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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the method of research used, the
research locale and experimental procedures in the conduct
of this project.
Method of Research
Experimental method of research was employed by this
study.
using
Trials
0%,
10%
of
different
and
20%
percentages
were
of
experimented
sugarcane
in
order
ash
to
determine the compressive strength, block density and water
absorption
of
the
mixture
in
producing
concrete
hollow
blocks.
Research Locale
The study was conducted at Civil Engineering Laboratory
Room specifically at Nueva Ecija University of Science and
Technology
(NEUST)
Gen.
Tinio
St.,
Cabanatuan
City.
The
testing of samples was conducted at the Department of Public
Works and Highways located in San Isidro, Cabanatuan City.
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Actual Procedure of the Study
The actual procedures of the study consisted of three
stages namely: experimental procedure, making cylindrical
samples for compression test, and making concrete hollow
blocks sample.
1. Experimental Procedure
Two
sets
of
experiments
were
conducted.
First,
two
trials were made in order to test which of the two sets of
percentage will be used. One having 10% of sugarcane ash and
the second set had 20% sugarcane ash. Because the second set
obtained
bigger
value
of
compressive
strength,
the
researchers used this group as the experimental group. The
first group was the control group and the other group as
experimental group. For the control group, the researchers
provided sample in accordance with standard specifications
(such as the ratio of raw materials). For the experimental
group, the researchers provided another set of sample as the
experimental group and the two sets of group were compared.
The
following
researchers
in
order
procedures
to
were
achieve
conducted
the
best
concrete hollow blocks using sugarcane ash.
Group A Control Group
by
the
product
for
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0% sugarcane ash was used in this trial in concrete
mix. For stronger concrete, the ratio used was [Link]
for cement, sand and gravel respectively.
this trial was in accordance with American Standard
for Testing Materials
Group B Experimental Group
20% of the actual volume of cement was replaced by
sugarcane ash
2. Making Cylindrical Samples for Compression Test
The
following
procedures
were
conducted
by
the
researchers in making cylindrical samples for compression
test.
2.1
The outside of the mold was labelled with an
appropriate identification mark, the researchers were
careful not to label the lids or tops.
2.2
The cylinder molds were placed on a level surface.
2.3 The method of consolidation was determined. In this
experiment, slump more than 1-inch (25-mm) used rodding
instead
of
vibrating
although
vibrating
is
also
permitted.
2.4
The number of layers of concrete to be placed in the
mold was determined. For concrete to be consolidated
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with the tamping rod, three equal layers for 6 diameter
2.5
- 12-inch cylinders was placed inside the mold.
The concrete mix was placed in the mold by distributing
it around the inside of the mold with the scoop. Then,
the layer was consolidated by rodding 25 times evenly
2.6
distributed around the layer.
The sides of the mold were tapped 10-15 times with the
mallet after each layer in order to close any insertion
2.7
holes formed by the rod.
The top was stroked off with a wooden float to produce
a flat, even and level surface and it was covered with
a plastic lid.
3. Determination of Water Absorption
3.1
Full size blocks were completely immersed in clean
water in room temperature for 24hours.
3.2
The blocks were removed from the water and allowed
to drain for 1 minute by placing them on a 10mm or
coarser
wire
mesh
where
visible
removed with damped cloth.
3.3
The saturated and surface
water
dry
surface
blocks
was
were
immediately weighed.
3.4
After weighing all blocks they were dried in a
ventilated oven at 100
c to 1150
c from less than
24hrs and until 2 successive weighing at intervals of
2hrs showed an increment of lose not greater than 0.2
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percent of the last previously determined mass of the
specimen.
3.5
Three blocks were tested and stored in airtight
containers at normal room temperature. No tests were
repeated.
3.6 The block was weighed on a balance sensitive to
lb. (Weight A).
3.7 The block was completely immersed in water at a
temperature of 14C. to 18C for twenty-four hours. The
block shall then be weighed while suspended with a
metal wire and completely submerged in water (Weight
B).
3.8 It was removed from the water and allowed to drain
for one minute by placing it in a in. or coarser
wire mesh, visible surface water removed with a damp
cloth, and the block immediately weighed (Weight C).
3.9
The block shall then be dried in an oven at 100C. to
115C. and weighed at twenty-four hour intervals until
the loss of weight does not exceed 1 per cent. in a
twenty-four hour period (Weight D).
3.10 The absorption of the block was calculated as follows :
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Absorption , lb. per cu . ft .=(WT . CWT . D)(62.4)/(WT . CWT . B)
4. Making Concrete Hollow Blocks Sample
4.1
The concrete molds were set up in the exact shape
the researchers want the blocks to be.
4.2
The researchers manually mix the cement with clean
sand. The ratio was 3 parts sand to 1 part cement for
normal types of concrete. For stronger concrete, the
researchers made the mixture of 2 parts sand to 1 part
cement. Note that 0%, 10%, 20% (for trial 1, trial 2
and
trial
3,
respectively)
of
cement
should
be
eliminated as this percentage was the percentage of
sugarcane ash in the mixture.
4.3
Add gravel or crushed limestone to the mixer. The
amount
of
gravel
should
roughly
equal
the
combined
sand-and-concrete mixture: 3 parts gravel to 2 parts
sand, plus 1 part cement. You may need to experiment a
bit: With too much gravel, you won't be able to get a
smooth consistency to your concrete.
4.4
Slowly water was added into the mixture, stirring
it until it reached the right consistency. The mixture
was checked as the researchers stirred by scooping a
sample of the mixture into a slump cone, measuring it
off
and
determine
seeing
how
that
the
much
the
mixture
mixture
contained
settled.
the
To
right
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combination of ingredients, the mixture should settle
about 3 to 4 inches into the cone.
3.5 The mixing was continued for several more minutes
until it is consistent throughout.
3.6
water-based
inside
3.7
the
concrete-releasing
mold.
This
will
let
agent
the
was
sprayed
concrete
block
easily removed from the mold once it has hardened.
The concrete was carefully poured into the mold, and
then the top was leveled off using a trowel or a wooden
board. The mixture was tapped to help it settle, and to
get rid of any air pockets in the mold.
3.8 The concrete was allowed to harden for at least 24
hours
before
removing
it
from
the
mold.
Then
the
concrete was pressed down on the completed block while
simultaneously pulling up on the mold. The block is
spring free so that the mold can be reused to make
more blocks.
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