Experimental Study on Behaviour of Concrete for Replacement of Fly Ash and Sea Shells as a Substitute to Cement and Coarse Aggregates

The project “Experimental Study on Behavior of Concrete for Replacement of Fly Ash and Sea Shells as a Substitute to Cement and Coarse Aggregates� deals with the Eco Friendly approach to the continuously growing construction Industry. Civil engineering practice and construction works in India depend to a very large extent on concrete. Concrete is one of the major building materials that can be delivered to the job site in a plastic state and can be molded in situ or precast to any form or shape. Concrete basic constituents are cement, fine aggregate (sand), coarse aggregate (granite chippings) and water. Hence, the overall cost of concrete production depends largely on the availability of the constituents (and selected additives). Water reacts chemically with cement to form the cement paste, acts as binder holding the aggregate together which is an exothermic hydration reaction. Aggregates are usually described as inert "filler" material of either the fine (sand) or coarse (gravel) variety which are Conventional or Natural Materials. Now a days, we are facing drastic shortage of conventional construction materials, Lack of economical materials, Depletion in Natural materials and day by day it is further increasing so it is required to provide alternative to this condition for Sustainable Development and study proposed some materials can replace these materials efficiently. Seashell and Fly ash are the materials which looks like a waste but these contains Engineering properties which can replace conventional construction materials like Aggregate and Cement. Seashell is a hard, protective layer, a calcareous exoskeleton which encloses, supports and protects the soft parts of an animal (molluscs). As they grow, the shells increases in size which becomes a strong compact casing for the mollusc inside. The major molluscan seashell includes, bivalves such as clams, scallops, and cockle. The hard shells are regarded as waste, which are accumulated in many parts of the country, when dumped and left untreated may cause unpleasant odour and disturbing view to the surrounding. Also the aggregate surface texture influences the bond between aggregate and cement paste in hardened concrete. Thus it opens an investigation into its potential as a partial replacement of coarse aggregate. Fly ash is a black finely divided residue resulting from the combustion of powdered coal and transported by the flue gases and collected by the electrostatic precipitator. It is obtained from a nearby thermal power plant site.