Seashell as Aggregate in Cemented Materials: A Review

Abstract

The tendencies in the field of cemented materials are currently oriented towards the use of alternative products in cemented materials to reduce the strong dependence on natural resources. The materials most used for this purpose, are recycled ones coming from the waste discarded by the factories. One of these new methods consists of the use of mollusc shells as aggregate in ordinary concrete, cement mortar, pervious concrete, and mineral addition to cement. Experimental analysis has been conducted on the employment of molluscan seashells as a substitute for aggregates in cement materials. This document is a review of shell elaboration in cemented materials. The article first presents a summary of the preparation ways and overall properties of seashells. Then it discusses the existing applications within the construction sector. Mollusc shells generally have very variable geometries and shapes, also the granular distribution depends on the shell type and crushing process. Molluscan shells contain characteristic traces of chloride and sulfate salts. Although the addition of the shell aggregate reduces the physico-mechanical properties of the cemented material, the current understanding of the elaboration of those seashells requires additional analysis of numerous aspects of their behavior.