Study on The Effectiveness of Mussel Shell Powder as A Partial Cement Replacement Material in Concrete Mixtures
Keywords:
Calcium carbonate, Concrete mix design, Construction materials, Eco-friendly, Sustainable concrete materialsAbstract
This study aims to investigate and test the use of powdered oyster shells as a partial substitute for cement in concrete mixtures. Mussel shells, which often become waste in the seafood industry, contain calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which is also a key ingredient in cement production. This study includes tests on concrete cubes mixed with 1%, 2%, and 3% shell powder to evaluate the compressive strength of the concrete after curing periods of 7 and 28 days. The study results show that replacing cement with oyster shell powder affects the concrete strength but does not exceed the minimum concrete grade of 20 N/mm2 for normal structural applications. On the 7th day, the highest compressive strength was achieved with a mixture of 1% mussel shell powder, which was 11.74 N/mm2, while on the 28th day, concrete with 0% replacement (standard concrete) provided the highest compressive strength of 14.28 N/mm2. The strength achieved decreases as the percentage of the replacement material increases. Although there is a decrease in compressive strength at higher replacement rates, mussel shell powder shows potential as an environmentally friendly alternative material in concrete mixtures. The improvement suggestions from this study are to control the mixing process and workability tests (slump test) and to review the water-cement ratio to ensure the concrete meets the desired standards. Overall, this study contributes to efforts to minimize cement usage, reduce concrete production costs, and address pollution issues caused by the disposal of Mussel shells waste. However, the concrete strength must reach at least 20 N/mm2 according to Malaysian concrete strength standards.
References
Al‐Zubaidi, A. B. (2019). Mechanical and thermal properties of cockles shell cementing material. Iraqi Journal of Physics, 13(26), 107-111. https://doi.org/10.30723/ijp.v13i26.290
Chen, B., Peng, L., Zhong, H., Zhao, Y., Meng, T., & Zhang, B. (2023). Improving the mechanical properties of mussel shell aggregate concrete by aggregate modification and mixture design. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 18, e02017.
Chen, X., Wang, Y., & Liu, H. (2021). Sustainable concrete development using seashell waste: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 289, 125-140.
Hart, A. (2020). Mini-review of waste shell-derived materials’ applications. Waste Management & Research, 38(5), 514-527.
Lertwattanaruk, P., Makul, N., & Siripattarapravat, C. (2012). Utilization of ground waste seashells in cement mortars for masonry and plastering. Journal of Environmental Management, 111, 133-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.06.032
Martínez-García, C., González-Fonteboa, B., Martínez-Abella, F., & Carro-López, D. (2017). Performance of mussel shell as aggregate in plain concrete. Construction and building materials, 139, 570-583.
Mo, K. H., Alengaram, U. J., Jumaat, M. Z., Lee, S. C., Goh, W. I., & Yuen, C. W. (2018). Recycling of seashell waste in concrete: A review. Construction and Building Materials, 162, 751-764.
Mohamad, N., Muthusamy, K., & Ismail, M. A. (2021). Cockle shell as mixing ingredient in concrete: a review. Construction, 1(2), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.15282/construction.v1i2.6503
Mohammad, W. A. S. B. W., Othman, N. H., Ibrahim, M. H. W., Rahim, M. A., Shahidan, S., & Abd Rahman, R. (2017, November). A review on seashells ash as partial cement replacement. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 271, No. 1, p. 012059). IOP Publishing.
Mohsin, S. M. S., Ruslan, H. N., Muthusamy, K., & Ariffin, N. F. (2022). Compressive strength of lightweight aggregate concrete containing crushed cockle shell as partial sand replacement. Key Engineering Materials, 912, 111-118. https://doi.org/10.4028/p-ght9fy
Muthusamy, K., Embong, R., Mohamad, N., Bahrin, N. S. H. K., & Yahaya, F. M. (2021). Setting time and compressive strength of mortar containing cockle shell powder as partial cement replacement. Key Engineering Materials, 879, 62-67. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.879.62
Rodriguez, C., & Smith, B. (2022). Economic and environmental assessment of shell waste utilization in concrete production. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 178, 106-118.
Souidi, A., Maaloufa, Y., Amazal, M., Atigui, M., Oubeddou, S., Mounir, S., ... & Aharoune, A. (2024). The effect of mussel shell powder on the thermal and mechanical properties of plaster. Construction and Building Materials, 416, 135142.
Stel’makh, S. A., Shcherban’, E. M., Beskopylny, A. N., Mailyan, L. R., Meskhi, B., Tashpulatov, S. S., & Tyutina, A. (2022). Composition, technological, and microstructural aspects of concrete modified with finely ground mussel shell powder. Materials, 16(1), 82.
Tayeh, B. A., Hasaniyah, M. W., Zeyad, A. M., & Yusuf, M. O. (2019). Properties of concrete containing recycled seashells as cement partial replacement: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 237, 117723.
