CARAGA REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

San Juan, Surigao City

Recycled Shredded Paper as an Ingredient in Alternative Concrete Hollow Blocks for

Creating Commercial Building

A Research Paper
Presented to the Faculty
of Caraga Regional Science High School

RESEARCHERS:
Angelo Gabriel L. Dihayco
Karl Lawrence J. Nepomuceno
Anthony Geron C. Ampater
Rohan D. Amarilla
 Abstract

Sand, however insignificant it may appear, is an essential component of our lives. It is the

principal raw material used to construct modern cities. The concrete used to build commercial

malls, offices, and residential towers, as well as the asphalt required to connect them, is mostly

made up of glued-together sand and gravel. While a bag of stones or gravel may look fairly

benign, the process of getting it to us is anything but benign. Aggregate is mined from the earth,

either dug out of pits or blasted out of quarries. This process has many significant environmental

impacts. Creating the pits or quarries requires the removal of virtually all natural vegetation, top

soil and subsoil to reach the aggregate underneath. Not only does this lead to a loss of existing

animal wildlife, it also leads to a huge loss of biodiversity as plants and aquatic habitats are

destroyed. Moreover, adjacent eco-systems are affected by noise, dust, pollution and

contaminated water. Pits and quarries disrupt the existing movement of surface water and

groundwater; they interrupt natural water recharge and can lead to reduced quantity and quality

of drinking water for residents and wildlife near or downstream from a quarry site. This study

aims to reduce the use of sand and gravel in hollow blocks, by using recycled shredded paper as

an alternative ingredient in making hollow blocks.

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study will never be successful without the individual efforts of the following people;

To my parents whose encouragement and support is beyond compare.

To my Research Adviser whose dedication and eagerness to work with the paper is superb.

To our energetic Principal, Ma Luisa A. Guyano, your support and assistance are reasons enough for us

to continue our spirit in making S.I.P projects.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dihayco and also Mr. Mrs. Amarilla for their assistance in collecting and making the

blocks.

To the teaching force of CARAGA REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL, thanks for the prayers and

support. You’re the best.

And lastly, to our all mighty God for all the blessings given to us. We cannot do this alone without the

people you have given to us as our refuge.

-Researchers
3
Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the study................................................................................................1

Statement of the Problem…............................................................................................2

Hypothesis......................................................................................................................2

Significance of the Study................................................................................................3

Scope and Limitations....................................................................................................3

Review of Related Literature.........................................................................................4

Chapter 2: Methodology

Research Design…........................................................................................................5

Schematic Design….....................................................................................................5

Materials…....................................................................................................................6

Procedure......................................................................................................................6

Chapter 3: Results and Discussion

Table 1: Gathered Data…..............................................................................................7

Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion….................................................................................................................8

Recommendation….......................................................................................................8

Documentation….....................................................................................................9-10

References…..........................................................................................................10-11

4
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study:

Every year, the globe consumes more than 600 billion pounds of paper. This equates to

around 100 pounds of consumption per person on a worldwide scale. Every year, 3.5 to 7 billion

trees are taken down. As a result of the lack of trees that absorb the carbon generated by

factories, cars, mining, and other sources, climate change and global warming have resulted.

As a result of global warming, ice caps are melting quicker, causing sea levels to rise far

faster than projected. Every year, we utilize 50 billion tons of sand, making it the most exploited

natural resource on the planet; however, sand is becoming scarce. Sand is becoming more scarce

as more people use it for building materials and exports. According to research, we will run out

of sand by 2055 owing to overuse, and by that time, more than 7 billion people would have

become city dwellers.

The goal of the study was to reduce the use of sand in hollow blocks used to

produce commercial buildings Because of its prospective building material, it has a mix of great

mechanical and thermal performance, the group came up with this study to alleviate the concerns

described and to prove that we can use paper as an alternative to sand.

Without a doubt, recycled paper may have the potential to revolutionize the construction

industry. A significant benefit is the ease of fabrication. We chose paper as an aggregate since it

is widely available in the local market and is low in weight, making transportation easier.

Homemade hollow blocks are light and easy to move, unlike traditional hollow blocks, which are

heavy and difficult to transport.

1
Statement of the Problem

The study “Recycled Shredded Paper as an Ingredient in Alternative Concrete Hollow

Blocks for Creating Commercial Building” will try to identify its acceptability of the recycled

shredded paper as a component in making concrete hollow blocks.

Specifically this sought to answer the questions:

1. How strong is our alternative hollow blocks when undergone a Drop test?

2. Is there any significant difference between the commercial standard hollow blocks and the
alternative hollow blocks when treated by the drop test

3. Would it work as a substitute for commercial hollow block?

Hypothesis

Ho : There is no significant difference between the commercialized hollow blocks and

alternative hollow blocks when treated by the drop test.

H1 : There is a significant difference between the commercialized hollow blocks and

alternative hollow blocks when treated by the drop test.

 Significance of the Study

The study entitled “Recycled Shredded Paper as an Ingredient in Alternative Concrete Hollow
Blocks for Creating Commercial Building” if proven successful will benefit the following:

Local government: The local government benefits the study because it will lessen the problem in relation

to Quarrying since the said sand will never be used anymore in making blocks

Community: The community will never experience excessive flooding since the problem of quarrying and

cutting trees will be lessen and is a major issue in some locations.

Future Researchers: This study will give more enriching ideas for the students to explore more and

conduct research.

Scope and Limitations

The respondents in this study are Caraga Regional Science High School juniors. Hollow

blocks are the focus of this investigation. The problems with paper and sand can be reduced,

according to the research paper.

Review of Related Literature

This study presents an experimental approach for the use of Papercrete for construction.

Green materials are now the preferred material for construction since they are capable of lighter

weight and affordable. Based on recent studies, alternative building materials are cost effective,

light weight when dry, and efficient to use. (Birhane S., Koshe W., 2017)

These days CO 2 emission from construction sites because of cement use is a global

issue. In order to address environmental effects associated with cement manufacturing and

constantly depleting natural resources, there is a need to develop alternative binders to make

concrete industry sustainable. On the other hand, more waste paper ends up in landfills or dump

sites than those recycled due to which all countries are facing a serious challenge in disposing of

waste. (Yogesh S., 2015)

The construction industry uses large quantities of raw materials, such as aggregates and

crushed rocks, and this significantly depletes the sources of natural aggregates. Due to the

environmental impacts associated with opening new quarries, the use of secondary materials,

such as recycled aggregate, is being considered more often by the building industry. Also,

preliminary tests on recycled aggregates have shown that recycled masonry has a similar specific

gravity as scoria and relatively good strength, therefore crushed masonry can be used to replace

natural aggregates for concrete production. (Daniela L., Joe P., Bandita M., Jeremey S., David R.

201
 Definition of Terms:

Shredded - torn or cut into shreds.

Recycled- is the transformation of waste materials into new products

Aggregate - a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements.

Alternative - available as another possibility.

Drop Test - involve an object being dropped from a predefined height onto a second object or surface.

Concrete - a mass formed by concretion or coalescence of separate particles of matter in one body.

.
 METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The experiment was conducted at Brgy Taft, 8400 Nueva Street, Surigao City on one of

the researcher’s residence. Other members will just stay at their residence and help virtually

because of the pandemic during the experiment. The researcher’s will be guided by grown-ups or

their respective parents to avoid any incidents. The researcher produced 3 hollow blocks, two of

which hard shredded paper as an aggregate. The three hollow blocks were then dropped from a

height of six feet to test the strength of the individual hollow blocks

Schematic Diagram

Gathering of Making the Testing the

Materials Hollow Blocks Hollow Blocks

Transporting Delivering the Comparing

the Materials Materials the Results

Preparing the Weighing the Analyzing

Materials Materials Results
Materials

For this research the equipment used were, scissors, basin, hollow block molder, shovel.

As for the ingredients half a bag of cement, half a bag of sand, quarter of a bag of

gravel/aggregate, 1 gallon of water, 800 grams of recycled shredded paper,

Experimental Procedure

A. Gathering and Preparation of Raw Materials

For this research, we gathered recycled paper Lasertech Copier Services and the other

materials such as cement, grave, sand were bought at the local market.

B. Production of the Hollow Blocks

All of the materials were weight and were noted down for the results, the components

were combined to provide a material solution for the experiment. After mixing the solution, it

will be poured into a hollow block mold and let to cure for a day.

C. Testing the Hollow Block

The three hollow blocks were put to the test with a dropped of a height of 6 six feet to

measure its strength.

D. Collection of Data And Results

After that, the researcher looked at the findings of the data from the drop test
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Gathered Data

Drop test SAMPLE A SAMPLE B SAMPLE C

First Drop UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED

Second Drop UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED

Third Drop UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED SHATTERED
Fourth Drop UNSHATTERED UNSHATTERED
Fifth Drop UNSHATTERED SHATTERED
Sixth Drop SHATTERED

Table 1 Showing the Results of the Strength Test

Discussions

Based on the result presented in the table above, the strength result of sample A withstood 5 out

of 6 drops. sample B withstood 4 out 6 drops, meanwhile sample C only withstood 2 out of 6

drops.

This showed the strength level of Sample A withstood more drops meanwhile sample B

only withstood 5 out 6 drops and sample C withstood 2 out 6 drops.

Using statistical analysis, Sample C has a significant difference while sample A and B

has no significant difference.

 CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION

Conclusion

As interpreted by the result, it was further recommended that this alternative cement hollow blocks can be
an alternative to a commercial hollow block. The researchers were happy to inform the reading public that
the alternative hollow block has a capacity to be an alternative. Quarrying concerns will be alleviated by the
use of sand and gravel.

Recommendation
After the period of experimentation, the following topics emerged and will be the spring board of further

studies. It was recommended that;

1. The finished product will be used in building concrete walls for houses and buildings and other

establishments.

2. Study further on the hollow blocks making, using the alternative hollow blocks.

3. More strength test will be conducted so that validity of data will be assured, make sure to use test’s

like the DPWH psi test.

Documentation
 Preparation of Ingredients

Mixing the solution

Forming the solution to the hollow block mold
 Drop Test

References