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Abstract
The rising cost of building materials, particularly concrete, has become a growing concern due to increased demand and limited availability of raw materials. To address this issue, there is a pressing need to find cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to conventional coarse aggregates. This project aims to investigate the potential of using coconut shells a readily available agricultural waste product from oil industries as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in concrete. By utilizing coconut shells, the study seeks to reduce material costs, minimize environmental waste, and promote energy conservation while maintaining the required strength and durability of concrete used in roads and buildings.
In this experimental study, concrete mixes were prepared by partially replacing coarse aggregates with coconut shell particles in varying proportions ranging from 0% to 30%. The concrete mix used was designed for C30 grade concrete. Several tests were conducted to evaluate the properties of the modified concrete, including compressive strength and tensile strength after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Slump tests were also carried out to determine workability, which ranged between 60 and 75 mm, indicating that less water was required for the coconut shell concrete. Density, compressive strength, and durability (water absorption) tests were performed after 28 days of curing, and the results were compared with those of conventional concrete.
The experimental results showed that the compressive strength of concrete generally increased with curing time but decreased as the percentage of coconut shell replacement increased. The mix containing 5% coconut shell replacement achieved a compressive strength of 38.37 N/mm² after 28 days, demonstrating improved strength compared to the control mix. It was observed that up to 5% of the coarse aggregate could be replaced with coconut shells in high-performance concrete, particularly for construction applications, without compromising strength and durability. Therefore, the study concludes that incorporating coconut shells as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates is a viable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for modern construction practices.
In this experimental study, concrete mixes were prepared by partially replacing coarse aggregates with coconut shell particles in varying proportions ranging from 0% to 30%. The concrete mix used was designed for C30 grade concrete. Several tests were conducted to evaluate the properties of the modified concrete, including compressive strength and tensile strength after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Slump tests were also carried out to determine workability, which ranged between 60 and 75 mm, indicating that less water was required for the coconut shell concrete. Density, compressive strength, and durability (water absorption) tests were performed after 28 days of curing, and the results were compared with those of conventional concrete.
The experimental results showed that the compressive strength of concrete generally increased with curing time but decreased as the percentage of coconut shell replacement increased. The mix containing 5% coconut shell replacement achieved a compressive strength of 38.37 N/mm² after 28 days, demonstrating improved strength compared to the control mix. It was observed that up to 5% of the coarse aggregate could be replaced with coconut shells in high-performance concrete, particularly for construction applications, without compromising strength and durability. Therefore, the study concludes that incorporating coconut shells as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates is a viable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for modern construction practices.
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