Izabelle Colin M.

De Jesus
9-Lazaro

Comparative Study of Durability of Cement-Bonded

Eggshell Powder Brick vs. Cement-Bonded Rice Husk
Brick

Chapter 1

1.1 Introduction

Bricks are the most important construction material. It is used in huge amounts in buildings compared to
other construction materials. The major body of brick consists of natural clay minerals such as kaolin and
shale. Small amounts of manganese, barium, and other additives are mixed into the clay to create
various hues, and barium carbonate is used to improve the chemical resistance of the bricks. What is the
environmental impact of brick production? Every year, the brick industry is anticipated to utilize
approximately 400 million tons of good-grade soil. The combustion of fuel for firing bricks releases
pollutant gases and ash into the atmosphere. The construction industry's rapid growth necessitates the
manufacture of a considerable amount of concrete. Concrete manufacturing, particularly cement
production, requires a lot of natural resources and emits greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate
change.

The construction industry's sustainability can be improved by repurposing agricultural and industrial
waste as construction materials. However, such waste materials are deficient in calcium oxide (CaO),
resulting in the manufacture of weak concrete. Some of these materials, such as eggshells (ES), oyster
shells, sludge furnaces, and lime, do, however, comprise calcium in their composites. In the production
of cement-based composites, agricultural wastes such as oil palm, pineapple eaves, coconut coir, rice
husk, rice straw, corncob, and sawdust were employed. ES is a bio-waste substance that can be used to
promote green and cost-effective construction because, since 1999, ES has been employed as a calcium
source for the production of calcium phosphates. According to M. Sarkar et al., when the cement fiber
ratio was changed from 70:30 to 80:20, the density of sawdust and rice husk fine boards rose.

Aside from the fact that reusing composite can help the brick industry, it is also a big help to the
environment. Annually, around 250,000 tons of eggshell waste are generated worldwide. The
preponderance of eggshell trash is currently accumulated on-site with no pre-treatment. This waste is
also seldom dumped in landfills, which leads to various environmental issues. On the other hand, rice
husk is one of the most widely available agricultural wastes because for every 100 kg of rice, 20 kg of
rice husk is generated. With that being said, production of cement bonded composite bricks is a big help
to us.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

1.) Compare the durability of cement bonded eggshell powder brick and cement bonded rice husk
brick.
A) Determine the durability of cement bonded eggshell powder brick.
B) Determine the durability of cement bonded rice husk brick.

1.3 Significance of Study

The findings of this study will have a large impact on the environment considering the major role the
brick industry plays in construction. The increasing demand for bricks justifies the need for cement
bonded composite bricks that will help both the industry and our ecosystem. The findings may help
people pick a cement-based composite they prefer. It’ll help them to have access to the information that
other researchers may not be able to provide. In addition with concrete examination, it will improve the
strength and durability of concrete, as well as contribute to the growth of our economy in the
construction business.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

This study focuses on determining the durability of both cement-bonded eggshell powder brick and
cement-bonded rice husk brick. The data collection will be from various studies related to it and new
information that the experiment will provide. The study will be done through production, drop test,
weight comparison, water absorption and research. Through her strategy, the researcher will be able to
foresee the durability of cement bonded eggshell powder brick and cement bonded rice husk brick.

1.5 Statement of the Problem

This study has a chief concern with comparing the durability of cement-bonded eggshell powder brick
and cement-bonded rice husk brick. To obtain all the essential data, knowledge, and information, the
study sought to answer the crucial questions that follow:

1. How durable are bricks made up of cement-bonded;

a) Eggshell powder
b) Rice husk
2. What is the difference in durability of Cement-Bonded Eggshell Powder Brick vs. Cement-
Bonded Rice Husk Brick

1.6 Hypothesis of the Study

Cement-bonded rice husk brick gives more strength to concrete; its contents make it a good
supplementary material to cementitious materials compared to cement-bonded eggshell powder brick.
However, it is also proven that bricks with the help of eggshell powder make a usable and strong
construction material.

Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature and Studies

2.1 Review of Related Literature

Concrete is a composite material made up of aggregate particles which are glued together by embedded
filler in rigid matrix elements. Concrete can also be thought of as a composite material that consists
primarily of a medium to bond the embedding aggregate particles or fragments. Batching, mixing,
consolidation, finishing, and curing are some of the procedures used in the manufacturing of high-
strength concrete. Every phase of the concrete manufacturing process makes a distinct contribution to
the final product's quality (Kejin & Jiong, 2005).

According to Binici et al., eggshell powder has different chemical, physical, and mineralogical
characteristics from cement. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was derived from eggshell powder and was
utilized in FA cement to accelerate hydration. Eggshell powder could be used as a construction material
to protect buildings from the effects of radiation.

2.2 Review of Related Studies

Concrete management has changed in relation to the environment from a sustainable development
perspective, as have the rest of the green building concerns and problems. Part of it is that Portland
cement manufacture emits enormous volumes of carbon dioxide and is energy intensive (Naidu &
Pandey, 2014), both of which are detrimental to the environment. As a result, components like oil palm
waste and sludge are incorporated into concrete to reduce waste and pollution.

According to the study Effect of Treatments on Properties of Cement-fiber Bricks Utilizing Rice Husk,
Xiong et al. investigated the cement-based composites from rice husk and modifier of styrene-acrylic
emulsion (SAE). SAE formed the network structure in the cement matrix and controlled the fracture site
structure effectively to improve the bonding between rice husk and cement.

2.3 Justification of the Study

Not everyone is familiar with the findings of various researchers about using composites as an
alternative in making bricks. A comparative study like this may provide more detailed information for
those who will be in need of data.
Chapter 3
Methodology

3.1 Brick Making

The materials that will be needed to conduct this experiment are eggshell, rice husk, cement (Northern
Cement brand in particular), water, sand, and brick molds.

Normally, the mix ratio in making bricks is 1:4 (cement : sand) and water cement ratio 0.6 being used. In
this study, since our goal is to minimize the usage of cement, we will conduct the following:

a. Cement-Bonded Eggshell Powder Brick

Waste eggshells were collected, immediately washed with tap water, and sterilized by boiling in
fresh water for 15-20 minutes. Finally, the eggshells were ground into powder. This powder is
then mixed with the cement.
We made the brick at the ratio of 1:4 (cement with eggshell powder: sand); with that, the
amount of cement used decreased. Then we added the water at the ratio of 1:3:0.6 (cement:
sand: water).

b. Cement-Bonded Rice Husk Brick

The rice husk that was collected was heated at a temperature of 700 °C, which produces
powder. Like what we did on the previous brick, we then added the powder to the concrete and
followed the same procedure in making the brick.

3.2 Durability Tests

Bricks are subjected to a variety of tests to determine their suitability for construction. In order to know
and compare the durability of both kinds of bricks, we conducted various tests. In this study, we tested
the bricks by dropping them, weighing them, and letting them absorb water.

a. Drop Test
 To ensure the durability and quality of bricks, we conducted this. In this test, we held the brick
at the height of 1 to 1.2m (4 feet) from the its bottom and drop it on the ground, it should not
crack or break.

b. Weight Comparison

In this test, we weighed each brick and list the results. The most common and standard size of
concrete block, cinder block, breeze block, or CMU, which visually measures 16 inches long by 8
inches wide by 8 inches high, weighs around 38 pounds (17 kg), while other sizes weigh between
28 and 35 pounds depending on their heavy, medium, or lightweight condition.

c. Water Absorption Test

Water absorption tests on bricks are used to measure the bricks' durability properties, such as
degree of burning, quality, and weathering behavior. A brick with a water absorption rate of less
than 7% is more resistant to freezing damage. With the help of the weight listed on the previous
test, in this procedure, we found out how much each brick absorbs water. We immersed the
bricks in the water for 24 hours, we weighed them again, and once again, listed them. We then
compare their weights before the test and after it.