Professional Documents
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THE PROBLEM
This chapter introduces the significance of the problem by giving information, stating the
objectives, formulating hypotheses, identifying the coverage and constraints, and defining
The high cost of construction materials like cement and reinforcement bars, has led to
increased cost of construction. This, coupled with the pollution associated with cement production,
has necessitated a search for an alternative binder which can be used sorely or in partial
The cost of cement used in concrete works is on the increase and unaffordable, yet the need
for housing and other constructions requiring this material keeps growing with increasing
population, thus the need to find alternative binding materials that can be used solely or in partial
replacement of cement.
Tropical almond (Terminalia catappa) is a large, spreading tree distributed throughout the
tropics in coastal environments. It originally from South Asia (including Philippines). Since
Philippines is near the coastal areas, it has an abundant number of Tropical almond (Terminalia
Thus, one study says that the density values of the Terminalia catappa fruit fiber appear
less than the synthetic fibers and it is observed that application of these fibers could be used to
cement blocks”.
Generally, this study compared the reinforcement capabilities of Terminalia catappa fruit
1. Did the Terminalia catappa fruit reinforce the hollow cement block in terms of:
a. Impact toughness
b. Water absorption
Hypotheses
1. Ho: The Terminalia catappa fruit did not reinforce the hollow cement blocks in terms of:
a. Impact toughness
b. Water absorption
Ha: The Terminalia catappa fruit reinforced the hollow cement blocks in terms of:
a. Impact toughness
b. Water absorption
2. Ho: There is no significant difference on the reinforcement capability between the control
Tropical almond is a large, spreading tree distributed throughout the tropics in coastal
environments.
So one of the purposes of this study is to benefit the people who has this tropical almond by
giving them a chance to lessen their wastes since there are many fruit of this tree that were
scattered in the surroundings in our community and can also help to earn money if the waste
The other ones benefited would be companies and small businesses on hollow block making.
They would benefit from this study by using the more durable component to add into their
In addition, since the cost of cement used in concrete works is on the increase, this can help
the buyers and users to earn lesser amount of money than the hollow cement block having its
usual components. Even the need for housing, building and other constructions keep growing,
the hollow cement block with the tropical almond is more affordable for the buyers because our
place has an abundant number of tropical almond and its fruits are scattered everywhere.
The importance for the researchers is to understand the uses of undetected objects in making
useful innovations. The significance for future researchers is to gain interest in creating
The experimentation will be conducted in a duration of 1 week. The Terminalia catappa will
The control group and the experimental group with 4 blocks each will be produced by a
hollow blocks maker. The evaluation will be done at Bangui National High School. The products
will be a three-hole hollow block with an average weight of 6 kilograms which is commonly
used in the area. This research will be limited to Terminalia catappa as an additional composite.
For the treatment group, with only 3 hollow blocks, the additional composite will compromise
Since testing impact toughness, and water absorption can surely damage the block, the
researchers will use separate blocks for testing each property: two blocks for toughness and two
for water absorption. The producers will use the same kind of cement, the same kind of gravel
and the same amount of water. The only difference was the addition of the alternative
component.
The time of synchronized drying will not be in the control of the researchers because the
hollow blocks will have different days of production for the control group and the treatment
group. The distribution of the Terminalia catappa on the block will be concentrated but will be
limitedly assured. The size of the pieces after the impact toughness test will be classified to more
Comparative Analysis. Use comparison analysis to measure the relationships between variables
Terminalia catappa. The alternative material that will be added in the common component used
Hollow blocks. A common building material used in this study as the product to improve.
Impact toughness. Ability of the hollow block to deform while absorbing energy before
Water absorption. Measured if the hollow block absorbs more or less water than the control
Treatment group. Another term for experimental group. Group to be compared on the control
group of blocks.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This chapter relates the literature and references undertaken to understand this study as
well as its variables. It also presents the known uses of this materials to maintain our knowledge
It was noticed that the density values of the Terminalia Catappa fruit fibers were less than
that of the synthetic fibers. These properties envisage that the Terminalia Catappa fruit fibers could
be used as reinforcement in making the light weight composite structures. Moreover, the
The water displacement method was in use to find the density of the Terminalia Catappa
fruit fiber. The weighed quantity of fiber was completely wrapped up in water and the volumetric
displacement was observed. The weight to volume ratio yielded the density value.
Wax Content
The wax content was deliberate with the help of sox lot apparatus. Petroleum
benzene liquid was heated to 70°C and one gram of Terminalia Catappa fruit fiber was
wrapped up in the liquid. The 60 minutes’ reflux time was provided and the fiber sample
was dried. After aeration the fiber, it was weighed and weight difference confirmed the
wax content.
Moisture Content
The weighed quantity of Terminalia Catappa fruit fiber was placed in an oven at
the temperature range of 105 ± 2°C for 4 hours. The weight of the fiber taken from the
oven was measured and the difference in weight accounts for the moisture content present
in the fiber.
Cellulose Content
mixture of sodium chloride 1.72%, and three drops of sulfuric acid in water. One hour
drenched time was provided. Then the excess fluid was taken away by suction process and
ammonia was added. The residue was washed with distilled water, dried at room
temperature and weighed. The percentage of cellulose was noted by the ratio of the residue
The Terminalia Catappa fibers were alkali treated with 5%, 10% NaOH solution. The
change in fiber properties was pragmatic due to alkali treatment. The raw Terminalia Catappa fruit
fiber consists of cellulose (66.95%), wax (0.44%) and moisture (13.5%). The alkali treatment
caused the cellulosic fiber to swell and removed the cellulose and other impurities from the fiber
surface. The micro fibrils of cellulose remained unaffected due to alkali treatment. The removal of
the impurities led to the better mechanical properties, fiber wetting characteristics and fiber–
The construction industry is evolving and one of the main trends in the move towards a
more resource and energy efficient way of creating structures. Since nowadays, construction
materials are often used in building infrastructure, it needs to be developed. In the past years, many
study is Coconut Shells as Substitute for Aggregates of Concrete Hollow Blocks. The waste
coconut shells have its specific component that concrete hollow blocks can have the mechanical
conductivity, and fire resistance. The good indicators of coconut shells as an aggregate are;
particles shape and affects work ability of fresh texture, resistance to aggregate is low in crushing
value, absorption affects the mix proportions and control water content, grading economizes
cement content and improves work ability, resistance to where frost action undermine freezing and
heating, and lightweight reduce weight of structure. Coconut shells can be a good choice for
reinforcing concrete structure. Concrete being weak in tension, coconut shells can be used in the
A study according to Sanggetha, the use of rice husk ash (RHA) modifies the physical
qualities of fresh cement paste as well as microstructure of paste after hardening. A highly reactive
RHA was obtained and the ash was utilized as a supplementary cementing material. The properties
investigated were the compressive strength, consistency, workability and specific gravity. As a
conclusion in this study, the RHA can be used in day today life of manufacturing building blocks
which are more economical and eco-friendlier than the cement concrete blocks which are produced
nowadays.
Another study concerns the investigation of concrete produced by partial replacement of
cement with corn cob ash (CCA). Compressive strength test was carried out. The result showed
that the concrete strength decreased with increasing replacement of CCA. Based from the
conclusion of Ahangba Augustine, CCA can be used as partial replacement for cement in concrete
production, and the replacement should not exceed 10% as strength produced above this
Due to the uncontrollable use of structural construction materials, it is clear that with this
current trend of consumption will lead to serious environmental hazards in the world. Today steel
and concrete are widely used and are dominating construction materials in construction industry.
Steel has the worst environmental impact with highest emission per unit weight and has very high
embodied energy. Comparatively performance of concrete is much better than steel. Although
consumption of cement and its global emission are extremely high when compare to the
consumption of steel. To mitigate these environmental hazards new materials which has less
environmental impact and which are more environmental friendly will help form these material
Building construction is an ancient human activity. In fact, their beginnings can be traced
According to Pao-Chi Chang and Alfred Swenson, the history of building is marked by a
number of trends. One is the increasing durability of the materials used. Another is a quest for
buildings of ever greater height and span; this was made possible by the development of stronger
materials and by knowledge of how materials behave and how to exploit them to greater advantage.
A third major trend involves the degree of control exercised over the interior environment of
buildings: increasingly precise regulation of air temperature, light and sound levels, humidity,
odors, air speed, and other factors that affect human comfort has been possible. Yet another trend
is the change in energy available to the construction process, starting with human muscle power
Early building materials were perishable, such as leaves, branches, and animal hides. Later,
more durable natural materials—such as clay, stone, and timber—and, finally, synthetic
materials—such as brick, concrete, metals, and plastics—were used. Below is a brief history of
some of the most common construction materials in the Philippines according to Regan Industrial
Sales.
Wood
North America and Europe’s vast forests encouraged the construction of homes that
employed timber frames. Other countries also realized the endless possibilities of wood
and decided to make the most out of it. Wood is a natural source that could be acquired
Concrete
According to records, the Romans were the earliest users of concrete. Its versatility
also attracted the industry, because it meant that it was still subject to various developments
and innovations. Soon enough, concrete became a material that was used as a foundation
in buildings. Its main purpose is to stabilize structures—which remains true until today.
Steel
seamlessly customized to the needs of your project, but without sacrificing the material’s
robustness and stability. This material is utilized both in small-scale projects and in more
major ones.
A construction material, from the word itself, is any material that is used for construction.
Different raw substances like clay, sand, wood, rocks and twigs have been utilized for building.
These construction materials can be divided into two categories: naturally-occurring and man-
made. There is a vast array of both naturally-occurring substances and man-made products that are
used for construction from the Philippines. These materials are employed in different projects,
Construction materials are often used as the foundation of habitats and structures, such as
homes. Natural materials that are unprocessed or barely processed are lumber and glass. Synthetic
materials, on the other hand, are largely used nowadays, especially in industrial settings. According
to Regan Industrial Sales, the following are the most common construction materials in the
Philippines.
Mud and clay have been around for centuries and the structures built using these
materials were still fit for human habitation even after hundreds of years. These are two of
the most frequently used materials for constructing buildings and homes. The primary
advantage of soil and clay is that they have an excellent thermal mass, which means that
they have no problem sustaining temperature at a constant level. Homes built with these
materials adapt to their surroundings—during the scorching heat of summer, they remain
cool, and during the colder season, they manage to maintain some warmth.
Rock
material. There are different kinds of rocks available, each of them with their own
respective attributes. In general, rocks are incredibly dense, which makes them a robust
material for construction but also this can also serve as its drawback, since it makes the
material bulky and difficult to handle. Aside from homes, rocks have also been utilized in
some of the most renowned structures in history, such as the Pyramids in Egypt and the
Aztec pyramids.
Wood
Wood is also another material that dominates the construction industry. Like rocks,
it has been around since time immemorial. They are usually pressed into lumber and
timber; after that, they are now ready to be employed in various applications. One of the
most splendid attributes of woods is its versatility—that is, it can be used in practically any
construction project, regardless of the climate in which the structures belong to. It is also
exceptionally flexible, managing to maintain its strength even while bent or compressed.
The quality of wood often depends on the tree species, and, needless to say, some species
of wood are better-suited for applications than others. In earlier periods, wood was used in
its unprocessed form, and it was only recently when lumber finally came into
prominence—when mechanized saws were invented. This, then, allowed the mass
shale. They were extensively used in the 18th to the 20th century, mainly because they
Concrete
Concrete is a combination of paste and aggregates (or small rocks). The paste,
which comprises of cement and water, coats the surface of the aggregates. A chemical
reaction called hydration allows the paste to harden and eventually transform into concrete.
hardens) and flexibility (when it’s still newly mixed). These traits make it an exemplary
material for all sorts of structures, including soaring skyscrapers, bridges, superhighways,
Steel or Metal
structural framework for massive edifices, such as skyscrapers. Like concrete, steel is also
marked by its flexibility and strength. Its major nemesis has something to do with
Glass
The primary purpose of glass windows is twofold—to let light penetrate into the
room and to keep the outside breeze from entering. Glass is made from a blend of sand and
Ceramics are typically used as fixtures and coverings such as tiles. In the recent
years, ceramic tiles have been gaining a steady popularity. They are also been integrated
into walls, countertops, and ceilings. In some instances, they are also utilized as roofing
tiles.
Plastics
Plastic is an example and a famous synthetic material. They are used in all
imaginable industries, and are practically ubiquitous. In the construction sector, they’re
Cement Composites
Cement composites constitute of hydrated cement paste that combines wood, fibers,
and so on.
Chapter III
THE METHODOLOGY
This chapter includes research design, methods and materials, collection of data, statistical
treatment and research paradigm. This study will determine the differences of the reinforcement
capabilities of tropical almond fruit husk upon addition to hollow blocks by trying to experiment
Research design
The experimental method of research will be used in this study. It is a method or procedure
which involved the manipulation of one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause
changes in another variable (Cherry, 2015) as cited by Cayabyab, K.R. (2016). This study will use
the parallel-group experimental design where they compared a treatment and a control group. The
treatment group will come from the blocks with Terminalia catappa while the control group will
produce as usual hollow blocks and will served for comparative purposes.
A. Gathering of Materials
The researchers will study the existing knowledge about the variables of the study.
They will gather Terminalia catappa fruit from Saud, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte and other
materials to produce the hollow blocks. They will request the special production and
bought the experimental group and the control group of hollow blocks in the same hollow
The husk of the of tropical almonds will be separated into its fruit itself. After the
collection, each fruit will be dried in the sun for a day in a basin The fruits will be
powderized using the mortar and pestle to come up with smaller pieces until it becomes
fine particles.
Weigh then mix sufficient amount of cement, gravel and water to make a hollow
block. Add 1% composite material on its the total weight of the control block of alternative
material. For example: 60 grams tropical almond fruit is 1% of 6 kilograms hollow block.
Try to mix it evenly. Weigh the mixed materials then shape into a hollow block with the
molder. Dry for 36 hours. Sprinkle water. Label each block according to the kind of block
and their property to be tested. Examples: a) Tropical almond block- Impact toughness. b)
Control block- Water Absorption Etc. Immediately store block in secured place after drying
to ensure no other factors will affect the block. Repeat the procedure for other blocks.
Collection of Data
Data was collected from designated test of the block from the following procedures.
Impact toughness
Place the first block in a sack. Drop the block at 4 meters in a space where it can assume a free
fall. After the impact, open the sack. Count the number of pieces that at least 2 inches at its
extremities. Record the data. Weigh the finer particles. Repeat procedure for the other 7 blocks.
Water-absorption
Weigh the initial weight of the block placed on a container. Dip the block on 10 liters of water
in a big bucket. Dip it for 2 minutes. Weigh the final weight of the block placed on a container.
Using the displacement method, compute Final weight minus Initial weight = Water absorbed.
Statistical treatment
This research made use of the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or F-Test. To
further analyze where the differences lies, the Scheffe’s Test was utilized.
(𝑋̅1 − 𝑋̅2 )2
𝐹′ =
𝑆𝑊 2 (𝑛1 + 𝑛2 )
𝑛1 𝑛2
Research paradigm