Title: Utilisation of calcined Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) shells as partial cement replacement in concrete

Authors: Nadia Razali; Raja Nur Farhana Raja Aris; Nadlene Razali; Khairul Faizal Pa'ee

Addresses: Section of Environmental Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia ' Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia ' Section of Food Engineering Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia

Abstract: The aim of this study is to produce an eco-concrete mix by replacing the binder calcined mussel shells (Perna viridis) without compromising the durability of the concrete. Specimen cubes (40 mm × 40 mm × 40 mm) with various replacement percentages by volume were produced. Primary concrete parameters such as pH, carbonation depth, compressive strength and sorptivity were studied for 56 days. From the investigation, all modified concrete formulations performed better in carbonation depth, compression strength and sorptivity than control specimens on all testing days. It has been observed that the higher the replacement percentage, the better carbonation depth and sorptivity values. However, the opposing trend was detected in compressive strength; in which the higher the replacement percentage, the less strength the concrete possessed. It is believed that the aragonite polymorphs of the mussel shells contribute a low strength development due to its different symmetry and crystal shapes to calcite (from limestone) thus leading to poor bonding properties of the concrete matrix.

Keywords: cement; compressive strength; concrete; modified concrete; mussel shells; partial replacement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2018.097515

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2018 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.282 - 300

Received: 29 Dec 2017
Accepted: 24 Jul 2018
Published online: 25 Jan 2019 *

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