RUBBER, SHELL, AND TIN CAN AS ADDITIVES IN MAKING HOLLOW

BLOCKS

A Quantitative Research

Presented to the
Faculty of the Senior High School Department
Ilocos Norte National High School
Laoag City

In partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements in
PRACTICAL RESEARCH II

MARIEL ERICA M. ROOT

LAWRENCE RHEY J. DIAZ
ANIKKA DIONNE L. CORPUZ
APRIL GERARDO
ALVIN JHON T. LEAÑO
SIMON JOSEPH B. SALENDA
JIHAN AZLEI D. VILA
STEM 12 ALMEDA

JHANSEN REY M. OBISPO, PhD

Research Adviser

June 2023
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Over the years, the construction industry has experienced rapid growth, which has

increased the demand for building materials (Ignacio et al., 2020). Hollow blocks are among

the most important building materials. Commercial hollow blocks include additives such as

cement, sand, and gravel to increase their compressive strength and durability. In the

Philippines and other countries, there is a growing interest in discovering more eco-friendly

and sustainable building materials, in part for affordable housing. This is because of the need

to fix problems with building materials that are easily broken and have problems with waste

management and affordability. Utilizing recyclable materials is one possible solution to the

problem. In response, researchers are investigating alternative and additive materials for the

production of eco-friendly and sustainable building materials.

The study would require rubber, shell, and tin can wastes as additives, as well as

cement, sand, gravel, and water for the production of hollow blocks.

Studies have been conducted to investigate the use of crumb rubber in concrete

blocks. It has been used in construction for its sound absorption properties and durability.

Rubberized concrete is more durable than traditional concrete, with increased resistance to

cracking and water penetration. It also has a higher thermal insulation capacity than

traditional concrete, making it an ideal material for building walls and other structures

(Fraile-Garcia et al., 2016).

 According to LI (2015), the oyster shell may be used as an additive to improve the

quality of concrete objects. Because of the potential environmental issue caused by the rising

quantity of abandoned oyster shells, several researchers perform experiments to see how they

may transform waste into a usable substance. The calcium content of oyster shells may help

in the strengthening of hollow blocks. The necessary tests were carried out, and the results

show that the durability of an oyster shell hollow block is greater. According to Arceo, et.al

(2013) mussel shell additives increase the comprehensive strength of hollow blocks.

A tin can is a container made of thin metal, commonly used for the storage or

distribution of goods, particularly food items. The Philippines generates about 35,000 tons of

municipal solid waste daily that include tin cans, and more than 8,600 tons per day in Metro

Manila alone (Ditch NIMBY to Fix Philippines’ Municipal Solid Waste Problem | Asian

Development Blog, n.d.). When used as an additive in making hollow blocks, tin cans are

crushed and shredded into small pieces and then mixed with the concrete mixture.

The research would involve testing the resulting hollow blocks for mechanical

properties including compressive strength and durability. The research could be conducted in

the context of a field trial in which hollow blocks are compared to commercial hollow blocks.

Several stakeholders may be directly or indirectly involved in the research if hollow blocks

are manufactured with additive materials. The construction industry is one of these

stakeholders because the produced hollow blocks could potentially be used to construct

houses and buildings. The supplier is also a stakeholder because these individuals or

businesses provide materials. The use of additives in hollow blocks necessarily requires the

discovery of innovative methods of repurposing waste materials to produce building

materials, which can have effects beyond the construction industry. This research may lead to
the production of hollow blocks with improved mechanical and physical properties, which

could have a significant impact on the construction industry.

The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanical properties of using rubber,

shell, and tin can wastes as additives in the production of hollow blocks, to evaluate the

mechanical properties of these blocks, and to compare the results to those of conventional

concrete hollow blocks. In doing so, the researchers hope to contribute to the existing

literature on the topic and provide valuable insights into the construction industry's potential

use of these materials.

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 below shows the conceptual framework of the research. The variables in the

paradigm will be included in the study

Mechanical Properties of the

Hollow Blocks made from
Integration of Rubber, Rubber, Shell and Tin Can
Shell, and Tin Can Wastes Wastes in terms of:
in Hollow Blocks 1. Compressive Strength;
and
2. Durability

Figure 1. Research Paradigm of the Study

The research's conceptual framework shows how rubber, shell, and tin can waste are

thought to be used to make hollow blocks. In this research, the independent variables are the

integration of rubber, shell, and tin can wastes in hollow blocks. This means finding the

appropriate balance of these wastes with sand, cement, and water in order to produce a strong

and durable hollow block. The dependent variables are the mechanical properties of the

hollow blocks made from rubber, shell, and tin can waste in their compressive strength and

durability. These variables will be evaluated and analyzed to determine the mechanical
properties of the hollow blocks and increase their strength and durability. The single-headed

arrow represents the expected relationship between the independent variables and the

dependent variables.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to determine the use of rubber, shell, and tin can wastes as

additives in making hollow blocks.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the mechanical properties of the hollow blocks made from

rubber, shell, and tin can wastes compared to commercial hollow blocks in terms of

their:

a. Compressive strength; and

b. Durability?

2. Is there a significant difference between the hollow blocks made from

rubber, shell, and tin can wastes and the commercial hollow blocks in terms of :

a. Compressive strength; and

b. Durability?

Research Hypotheses

1. There is no significant difference between hollow blocks made from rubber, shell,

and tin can wastes as additives and commercial hollow blocks in terms of

compressive strength.

2. There is no significant difference between hollow blocks made from rubber, shell,

and tin can wastes as additives and commercial hollow blocks in terms of

durability.
Scope and Delimitation

This study will only focus on the use of rubber, shell, and tin can wastes as additives in

making hollow blocks, specifically on the mechanical properties of the rubber, shell, and tin

can wastes. The researchers will conduct field testing in Laoag City to determine and

compare the mechanical properties of hollow blocks made from rubber, shell, and tin can

wastes and commercial hollow blocks. This research will be conducted from February to

June, during the second semester of the School Year 2022-2023.

Significance of the Study

Construction companies. This study will help to improve their products and

services. They can show how committed they are to sustainable and eco-friendly practices,

which can help them get customers who care about the environment.

Construction workers. This study can help construction workers by providing a safer

and more comfortable working environment, while also offering several benefits for the end

user, such as improved insulation.

Consumers. It can provide a range of benefits to consumers, including cost savings,

durability, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Engineers. This research will benefit engineers by providing them with new

knowledge and information using the rubber, shell, and tin can wastes as additives in making

hollow blocks. This can help them develop new and innovative construction techniques that

are more eco-friendly and sustainable.

 Future Researchers. To explore new ways of using waste materials in construction.

This can lead to the development of new technologies and materials that are more sustainable

and eco-friendly, which can have many further advantages for the environment and society.

Definition of Terms

Here are the definitions of the terms used:

Additives. An additive is a substance added in small amounts to something else to

improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it.

Commercial Hollow Blocks. It is a building block made from materials such as

concrete, cement, or clay.

Compressive Strength. It is the maximum amount of compressive stress the hollow

block made from rubber, shell, and tin can wastes and commercial hollow block can

withstand before it deforms or fractures permanently.

Durability. The ability of hollow blocks made from rubber, shell, and tin can wastes

and the commercial hollow block to last a long time without significant deterioration and

requiring minimum maintenance.

Hollow Blocks. These are a type of concrete blocks used for building internal and

external walls.

Mechanical properties. The ability to endure applied forces, such as compressive

strength and durability.

Rubber Waste. It refers to rubber materials that are no longer usable.

Shell Waste. It refers to shells that have been discarded, such as clams, oysters, and
mussels.

Tin Can Waste. It refers to discarded metal containers made of tin or steel, which are

frequently used to package food and beverages.

REFERENCES

Ditch NIMBY to Fix Philippines’ Municipal Solid Waste Problem | Asian Development Blog.

(n.d.). https://blogs.adb.org/blog/ditch-nimby-fix-philippines-municipal-solid-

waste-problem

Feasibility of Mussel Shells in Making Hollow Blocks. (n.d.).

Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/doc/128850974/Feasibility-of-Mussel-Shells-

in-Making-Hollow-Blocks

Fraile-Garcia, E., Ferreiro-Cabello, J., Defez, B., & Peris-Fajanes, G. (2016). Acoustic

Behavior of Hollow Blocks and Bricks Made of Concrete Doped with Waste-

Tire Rubber. Materials, 9(12), 962. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9120962

Ignacio, P. L. C., Acierto, D. I. A., Camba, C. P. P., Gomez, R. V. L., & Ozaeta, M. (2020).

A Comparative Study of Concrete Hollow Blocks with and Without Rice

Husk Powder as Partial Replacement to Cement. Journal of

Physics. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1529/3/032045

Oyster Shells as an Additive in Making Concrete Hollow Blocks 1. (2020).

Studoco. https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/filamer-christian-university/

electronics-engineering/oyster-shells-as-an-additive-in-making-concrete-

hollow-blocks-1/30038016