DURABILITY AND WEATHERING RESISTANCE OF TAHONG (GREEN MUSSEL)
SHELL CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
DEL ROSARIO, CLAIRE ANN
SORIANO, COLLENE KYLE
TIPUDAN, ANDRIE JHON
SILVERON, NINNA LOIS
LARISMA, ANGELINE
DANDOY, MAJANDRA
PRIETO, ELYZZA LEI
FONTANOS, DAVE
VELEZ, HANNAH
SOSAS, NIKKO
AUGUST 2025
DURABILITY AND WEATHERING RESISTANCE OF TAHONG (GREEN MUSSEL)
SHELL CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
A Concept Paper
Presented to
The Faculty of the College of Engineering
University of Southeastern Philippines
Obrero, Davao City
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject
SEP 314 Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering
SUBMITTED BY
DEL ROSARIO, CLAIRE ANN
SORIANO, COLLENE KYLE
TIPUDAN, ANDRIE JHON
SILVERON, NINNA LOIS
LARISMA, ANGELINE
DANDOY, MAJANDRA
PRIETO, ELYZZA LEI
FONTANOS, DAVE
VELEZ, HANNAH
SOSAS, NIKKO
SUBMITTED TO
ENGR. RHEANIE R. ARNUCO, RSE
AUGUST 2025
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INTRODUCTION
Solid waste management remains a significant environmental challenge, particularly in
coastal and urban communities, where substantial volumes of both organic and inorganic waste
are generated. Among these waste streams are seashell by-products, notably those derived from
green mussels (Perna viridis), which originate from aquaculture operations, seafood markets,
and domestic consumption.
Seashell waste generated in large amounts worldwide is frequently discarded in landfills
or the ocean. This accumulation occurs in coastal regions and leads to numerous environmental
issues. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and
The State of World Fisheries in 2022, the worldwide production of mollusks increased to 1
million tonnes from 10 million tonnes, with 1,927 thousand tonnes in sea mussels alone and not
including freshwater and aquaculture production.
These shells are frequently discarded without proper disposal methods, contributing to
environmental pollution and waste management challenges. Instead of being regarded solely as
waste, seashells present an opportunity for resource recovery due to their chemical composition.
Seashells are predominantly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which is chemically
similar to limestone, the primary raw material in cement production.
The disposal of seashell waste has emerged as a pressing environmental issue in
numerous countries. Improper management, such as indiscriminate dumping in coastal waters or
landfills, contributes to a range of ecological and public health problems. These include the
contamination of marine ecosystems and fisheries, obstruction of waterways, generation of foul
odors, degradation of natural landscapes, and increased risks to sanitation and human health.
Background of the Study
The increasing consumption of green mussels (Perna viridis), locally known as tahong,
has resulted in the accumulation of large volumes of shell waste in coastal communities.
Previous studies have demonstrated that incorporating seashells into concrete can enhance
various mechanical properties, including tensile, compressive, and flexural strength, while
simultaneously reducing reliance on conventional raw materials (Olivia et al., 2015; Bamigboye
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et al., 2021). The crystal structure of green mussels is largely composed of aragonite and calcite,
which have higher strengths and densities than limestone powder (Mosher et al., 2010). This
approach aligns with circular economy principles by promoting resource recovery and
minimizing environmental impact.
In Davao City, the demand for affordable yet resilient construction material is rising in
response to the housing needs for low-income urban populations (Philippine Statistics Authority,
2020). Given the region’s humid climate and humid climate and vulnerability to typhoons,
exploring the integration of tahong shell waste into concrete hollow blocks (CHBs) holds both
environmental and social relevance.
Mussels are bivalve mollusks commonly found in saltwater habitats, with the Asian green
mussel (Perna viridis) being one of the most widespread species. Mussel shells are primarily
composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), arranged in multiple layers. X-ray diffraction (XRD)
analysis has confirmed that mussel shells predominantly contain calcite with minor amounts of
aragonite. Barbachi (2019) further validated these findings, reporting that mussel shells contain
approximately 94% calcium carbonate. The high calcium carbonate content makes mussel shells
a promising supplementary material in concrete design and manufacturing. Calcium carbonate
contributes to the enhancement of concrete strength, durability, and stability, as it plays a crucial
role in the binding process. Compared to other oxide compositions, the abundance of CaCO₃ in
mussel shells provides significant potential for improving the structural properties of concrete.
Therefore, the utilization of mussel shells as an aggregate replacement or additive in hollow
blocks and other concrete applications is expected to enhance strength and performance, while
simultaneously promoting waste recycling and environmental sustainability.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to evaluate the durability and weathering resistance of concrete hollow
blocks (CHBs) incorporating tahong (green mussel) shell waste under coastal environmental
conditions. Specifically, it answers the following questions:
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1. What are the physical and chemical properties of tahong shells that make them
suitable as a partial substitute for conventional aggregates in concrete hollow
blocks?
2. Is there a significant difference in weathering resistance between concrete hollow
blocks made with tahong shells aggregates and those made with conventional
aggregates under simulated coastal conditions?
3. How does the long-term durability and structural integrity of tahong shell CHBs
compare to conventional CHBs when subjected to simulated coastal
environmental conditions?
Objectives of the Study
1. Assess the structural integrity of tahong shell concrete hollow blocks under prolonged
exposure to salt-laden air and moisture.
2. Compare the performance of these blocks with conventional concrete materials in terms
of erosion, cracking, and compressive strength.
3. Determine the feasibility of using tahong shell waste as a partial aggregate replacement
in concrete production for coastal applications.
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it investigates the feasibility of incorporating tahong (green
mussel) shell waste into the production of concrete hollow blocks (CHBs), with emphasis on
their durability and weathering resistance under coastal environmental conditions. By
determining the physical and chemical properties of mussel shells, the research contributes to the
development of alternative aggregates that can withstand salt-laden air, moisture, and other harsh
coastal factors. The findings will benefit the construction industry by offering an innovative,
cost-effective, and resilient material for coastal infrastructure. It will also support environmental
sustainability through the recycling of shell waste, reducing pollution in coastal areas, and
promoting the circular economy. For coastal communities, the study provides a pathway to more
affordable, durable, and disaster-resilient housing materials, improving safety and reducing
long-term maintenance costs. Furthermore, the research adds to the academic field by enriching
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the literature on sustainable construction materials and may serve as a basis for further studies on
marine by-product utilization.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is limited to evaluating the durability and weathering resistance of concrete
hollow blocks (CHBs) incorporating tahong (green mussel) shell waste as a partial substitute for
conventional aggregates under simulated coastal conditions. It focuses on assessing the physical
and chemical properties of the shells, as well as the performance of CHBs in terms of erosion,
cracking, compressive strength, and structural integrity. The study is confined to
laboratory-based testing using predetermined replacement ratios and standard-sized CHBs, and
does not include large-scale production, economic feasibility, or applications in non-coastal
environments.
Definition of Terms
REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
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METHODOLOGY
This section presents the methods and procedures that the researchers will use in
conducting this study. Moreover, this section includes the research design, sources and
preparation of shell materials, production and mix proportion of concrete hollow blocks, project
duration, data analysis, and physical tests to be done to ensure the durability of the concrete
hollow blocks.
Research Design
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This study will use the experimental research design. Tahong (green mussel) shells will
be added to the concrete hollow block mix to investigate the durability and weathering resistance
of the hollow blocks in a coastal environment.
Sources and Preparation of Tahong (green mussel) shells
The materials will be collected from the public markets, mainly Bangkerohan Public
Market and Agdao Public Market in Davao City. The shells will then be cleaned to remove
unnecessary substances, air-dried for 24 hours, and then toasted in a pan to ensure no moisture is
left. It is then crushed and pulverized into fine powder. (The researchers will be using a # in
diameter mortar and # inches pestle for this process./The researchers will use a mixer grinder
machine in this process.) To make sure only fine grains of tahong shells are used, the researcher
will utilize a 100-micrometer sieve. The residue will be crushed again to avoid waste and to fully
utilize the tahong shells.
Production and Mix Proportion of Concrete Hollow Blocks
According to Cultrone (2020), most bricks undergo size changes due to expansion and
contraction resulting from temperature changes during firing, drying, and ambient temperature.
In past studies, the main materials used in brick production consisted of cement and sand
(Cultrone,2020).
Project Duration
Data Analysis
Testing Procedures
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Porosity
Water absorption, or porosity, of concrete is a crucial parameter for evaluation that is
necessary for the design of reinforced concrete structural components (Kewalramani &
Khartabil, 2021). It is generally observed that water absorption through immersion, or the
porosity of concrete, directly impacts water permeability and rapid chloride penetration—two
critical parameters related to durability. The porosity of concrete affects various properties in
multiple ways. Factors such as the composition of the concrete, casting practices, curing and
hardening processes, cement reactions, and susceptibility to freezing are all influenced by the
level of porosity.
Compressive Strength
The compressive strength test is essential for assessing the capacity of concrete to support
a load and identifying the threshold at which it will fail.
Elastic Modulus
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References
Bamigboye, G. O., Enabulele, D., Odetoyan, A. O., Kareem, M. A., Nworgu, A., & Bassey, D.
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Cogent Engineering, 8(1), 1883830. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1883830
Khalil, C., Barbachi, M., & El Biriane, M. (2023). The effect of mussel shell additions on the
mechanical and thermal properties of compressed earth blocks. Journal of Composite and
Advanced Materials, 33(3), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.18280/rcma.330308
Lertwattanaruk, P., Makul, N., & Siripattarapravat, C. (2012). Utilization of ground waste
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The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024: Blue Transformation in action. (2024).
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