Pengaruh Penambahan Serbuk Kulit Kerang terhadap Karakteristik Fisik dan Mekanik Bata Ringan

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of adding seashell powder on the mechanical strength of lightweight bricks. Seashell powder was utilized as a partial substitute for кварtz sand to reduce its usage in the brick mixture. The research employed an experimental method with three particle size variations obtained using sieves of 40, 50, and 60 mesh. The mixture composition of seashell powder was divided into two types: C₁ (40%) and C₂ (30%) of the total mixture weight. Specimens were prepared using molds measuring 12.7 × 25.4 mm and compacted with a hydraulic press at a pressure of 100 kg/cm². Data analysis included compressive strength, water absorption, and surface visualization. The results indicate that variations in the proportion and particle size of seashell powder significantly affect the mechanical properties of lightweight bricks. The lowest load-bearing capacity was observed in the C₂ sample with 40 mesh size, reaching 343.23 N, while the highest was found in the C₁ sample with 60 mesh size, reaching 1162.09 N. In addition, the mixture ratio influenced the water absorption characteristics of the material. This was evidenced by the difference in weight before and after immersion for 5 minutes. The highest weight gain was recorded in the C₂ sample at 18.46 g, whereas the lowest was in the C₁ sample at 3.12 g. These findings confirm that both composition and particle size of seashell powder play a critical role in determining the performance of lightweight bricks