Mechanical Properties of Concrete Using Oyster Shells as Coarse Aggregate

Abstract

Abstract. In order to investigate the recycling possibilities of coarse oyster shell aggregate, the chemical compound of oyster shell and reactivity of oyster shell with cement paste was examined. Specifically, the mechanical characteristics of fresh concrete and hardened concrete were quantified in terms of oyster shell substitution rates. Test results indicate that there is no interaction between oyster shell and cement paste and that concrete's workability decreases as the substitution rate for oyster shell increases. The decrease was about 20% at a substitution rate of 30%.