22-09-2014, 03:27 PM
Application of Coconut Shell as Coarse Aggregate in Concrete: A
Technical Review
Application of Coconut Shell a.pdf (Size: 156.88 KB / Downloads: 68)
ABSTRACT
Oil palm shell (OPS) is a waste from the agricultural sector and is available in large quantities in the tropical
regions. The high cost of conventional building materials is a major factor affecting housing delivery in world.
This has necessitated research into alternative materials of construction. The project paper aims at analysing
compressive strength characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut as substitutes for
conventional coarse aggregate with partial replacement. The main objective is to encourage the use of these
‘seemingly’ 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.
Keywords - Coarse aggregates, Coconut shell, Compressive strength, Concrete cube specimens, Grade 53 Birla
cement, M20, M35, M40, CTM, etc.
Concrete:
Far more concrete is produced than any
other man-made material. Annual production
represents one ton for every person on the planet. It is
incredibly versatile, and is used in almost all major
construction projects. Aggregates are used in
concrete for very specific purposes. Aggregates
typically make up about 60 % to 75 % of the volume
of a concrete mixture, and as they are the least
expensive of the materials used in concrete, the
economic impact is significant. 80 % of buildings
CO2 emissions are generated not by the production of
the materials used in its construction, but in the
electric utilities of the building over its life-cycle.
Compared to other comparable building materials,
concrete is less costly to produce and remains
extremely affordable.
Experimental programme
The target of the experimental program was
to determine the contribution of natural material
aggregate type to the development of the strength
behaviour of the confined concrete. The experimental
program comprises the following:
a. To investigate the best mix proportion of the
combination of coconut shell as coarse aggregate
in concrete by the value of strength per weight
ratio of sample specimen.
b. To investigate the feasibility of the combination
of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete
by determining its compressive strength and
durability.
c. To investigate the effect of the combination of
coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete
content and length to the workability as
lightweight aggregate in concrete and also the
mechanical properties mentioned above.
d. To determine the optimum content of the
combination of coconut shell as coarse aggregate
in concrete to improve the ductility and does not
cause reduction in the compressive strength.
Conclusion
From the experimental results and
discussion, the coconut shell has potential as
lightweight aggregate in concrete. Also, using the
coconut shell as aggregate in concrete can reduce the
material cost in construction because of the low cost
and abundant agricultural waste. 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.