Aim :

to use seashells in concrete and determine how the concrete would perform compared to a
standard mix

Introduction

Seashells waste is a growing economic and environmental hazard. The purpose of this
project was to use seashells in concrete and determine how the concrete would perform
compared to a standard mix. Concrete is one of the most important construction materials and
widely used in the constuction project. The chemical makeup of these shells demonstrates
strength properties that will help bind and strengthen concrete when added as aggregate. This
chemical makeup is specifically focused on the calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which makes up
95% of the shell (Yoon, 2002). Due to the physical and chemical properties of conch and
oyster shells, they may be a suitable substitute for aggregates. Oyster shells are a viable option
because they contain a large amount of calcium carbonate (Kakisawa, H., & Sumitomo, T.,
2012). This can help improve the strength in the concrete. Also the calcium carbonate can
help improve resistance against heat and chemicals. The conch shells may increase strength in
the concrete due to the uniquely weaved pattern they contain. These two shells can benefit the
construction industry and the environment if it is successful. This is beneficial for the industry
especially since many admixtures like fly ash are scrutinized for their potential negative
environmental impact (Mcgraven, S. 2013). Shellfish shells can be considered into the
aggregate category. Instead of using stones and sand as aggregates, shellfish shells have
potential to provide the added strength required for many designs. The shells are a cheaper
way to increase the strength of concrete by providing a substance for the cement past to bond
to. Shellfish shells gain their strength from a nacre layer that has a crystalline structure in the
form of calcium carbonate. Replacing sand and stone with crushed shellfish shells could
provide a recyclable way to discard shell waste.
WORKABILITY AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

OBJECTIVE

To study the workability of the designed mix and compressive strength of concrete cubes

EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL

Equipment

(i) Concrete cubes mould

(ii) (ii) Vibrating tables
(iii) (iii) Slump-test apparatus
(iv) (iv) Weighting machine
(v) (v) Curing tank
(vi) (vi) Concrete compression machine

Materials (Concrete mix design for 6 cubes)

(i) Cement – 7 kg
(ii) (ii) Sand – 14 kg
(iii) (iii) Aggregate – 28kg

PROCEDURE

1. Design a concrete mix according to a ratio of 1: 2: 4 (cement: sand: gravel) with

different percenrtages of seashells
(i) 20% seashells
(ii) 30% seashells
2. Prepare material required to produce 6 concrete cubes size 150 mm x 150 mm x 150
mm mould
3. Batch and mix the material
4. Determine the workability of the designed mix by slump test
5. Cast 3 concrete cubes for compressive strength with compression machine at 7 and 28
days, respectively.