18-08-2014, 02:58 PM
A Review on Utilization of Coconut Shell as Coarse Aggregates in Mass Concrete
A Review on Utilization.pdf (Size: 57.35 KB / Downloads: 89)
Abstract:
In this constructed environment, the rising cost of
building construction materials is the factor of great concern.
The prices of building materials are rising day by day. The
coarse aggregates are the main ingredients of concrete. In this
paper, the utilization of coconut shell as a coarse aggregate has
been discussed based on the results obtained from
comprehensive review of literature. We all want that our
buildings must be strong and should build with the
construction material of reasonable rates. Every construction
industry totally relies on cement, sand and aggregates for the
production of concrete. Nowadays, most of the researchers are
doing the research on the material which can reduce the cost
of construction as well as increase the strength. Some of the
waste materials are used in concrete according to their
properties. For instance fly ash, rice husk, slag and sludge
from the treatment of industrial and domestic waste water
have been found suitable as partial replacement for cement in
concrete. The coconut shell is a material which can be a
substitute for aggregates. The shell of the coconut is mostly
used as an ornament and as a source of activated carbon. The
powdered shell is also used in the industries of plastics, glues,
and abrasive materials. The use of coconut shells can also help
the prevention of the environment and also help economically.
Sun drying shell should be used to make sure biodegradable
materials decay before its mixing with concrete. It also
contributes to sustainable construction. The aim of this paper
is to spread awareness about the utilization of coconut shell as
a construction material in civil engineering
INTRODUCTION
Concrete is an artificial material similar in appearance and
properties to some natural lime stone rock. It is a man made
composite, the major constituent being natural aggregate such
as gravel, or crushed rock, sand and fine particles of cement
powder all mixed with water. The concrete as time goes on
through a process of hydration of the cement paste, producing a
required strength to withstand the load. The use of coconut
shell as coarse aggregate in concrete has never been a usual
practice among the average citizens, particularly in areas where
light weight concrete is required for non-load bearing walls,
non-structural floors, and strip footings. Although coarse
aggregate usually take about 50% of the overall self weight of
concrete. The cost of construction materials is increasing day
by day because of high demand, scarcity of raw materials, and
high price of energy. From the standpoint of energy saving and
conservation of natural resources, the use of alternative
constituents in construction materials is now a global concern.
For this, the extensive research and development works
towards exploring new ingredients are required for producing
sustainable and environment friendly construction materials.
The recycling of solid wastes in civil engineering applications
has undergone considerable development over a very long
time. The utilization of fly ash, blast furnace slag, recycled
aggregates, red mud, kraft pulp production residue, waste tea,
etc., in construction materials shows some examples of the
success of research in this area. Similarly, the recycling of
hazardous wastes for use in construction materials and the
environmental impact of such practices have been studied for
many years [1]. Coconut is grown in more than 93 countries.
South East Asia is regarded as the origin of coconut. India is
the third largest, having cultivation on an area of about 1.78
million hectares. Annual production is about 7562 million nuts
with an average of 5295 nuts per hectare. The coconut industry
in India accounts for over a quarter of the world's total coconut
oil output and is set to grow further with the global increase in
demand. However, it is also the main contributor to the nation's
pollution problem as a solid waste in the form of shells, which
involves an annual production of approximately 3.18 million
tones. Coconut shell represents more than 60% of the domestic
waste volume. Coconut Shell, which presents serious disposal
problems for local environment, is an abundantly available
agricultural waste from local coconut industries. In developing
countries where abundant agricultural and industrial wastes are
discharged, these wastes can be used as potential material or
replacement material in the construction industry. This will
have the double advantage of reduction in the cost of
construction material and also as a means of disposal of wastes.
DISCUSSION
Use of coconut shells in cement concrete can help in waste
reduction and pollution reduction. The need of the hour is to
encourage the use of the waste products as construction
materials in low-cost housing. It is also expected to serve the
purpose of encouraging housing developers in investing these
materials in house construction. The construction industries
have identified many artificial and natural lightweight
aggregates that have replaced conventional aggregates thereby
reducing the size of structural members. This has brought
immense change in the development of high rise structures
using Light weight concrete. Coconut Shells are not commonly
used in the construction industry but are often dumped as
agricultural wastes. Coconut Shell Concrete can be used in
rural areas and places where coconut is abundant and may also
be used where the conventional aggregates are costly. Coconut
shell concrete is also classified as structural lightweight
concrete. It is concluded that the Coconut Shells are more
suitable as low strength-giving lightweight aggregate when
used to replace common coarse aggregate in concrete
production.