THE FEASIBILITY OF COCONUT HUSK ASH (Cocos nucifera), SAND, AND WASTE

PAPER MATERIALS AS COMPONENTS IN CEMENT-MAKING

A Science Investigatory Project to the Faculty of

Notre Dame of Kidapawan College

Integrated Basic Education

Junior High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

In Science 9

Prepared by:

Capote, Joevan B., Dumayac, Lorenz Andrei B., Gumapac, Alleah Kassandra Jr G.,

Pacifico, Jose Manuel P., Riga, Mary Clare S.,

Vista, Cyrus Gabriel A.

 INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Cement is a binding agent that, when mixed with sand, stone, or other

aggregates and water, produces either ready-mix concrete or mortar.

(www.cemexholdingsphilippines.com)

Cement proves useful in serving as a good foundation for the infrastructures we

have today. Their sustainability even in calamities makes them a popular use for

construction. Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around

the world as a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar, stucco, and non-specialty grout.

(Wikipedia.com)

Although our country has been gifted with numerous coconut trees, it still gives

us the disadvantage of properly disposing the generated waste products, specifically its

shells after its insides have been used. (cdo.ustp.edu.ph)

Meanwhile, paper is a largely produced and used material. Roughly 25 percent of

the global landfill waste is filled by paper whereas only 30 percent of the one million tons

of paper used every day gets recycled. (gulfnews.com)

This experimental investigation was conducted to test the sustainability of these

materials as components for cement while giving awareness on waste disposal issues

and management.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. Can coconut husk ash, sand, and waste paper materials be components in

making cement?

2. Can coconut husk ash and paper be compressed while sustaining its strength?

HYPOTHESES

Ha1: Coconut husk, sand, and waste paper materials can be components to

make cement.

Ho1: Coconut husk ash, sand, and waste paper materials cannot be components

to make cement.

Ha2: Coconut husk ash, sand, and waste paper materials can sustain their

strength as cement.

Ho2: Coconut husk ash, sand, and waste paper materials cannot sustain their

strength as cement.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results of this study will benefit the society considering that the materials

used are eco-friendly and can decrease the number of issues involving the waste

disposal of coconut shells and paper in areas affected. This study can give advantage to

the people who live in areas abundant to coconut trees, thus lessening their problems

with disposal. Moreover, students and future researchers may use this as a reference to

any related studies that they may conduct.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The scope of this study includes areas ample in coconut trees within the North

Cotabato region, methods in making cement, time, materials needed, and money. This

study is limited only to the making of cement using coconut husk ash, waste paper

materials, and sand as some of its components.

The money needed ranges from P500 to P1000. The time needed to be

consumed will vary on how long the cement will need to dry. Some equipment are

already available at our homes, lessening the materials needed to be bought. Its

limitations are those events, things, and etc. that are not comprised in the scope of the

study.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Coconut husk ash Durable cement

Sand (Dependent Variable)

Waste paper materials

(Independent Variables)

Sustainability of the Cement

(Intervening Variable)

Fig.1. Schematic Diagram of the Study

DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Coconut husk ash

Coconut shells which have been burnt.

 Cement

A substance used for construction that set, hardens, and adheres to other

materials to bind them together.