Sandcrete blocks for building construction

Sandcrete blocks have been widely used for building construction in Nigeria. Oyekan
(2008) carried out work on the use of sawdust and sugar as admixtures in sandcrete blocks
production. Strength of the blocks increasing it by 17% at 28 days.
This study is all using other alternative for the production of bricks. This was to aim to
increase the strength of bricks and workability for construction purposes. This study is similar to
our study because we are also going to use alternative such as coconut husk ash as a potential
material that would increase the strength of a brick.

Conventional bricks with rice husk ash

Conventional bricks are produced from clay with high temperature kiln firing or from
ordinary Portland cement concrete. The aggregates are produced from made fire bricks using
clay-sand mixes with different percentages of rice husk ash. The results in the effects of rice
husk ash indicated that the inclusion of rice husk ash increase the compressive strength of
bricks. (Arshad, 2014)
This study relate to our study by means of producing different sets of bricks with different
percentage of mixture coconut husk ash to tell and to determine which brick will be having the
highest strengths and workability.

The use of coconut fibre

On the use of coconut fibres reinforcing material in concrete. Baruan and Talukdarin
(2013), studied the strength characteristics of concrete containing between 0.5% and 2%
coconut fibre of length 4 cm. They observed that strengths increase in fibres volume fraction.
They concluded that natural fibres may be good alternatives to relatively more expensive steel,
polyester, or glass fibres.

This study helped us researchers to show the concern of using

other alternatives in making/production of bricks. This study was similar to our study in being
productive in producing bricks such in using other alternatives. Also this is to show and to
advocate recycling to other people especially to those people in relation to bricks production. To
let others know that in wastes, it may also be the key to help increase the economy of our
country.

The combination of coconut shell and grained palm

Combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel has potential of lightweight
aggregate in concrete. Also, using the combination of coconut shell and grained palm kernel
shell as aggregate in concrete can reduce the material cost in construction because of the low
cost and abundant availability of these agricultural wastes. (Shinde and Datar, 2015)
This study has a relation to our study in combining the alternative component coconut
husk and to see the effectiveness of it in the produced bricks. Also regarding nin highly cost of
materials in construction, this study can reduce the highly material cost due from using other
alternative(s) component in bricks production.

Kernel shell and coconut shell ash

The partial replacement of cement with 20% palm kernel shell ash and coconut shell ash
in concrete gives an average optimum compressive strength of 15.4 N/mm 2 and 17.26 N/mm2
respectively at 28 days. The use of palm kernel ash and coconut shell ash was a partial
replacement of cement produced a cheaper structural lightweight concrete using the optimum
compressive strength value specify in the research. (Olanitori, 2015)
This study of Olanitori will help us researchers in subsidizing and by supportingour study.
In terms of using other alternative as a substitute for concrete in bricks production. Based on
Olanitoris study they have used palm kernel ash and coconut shell ash. But on our study we will
use coconut husk ash and we do not state that we were going to use the same alternative for as
what they used for. Lastly is that using the alternative for bricks production would increase the
strength of bricks and its workability for construction purposes.

Replacement in concrete
The aim of this research is to spread awareness of using coconut shell as partial
replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete and determining its compressive strength.
Researchers are in search of replacing coarse aggregate to make concrete less expensive.
Based on Dewarsh Anlawat (2014) study, the aim of their study is by replacing coarse
aggregate in concrete by coconut. In similar to us, we researchers will use coconut ash as a
component for bricks production. We will conduct tests to state the increase of strength in terms
of testing its durability by using a hammer. The increase of strength to the bricks will make the
brick more productive and would increase its workability for construction purposes.

Periwinkle shells can bind easily with cement products

Periwinkle shells are calcareous in nature and can bind easily with cement products.
Hense, researchers in material science and engineering are committed to having local matrials
to partially or fully replace these high costly conventional materials. (Adewuyi and Adegoke,
2008)
Based on Adewuyis study that Perwinkle shells are calcareous in nature and can bind
easily with cement products. In similar in our study we are dealing in replacing highly cost
material in bricks production by using alternatives such as using coconut husk ash as a
component in bricks production. It will be get in terms of undergoing burning process.

Addition of Rice Husk ash

Rice husk ash can partially replace cement as a mineral admixture for construction
purposes. In their research reported that the addition of rice husk ash enhances the strength
and reduces the water absorption of concrete. Compressive strength obtain maximum at 2%
use of rice hush in brick and improve their workability properties.
Baed on watile (2015) study, The rice husk ash can be a great replacement for cement
as a admixture for construction purposes. In our study, we researchers will examine and find out
that alternative material such as coconut husk ash can be a great mixture in bricks. We will
undergoing procedures like burning the coconut husk to get the ash.

Reduce the cost of concrete production

This study is to help reduce the cost of concrete production from rising cost of cement
and reduce the volume of solid waste generated from corn cob and saw dust. There is need to
economize the use of cement with concrete production. It is to replace cement with corn cob
ash and saw dust ash. (Mujedu, et.al, 2014)
This study is related with our study with replacing cement with other alternative such as
coconut husk ash. Also this is to reduce the highly cost of concrete and to help and bring
ecological and economical benefits in our country.

Burning of Rice Husk

Rice husk is obtained from burning of rice husk. These studies were based on the
growing cost of lime and cement, traditional stabilizing agents, coupled with the need for the
economic utilization of industrial and agricultural wastes for beneficial engineering purposes.
The possible use or rice husk ash as an additive to soil for brick production in angarian
communities will reduce or eliminate the environment hazards caused by such waste.
The study of Agbede, I.O and Joel M (2011) will be significant to our study. Their study
about burning other alternatives such as coconut husk as an additive to soil for brick production.
Their study help us researchers to aim regarding in the elimination of waste in our community
and to advocate recycling by using other alternatives/waste to create or produce a more
productive material. Through burning from coconut husk, we would get the ash that would be
the component for bricks production that would increase the strength of the brick.

CHAPTER 2
Review of Related Literature
In this chapter, readers will be informed about the materials we used on this study. This
chapter involves informations about the materials and their uses in our community and to our
country.
Coconut
Coconut, fruit of coco palm (cocos nucifera), at tree widely distributed through tropical
regions. The seed is peculiarly adopted to dispersal by water because te large pod holding the
nut is buoyant and impervious to moisture. The trees therefore establish themselves naturally
on small islands and low shores bordering the tropical seas. The tree grows to a height of 60100 ft (18-30m), with a smooth cylindrical stem marked by the ring-like scars of former leaves. It
bears at the top of a crown of frond-like leaves and yellow or white blossoms. [4]
Coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm. Clusters of these large round fruitsgrow among
the leaves of the tree. Each coconut has a smooth light-colored rind. Under the rind is a 1 to 2
inch husk of reddish brown fibers. The husk and rind surround a brown, woodly shell that has
three soft spots called eyes at one end. The rind and husk are usually cut away before the
coconuts are marketed. The coconut seed lies inside the shell. It is a ball of crisp, white, sweet
tasting coconut meat covered by a tough brown skin. Its hollow center holds a sugary liquid
called coconut milk. The coconut seed measures from 8 to 12 inches long and from 6 to 10
inches across.[5]

Ash

Ash is the substance that remains after an organic substance has been burned. The
word ashes usually refers to the minerals obtained from burning coal, wood, or other fuels. An
analysis of the ashes of burned foods and other substances can be determine the minerals the
contain. For example, chemical tests of the ashes of burnt milk show that they contain calcium.
Some kind of ashes can be used for various purposes. For example, fly ash, the dust produced
by power plants that burn coal, is used as a soil fertilizer.[8]
Brick
Brick is a rectangular building block made of clay, shale, or various other materials,
Bricks are strong hard, and resistant to fire and damage from the weather. They are used to
build structures as houses, commercial and public building, fireplaces, and furnaces.
Bricks have been used as a building material for thousands of years. At first, people
produces bricks by drying hand-shapped or moulded blocks of clay or mud in the sun. Today
most bricks were formed by machines and fired (baked) in large kilns (ovens).[9]
Clay
Clay is a substance present in most kinds of soil. Geologist define clay as a stremely
small particles of soil that measure less than 4 microns, or 0.000157 inch, in a diameter. The
word clay also refers to earthy material composed of certain kinds of silicate minerals that have
been broken down by weathering.[6]

Concrete and Cement

Concrete and cement are among the most important building materials cement is a fine,
gray powder. It is mixed with water and such materials such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone
to make concrete. Concrete is highly fire-resistant, water-resistant, and comparatively cheap
and easy to make. When first mixed, concrete can be moulded into almost any shape. Its
quickly hardens into an extremely strong material that last a long time and requires little care. [7]