have proven that the use of oyster shells adds strength and
durability to the ceramics since it is an alkali-activator that strengthens the
binding between the cements. However, with the excess proportion of addition
decreases its effects.
The incorporation of oyster shells in the brick making industries is one of the
ways of recycling the materials. It was found that the application of the oyster
shells has positive effect on the increase of strength and durability of unfired
bricks in either wet or dry environment.
One of the reinforcements that the group has considered is adding
plastics, since plastics are polymers which are binders, it is expected in helping
the pores closer, making the porosity of the bricks lower, allowing it to be tighter
and not allowing the passage of liquid (water) easily.
The materials involved are cement, water, plastics, and oyster shells. There
are many reasons on why the grouped considered adding plastics and oyster
shells in brick making. (1) The use of oyster shells has as significant effect in the
increase of strength and durability of the bricks. (2) The use of oyster shells also
contribute to the rate or reaction of the brick to temperature, it reacts to cold
and heat at lower rate hence, it is not highly affected. (3) Oyster shells, together
with plastics, decrease shrinkage and water absorption by lowering the porosity.
(4) The use of plastics and oysters addresses environmental issues because both
are recycled from waste materials, powdered oyster shells and plastic scraps. (5)
The bricks made of oyster shells with plastics could be marketable and could
contribute to the industry of construction but also the economy.
To top it all, the expected product is both an infusion of inorganic and
organic compounds since calcium carbonates of oyster shells and plastics
which are polymers are involved.
Materials
 Empty talaba shells
 Plastic (bottles and/or wrappers)
 Commercial Cement
 Water
 Hammer
 Scissors
 Molder
Procedures

Empty talaba shells Gathered plastics Cement

Crush Finely Cut into shreds Add water

Mix into proportion

Put into a mold and dry

Figure 1: Flow chart of product development

 In order to achieve the product, the developers will follow the flow chart
above wherein gathered shells from oyster vendors in Alaminos, Pangasinan are
pounded and crushed finely by using a hammer. Separately, gathered plastics
(bottles and wrappers) are cut into tiny shreds with scissors. Finally, a batch of
cement is made by adding water to commercially available cement powder.
Afterwards, all the three components will be mixed together in different
proportions. The created batch will be placed in a square molder and will be
left out to dry.

V. PROJECTED EXPENSES FOR THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

PROJECTED EXPENSES

PRODUCT PROJECTED EXPENSES

Commodity/Items Availed Prize (Php)
A. Materials
Commercial cement 250
Talaba shells 0
Plastic (bottle and/or wrapper) 0
Water 0
B. Equipment
Hammer 0
Scissors 0
Molder 0
Shovel 0

Total Cost of Expenses 250

Bibliography:

Rodroguez, J. 5 Types of Bricks: Applications and Advantages. Retrieved

November 28, 2017, from https://www.thebalance.com/bricks-types-uses-
and-advantages-844819

Bio building bricks. Using sludge in bricks: Improves quality Reduces weight Saves
energy. (1988, July 05). Retrieved November 28, 2017, from
https://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0705/dclay-f.html

Mussel shell ‘ideal’ in hollow block making. (2013, March 26). Retrieved
November 28, 207, from http://archive.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/;oca;-
news/2013/03/27/mussel-shell-ideal-hollow-block-making-275041

T. (2016, May 27). Turning old plastic bags into bricks. Retrieved November 28,
2017, from http://www.technologist.eu/turning-old-plastic-bags-into-
bricks/

Cicek, T., Tanrıverdi, M., 2007. Lime based steam autoclaved fly ash bricks.
Constr. Build. Mater. 21 (6), 1295e1300.
Freidin, K., Erell, E., 1995. Bricks made of coal fly-ash and slag, cured in the open
air. Cem. Concr. Comp. 17 (5), 289e300.
Gencel, O., Ozel, C., Koksal, F., Erdogmus, E., Martínez-Barrera, G., Brostow, W.,
2012a. Properties of concrete paving blocks made with waste marble. J.
Clean. Prod. 21 (1), 62e70.
Chindaprasirt, P., Pimraksa, K., 2008. A study of fly ashelime granule unfired brick.
Powder Tech. 182 (1), 33e41.
Gencel, O., Koksal, F., Ozel, C., Brostow, W., 2012b. Combined effects of fly ash
and waste ferrochromium on properties of concrete. Constr. Build. Mater.
29 (4), 633e640.
Kumar, S., 2002. A perspective study on fly ashelimeegypsum bricks and hollow
blocks for low cost housing development. Constr. Build. Mater. 16 (8),
519e525.
Sutcu, M., del Coz Diaz, J.J., Alvarez Rabanal, F.P., Gencel, O., Akkurt, S., 2014.
Thermal performance optimization of hollow clay bricks made up of
paper waste. Eng. Build. 75 (6), 96e108.
Uygunoglu, T., Topcu, I.B., Gencel, O., Brostow, W., 2012. The effect of fly ash
content and types of aggregates on the properties of pre-fabricated
concrete interlocking blocks (PCIBs). Constr. Build. Mater. 30 (5), 180e187.
Wang, H.Y., Kuo, W.T., Lin, C.C., Chen, P.-Y., 2013. Study of the material
properties of fly ash added to oyster cement mortar. Constr. Build. Mater.
41 (4), 532e537.
About the Philippines. Retrieved from
http://www.experiencephilippines.org/about-the-philippines-department-
of-tourism/

Liang, C.F. and Wang, H.Y. (2013). Feasibility of Pulverized Oyster Shell as a
Cementing Material. Retrieved from
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/amse/2013/809247/

Pavement (architecture). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavement_(architecture)

Properties of cement-based bricks with oyster-shells ash. Retrieved from

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652614013122

The Editors of Encyclopӕdia Britannica. Pavement (Civil Engineering). Retrieved

from https://www.britannica.com/technology/pavement-civil-
engineering

Villegas, B. M. The future of Philippine tourism. Retrieved from

http://opinion.inquirer.net/104143/future-philippine-tourism