Properties of Concrete with Coconut Shell as Fine Aggregate Replacement

Abstract

Nowadays, the natural material as agriculture waste in concrete has long been discussed. Coconut shell is one of the most vast and readily available agricultural solid waste in many tropical countries. The properties of coconut shell are examined and the use of coconut shell aggregate as construction materials are evaluated. This study focused on the effect of coconut shell as fine aggregate replacement on the performance of concrete in terms of the mechanical properties and physical properties. The coconut shell concrete was designed with characteristic strength of 30 MPa, with the incorporation of coconut shell as replacement for fine aggregate in 10%, 20% and 30% of volume fraction to see the effect on the mechanical and physical behaviour.

In total, 72 samples were analysed and discussed. The replacement of coconut shell in volume fractions as fine aggregate in concrete led to decrease in density, compressive and flexural strengths with corresponding increase in absorption properties of concrete as the coconut shell replacement increased. Cost of production for concrete decreased as the coconut shell increased. 

Keywords:  coconut  shell,  lightweight  aggregate,  lightweight  concrete,  compressive  strength, mechanical properties