INVESTIGATORY PROJECT OF DISCARDED MUSSEL SHELLS AS AGGREGATE IN TILE MAKING

Abstract

Mussel shells, typically discarded as waste, offer a promising opportunity to be used as an aggregate in tile production. This research aims to explore the feasibility and benefits of incorporating leftover mussel shells into the manufacturing process of tiles. By utilizing the natural properties of these shells, the study seeks to enhance tile quality, promote sustainability, and reduce waste, offering an innovative solution for both environmental and product development purposes. This study employed a quantitative-descriptive research design using purposive sampling. A survey questionnaire was utilized as the primary instrument to evaluate the acceptability of the proposed project in terms of materials used, procedural methodology, affordability, durability, and presentation. To analyze the differences between the assessments of the two groups of respondents, a T-test was used as the statistical tool. The assessment results of the proposed project reveal that it was deemed "Highly Acceptable" by both respondent groups in terms of materials used, procedural methodology, affordability, durability, and presentation. The Tile Makers provided an overall weighted mean of 3.49 with a variance of 0.10425, while the Chemistry Teachers gave an overall weighted mean of 3.28 with a variance of 0.15825. The calculated t-critical value at a significance level of 0.05 and 8 degrees of freedom was 2.306, while the t-computed value was 0.1826. These results indicate no significant difference between the assessments of the two groups, suggesting that both groups consider the project equally "Acceptable." For future enhancements of the study, respondents recommended incorporating pigments to add color, altering the visual appearance for improved aesthetics, testing stronger binders to increase durability, and using a polisher to achieve a smoother, more polished finish.