SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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‘’Usage of coconut husk and eggshells

And floral foam as a additives in making absorbent concrete’’

A Science Research Project

presented to the
Senior High School Strand of

 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Saint Benilde International School Calamba Inc.

In Fulfillment of the Requirement  for 

Research Subject G12: Capstone Project

By:
Ibardaloza, Lara Ayezza C.
Ocdol, Grezelle Anne D.
Bongala, Ma. Aira Angela L.
Untalan, Kevin L.
Glodo, Jadeairon
Polo, Jerome O.
Fabula, Stephen Ronn A.

A.Y 2020-2021
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION
The usage of concrete for construction is one of the most prime parts of construction, for
it will add strength to it. Concrete is made of fine and coarse aggregates and bonded together
with cement water (cement paste) that hardens over time. And it is one of the most commonly
used materials in the world for such as building architectural buildings, homes, bridges, roads,
and damps. The applications can vary from structural applications to pavers, curbs, drains, and
pipes. But, due to its general availability and broad applicability, and low cost. However, these
advantages are also accompanied by a great environment and economic crisis.

The ecological impact of concrete mainly occurs in its manufacturing and application process.
The cement industry is one of the main producers of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse
gases. It can cause harm to the most fertile layer of the earth, the topsoil. Concrete causes up
to 8% of global CO2 emissions; if it were a country it would be the world's worst culprit after
the US and China. It fills our rubbish dumps, overheats our cities, causes floods that kill
thousands of people – and fundamentally changes our relationship to the planet.

Effects may range from redness to chemical burns and blindness. Inhaling high levels of dust
may occur when workers empty bags of cement. In the short term, such exposure irritates the
nose and throat and causes choking and difficult breathing.

Studies have shown that burning of agricultural wastes causes air pollution, soil erosion and
even a decrease in soil biological activity that can eventually lead to decreased soil fertility
(Chin, 2008).

Due to the environmental and economic crisis, finding a substitute can be obtained naturally,
and the source is abundant. Generating products using agricultural waste will lessen social and
environmental issues. It also paved the way for the recognition of using coconut shells and
other agricultural waste for developing concrete hollow blocks. In order to help contribute to
the industry in saving the environment, to encourage the government to find solutions
regarding the disposal to landfills of waste materials and save the environment, to provide new
knowledge to the contractors and developers on how to improve the construction industry
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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methods and services by using recycled coconut shells and fibers, eggshells, and floral foam and
to sustain good product performance and meet recycling goals.

The use of coconut by-products has been a long time source of income for some people in the
country. The coconut has many uses. The fruit itself is used in many industries not only as food
but for other uses as well (Reddy, 2015). The energy industry has also seen the potential of the
coconut as the coco-diesel was created as an alternative to the fossil fueled oils the Philippines
import. Aside from its ornamental use, the shell has been powdered and used as glues and its
charcoal form was used as activated carbon and used as a filter material for masks and air-
conditioning systems (Esquenazi, 2002). In the construction industry, the husk is used as a mat
in preventing the erosion of soils. Boards are created from the husk of the coconut by acquiring
the fibers from the husk (Babel, 2004).

As a tropical country, Philippines are one of the world's largest producers of coconut products
such as coconut oil, copra (dried coconut) and desiccated coconut. Historically, Southern
Tagalog, Bicol regions of Luzon and Eastern Visayas were the centers of coconut productions of
land with coconut trees and its population was at least partly dependent on it for their
livelihood yet, a large amount of agricultural waste was disposed of. Poor management of
disposing of may lead to a social and economic problem. Recycling of the disposed of material
is one method of treating the agricultural waste. The used of coconut fiber and coconut shell
could be a valuable substitute in the formation of composite material that can be used as a
housing construction, such as concrete hollow block (Achaw, 2008)

The availability of suitable materials is intimately linked to the development of a new product,
such as producing a concrete hollow block using coconut fibers and shells. Generating this
product using agricultural waste will introduce alternative construction materials with a low
production cost and lessen the social and environmental problems (Kirubakanan, 1991).
Modern construction technologies being developed, respond to ecological and social issues of
excessive use of raw materials from nature (Tsamba, 2006). The main objective of this study
will give a partial replacement for the aggregates and will determine the ability and benefits to
the concrete hollow block when substitutes.

The simple concrete block will continue to evolve as architects and block manufacturers
develop new shapes and sizes. These new blocks promise to make building construction faster
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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and less expensive, as well as result in structures that are more durable and energy efficient
(VanDam, 2004). Some of the possible block designs for the future include the biaxial block,
which has cavities running horizontally as well as vertically to allow access for plumbing and
electrical conduits; the stacked siding block, which consists of three sections that form both
interior and exterior walls; and the heat soak block, which stores heat to cool the interior
rooms in summer and heat them in winter (Kamar, 2003).

The researcher made this study to explore the use of coconut shells and fibers as an

aggregate. Analyze the performance and the effectiveness of the coconut shells and fibers as
aggregates in concrete hollow blocks in terms of physical properties like color, texture, size, and
density and by mechanical properties like compressive strength, modulus of elasticity,
absorption, thermal conductivity and fire resistance to obtain a design technical specification of
concrete hollow blocks (Kamar, 2002).

An eggshell on an average is composed with 2.2 g of calcium in the form of CaCO3. An estimate
of around 98.2% of dry shell constitutes CaCO3, and 0.9% of each magnesium and phosphorous
are the composition of eggshell.The chemical composition of chicken eggshells has been well
researched upon. Elemental and ultra-structural analysis revealed heterogeneous distribution
of minerals throughout the thickness of the shell. Concentration of calcium, magnesium, and
sodium were higher in inner layer of the shell before hatching. Eggshells offer wide range of
applications in varied sectors such as in nutrition, art works, construction, fertilizers, and
medicine It is speculated to be the better source of calcium than limestone.Eggshells have been
reported has an alternative source for soil stabilizing agent.It is used as fertilizer supply for
calcium. The acidity of soil can be reduced with the utilization of calcium from eggshell. The
waste eggshells were reported to be a good adsorbent of humidity. CaO was produced when
the eggshells were heated at 1300oC for four hours.

Eggshell waste produced from poultry is huge in number. Traditional methods of disposal are
employed such as landfill, rendering, composting, and incineration. Ground water and soil get
equally polluted. The expenditure for disposal is huge setback for the industry.

Tremendous amount of thermal and electrical energy is consumed during the manufacturing
process of the cement which alone accounts for 40% of the operational cost[9]. Energy is an
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

`
important aspect in the growth and development of a country especially in India. In the current
scenario of less availability of nonrenewable energy resources and the huge demand of the
construction materials, it is very much necessary to implement and adapt other alternative
methods to manufacture cements. To manufacture two tons of cements, about 1.1 tons of
various elements of the mixtures of earth resources are used. While in the manufacture equal
amount of CO2 is released to the environment. In portland cement, around 5 % mass fraction of
limestone is mixed. But due to over exploitation of limited resources of natural limestone and
rising concerns in carbon dioxide emissions necessitatesa substitute for limestone. Utilization of
eggshell as a sustainable analogue for limestone tackles various issues. Conservation of natural
resources and recycling of waste materials can occur simultaneously with the use of eggshell.
Also, production of lime is an energy intensive /and water consuming procedure. Use of
eggshell can be cost effective and tremendously decrease the energy consumption.

For these, the usage of coconut, husk, eggshells, and floral foam will be the solution that will be
beneficial for the environment and to reduce the environmental impact of new materials and
costs of disposing of waste products. That is why the researchers came up with the idea that
why not make something that can be a big help to everyone, for the environment, and for
reducing the increasing waste material.
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Concrete has a significant role in making infrastructure buildings, roads, homes and dams, and
others. However, its manufacturing and application process triggers soil erosion, overheats our
cities, floods, fills our dumps, and it also has a negative in the environment and economic crisis.
The purpose of this study is to develop other alternatives and make agricultural waste
alternative construction material. It aims to make concrete more beneficial to the environment
without adding more problems to society and the environment.

Specifically, this study in to answer the following questions:

A.) Is it impossible to make a coconut husk, eggshells, and floral foam as an alternative material
in making concrete/hollow blocks?
B.) What will be the effect/influence of coconut husk, eggshells, and floral foam in terms of
physical properties like:
b1. color
b2. texture
b3. density
C. ) What will be the mechanical properties in terms of:
c1. compressive strength
c2. absorption
c3. Fire resistance

HYPOTHESIS
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study helps to use agricultural waste as an alternative construction material. It will lessen
the increasing amount of agricultural waste. It will lessen low-cost production, less expensive
and decrease the economic and environmental problems. Furthermore, it will be beneficial to
manufacturers and architecture, making building construction faster and more durable
structures and energy-efficient.

The result of the study will benefit the following:

Environmentalists. The alternative construction materials will help them and easy ways
to solve the increasing amount of agricultural waste as it is one of the main problems in the
environment. It will help them to preserve the environment.

Citizens. Since agricultural waste is one of the main problems in society, citizens will be
able to learn how to use/make agricultural waste a useful materials.

Entrepreneurs. The concrete agricultural materials can found easily, which can help
their business financially. Hence, to lessen the expenses to materials. They can develop new
shapes and sizes, which can help the flow of their business.

Future Researchers. Future researchers can use and apply this study as their guide or

reference as they enhance and engage in a related study.

 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

 Agricultural waste is waste produced as a result of various agricultural operations. It

includes manure and other wastes from farms, poultry houses and slaughterhouses;
harvest waste; fertilizer run- off from fields; pesticides that enter into water, air or soils;
and salt and silt drained from fields.

 Coconut Palm the tall palm tree that yields the coconut, which grows mainly by coastal
beaches and has become naturalized throughout the tropics.

 Eggshells the thin, hard outer layer of an egg, especially a hen's egg.

 Floral foam is a dense, lightweight and porous material that can be cut into virtually any
shape. It holds its shape when wet and provides both water and support to your cut flower
arrangements.

 Coconut husk are the rough exterior shells of the coconut.

 Concrete a heavy, rough building material made from a mixture of broken stone or gravel,
sand, cement, and water, that can be spread or poured into molds and that forms a mass
resembling stone on hardening.

 Construction the building of something, typically a large structure.

- building of large structures considered as an industry

 Environment crisis dramatic, unexpected, and irreversible worsening of

the environment leading to significant welfare losses. 
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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 Building materials is material used for construction. Many naturally occurring substances,
such as clay, rocks, sand, and wood, even twigs and leaves, have been used to
construct buildings.

 Economic crisis is a severe and sudden upset in any part of the economy. They include high
unemployment, near-bank collapse, and an economic contraction.

 Co2 emissions  emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of
cement; they include carbon dioxide produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas
fuels as well as gas flaring.

 Hollow blocks Type of Concrete Block Used for building internal and external walls.

 Architects a person who designs buildings and in many cases also supervises their
construction.

 Manufacturers a person or company that makes goods for sale.

 CaCO3  a compound CaCO3 found in nature as calcite and aragonite and in plant ashes,
bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and portland cement and as a gastric
antacid.

 Limestone a hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite,

used as building material and in the making of cement.

 Density the degree of compactness of a substance.

 Texture the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or substance.

 Compressive strength the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to

reduce size, as opposed to which withstands loads tending to elongate. In other
words, compressive strength resists being pushed together, whereas
tensile strength resists tension (being pulled apart).

 Absorption the process or action by which one thing absorbs or is absorbed by another.
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Saint Benilde
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CALAMBA) INc.
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND

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 Environmentalist  is a person who is concerned with and/or advocates for the protection of
the environment. An environmentalist is engaged in or believes in the philosophy
of environmentalism.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK