EVALUATION OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE PAVER BLOCKS USING

EGGSHELL POWDER AND GROUNDNUT SHELL ASH AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT IN

CEMENT. CONCEPT DEFENSE POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Why did you choose GSA and ESP as a partial replacement for cement?
Sustainability:
Groundnut shell ash is one of the potential agricultural wastes that can be used to partially replace
cement. An experimental investigation of Lakshmi and Sagar (2017) stated that the groundnut shell contains
calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide.
According to Kausar et al. (2021), an eggshell is the hard exterior covering of an egg which is one
type of agricultural waste that could be used to partially replace cement due to its high calcium content. It
is an agricultural waste material which can likely cause environmental pollution if not utilized and handled
properly.

2. Your title includes “ash”, how will you help the environment if your study involves burning?
Burning agricultural waste couldn’t solve but can only lessen carbon emission.

3. How will you conduct the burning of GSA and ESP?

• Get permit from barangay and DENR • Where? Open area at Talusan, Misamis Oriental
4. Why concrete paver blocks?
Paver block materials are not only convenient in building footpaths and roads due to their ease of
installation but also possess attractive designs as well (Getes and Caingles, 2022).
The concept of using concrete paver blocks help reduce and reuse agricultural waste. The paver
blocks have an environmental benefit that could lessen the carbon footprints associated with transportation
and can be a permeable pavement that allows the rainwater or stocked water to drip down the surface ground
(Tank, N. 2023).
5. Why do we need to test the P&C properties of GSA and ESP?

Quality Assurance: By evaluating the physical and chemical properties of GSA and eggshell powder, it is
possible to ensure that these materials meet the required standards for use in construction applications.
Testing helps to confirm the consistency and quality of these waste materials, which is crucial for their
reliable performance in concrete production.
Performance Prediction: Understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of GSA and eggshell
powder enables engineers and researchers to predict how these materials will behave when incorporated
into concrete mixes. This information is vital for determining the potential impact of GSA and eggshell
powder on properties such as workability, strength, and durability of concrete.
Optimized Utilization: Testing the properties of GSA and eggshell powder allows for the optimization of
their use as supplementary cementitious materials. By understanding their reactivity, fineness, and chemical
composition, it is possible to tailor their inclusion in concrete mixes to achieve the desired performance
characteristics, such as enhanced durability and strength.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Evaluating the physical and chemical properties of GSA and eggshell
powder supports the assessment of their environmental impact when used in concrete production. This
information is valuable for determining the sustainability credentials of these waste materials and their
potential to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.

6. GSA and ESP

• Convenient and common in our locality
• Has pozzolanic properties (higher lime, silica, alumina and iron oxide)
• There are existing studies in different applications about GSA and ESP as partial replacements for cement
(other applications; Concrete, Mortar, CHB, etc.)
7. Why do we conduct the study?
“Carbon emission in the production of Portland cement contributes about 8% to the environment
and is about to double in the next 10 years. (BBC NEWS 2018)”
We conducted this study to reduce carbon emissions and agricultural waste. Also, there are no
existing studies in combining Groundnut shell and eggshell powder as a partial cement replacement.

8. CARBON EMISSION
• Cement Production - Carbon dioxide is emitted as a by-product of clinker production, an intermediate
product in cement manufacture, in which calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is calcinated and converted to lime
(CaO), the primary component of cement. CO2 is also emitted during cement production by fossil fuel
combustion. (Gibbs et al., n.d.)
• Groundnut Shell Waste - Groundnut shell is generally considered as agro-industrial waste and every
year millions of tons of its quantity are left in the environment. Rich in lignin, these shells undergo slow
degradation in the natural environment. However, groundnut shell biomass has a wide range of applications.
This waste can be converted to a valuable bio-product to achieve zero waste production. Through simple
biochemical treatments, this can be transformed into a large number of bio-products having commercial
applications such as biofuels, building materials, paper production, heavy metal adsorption, dye degradation,
etc. A more environmentally friendly approach and concerted efforts are needed to implement this habit of
converting this waste into useful products. (Dharanipriya., et al. 2019).
• Eggshell Waste- Agricultural waste utilization has made contributions in many aspects of life from its
use as feedstock in the production of biobased products and its subsequent use as a source of renewable
energy. Its utilization has the potential to reduce pollution levels and environmental effects exerted by
dependence on chemical products. (Abdulrahman., et al. 2014).

9. CONCRETE PAVER BLOCKS

• ASTM C936/C936M - Standard Specification for Interlocking Concrete Paving Units
• Shape: Rectangular • Dimension: 200x100x60mm (concrete paving blocks laid along and over pedestrian
areas and driveways)
Materials:
1. Cement (Type 1)
ASTM C150 - Standard Specification for Portland Cement
• Pass sieve #200 (75µm)
• composed of major oxides; lime (CaO), silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), and iron oxide (Fe2O3)
- at least 70% in total to be pozzolanic (Akingbonmire et al., 2022)
2. Aggregates
ASTM C136 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
• Fine – ASTM C33/C33M-18 Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates: Pass sieve #4
(1/4-inch (4.75-mm) square openings)
• Coarse – ASTMC33/C33M-18 Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates: Pass sieve
3. Water Usage
Water should be clean from the water district line. It is worth noting that the quality of water used
in concrete varies depending on the local water source. Therefore, conducting tests on the water source and
considering water quality standards are important to ensure the desired strength and durability of the
concrete mixture.
10. IMPORTANCE OF:
Specific gravity – This testing method measures the density of substances accurately. It provides valuable
insights into the physical properties of materials, ensuring quality control and precise measurements. Also,
it affects their strength, quality, porosity, saturation, compaction, and stability.
Moisture content – Moisture content helps in assessing the water content present in the material. It affects
the workability, strength, and durability of concrete. It is vital for quality control and consistency in
production processes and enhancing the overall properties of concrete when used in combination with other
materials.
Fineness Test – It is crucial for assessing the particle size distribution of these materials, which directly
impacts their reactivity and performance in various applications. It affects the performance, quality, and
durability of the final product.
Density - is essential for determining the mass per unit volume of these materials. It plays a vital role in
quality control, material characterization, performance evaluation, mix design optimization, and
comparative analysis, contributing to the effective utilization of these materials in various applications.
Water Absorption - is essential for understanding the behavior of materials when exposed to moisture.
This test provides valuable information about the materials' capacity to absorb water. It determines the
durability and resistance to water of the concrete.

11. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (PURPOSE)

Fine Aggregates:
• Fineness Modulus - specifying the proportions of fine and coarse aggregates when designing concrete
mixes. The higher the value of FM, the coarser the aggregate. Generally, a lower FM results in more paste,
making the concrete easier to finish.
• Sieve Analysis - All aggregate technicians use the sieve analysis (gradation test) to determines the
gradation (the particle size distribution, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine compliance
with design, production control requirements, and verification specifications.
Coarse Aggregates:
• Specific Gravity - ASTM C188 - Density of Hydraulic Cement
• This specific gravity of cement is an essential parameter in concrete mix design material
quantity calculations.
• This specific gravity of Portland cement is about 3.15
• quality & performance of the concrete
• Bulk Density - reflects the ability of concrete to function for structural support, water and solute
movement, and durability.
• Sieve Analysis - All aggregate technicians use the sieve analysis (gradation test) to determines the
gradation (the particle size distribution, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine compliance
with design, production control requirements, and verification specifications.

12. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES (PURPOSE)

• Loss on Ignition - refers to the weight loss experienced by the ash when heated to a specific temperature
to determine the amount of volatile substances, such as water and carbon dioxide, that are driven off. The
LOI value provides insights into the organic matter content of the ash, which is crucial for assessing its
suitability as a pozzolanic material in cement-based applications. The LOI test helps in understanding the
thermal stability, reactivity, and composition of GSA, which are essential factors for its effective utilization
in construction materials like concrete.
• Mega TestingCenter Inc., Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City (possible testing area)

13. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

• ASTM C936/C936M - Standard test method for compressive strength testing of concrete paving units.
• 4 batches of compression test (every mixture; 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% of eggshell powder, and a constant of
5% groundnut shell ash)
• Method: ASTM C140M Sampling and Testing Concrete MasonryUnits and RelatedUnits.
• 3625psi (25MPa) required compressive strength in our study

14. GATHERING OF MATERIALS

Burning of Groundnut Shell and Eggshell
• We have NO PROPER EQUIPMENT
• ASTM E1755: Standard Test Method for Ash in Biomass
Covers the determination of ash, expressed as the mass percent of residue remaining after dry
 oxidation (oxidation at 575+-25 °C), of hard and soft woods, herbaceous materials, agricultural
residues (such as corn stover, wheat straw, and bagasse), wastepaper (such as office waste,
boxboard, and newsprint), acid and alkaline pretreated biomass, and the solid fraction of
fermentation residues.

15. LABORATORY TEST

PHYSICAL (Sieve Analysis)
GSA and ESP adhere to the ASTM C150: Standard Specification for Portland Cement passing Sieve #200
(75µm)
• ASTM C136 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
• Fine – ASTM C33/C33M-18 Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates: Pass sieve #4 (4.75-mm)
square openings
• Coarse – ASTMC33/C33M-18 Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates: Pass sieve ⅜ (9.5mm
square opening)

CHEMICAL
(ASTM C311 Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Fly Ash or Natural Pozzolans for Use in
Portland-Cement Concrete)

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Specification: ASTM C618 Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural
Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
• SO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 >70%
Method: ASTM C114 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement

LOI
Specification: ASTM C618 Standard Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural
Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
• LOI <10%
Method: ASTM D7348 Standard Test Methods for Loss on Ignition (LOI) of Solid Combustion Residues
• LOI refers to the mass loss of a combustion residue whenever it is heated in an air or oxygen atmosphere
to high temperatures. In the cement industry, use of the term LOI normally refers to a mass loss in a sample
heated to 950°C.

16. PROPORTIONING OF SAMPLES

• By weight of cement
• M25 grade concrete (1:1:2); researchers used 1:3 (20%CA and 80% FA)
• Water-cement ratio determined through trial mix