Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY Concrete, as a basic necessity for project constructions in the Bicol Region, raised ideas about altering its compositions and mixtures that involved new kinds of aggregates may it be fine or coarse. As part of every concrete, mortar always played a major role. If one considers its uses like for plastering, tiles and hollow blocks grouting, and its role in the concrete cement as a binder of coarse aggregates, truly it should be highly regarded. Mortar as part of concrete cement has a direct effect to the concretes service load capacity. Good mortar in concrete obviously improves concrete allowing it to carry higher service loads. Mortar, also used as plaster and grout, on the other hand has direct effect on slabs and beams due to its own weight which increases the service load carried by the structural members, thus causing a new field for research regarding mortars with lesser weight. There are so many innovations in making the concrete lighter in order to reduce the loads which would result to the decrease on the dimensions of the beams, columns, footings, and other load bearing members. Lightweight concrete could be manufactured using lightweight aggregates both fine and coarse or normal aggregates and lightweight fine aggregates. For past studies in the Philippines regarding lightweight concrete, researchers worked very hard to attain the required compressive strength of 17 MPa or 2500 psi for residential buildings using both fine and coarse lightweight aggregates, but they did not succeed. These researchers found out that there were so many factors to be considered. The specific gravity of an

aggregate plays a big role in the computation of the design mix. Since, the lightweight floats on water, for now, the past researchers had not found a way to determine the specific gravity of the aggregates due to the lack of equipment in their locations. In order to simplify the research due to its complications, the researchers decided to focus on determining the compressive strength of mortar itself using lightweight fine aggregates. The proponents used pumice as their lightweight aggregate since it is locally available and abundant. Bicol Region as part of a tropical country, the Republic of the Philippines, is rich in natural resources. These resources include coarse and fine aggregates that can be used in construction. In addition to this, pumice, a lightweight rock, is available in Casiguran, Sorsogon. In this comparative study between ordinary and lightweight fine aggregates used in mortar cement, the researchers used this pumice, which were crushed to make fine aggregates.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to evaluate the differences and similarities of ordinary sand mortar cement and pulverized pumice mortar cement. 1. Which among the two mixes posses higher strength capacity? 2. How much lighter is the pulverized pumice mortar cement compared to the ordinary mortar cement? 3. What effect do lightweight aggregates when combined with ordinary cement have to the mortar cement? 4. What would be the factors that could affect the compressive strength of the lightweight mortar?

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY This study shall benefit the following: To Teachers, Students and Civil Engineers, this research will generate other innovative ideas for the use of lightweight in construction specially mortar. To End Users, this will benefit them through economical purposes since lightweight mortar cement reduces the dead load carried by structural members, which then allows structural designers to reduce the sizes of load bearing members. To Future Researchers, this research will serve as their reference and basis for their own study.

1.4 GENERAL OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the strength and weight of the mortar using ordinary sand and pulverized lightweight rocks. Furthermore, it also endeavoured to determine the effect of introducing crushed pumice to sand mortar, which means the combination of lightweight fine aggregate and ordinary sand.

1.5 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

The specific objective of this study was to closely compare the strength and weight difference between the lightweight-mixed mortar, ordinary-mixed mortar, and combined-mixed mortar, thus allowing the research to show results that can be used in further studies and actual constructions.

1.6 ASSUMPTION This comparative research analysis assumed that lightweight mortar mixes were significantly lighter than ordinary mortar mixes. Thus, their strength capacities were relatively at par and either can be used for construction.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION Scope This comparative research analysis was intended to qualitatively compare ordinary mortar mixes and lightweight mortar mixes. In this research, the mortar mixes strength and weight were closely evaluated. In turn, this research may be used as a basis for consideration of lightweight mortar mixes in actual constructions.

Limitations This research was limited only to the attainment of the highest possible strength of mortar cement mix using crushed pumice, Portland cement and Albay sand. The researchers did not use any mixing equipment due to the unavailability of such; thus, what the proponents did was to mix the mortar manually, so there might be irregularities in some aspect of the design mix such as the water-cement ratio that also affects the workability of the mix aside from its compressive strength. The researchers used 1:1 ratio, 1:2 ratio, 1:3 ratio and 1:4 ratio in designing the mix which is basically not present in any existing codes. This cement-fine aggregate ratio was based on the observations and findings on the actual field conditions or construction sites.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS The following terms were defined according to its context in engineering:

Absorption. This refers to the ability of a material to hold water within itself

Cement Mortar . This is an intimate mixture of cement and sand mixed with sufficient water to produce a plastic mass. The amount of water varies according to the proportion and condition of the sand, and had best be determined independently in each case. Sand is used both for the sake of economy and to avoid cracks due to shrinkage of cement in setting.

Cementitious.

This relates to a chemical precipitate, especially of carbonates, having the

characteristics of cement.

Compressive strength. It is the capacity of a material to withstand axially directed pushing forces. Curing. It pertains to a procedure for insuring the hydration of the Portland cement in newlyplaced concrete. It generally implies control of moisture loss and sometimes of temperature.

Dead load. This refers to the intrinsic invariable weight of a structure, such as a bridge. It may also include any permanent loads attached to the structure also called dead weight.

Pumice . This is also called pumice stone, a light porous acid volcanic rock having the composition of rhyolite, used for scouring and, in powdered form, as an abrasive and polish.

Pumice Cement Mortar. This is a mixture of crushed pumice as sand substitute and cement mixed with sufficient amount of water.

Sieve Analysis (or gradation test). This is a practice or procedure used to assess the particle size distribution (also called gradation) of a granular material.

Specific Gravity. This refers to the ratio of cements density to the density of some standard material, such as water at a specified temperature, for example, 60F (15C), or (for gases) air at standard conditions of temperature and pressure. Specific gravity is a convenient concept because it is usually easier to measure than density, and its value is the same in all systems of units.

Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

A. RELATED LITERATURE

The use of pumice has been known to the world centuries ago. One application of pumice was during the ancient Rome. Pumice was used to build thermal baths and temples, like Pantheon of Rome. Vitruvios compendium of architecture, dated from 1st B.C., is one of the earliest references regarding the special properties of pumice. Vitruvio describes that pumice is lighter than water. Other special properties of pumice are thermal insulation, sound insulation, and resistance to freezing, resistance to fire, water absorbency and apparent density. Pumice has reduced thermal conductivity than that of normal concrete. Also, pumice is a good sound insulator due to its high absorbency of sound. Pumice, also, has higher water absorbency than that of ordinary aggregates used in construction. Resistance to freezing is one of the special properties of pumice. An experiment was conducted to prove that pumice samples are resistant to intense cold. Samples submerged in water for 48 hours, placed in a freezer at 100C for 9 hours and immersed again in water at 350C for 15 hours (and submitted to this cycle 20 times) showed no visible signs of damage, deterioration or breakdown. Also pumice is resistant to fire. When a 60 mm thick wall is exposed to flame with temperature of 12000C, the temperature of the opposite side will not exceed 1250C. Many chimneys could be made of pumice concrete or blocks. (APEX GULF, 2003)

Building with Pumice Pumice is a very porous form of vitrified volcanic rock, usually of very light colon. Pumice floats on water. In other words, pumice is very light. It has roughly the consistency of a mixture of gravel and sand, with light, porous individual granules that normally either float on water or sink slowly. Pumice has the following chemical composition:
Table 1. Chemical Compositon of Pumice

Silica Alumina Alkalies Ferric Oxide Lime Magnesia Titania

SiO2 Al2O3 K2O+Na2O Fe2O3 CaO MgO TiO2

approx. 55% approx. 22% approx. 12% approx. 3% approx. 2% approx. 1% approx. 0.5%

Pumice originates during volcanic eruptions when molten endogenous rock is mixed with gases before being spewed out. The light, spongy particles are hurled up and carried off by the wind. As they cool and fall back to earth, the particles accumulate to form pumice rock or boulders. Pumice is deposited with a layer thickness of 50 to 300 cm. Pumice is very light, inexpensive, refractory, resistant to pests, sound absorbent, and heat insulating. Also, pumice is easy to work with since it can be cut or sliced by a saw. Aside from its positive properties, it also has down sides. The lower compressive strength of pumice concrete, as compared to concrete containing other, heavier aggregates, and the tendency of its edges and corners to break off more easily than those of heavy concrete. From this down sides,

the pumice building material should not be used for foundations, components subjected to heavy traffic and high loads. Pumice can build buildings such as single-storey homes, apartment buildings up to four storeys, workshops, storehouses and schools. These buildings could be made using pumiceconcrete solid bricks, hollow blocks, planks, and in-situ pumice-concrete. Pumice lightweight concrete has been used in many countries. The tallest building in Istanbul, Turkey, the Sapphire tower, was built using lightweight concrete. Over a million cubic yards of lightweight Pumice concrete had been placed successfully in Istanbul Sapphire high-rise construction that was vacuum saturated by the Lightweight Concrete vacuum processing system. In addition, one of the museums in Istanbul, built by the Roman Empire in 537, used pumice. (Hannah Schreckenbach, 1990)

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B. RELATED STUDIES Pumice stone has been used for centuries in the world. Pumice aggregate can be found in many places around the world where volcanoes are. Although it has been used successfully in many countries finding new and improved ways to build with pumice is becoming widespread. Due to its toughness and durability, pumice is a well known lightweight concrete aggregate for over 2000 years. Pumice aggregates combined with Portland cement and water produce a lightweight thermal and sound insulating, fire-resistant lightweight concrete for roof decks, lightweight floor fills, insulating structural floor decks, curtain wall system, either prefabricated or in situ, pumice aggregate masonry blocks and a variety of other permanent insulating applications. Experimental test results showed the pumice aggregate lightweight concrete up to 25:1 (Aggregate-Cement) ratios has sufficient strength and adequate density to be accepted as loadbearing block applications. Further increasing this ratio can be accepted as non-load bearing infill blocks for insulation purposes for it has sufficient strength, adequate density and the thermal conductivity. Decreasing the aggregate ratio increases strength quality of pumice aggregate lightweight concrete while increasing the aggregate ratio increases the thermal insulation property. Basically, non-structural lightweight concrete can be produced by the use of pumice aggregates without using any admixtures. Lightweight concrete characteristics depend on the aggregate water content prior to mixing. Excessive water content causes lack of adherence between the aggregate and mortar, while low aggregate water content causes the aggregate to soak up part of the mortar water, thus causing a cement sub-hydration and consequent reduction of the concrete shape alteration

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capacity. Both cases result in lower resistance characteristics than when the aggregates are moderately soaked just prior to concrete preparation. (GUNDUZ L., 2008) Pumice has many desirable properties when used as lightweight aggregate in concrete. One of the properties is the excellent compressive strength to weight ratio (up to 27MPa for 1750 kg/m3 concrete). Lightweight concrete has an excellent sound absorption for a given wall thickness and wall mass. It has low thermal conductivity and non-flammable, giving increased fire resistance ratings to masonry walls. Finally, it can totally replace conventional sands and aggregates in masonry formulations with a combination of pumice sands and larger pumice aggregates. In addition to these benefits, pumice is also pure and non-toxic, so exposure to pumice has no health implications, no special storage, but handling is required. It is environmentally friendly, with low energy extraction or preparation, lower transport costs than higher density aggregates, no degradation into soluble or volatile components with time. Pumice, when in fine particle form, where the silicon and aluminum oxides in pumice react with lime and water to form rock hard non porous material are also the basis for the curing of Portland cement, and were used by the Romans in the construction of most of the ruins that still exist today. (STAR LTD. PUMICE CORPORATION, 2008)

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Sagales and Presentacion of Ateneo de Naga University titled their study Design Mix of Lightweight Concrete Containing Pumice Gravel, Albay Sand and Portland cement. They aimed to attain the highest possible compressive strength and to provide desirable concrete mix proportions using pumice as coarse aggregate, Albay sand as fine aggregate, and Portland cement. This study also aimed to gather information regarding the effect of the change in volume of coarse aggregate into the lightweight concrete mixture. The product of the research would serve as sample design mixtures in producing lightweight concrete using aggregates found here in the Bicol region. They found that pumice is a very weak material due to the results of their research which showed that the compressive strength of pumice-crete was low since they only attained 1306.95 psi as the highest compressive strength. Unlike normal weight concrete, using a greater volume of pumice as gravel would make the pumice concrete to some extent weaker. This is mainly due to the weak compressive capability of the pumice. The strength therefore of a lightweight concrete, in the case of pumice concrete, comes from the strength of its mortar. But it does not mean that using very small amounts of pumice is advisable. The test results showed that lesser pumice and higher cement factors gave only a slight improvement in the concretes strength. Therefore it was not economical to use high cement factors and low pumice contents. This was observed especially in the case of the first design mixture where the curing period was only seven days, the amount of pumice was somehow the largest among the specimens, and the cement factor was minimal but still it showed a promising result. (Sagales and Presentation, 2010)

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Another study from Ateneo de Naga University, College of Engineering, Bonavente and Pacardo explored in their research The Use of Waste Glass as a Substitute for Sand in Construction. Their research aimed to promote alternative methods in construction through the use of waste glass as a substitute for sand in concrete mixes. It also aimed to provide a concentrated source of information regarding the new innovations specific to other uses of glass particularly its applicability as an alternative aggregate material rather than its applicability as an aesthetic aspects in construction. If crushed pieces of glass were used partly in concrete mixtures say 50% of fine aggregate is composed of glass and the other 50% is composed of sand, it can be of use in concrete mixtures. From their compressive test results, this type of mixture was much better than that of crushed glass purely substituted to sand as fine aggregate. Therefore, it helped in the attainment of a much higher compressive stress of concrete. For mortar tests, the applicability of crushed glass passing at sieve no. 50 and below appeared to be satisfactory. Based on the result of their conducted experiment, if crushed glass is to be used as fine aggregate for cement mortars, the amount of crushed glass to be included in the design mixture must not be greater than 75% of the whole mixture. This should be done in order for the cement mortar using crushed glass as fine aggregate be classified as to what type of cement mortar they belong. (Bonavente and Pacardo, 2010)

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Chapter 3 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF STUDY

LABORATORY MIXING

FINDINGS AND TABULATION OF RESULTS

EVALUATION OF DATA GATHERED

Figure 1. Framework of Study

The research basically started on making, curing and testing samples. Then, the researchers took note of their findings and tabulated the results. Finally, they evaluated the data gathered and formed a conclusion.

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Chapter 4 METHODOLOGY

Research Procedures: Survey Research Stage, Preparation Stage, and the Experimental Stage are the processes that were followed in this research. A. Survey Research Stage In this stage, the researchers were to search for the location of possible sources of materials. The lightweight aggregates that were used as sand were found in Casiguran, Sorsogon. The Lightweight aggregate is the rock called pumice.

Preparation Stage Gathering and preparation of the raw materials were part of this stage. The Pumice rocks were abundant in Casiguran, Sorsogon. Pumice Rocks were crushed and underwent sieve analysis for fine aggregates in order to be classified as sand. Fine aggregates were washed to remove several impurities such as roots, leaves, etc. In order to remove the sand found in the coarse aggregates, the researchers decided to have the sieve analysis. Removing the impurities in the aggregates would be very helpful in ensuring good quality of the aggregates, thus, resulting to better results.

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Pumice Crushing Stage After cleaning and removing impurities from the sample, the pumice was crushed using the compaction mold and the compaction hammer, weighing 4.54 kg with 50 mm diameter face.

B. Experimental Stage The researchers used the volumetric method in designing the mortar mixture for the lightweight mortar. The researchers also conducted some laboratory analyses of the materials such as sieve analysis and absorption of the aggregates. Sieve Anlaysis Sieve analysis was used by the researchers to filter the crushed pumice aggregates. This enabled the researchers to thoroughly select the resulting fine aggregates to be used. Mix Design Procedure A trial mix was made to assess the behavior of the pulverized pumice when used as sand in mortar. Observations were made to consider the areas where the mortar would be improved. The assumption was that the lower the water cement ratio and the higher the cement factor, the stronger the mortar will be. For mortar testing, the researchers adapted the 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 ratio of cement to crush pumice through volumetric method. The mixed sand and crushed pumice adapted the same ratio except that the crushed pumice and sand would occupy the volume

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of the crushed pumice alone. It was divided into 50% crushed pumice and 50% sand. The ratio of cement to sand considered the same ratio. The amount of water required to make good mortar varied depending on the desired consistency of the mortar.

C. Preparation of Samples This stage includes mixing, casting, curing and testing of the specimen. Mixing The crushed pumice and cement were thoroughly mixed manually according to their designated ratio. Water was added gradually. Casting The researchers used the standard mortar molds having the dimensions 2 X 2 X 2. Each three layers of specimen were tamped using very slender stick until the molds were filled evenly on top. Curing To allow the mortar to attain its desired strength, the specimens were removed from the molds after 24 hours and were placed immediately inside a curing tank for a designated period of time. Curing is the process of preventing moisture from evaporating from concrete and supplying moisture so that hydration will continue until the internal structure of the concrete is built up to the point where the strength and other properties are developed. The final concrete strength depends on the conditions of moisture and

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temperature during the initial period of the curing process. The specimens to be tested were removed from the curing tank 24 hours before subjecting to compressive loading. Testing The researchers used two steel plates having a dimension of 2 x 2, placed at the top and bottom of every mortar sample for equal distribution of the applied force to the samples. The samples were subjected to a load rate 20mm/min based from the ASTM standards.

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Chapter 5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

For further comparison, the ratio 1:1 served as the initial design mix. Using this design mix, the researchers came up with three different samples namely, pure pumice (A), pure sand (B), and mixed pumice and sand (C). The researchers also came up with the ratios 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 and prepared nine samples for each ratio, three samples per design mix, for further comparison. The samples were removed from their molds twenty four hours after the samples were mixed and were placed in a curing tank. Then, the samples were removed from the curing tank for at least twenty four hours and were weighed before subjecting them to compression test. The table below showed the volume composition of the sample used in the mortar mix. This showed the quantity of sand, pumice, cement and water used in the mix for each sample and ratio.
Table 2. Volume Composition Each Sample Sample A1:1 B1:1 C1:1 A1:2 B1:2 C1:2 A1:3 B1:3 C1:3 A1:4 B1:4 C1:4 Volume in cm3 Sand -500 250 -500 250 -750 375 -500 250 Pumice 500 -250 500 -250 750 -375 500 -250 Cement 500 500 500 250 250 250 250 250 250 125 125 125 Water 200 200 200 150 100 150 225 175 175 175 125 150

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Average Weight of Sample

300 250

Weight in mg

200 150 100 50 0 1:1 1:2 Mix Ratio 1:3 1:4 Lightweight Normal 50-50

Figure 2. Average Weight of Sample

The figure above showed the weight of each sample. The sample was air dried before it was weighed, which implies that the sample must have contained water, specially the lightweight sample that contained pumice, since pumice has higher water absorption than that of normal sand.

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Table 3: Compressive Test Reults, Mass, Weight Difference for 1:1 Ratio

Sample A B C

Compressive Strength in Mpa 7-day 14-day 21-day 22.18 22.28 24.34 30.13 30.76 33.74 28.56 28.46 29.41

Ave. Weight in g 211.77 277.63 244.30

Wt. Diff. Measured from Sand Mortar Sample

23.72% 12.01%

Test Results For 1:1 Ratio

Compressive Strength in MPa 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 7-day 14-day Days Cured 21-day

Lightweight Normal 50-50

Figure 3 Test Results for 1:1 Ratio

The table and figure above showed the compressive strength of the samples from the ratio 1:1. The highest compressive strength attained for the twenty one, fourteen, and seven days curing period were 33.74 MPa (approximately 4,900 psi), 30.76 MPa (4,897 psi), and 30.13 MPa (4369 psi) respectively, through pure sand aggregates. Table 3 showed that sample A, pure lightweight mix, is lighter than sample B, pure sand mix, by 23.72 %. It also showed that sample C, mixed lightweight and sand, and is lighter than sample B by 12.01%.

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Table 4: Compressive Test Reults, Mass, Weight Difference for 1:2 Ratio

Sample A B C

Compressive Strength in Mpa 7-day 14-day 21-day 15.68 18.96 16.64 20.29 24.10 25.90 18.41 23.14 25.53

Ave. Weight in g 200.07 284.10 239.23

Wt. Diff. Measured from Sand Mortar Sample

29.58% 15.79%

Test Results For 1:2 Ratio

Compressive Strength in MPa 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 7-day 14-day Days Cured 21-day Lightweight Normal 50-50

Figure 3. Test Results for 1:2 Ratio

The compressive test results of the samples for the ratio 1:2 were shown in the table and figure above. The maximum compressive strength attained for the twenty one, fourteen, and seven days curing period were 25.90 MPa (3,756.50 psi), 24.10 MPa (3,495.40 psi), 20.29 MPa (2,942.45 psi) respectively, through pure sand aggregates. Table 4 showed that sample A, pure lightweight mix, is lighter than sample B, pure sand mix, by 29.58%. It also showed that sample C, mixed lightweight and sand, and is lighter than sample B by 15.79%.

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Table 5: Compressive Test Reults, Mass, Weight Difference for 1:3 Ratio

Sample A B C

Compressive Strength in Mpa 7-day 14-day 21-day 11.74 10.45 16.00 15.94 14.14 22.23 10.50 18.36 19.80

Ave. Weight in g 178.03 266.70 232.37

Wt. Diff. Measured from Sand Mortar Sample

33.25% 12.87%

Test Results For 1:3 Ratio

Compressive Strength in MPa 25 20 15 Lightweight 10 5 0 7-day 14-day Days Cured 21-day Normal 50-50

Figure 4 Test Results for 1:3 Ratio

The table and figure above shows the compressive strength of the samples from the ratio 1:3. The highest compressive strength attained for twenty one, and seven days curing period were 22.23 MPa (3,223.46 psi), and 15.94 MPa (2,311.54 psi) respectively, through pure sand aggregates. While the maximum compressive strength attained for fourteen days curing period was 18.36 MPa (2,663.26 psi) through mixed sand and pumice aggregates. Table 5 showed that sample A, pure lightweight mix, is lighter than sample B, pure sand mix, by 33.25%. It also showed that sample C, mixed lightweight and sand, and is lighter than sample B by 12.87%.

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Table 6: Compressive Test Reults, Mass, Weight Difference for 1:4 Ratio

Compressive Strength in Mpa Sample A B C 7-day 7.74 7.01 11.30 14-day 9.51 8.44 12.14 21-day 11.60 11.93 12.78

Ave. Weight in g 178.77 255.77 230.47

Wt. Diff. Measured from Sand Mortar Sample

30.11% 9.89%

Test Results For 1:4 Ratio

Compressive Strength in MPa 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 7-day 14-day Days Cured 21-day Lightweight Normal 50-50

Figure 5. Test Results 1:4 Ratio

The compressive test results of the samples for the ratio 1:4 were shown in the table and figure above. The maximum compressive strength attained for the twenty one, fourteen, and seven days curing period were 12.78 MPa (1,852.85 psi), 12.14 MPa (1,760.4 psi), 11.30 MPa (1,638.93 psi) respectively, through mixed sand and pumice aggregates. Table 5 showed that sample A, pure lightweight mix, is lighter than sample B, pure sand mix, by 30.11%. It also showed that sample C, mixed lightweight and sand, and is lighter than sample B by 9.89%.

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Based on tables 3-6, the minimum compressive strength attained from the ratios 1:1 1:3 was from the pure crushed pumice mix design yet in the 1:4 ratio the minimum compressive strength of 7.01 MPa was from the pure ordinary sand mix design. The largest weight difference between pure lightweight and pure sand mix was 33.25% which was attained using design mix ratio of 1:3. Also, the lightest sample of combined pumice and sand mix compared to pure sand mix was 15.79%, attained through the 1:2 design mix ratio.

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Chapter 6 CONCLUSION

Based on the tabulated results, the researchers established a conclusion that pumice can be a substitute for sand in a mortar. This was established through the results attained using compression test. However, the crushed lightweight could be used in construction if it is readily available in the site. Though pure pumice mix has weaker compressive strength than that of pure sand mix, the strength attained by the pure pumice mix was relatively high since most samples passed the minimum required compressive strength of 17 MPa or 2,500 psi for residential structures just like concrete. Most samples of combined crushed pumice and sand passed the minimum required compressive strength. Though the compressive strength of pure sand is greater than the combined sample, it has reduced in strength by only a small amount (Tables 3-6). Besides, it was an acceptable decrease based on the results. The information from the research showed the volume composition and mass of each sample. It also proves that pumice was indeed lighter than sand. Basically, replacing a part of sand by those crushed pumice would decrease the strength considerably but its weight has decreased greatly. Increasing the volume of the crushed pumice with respect to cement caused a favourable decrease of not less than 23.72% on the weight of the samples. Tables 3 to 5 showed that the compressive strength of normal cement mortar is greater than that of the 50-50 design mix. However, the results in Table 6 showed that the 50-50 design mix has greater compressive strength capacity than the normal cement mortar. This is because of
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50-50 design mix having lesser water-cement ratio due to the absorption of crushed pumice. Facts said that lesser water-cement ratio has the greater possibility of gaining higher compressive strength capacity. Regarding with the weight aspect of the samples, the 50-50 mortar mix has lesser mass than the normal mortar mix due to the lightweight aggregates. The minimum weight difference of 9.89% with respect to the normal mortar mix was attained by the sample C, having 50% pumice sand and 50% ordinary sand. In conclusion, the strength of 50-50 mortar mix is relatively at par with the normal design mix and the 50-50 mortar mix weight is lesser than the weight of normal mortar mix. The factor that has affected the results was the absorption of the pumice aggregates. The absorption of the aggregates is very important in dealing with the correct amount of water to be added to the mixture. It has affected the water-cement ratio of the sample which resulted to varying compressive strength test results. Furthermore, the absorption of the aggregates was not measured due to incapability to get the specific gravity of the pumice aggregates due to lack of equipment to determine it. Thus, acquiring the absorption of the pumice aggregates would be one of the factors in determining the proper design mix of the sample resulting to higher compressive strength of each sample.

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Chapter 7 RECOMMENDATIONS

For further studies, the researchers suggest to take into consideration the mechanical properties of the aggregates used in order to determine the proper design mix in making samples. Specific gravity of an aggregate is an important factor in determining the proper ratio of the design mix considering its weight. Also, absorption and moisture content of the aggregates is highly significant in computing the water-cement ratio. Furthermore, researchers should try to apply the optimization of the gradation of the aggregates using the sieve analysis for higher compressive strength results. The researchers also recommend that future researchers should check gradation of the aggregates if it has passed the ASTM standards using sieve analysis. Also, in getting the weight of the mortar samples future researchers should make sure that the samples were dry so that the weight of the water in the sample would not affect the weight. In addition, future researchers can consider the amount or percentage of pumice to be mixed with sand in order to optimize its weight and strength. The proponents suggests that future researchers will focus more on other uses of crushed pumice as an alternative to sand construction such as concrete and concrete hollow blocks. Lightweight concrete would be mixed using ordinary coarse aggregate and crushed pumice which will act as sand. The samples to be made should be of good quality, having the correct water-cement ratio, prepared cautiously, carefully mixed and casted accordingly.

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REFERENCES Theses: Presentacion, Glenn and Nerson Sagales. Design Mix of Lightweight Concrete Containing Pumice Gravel, Albay Sand and Portland cement. March 2010. Ty-Bonavente Ray Adrian Limneo and Roderick A. Pacardo. The use of waste glass as substitute for sand in construction. March 2010. Electronic Sources: Lightweight Blocks, http://www.apexgulf.com/light.html The Effects of Pumice Aggregates/Cement Ratios on the Low-Strength Concrete Properties, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-178450418.html Lightweight Concrete, http://star-ltd.com/pumice/lightweight_concrete.html
Building with Pumice, http://www.appropedia.org/Original:Building_with_Pumice

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APPENDIX A RESEARCH DOCUMENTATION

Figure 6. The Amount of Crushed Pumice Aggregates, Albay Sand and Portland Cement to be used in a 1:1 ratio for 50-50 cement mortar mixture

Figure 7. Measured amount of water to be added for tabulation purposes

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Figure 8. Initial addition of water to the mixture

Figure 9. Mixed Crushed Pumice, Sand, Cement and Water

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Figure 10. Casting of mixture to the mold

Figure 11. The mix already casted in the mold

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Figure 12. Curing of the Samples

Fgure 13. 24 hours after the samples remove from the curing tank

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Figure 14. Sample subjected to the UTM

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APPENDIX B.
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST RESULTS

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