CHAPTER I

Introduction

Background of the Study

Construction is a physical activity that makes a physical infrastructure. Some of

these are roads, bridges, houses, and other related to the facilities. This economic

activity contributes a very important part to the community. By just only, the way of

making this infrastructure can give an effect to the growth and development, such as

a way of transportation, new business buildings, schools or educational structures,

etc., of a particular place.

According to Nam and Tatum (1988), construction is any type of activities that

is associated with the building and repair of fixed structure and facilities.

In construction, hollow blocks are one of the most common materials used for

constructing walls. But there are some common problems or defects found in

buildings, like cracks on the wall as resulted from strong typhoons and earthquakes

(Jonaitis, et. al., 2013). Furthermore, according to Magicrete (2015), concrete is an

essential element for building a structure, as it improves and enhances the sustainable

performance. It plays a vital role in the construction because it is used to build schools,

hospitals, etc.

Apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) are from the family Ampullariidae which is

tropical and sub-tropical freshwater snails. They found in Asian regions like Philippines

because they are adapted to tropical regions with periods of excessive rainfall. The

apple snail are also amphibious, it means that they can survive seasonally in both

terrestrial and aquatic environments that includes lakes, ponds and wetlands. They
have an unusual grill and lung adaptation, which they utilize during they reproductive

cycle (Solitude, 2018).

According to Amnart et.al. (2018), the apple snail shells contain a calcium

carbonate (CaCO3). The calcium carbonate cannot be dissolved in water and it is

stable at normal temperatures. When it is heated with high temperatures, it will form a

calcium oxide together with that, it will release a carbon dioxide when it decomposes.

According to the SoftSchools.com (2019), this properties of the calcium

carbonate have many applications in the part of many economical materials. These

can be in building materials, ceramic tiles, blackboard chalk, and iron ore purification,

oil well drilling fluids, paints, adhesives, and sealants. Calcium carbonate is not toxic

and it is safe for consumption.

Statement of the Problem

This study generally aims to determine if the pulverized shell of the apple snail

as an aggregate can strengthen the hollow blocks.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the characteristics of the shell of the apple snail that satisfies as an

additive in terms of:

a) Durability

b) Strength

c) Water resistance

2. What are the considered properties of the shell of the apple snail to be a

construction material?
 3. Is there a significant relationship between the shell of the apple snail and the

hollow blocks?

Significance of the Study

This study will seek to benefit the following:

For the locality. This research may help the community to know that apple

snails are not only to be considered as pest. But also, even small species can be useful

to any other activities. This will give a lesser damage to every infrastructure when there

are calamities.

For the farmers. This research will help the farmers since apple snails are

considered as pest for them. This will help them reduce the population of Apple

Snails that destroys their fields especially in rice crops. Also, they can sell it for extra

income.

For the construction industry. This research will help the construction

industry to have a cheaper aggregate use in construction. This will also give them an

infrastructure which is stronger.

For the future researchers. This will help the future researchers that even a

simple things in their surroundings they can make a way to improve something.

Scope and Limitations

This study will focus on the effectiveness of shell of apple snail as an additive

to hollow blocks. The study will be conducted at the GENERAL ARTEMIO RICARTE
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL at Brgy. 25 Baligat, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. We will get

20 kg of apple snail at City of Batac, Ilocos Norte that will be used in the experiments.
 CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

Related Literature

Fuller and Richardson (2013) stated that waste marine sea shell could be used

as an aggregate replacement into a concrete mix, according to their study entitled

“Sea shells used as partial aggregate replacement in concrete”. Utilizing shells

reduces the amount of shell waste, and reducing the need for quarried aggregate and

has potential benefits of adding different material to a concrete mix design for

improved performance. The test methods used to evaluate the concrete were, British

Standard tests for compressive strength. A paired comparison test was carried out

examining two different partial replacement shell aggregate mixes against a plain

concrete control sample.

According to the work of Raji and Samuel (2015) it has investigated the

potential use of used egg shell as a concrete material. The used egg shells were used

as fine concrete aggregate. In the laboratory test, conventional fine aggregate was

replaced at 100% replacement level. A total of 18 cubes were cast, cured and tested.

The strength development of the concrete mixes containing egg shell aggregates was

compared to the conventional concrete with sand as fine aggregate. The result

showed a reduction in compressive strength of the concrete but still falls within limits

of lightweight concrete.

According to the research of Liang and Wang (2013) intends to study the

cementing potential of pulverized oyster shell, rich in calcium, when mixed with fly ash

and soil. Cylindrical compacted soil and cubic lime specimens with different
proportions of the shells and fly ash are made to study the strength variance. Soil,

which is classified as CL in the USCS system, commercialized pulverized oyster shell,

F-type fly ash, and lime mixed in different weight percentages. Five sample groups are

made to study the compressive strength of soil and lime specimens, respectively.

Brinda et.al. (2017) stated that hollow blocks could be produced using coconut

shell (CS) as course aggregate. For comparison, hollow blocks were also produced

with conventional concrete (CC). Mixes were produced both in field and laboratory.

Both conventional and CS mixes satisfied the minimum strength required as per IS

2185 (Part 1): 1987. Hollow blocks were tested for their basic properties and bond

strength. CS plays a significant role in reducing the shrinkage cracks in the concrete

compared with CC constituents. Mixes developed in laboratory displayed better

durability properties compared with mixes used in field. Water absorption of hollow

blocks was well within allowable limit of 20%. The experimental bond stresses at 28

days were more than theoretical bond stress calculated as per BS 81110. This (Liang

& Wang, 2013)study infers that the use of CS as a potential construction material in

the production of hollow blocks is feasible.

Local Studies

Bonares et.al. (2013) discussed that substituting waste materials in

construction is well known for conservation of dwindling resources and preventing

environmental issues and ecological changes caused by quarrying and depletion of

raw materials. Researchers found that those waste have a good pozzolanic properties

that would improve the quality of concrete hollow blocks produced. An example of

waste material is the agricultural waste rice husk. Hollow blocks plays an important

role in construction industry. However, the problem is the increase in demand for the
construction materials like cement due to the paces of development. The continuously

increasing demand of cement which is the primary binder in making concrete hollow

blocks that leads to increase in cost and become a problem to some builders in the

country today. This predicament leads to the researchers to look for possible partial

replacement of cement by investigating the use of rice husk ash as replacement for

cement in making concrete hollow blocks. Likewise, these mixtures as components of

hollow blocks were tested to determine whether they significantly vary in terms of

compressive strength of the produced blocks. The researchers investigated the

possibility of using rice husk ash in reducing the amount of cement in making concrete

hollow blocks.

Alfante, Apuya & Capinan said that discarded mussel (tahong) shells can be

utilized as raw inputs in the production of stronger and lighter hollow bloks, a winning

business proposal by University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Tacloban College

(UPVTC) students. The prototype product showed about 650 pounds per square inch

(psi) level, way above the standard load-bearing requirement for construction. The

target beneficiaries of the project are mussel farmers in the municipality of Jiabong,

Samar where farming is the main livelihood, an activity that produces marketable

products.

Binag (2017) stated that marine shells wastes have been popular as a recycled

material for many type of construction due to its characteristics which resembles

limestone that is similar to cement raw materials and if it is processed into shell ash

cement, it can be substituted or blended with Portland cement for concrete works. The

use of mussel and oyster shell ash cement as substitute for Portland cement will

minimize the use of mountain forest and quarries as sources of Portland cement. Thus,

the study was conducted to evaluate the utilization of mussel and oyster shell ash
cement blended with Portland cement for masonry cement mortar as block binder and

for the production of concrete bricks. The study provides analysis for the suitability of

the materials and its impact of production to the community. The multiple baseline

design was used in the study. Results show that when mussel and oyster shell wastes

are transformed into an ash cement, it can be used as partial substitute for Portland

cement in the production of locally-based masonry cement mortar as block binder and

bricks production for the community at a mix ratio of 5%, 10%, and 15% of either

mussel or oyster shell ash cement and 95%, 90%, and 85% Portland cement,

respectively. This is evidenced by their chemical properties, specific gravity and

mechanical properties especially compressive strength. The production of the aboved-

mentioned new technology will give impact to the community that will improved the

quality of people’s living conditions and its environment.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The researchers will choose an experimental research design because it best

serves to answer the questions and the purposes of the study. This research design

will describe the data and information on the effectiveness of pulverized apple snail as

an aggregate to hollow blocks.

Duration & Locale of the Study

The researchers will conduct the experiment at the General Artemio Ricarte

Senior High School at Brgy. 35 Bil-loca, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Materials and Equipments

In conducting this research, the researcher will use the following materials and

equipments: sand, cement, water, shell of apple snail, meter stick, container.

Procedure

Preparing and collecting the needed materials. All materials were prepared

before the production of hollow blocks.

Pulverizing the shells of apple snail. The researchers will put the gathered

apple snail shells in a sack and crush it until it becomes a desirable powder

consistency.

Producing the mixture of the hollow blocks. The steps in producing the

hollow blocks are the following:

1. Measuring. The pulverized shell of apple snail will be measured with 5 different

amounts with the same amount of aggregates and cement.

2. Mixing. The researchers will mix the pulverized shell of apple snail to the other

aggregate together with cement in making the hollow blocks.

3. Drying. This refers to the final procedure, where the researcher will dry the

hollow blocks for about 24 hours.