RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Title of research: Corn Cob as alternative components in making Bricks

Proponent/s and section: Monica Suarez, Leslie Nae Valledor, April Mamungay, Grade 10 section B

Category: Physical science

Time Frame: January 31, 2022 – February 7, 2021

Introduction:

Bricks are building materials made of the main material of portland cement, water, and
aggregates used for walls [1] . At present, people are using bricks as a wall material more frequently. The
increasing demand for bricks brings to the alternative idea to utilize waste as a material for making
bricks., One of the many wastes that can be utilized is agricultural waste. Particularly Corn cobs [2-4].
Through the use of agricultural waste in the form of Corn cob, it is expected to reduce environmental
pollution due to agricultural waste and also reduce the weight of concrete blocks at once

Corn is one of the major field crops in The Philippines. corn production is based on the
landscape and topography of an area. In 2020, the production volume of corn in the Philippines
amounted to over eight million metric tons, higher than the produced quantity of 7.98 million metric
tons in the previous year [5]. This increase resulted in huge amounts of corn cobs as an agricultural
residue which is highly accused as one of many environmental pollutants in The Philippines [6].
Recycling Corn cob to be used in the building process is one of the highly encouraged research areas
that would yield great solutions to this major environmental problem. The present study is based on
developing a simple procedure to produce, examine and economically evaluate a cob brick on the mass
production scale that would act as a multifunctional building unit in low-cost buildings.

The significance of this study lies in the efforts of researchers in scientifically testing that corn
cob can function as raw material for making bricks with a cheaper economic value, besides its utilization
contributes to creating a building that is more environmentally friendly. There have been several similar
studies, such as [7] rice straw–cement bricks, [8] nano-mechanical properties of internally cured kenaf
fiber reinforced concrete using nanoindentation, [9] on the comparison between barley and lavender
straws as bio aggregates in earth bricks. The main objective of the present study is to determine the
mechanical properties of corn cob bricks. some of which are testing related to compressive strength,
specific gravity, and water absorption.
Methods

Preparation of sample/s:

The researchers will gather 9 corn cobs and let them dry under the sun for 48 hours, The researchers will
then grind the dried corn cobs in an electric food chopper until minced. The researchers will gather 1 1/2
kg of pottery clay, 300ml of water, and 7.48-inch x 3.54-inch plywood. In Set A combine 4 chopped corn
cobs, 1/2 of pottery clay, 100ml of water, and shape it with the 7.48-inch x 3.54-inch plywood. In Set B
combine 3 chopped corn cobs, 1/2 of pottery clay, 100ml of water, and shape it with the 7.48-inch x
3.54-inch plywood. In Set C combine 2 chopped corn cobs, 1/2 of pottery clay, 100ml of water, and
shape it with the 7.48-inch x 3.54-inch plywood. After the sets are prepared the researchers will then let
them sit under the sun for another 48 hours. After drying under the sun, arrange the product and bake it
using fire.

Data analysis Procedure

The results will be interpreted based on how effective the corn cob to be an aggregate for making bricks:

(+)- the corn cob is effective for being an aggregate

(-)-the corn cob is not effective for being an aggregate

(++)-the corn cob helps to improve the hardness of a bricks

(--)-the corn cob not helps to improve the hardness of a bricks

[1] https://build.com.au/bricks

[2] A al-Fakih, BS Mohammed. MS Liew and E Nikbakht. "Incorporation of waste materials in the
manufacture of masonry bricks: An update review". Journal of Building Engineering, (21), January 2019,
pp. 37-54. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352710218302031?via%3Dihub

[3] Jorge Pinto, Ana Briga Sá, Sandra Pereira, Isabel Bentes and Anabela Paiva,” Possible Applications of
Corncob as a Raw Insulation Material” ,(31), August 2016.
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/50068

[4] AL Murmu, and A Patel. "Towards sustainable bricks production: An overview". Construction and
Building Materials, 165, (20), March 2018, pp. 112-125.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061818300382?via%3Dihub

[5] Ofelio R. Exconde “CORN IN THE PHILIPPINES: ITS PRODUCTION AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES WITH
EMPHASIS ON DOWNY MILDEW” https://www.jircas.go.jp/sites/default/files/publication/tars/tars8-
_21-30.pdf

[6] Ofero A. Caparino, Ph.D. Chief Science research Specialist BioProcess Engineering Division, PhilMech
” STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE AND UTILIZATION IN THE PHILIPPINES” February 22-23, 2018.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/unosd/documents/37656.Philippines-Power%20Point
%20Presentation-2-21-18.pdf

[7] M. Allam & G. Garas Civil Engineering Department, National Research Centre, Egypt ” Recycled
chopped rice straw–cement bricks: an analytical and economical study”
https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/WM10/WM10008FU1.pdf

[8] VZ Zadeh and CP Bobko,. "Nano-mechanical properties of internally cured kenaf fiber reinforced
concrete using nanoindentation". Cement and Concrete Composites, (52), September 2014, pp. 9-17.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958946514000651

[9] M Giroudon, AL Préneron., JE Aubert, and C Magniont. “Comparison of barley and lavender straws as
bioaggregates in earth bricks”. Construction and Building Materials, 202, (30), March 2019, pp. 254-265.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061818331143?via%3Dihub