Cost and Strength Analysis on Partial Replacement of Coconut Shell in Concrete as Coarse Aggregate

Construction and Management

Aggregates provide volume at low cost, comprising 66 percent to 78 percent of the concrete. With increasing concern over the excessive exploitation of natural and quality aggregates, the aggregate produced from industrial wastes and agriculture wastes being viable new source for building material. This study was carried out to determine the possibilities of using coconut shell as aggregate in concrete. Utilizing coconut shell as aggregate in concrete production not only solves the problem of disposing this solid waste but also helps conserve natural resources. In this paper, the physical properties of crushed coconut shell aggregate were presented. The fresh concrete properties such as density and slump and 28-day compressive strength of a lightweight concrete made with coconut shell as coarse aggregate also presented. The findings indicated that water absorption of the coconut shell aggregate was high about 24 % but the crushing value and impact value was comparable to that of other lightweight aggregates. The average fresh concrete density and 28-day cube compressive strength of the concrete using coconut shell aggregate were 1975 kg/m3 and 19.1 N/mm2 respectively. It is concluded that crushed coconut shells are suitable when it is used as substitute for conventional aggregates in lightweight concrete production. Conventional coarse aggregate namely gravel and fine aggregate is sand in concrete will be used as control. While natural material is coconut shell as course aggregate will be investigate to replace the aggregate in concrete. In this studies, three different concrete mixes with different the combination of natural material content namely 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%.Three sample specimen will be prepared for each concrete mixes. The parameters will be tested are flexural strength, compressive strength, tensile strength. The effect of using different length of natural material aggregate will also investigate. The effect of aggregate content to workability will also examine. The expected outcomes of the study, is the combination of coconut shell has potential as lightweight aggregate in concrete. Also, using the combination of coconut shell as aggregate in concrete can reduce the material cost in construction because of the low cost and abundant agricultural waste. This report presents an investigation on the behavior of concrete specimens produced from coconut shell (CS) aggregates. Utilizing CS in concrete production not only solves the problem of disposing this solid waste but also helps conserve natural resources. A total of 54 specimens with varying percentage of replacement were casted and tested. Data presented include the compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of coconut shell concrete and comparison with conventional concrete. The investigation revealed that the behavior of CS concrete beams was comparable to that of other lightweight concretes and the experimental results compare reasonably well with the current Codes of Practice. The attempt is made to prove in all respect the serviceability, durability and economy in the experimental study is structurally satisfying and can be implemented in rural areas by considering all technical aspect. The aim behind this is to use low cost material like coconut shell and thus taking close to the concept of low cost housing. All precaution is taken to maintain serviceability, strength and durability of the members. The method adopted is relevant to real social needs that are accessible, affordable and empowering impact as saving of material is achieved ultimately caring for natural resources. Thus it will be helpful for civil engineers and society to adopt this concept to fulfill the basic need of human that is housing.

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