Journal of Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences

PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF COARSE

AGGREGATE WITH COCONUT SHELL IN THE CONCRETE
Shrikant M. Harle
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering and
Management, Badnera, Maharashtra, India
[email protected]

Abstract
The high cost of conventional construction material affects economy of structure. With the increasing concern over excessive
exploitation of natural aggregates, synthetic lightweight aggregate produced from environmental waste is a viable new
source of structural aggregate material. It is becoming more difficult to find natural resources. Therefore the coconut shell as
partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete is studied. The density, slump and compressive strength of concrete are
tested. The replacement of coarse aggregate by coconut shell by 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The tests were carried out and the
results obtained suggested that the replacement more than 20% leads to lightweight aggregate concrete. The slump found out
to be increases as the percentage replacement increased. Similarly the density is reduced as the percentage replacement
increased. The compressive strength found to be decreases as the percentage replacement increases.
Keywords: coconut shell, lightweight aggregate, compressive strength, slump and density

1. Introduction showed that coconut shell are more suitable as low

Infrastructure development across the world created strength giving light weight aggregate when used to
demands for construction material. Concrete is the replace common coarse aggregate in concrete production
premier civil engineering materials used in the structure. ([1], [2]).
Concrete manufacturing involves consumption of The researcher suggested that one of the alternatives for
ingredients like cement, aggregates, water and coarse aggregate is coconut shell. It is one of the most
admixtures. Among all the ingredients, aggregates form common agricultural solid wastes in many tropical
the major parts. Production is expected to increase to countries. Density of coconut shell concrete of the typical
more than billions tons per year by the year. Use of natural mixes ranged from 1930 kg/cum to 1970 kg/cum ([3],
aggregates in such a rate leads to a question about the [7]).
preservation of natural aggregate sources. Using
alternative materials in place of natural aggregates in There was researched on the coconut shell use as
concrete production makes concrete as sustainable and aggregate in the study which showed that with global
environmentally friendly construction material. The economic recession coupled with the market inflator
chemical composition of coconut shell is similar to wood trends. The average compressive strength for concrete
and it contains 33.61% cellulose, 36.51 % lignin and cubes with coconut shell 15.6 N/mm2 for 28 days [4].
0.61% ash. It was studied studied the compressive strength, split
Lightweight aggregate concrete can be used produced tensile strength, water absorption and sorption for
using a variety of lightweight aggregate. Lightweight different coconut shell replaced concrete. By replacement
aggregate can be originated from natural materials like of coconut shells in place of aggregates, 10% &20%
pumice, the thermal treatment of natural raw materials replacement will have been decreased marginally the
like clay slate or shale. The other byproduct may include strength properties of concrete compared to the
fly ash. The required properties will have bearing on the normal concrete [18].
best type of lightweight aggregate used. the benefits of The researcher experimented three different concrete
using lightweight aggregate concrete includes reduction mixes namely M20, M35 and M50 grade with different
in dead load, improved thermal properties, improved fire combination of natural material CS content in the
resistance and reduction in formwork. proportion 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% replaced. It was
studied that coconut shells are suitable as low strength
2.0Literature review: giving lightweight aggregate [19].
It was studied that palm kernel shell and coconut shell, Also the researcher experimented to determine the
both of which belongs to the family of palm shells. These compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural
are agricultural waste products and are available in large strength cube, cylinder and beam section. It was
quantities in the tropical regions of the world. Research

23 JREAS, Vol. 2, Issue 01, Jan. 2017

concluded that when coconut shell aggregates in 3.1.2 Fine Aggregate
proportions of 15% was used in the conventional concrete
comparable compressive strength results were obtained The various properties of fine aggregate such as specific
[20]. gravity, fineness modulus, bulk density were determined
as per IS 456:2000. Locally available sand was used as
There was study on experimentation that coconut shell fine aggregate in the experimental work. The test is
can be grouped under lightweight aggregate because 28 carried out for deciding the fineness modulus. Also the
days air dry densities of coconut shell aggregate concrete sieve analysis is carried out. Fineness modulus of sand is
are less than 2000 kg/cum. It was concluded that this type found to be 3.25 and it confirms to grading zone II as per
of concrete can be used in rural areas and wherever the grading limit for fine aggregate as per IS 383:1970.
natural aggregates are costly [21]. Fineness modulus is well within 2.5 to 3.37.the bulk
The experimentation conducted that density of concrete modulus is found to be 2.65. Sieve analysis of sand is
decreases with increases in CS percentage. Workability mentioned in table no.2
decreases with increase in CS percentage. Compressive
and split tensile strength of CS concrete were lower than
Table 2 : Sieve analysis of sand
normal concrete [22].
Sr. I.S. Weigh Cumulati Cumulati Cumulati
It was observed that coconut shell concrete is very
N sieve t ve ve % ve %
suitable for low cost construction in rural areas. It can
o. size Retain Weight Retained Passing
replace the natural coarse aggregate up to certain limits.
ed Retained
This type of aggregate will serve to counteract the scarcity
(Kg) (Kg)
of natural aggregates [23].
1 4.75 0.02 0.02 2.0 98.00
mm
3.0 Materials 2 2.36 0.2 0.22 22.00 78.00
3.1 Material Specification mm
3 1.18 0.29 0.51 51.00 49.00
For the production of concrete, the constituent materials mm
are cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water. 4 600 0.16 0.67 67.00 33.00
To get better workability and strength, the material used micr
should have better quality. To maintain the safety of any on
structure, provisions are provided as per IS 456:2000. 5 300 0.198 0.868 86.80 13.20
micr
3.1.1 Cement: on
6 150 0.102 0.97 97.00 3.00
In the experimental work cement used is Ordinary micr
Portland cement. Various properties were evaluated such on
as fineness of cement, setting time, soundness test and 7 pan 0.030 - - -
compressive strength as shown in the following table - - 1 Kg - 325.00 -
no.1. (Total)
Fineness modulus (F.M.) = 325.00/100 = 3.25
Table 1. : Properties of cement

Sr. Particulars Experimental 3.1.3 Coarse Aggregate

No. values Coarse aggregate of maximum size 10 mm used in the
1 Fineness of grinding 1% experimental work. Coarse aggregate were tested for
(Residue on I.S. sieve no.9) different properties such as fineness modulus, bulk
2 Normal Consistency (%) 31% modulus as per IS 383:1970(3). Sieve analysis of coarse
water consistency aggregate is shown in the following table no.3.
3 Setting time
Initial setting time (min) 85 min
Final setting time (min) 290 min
4 Compressive strength 26.35 N/mm2
(average of three cubes)
5 Soundness Test (expansion 1 mm
after boiling)

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 Table 3: Sieve analysis of coarse aggregate the coarse aggregate content. The value for the coarse
aggregate for different zone of fine aggregate is shown in
Sr. Sieve Weight Cumulative % following table no.5.
No. size retained % retained passing
(Kg)
1 40 mm Nil Nil Nil Table 5: The approximate value for the
2 20 mm 0 0 100 coarse aggregate
3 10 mm 1.465 29.2 70.7 Nominal Volume of coarse aggregate per unit
4 4.75 mm 2.165 72.6 27.4 size of volume of concrete for different zone of
5 2.36 mm 0.96 91.8 8.2 aggregate fine aggregate
6 1.18 mm 0.145 94.7 5.3 (mm)
7 600 0.075 96.2 3.8 Zone I Zone II Zone III Zone IV
micron 10 0.5 0.48 0.46 0.44
8 300 0.1 98 1.8 20 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60
micron 40 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.69
9 150 0.09 98.2 1.5
micron Also the approximate values for fine aggregates are
10 Pan 0.02 - - mentioned in the table 6.
Total 5.0 482.6 - Table .6: The approximate value for fine aggregate
The physical properties of coarse aggregate are
mentioned in the following table 4 Sr. Particulars Quantity/Formula
No.
Table 4: Physical properties of coarse aggregate 1 Volume of concrete 1 cum
Sr. No. Properties Results 2 Volume of cement (mass of cement/SG of
1 Particle shape, size Angular, 20 mm cement)/1000
2 Bulk density 1.585 3 Volume of water (mass of water/SG of
water)/1000
3 Specific gravity 2.76
4 Volume of coconut (mass of CS/SG of CS)
shell (CS)
3.1.4 Coconut shell: 5 Volume of all [(A-(B+C+D))]
Coconut shells used in the study are brought from local aggregate
temple. The coconut shells are sundried for five days 6 Mass of coarse E*volume of coarse
before using it as an aggregate. The cleaning of coconut aggregate aggregate*SG of coarse
shell is carried with the help of sand paper, the smaller aggregate*1000
extractions on the outer face of coconut is cleaned with 7 Mass of fine E*volume of fine
the help of water. The outer shell is then broken in smaller aggregate aggregate*SG of coarse
parts up to 20 mm. The broking of coconut shell is done aggregate*1000
with the help of 30 kg hammer. Then the broken pieces are
passed through IS 20 mm sieve and pieces are retained on The material requirement, quantity and properties of the
a IS 16mm sieve are used. material required for the concrete is shown in the
following table no. 7.
3.1.5 Water: Table 7: Mix design for the concrete of M20 grade
The water used in the study was clean and clear. It was
free from bacteria and other impurities. There was no acid M-20 concrete mix design for conventional concrete cube
content in it. The water cement ratio for the concrete mix as per IS 10262:2009
is 0.6. A-1 Stimulation for proportioning
1 Grade designation M-20
4.0 Methodology: 2 Maximum nominal 20 mm
aggregate size
The concrete mix design was carried out for the present
3 Maximum water 0.5
work. The concrete mix design is a process of selecting
cement ratio
the suitable ingredient of concrete and determining their
most optimum proportions economically. 4 Workability 20-50 mm
5 Exposure condition Mild
The approximate value for the coarse aggregate volumes 6 Degree of Good
are given in IS 10262-2009 for the water cement ratio. For supervision
more workable concrete that can flow around any 7 Type of aggregate Angular aggregate
congested reinforcement bars, it may be desired to reduce 8 Zone III

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A-2 Test data for material 4 Mass of coarse 1182
1 Specific gravity of 3.15 aggregate (kg/cum)
cement 5 Water cement ratio 0.5
2 Specific gravity of 1.0 Trial Proportion
water Water Cement Fine Coarse
3 Specific gravity of 2.74 aggregate aggregate
coarse aggregate 197 lit 394 kg 591 kg 1182 kg
4 Specific gravity of 2.74
fine aggregate 5.0 Results
5 Water absorption 0.5% In the present work coarse aggregate is replaced with the
of coarse coconut shell, by volume. Specimens were casted by
aggregate replacing 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of coarse aggregate
6 Water absorption 1.0% with coconut shell. Tests were conducted on the cast
of fine aggregate specimens after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days as mentioned in the
7 Free surface Nil IS code. There is no need to treat the coconut shell before
moisture of coarse use as an aggregate except for water absorption. Tests for
aggregate workability and compression were conducted and results
8 Free surface Nil were obtained. Coconut shell concrete has better
moisture of fine workability because of the smooth surface on one side of
aggregate the shell and the smaller size of coconut shell. The table
no. 8 is mentioned below detailing the properties of
A-3 Target strength of mix proportioning
concrete.
Target mean (20+1.65*4)=26.60
strength MPa
(Fck’=Fck+k*s)
A-4 Selection of water cement ratio
Maximum water 0.5
cement ratio
A-5 Selection of water
content
Maximum water 197
content
A-6 Calculation of
cement content
Water cement ratio 0.5 Graph .1: Percentage replacement of coarse
Cement content 394 aggregate v/s Density (Kg/cum)
A-7 Mix calculation
From the above graph it is observed that as the percentage
1 Volume of 1.0
replacement of coarse aggregate by coconut shell is
concrete (cum) increased, the density is decreased. This can lead to light
2 Volume of cement 0.125 weight concrete up to some extent and therefore the
(cum) applications are filler materials in framed structure,
3 Volume of water 0.197 flooring tiles, thermal insulating concrete, etc. Also the
(cum) slump Value of different mix of the concrete is shown.
4 Volume of coarse 0.433
aggregate
5 Volume of fine 0.25
aggregate
A-9 Mix proportion
for1 cum
1 Mass of cement 394
(kg/cum)
2 Mass of water 197
(kg/cum)
3 Mass of fine 591
aggregate
(kg/cum) Graph 2: Concrete Mix v/s Slump Value

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From the above graph the slump value is increased as the increased with the corresponding 28 days curing strength.
percentage of the replacement of coarse aggregate by Workability of concrete is increases as the replacement
coconut shell is increased. Therefore the construction increases. Specific gravity of the concrete reduces as the
work requiring the more slump value, this type of replacement of coarse aggregate increases. The density of
concrete is suitable. The compressive strength of concrete concrete is decreases as the replacement increases.
is detailed in the table 8. Density of concrete should not be less than 2000 kg/cum.
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