Study on Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate with Coconut Shells

Concrete is made up of cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregate, water and admixtures if necessary. Aggregate is one of the main ingredients in producing concrete covering up to 75% of total concrete mix. High cost is the dominating factor of conventional construction material which is affecting the housing system. Thus to overcome this drawback, it is necessary to make research on an alternative material which reduces the cost. Thus waste coconut shell may be used to replace conventional coarse aggregate. Coconut shell which is abundantly available as agricultural waste from coconut industries poses a serious disposal problem. Hence using these coconut shells will have the double advantage of reduction in the cost of construction material and also as a means of disposal of wastes. Experimental investigation were carried out by preparing concrete blocks of 150mm*150mm*150mm and compressive strength tests were conducted on these blocks by replacing coarse aggregates in concrete mixes by 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% with coconut shells. From the experimental investigation it was found that coconut shells can be used as an alternative in concrete mixes by adjusting the water cement ratio and admixture contents of the mix.