THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF MILLED PEANUT SHELL

COMPOSITE CLAY BRICK

A Research Paper

Presented to the Faculty of

Philippine Science High School SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus
Brgy. Paraiso, Koronadal City

In Partial Fulfilment of
the Requirements in
Research 3

NOLD X TIAN L. BALDONADO

JONAN TRIXIE AMOR P. CAPACILLO

MILJANN S. MEDEL

May 2019
 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL – SOCCSKSARGEN REGION CAMPUS
Curriculum and Instruction Division

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

The research paper attached hereto, entitled “THE MECHANICAL

BEHAVIOR OF MILLED PEANUT SHELLS COMPOSITE CLAY
BRICK” prepared and submitted by NOLD X TIAN L. BALDONADO,
JONAN TRIXIE AMOR P. CAPACILLO, and MILJANN S. MEDEL in
partial fulfillment of the requirements in Research 3, is hereby recommended
for approval.

ROSARIO P. LEONORA, MPA JEFREY M. BAGASBAS, MEng

Member Member
_____________ _____________
Date Date

JAYSON S. BAZAR. MSc

Adviser
_______________
Date

This research project is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements in

RESEARCH 3.

JADE F. BAMBA, MAAL

Research Coordinator
________________
Date

CHUCHI P. GARGANERA, Ph.D.

Director III
________________
Date

ii
 ABSTRACT

Use of synthetic fibers and materials are widely used in different infrastructures

and industries in making bricks. Usage of such material as main ingredient contributes to

various negative environmental damages and costs. The goal of the study aims to create a

high efficiency brick with the use of natural materials that can help in saving the

environment with inexpensive costs. An alternative source of synthetic fiber was found,

the Milled Peanut Shells which is known for its high chitin content and Oxide

composition, natural binding materials found in plants. Four tests were used to evaluate

the capacity of the brick. These tests are compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural

strength, water absorbency and heat resistance. All tests were done through the

supervision and help of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office

XII. The results gathered from the tests showed that the Milled Peanut Shells has lower

density compared to the commercial clay bricks. Compressive and Flexural Strength,

commercial clay bricks are greater than the MPSCCB. However, MPSCCB surpassed the

standard compressive strength of clay bricks. And in terms of water absorption, it shows

that the higher the amount of Milled Peanut Shell, the greater the amount of water

absorbed. Lastly, Heat Resistance Test showed that MPSCCB has the same capacity as to

the commercial bricks and based on the findings of the study, Milled Peanut Shells can be

a potential source of fiber that low costs, and environmental friendly.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researchers would like to take this opportunity to express their utmost

gratefulness to everyone who has extended us their time, assistance and guidance

throughout the accomplishment of their research. First and foremost, they would like to

thank God Almighty for granting them immensely with blessings throughout their

journey. They want to convey their deepest gratitude to all the staff of DPWH, especially

Sir Joery C. Estember for helping and supporting them in their project and for assisting

them during testing and data gathering. The researchers are overwhelmed to have been

under the guidance of Ma’am Rose Leonora, Sir Jayson Bazar, and Sir Jefrey

Bagasbas for sharing their knowledge and feedback, and for giving us the determination

to keep striving on this work. Countless thanks are given to all panel members and judges

who gave comments and suggestions which contributed to the improvement of their

paper. The researchers also want to give their sincerest appreciation to the campus,

especially Maam Chuchi P. Garganera and Sir Edman H. Gallamaso, for giving them

the opportunity to make this project a reality. This project wouldn't have been a success

without the supervision of Ma’am Liza Fe Gallamaso, who gave them the utmost

patience in teaching and leading us throughout the project. Special thanks are given to

their family, who have supported them both financially and emotionally throughout the

making of this project.

NOLD X TIAN BALDONADO

JONAN TRIXIE AMOR CAPACILLO

MILJANN MEDEL

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
TITLE PAGE..................................................................................................................................i
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL.................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT..............................................................................................................iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................viii
LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................................viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................ix

1 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study.....................................................................................................1

Objectives of the Study........................................................................................................2
Significance of the Study.....................................................................................................3
Scope and Limitations.........................................................................................................3
Definition of Terms..............................................................................................................3

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Clay Bricks..........................................................................................................................5
Peanut Shell.........................................................................................................................7
Flexural Strength Test..........................................................................................................9
Compressive Strength Test................................................................................................10
Heat Resistance Test..........................................................................................................11
Water Absorption Test........................................................................................................11

3 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials............................................................................................................................13
Mix Design........................................................................................................................13
Research Design................................................................................................................14
Brick Preparation...............................................................................................................14
Density Analysis................................................................................................................15
Compressive Strength Test...............................................................................................16
Flexural Strength Test........................................................................................................17
Water Absorbency Test......................................................................................................17
Heat Resistance Test.........................................................................................................18
Treatment of Data..............................................................................................................18
Cost and Benefit Analysis..................................................................................................19

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Density Analysis................................................................................................................19
Compressive Strength Test Results....................................................................................22

v
 Flexural Strength Test........................................................................................................25
Water Absorbency..............................................................................................................28
Heat Resistance..................................................................................................................30
Cost and Benefit Analysis..................................................................................................30

5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................36
APPENDICES...........................................................................................................................39
AUTHOR PROFILES.............................................................................................................42

vi
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. List of the Oxide Composition of

Brick....................................................................................................................................8

Table 2. Mix Proportions for each of Clay

Brick……………………………………………………………………………………..13

Table 3. Summary Statistics of Density Analysis Test....................................................20

Table 4. Summary of the Compressive Strength Test using Universal Testing

Machine………………………………………………………………………………....22
Table 5.Calculated data from the amount of load gathered using the Compressive
Strength
formula...............................................................................................................................22
Table 6. Summary Statistics of Compressive Strength Test…………………………….24
Table 7. Amount of load from the Flexural Strength Test using Universal Testing

Machine ……………………………………………………………………………...….25

Table 8. Summary Statistics from the amount of load gathered using the Flexural

Strength Formula...............................................................................................................25

Table 9. Summary Statistics of Flexural Strength Test…………………………….……27

Table 10. Results of Water Absorbency Test...................................................................28

Table 11. Summary Statistics of Water Absorbency Test……………............................29

Table 12. Fixed Cost for the Project……………………………………...…….…….…31

Table 13. Variable Cost for the Project…………………………………...………..……31

Table 14.Return for the Project…..…………………………………………….......…....31

LIST OF FIGURES

vii
Figure 1. Weighing of Milled Peanut Shells ………………………………………........14

Figure 2. Mixing of Clay and Peanut Shells.....................................................................14

Figure 3. Molding of Bricks.............................................................................................15

Figure 4. Set-up illustration of Compressive Strength Test…………………………….16

Figure 5. Set-up illustration of Flexural Test…………………………………………...17

Figure 6. Graphical representation of the result from the Density Analysis....................21

Figure 7. Graphical representation of the average Compressive Strength of Clay

Bricks…………………………………………………………………………………...23

Figure 8. Graphical representation of the average Flexural Strength of Clay

Bricks...............................................................................................................................26

Figure 9. Graphical representation of the average Water Absorbency of Clay

Bricks...............................................................................................................................29

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

MPSCCB - Milled Peanut Shells Composite Clay Bricks

viii
DPWH - Department of Public Works and Highways

ix