International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064

Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of

Cement with Coconut Shell Ash in Concrete
Vignesh Kumar Nagarajan1, S. Aruna Devi2, S. P. Manohari3, M. Maria Santha4
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Kamaraj College of Engineering & Technology, Virudhunagar, India
2, 3, 4
UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering, Kamaraj College of Engineering & Technology, Virudhunagar, India

Abstract: The environmental impact of OPC is significant because its production emits large amount of CO2. Utilization of industrial
soil waste or secondary materials has been encouraged in construction field for the production of cement and concrete because it
contributes for reducing the consumption of natural raw materials as resources. The volume of wastes generated in the world has
increased over the years due to increase in population, socioeconomic activities and social development. One of the most attractive
options of managing such wastes is to look into the possibility of waste minimization and re-use. The cost of cement used in concrete
works is on the increase and unaffordable, yet the need for housing and other constructions requiring this material keeps growing with
increasing population, thus the need to find alternative binding materials that can be used solely or in partial replacement of cement.
Agricultural waste material, in this case, coconut shells, which is an environmental pollutant, are collected and burnt in the open air
(uncontrolled combustion) for three hours and that product is incinerated in muffle furnace at 800oC for 6 hrs to produce coconut shell
ash (CSA), which in turn was used as pozzolana in partial replacement of cement in concrete production. Concrete mortar cubes were
produced using replacement levels of 0 and 5 percent of OPC with CSA. The Coconut Shell ash is used for the partial replacement of
cement. Further, use of coconut shell ash as a value added material as in the case of binary blended cement concrete, reduces the
consumption of cement. Reduction of cement usage will reduce the production of cement which in turn cut the CO2 emissions. The time
has come for the review of progress made in the field of development of binary blended cement concrete.

Keywords: Compressive Strength, concrete, coconut shell ash, Cement

1. Introduction 2.1 Cement

Concrete is widely used as construction material for various Cement is used right from ancient periods in construction
types of structures due to its durability. For a long time it industry. In the most general sense of the word, cement is a
was considered to be very durable material requiring a little binder, a substance which sets and hardens independently,
or no maintenance. Many environmental phenomena are and can bind other materials together. The word “Cement“
known significantly the durability of reinforced concrete traces to the Romans, who used the term “opus
structures. We build concrete structures in highly polluted caementicium” to describe masonry which resembled
urban and industrial areas, aggressive marine environments concrete and was made from crushed rock with burned lime
and many other hostile conditions where other materials of as binder. Te volcanic ash pulverized brick additives which
construction are found to be nondurable. In the recent were added to the burnt lime to obtain a hydraulic binder
revision of IS: 456-2000, one of the major points discussed is were later referred to as cementum, cimentum, cament and
the durability aspects of concrete. So the use of concrete is cement. Cements used in construction are characterized as
unavoidable. At the same time the scarcity of aggregates are hydraulic or nonhydraulic. The most important use of cement
also greatly increased nowadays. Utilization of industrial soil is the production of mortar and concrete – the bonding of
waste or secondary materials has been encouraged in natural or artificial aggregates to form a strong building
construction field for the production of cement and concrete material which is durable in the face of normal
because it contributes to reducing the consumption of natural environmental effects.
resources. They have been successfully used in the
construction industry for partial or full replacement for fine 2.1.1 Cement Properties and Strength Analysis
and coarse aggregates. The composition of World Cement
Consumption in the year 2010 is 3,313 Million Metric Tons. The physical properties of cement are Setting Time,
Among that 7.0% in India, 57.7% in China, 9.4% in Soundness, Fineness, and Strength.
Developed Countries, 25.9% in Other Emerging. The
composition of Coconut Production in India in the year 2009 Setting Time
is 10,894,000 tonnes. Traditional areas of coconut cultivation
are the states of Kerala (45.22%), Tamil Nadu (26.56%),  Cement paste setting time is affected by a number of
Karnataka (10.85%) and Andhra Pradesh (8.93%). items including: cement fineness, water-cement ratio,
chemical content (especially gypsum content) and
2. Materials Used admixtures. Setting tests are used to characterize how a
particular cement paste sets.
 Ordinary Portland Cement (53 Grade)  For construction purposes, the initial set must not be too
 Fine Aggregate soon and the final set must not be too late.
 Water  Initial set. Occurs when the paste begins to stiffen
considerably.
 Coarse Aggregate
 Coconut Shell Ash
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ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
 Final set. Occurs when the cement has hardened to the  When considering cement paste strength tests, there are
point at which it can sustain some load. two items to consider:
 Setting is mainly caused by C3A and C3S and results in  Cement mortar strength is not directly related to
temperature rise in the cement paste. concrete strength. Strength tests are done on cement
 False set :No heat is evolved in a false set and the mortars (cement + water + sand) and not on cement
concrete can be re-mixed without adding water pastes.
 Occurs due to the conversion of unhydreous
/semihydrous gypsum to hydrous 2.2 Sand
gypsum(CaSO4.2H2O)
 Flash Set: is due to absence of Gypsum. Specifically Sand is naturally occurring granular material composed of
used for under water repair. finely divided rock and mineral particles. The most common
constituent of sand is silicon dioxide, usually in the form of
Soundness Quartz. Normally fine aggregate is used as fine aggregate for
preparing concrete. An individual particle in this range is
 When referring to Portland cement, "soundness" refers termed as sand grain. These sand grains are between coarse
to the ability of a hardened Cement paste to retain its aggregate (2mm to 64mm) and silt (0.004mm to 0.0625mm).
volume after setting without delayed expansion. This Aggregate most of which passes 4.75mm IS sieve is used.
Expansion is caused by excessive amounts of free lime
(CaO) or magnesia (MgO). Most Portland cement 2.3 Coarse Aggregate
specifications limit magnesia content and expansion.
 The cement paste should not undergo large changes in Aggregates are the most mined material in the world.
volume after it has set. However when excessive Aggregates are a component of composite materials such as
amounts of free CaO or MgO are present in the cement, concrete and asphalt concrete; the aggregate serves as
these oxides can slowly hydrate and cause expansion of reinforcement to add strength to the overall composite
the hardened cement paste. material. Coarse aggregate of size 20mm is sieved and used.
 Soundness is defined as the volume stability of the
cement paste. 2.4 Coconut Shell Ash

Fineness 2.4.1 CSA Properties and Strength Analysis

Coconut shell is one of the most important natural fillers

 Fineness or particle size of Portland cement affects
produced in tropical countries like Malaysia, Indonesia,
Hydration rate and thus the rate of strength gain. The
smaller the particle size, the greater the surface area-to- Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Many works have been devoted to
use of other natural fillers in composites in the recent past
volume ratio, and thus, the more area available for
years and coconut shell filler is a potential candidate for the
water-cement interaction per unit volume. The effects of
greater fineness on strength are generally seen during the development of new composites because they have high
strength and modulus properties along with the added
first seven days.
advantage of high lignin content. The high lignin content
 When the cement particles are coarser, hydration starts
makes the composites made with these filler more weather
on the surface of the particles. So the coarser particles
resistant and hence more suitable for application as
may not be completely hydrated. This causes low
construction materials. Coconut shell flour is also
strength and low durability.
extensively used to make products like furnishing materials,
 For a rapid development of strength a high fineness is
rope etc. The shells also absorb less moisture due to its low
necessary.
cellulose content the report focuses on studying the
effectiveness of coconut shell particles as a source of natural
Strength material for reinforcing epoxy resins towards their flexural
properties.
 Cement paste strength is typically defined in three
ways: compressive, tensile and flexural. These 2.4.2 Coconut Shell Ash:
strengths can be affected by a number of items
including: water cement ratio, cement-fine Many researchers have made efforts for preparing carbon
aggregate ratio, type and grading of fine aggregate, black from agricultural by-products such as coconut shell
curing conditions, size and shape of specimen, apricot stones, sugarcane bagasse, nutshells, forest residues
loading conditions and age. and tobacco stems. Coconut shells have little or no economic
value and their disposal is not only costly but may also cause
Duration of Testing environmental problems. Coconut shell is suitable for
preparing carbon black due to its excellent natural structure
Typically, Durations of testing are: and low ash content. Conversion of coconut shells into
activated carbons which can be used as adsorbents in water
 1 day (for high early strength cement) purification or the treatment of industrial and municipal
 3 days, 7 days, 28 days and 90 days (for monitoring effluents would add value to these agricultural commodities,
strength progress) help reduce the cost of waste disposal, and provide a
 28 days strength is recognized as a basis for control in potentially cheap alternative to existing commercial carbons.
most codes.
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ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
2.4.3 Carbonization of Coconut Shell Ash
Coconut shells are cheap and readily available in high
quantity. Coconut shell contains about 65 – 75% volatile
matter and moisture which are removed largely during the
carbonization process. The carbonization process involves
converting the coconut shells to char (charcoal). The
charring process (making of charcoal) is known as the
Pyrolysis, which is chemical decomposition of the shell by
heating in the absence of oxygen. During the carbonization
of coconut shells, volatiles amounting to 70% of the mass of
coconut shells on dry weight basis are released to the
atmosphere, yielding 30% of coconut shell mass of charcoal.
The volatile released during the carbonization process is
Methane, CO2 and wide range of organic vapors. The
carbonization temperature range between 400 and850
sometimes reaches.

2.4.4 The Processing of the Coconut Shell

(Carbonization)
The coconuts were procured from a nearby local temple. The
coconuts were broken manually to drain out the water. The
40 coconut half shells were sun-dried for three days. Sun-
drying was necessary to ease removal of the meat from the Figure 2: Coconut shell ash
inner shells of the coconut pieces. After scraping the meat
from the inner shells, the inner portions of the shells were 2.4.5 Properties of CSA
cleaned using knives. The fibers on the outer shells were also
scraped and cleaned. Emery paper was used to clean the 2.4.5.1 Density Measurement
outer shells.
Density determination by pycnometer is a very precise
The cleaned coconut shells obtained from were cut into method. The theoretical density of coconut shell ash using
pieces of dimensions of 1 sq.cm using hammer and were put pycnometer can be obtained by the following equation:
in stainless steels containers. The containers were then kept
into muffle furnace for carbonization (carbonization is the ρ = [(W2-W1) / {(W4-W1) – (W3-W2)}] × Density of
production of charred carbon from a source material. The kerosene (0.816 g/cc)
process is generally accomplished by heating the source
material usually in the absence or limited amount of air to a where, W1 is the weight of the empty clean and dry
temperature sufficiently high to dry and volatilize substances pycnometer,W2 is the weight of the pycnometer containing
in the carbonaceous material). The carbonization temperature the sample, W4 is the weight of the pycnometer containing
selected as600 and 800 degrees. After a soak time of 4 hours, the kerosene, W3 is the weight of the pycnometer containing
the sample gets carbonized. As the furnace cools down, the sample and kerosene. Using the formula, the value of
containers were taken out. The collected char was ground to density was measured.
form powder using a grinding machine. The powder was
then sieved to a size of 2 2 μm. 2.4.5.2 Particle Size Analysis

The particle size and size distribution of the coconut shell

ash particles has been studied by laser scattering technique
(Malvern MASTER SIZER 2000, U.K.) in Metallurgical and
Materials Engineering Department, NIT Rourkela. The ash
particles were ultrasonically dispersed in water using sodium
hexametaphosphate as dispersant.

2.4.5.3 XRD Analysis

Figure 1: Coconut shells and Muffle furnace The XRD (X-ray DiffractometerX’Pert MPD) analysis of the
coconut shell ash was carried out in Metallurgical and
Materials Engineering Department. Phase analysis was
studied using room temperature powder X-ray diffraction
(Model: PW 3040 Diffractometer, Philips, Holland) will
filtered 1.54 Å u Kα radiation. Samples (coconut shell at 6
degrees) are scanned in a continuous mode with a scanning
rate of 3 degrees/min.

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2.4.5.4 Micro-Hardness  The samples gain higher unit weights with the addition
of CSHA, the shear strengths of all samples increases
Hardness is a mechanical property which represents the respectively at 4% CSHA and that the CBR values
resistance of the material to penetration and scratching, it is increased gradually with increased percentages of
measured by the distance of indentation and recovery that CSHA.
occurs when the indenter is pressed into the surface under
constant load. Leitz micro-hardness tester was used for Experiments:
Hardness measurement. This tester had a diamond indenter,
in the form a right pyramid with a square base and an angle  The lateritic soil samples were obtained from three
136° between opposite faces, is forced in to the material different borrow pits meant for road construction works.
under a load ranging from 0.3 to 3 N.  The soil samples were obtained at average depths of 4m
to obtain true representative samples of the soils used for
the road construction.
 The samples were spread on different matting to
facilitate air drying.
 The coconut shells and the husk were obtained from a
market waste dump.
 The coconut shells and the husk were burnt separately in
a metal drum. The ashes formed were allowed to cool
down before sieving through 4.75mm BS sieve. The
ashes were therefore stored in airtight containers to
prevent moisture loss and any form of contamination.
 Preliminary tests (natural moisture content, specific
gravity, particle size analysis and Atterberg’s limits)
were performed on the three soil samples for
classification and identification purposes.
 Coconut shell and husk ash (CSHA) was added to each
of the soil samples in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by weight of the
samples.
 The effects of the coconut shell and husk ash as
stabilizing agent on the samples were thereafter
determined.
Figure 3: Micro-hardness testing machine
3.2 Title: Experimental study on strength characteristics
2.4.6 Need of the Study on M25 concrete with partial replacement of cement with
fly ash and coarse aggregate with coconut shell
 Requirement of substitute for fine aggregate.
 Scarcity of fine aggregate. Author: R. Nagalakshmi
 Requirement of substitute for coarse aggregate.
Year of Publication: 2013
 To reduce the overall cost.
Merits:
3. Review of Journals
 The slump of the concrete increased as the percentage of
3.1 Title: Potentials of Coconut Shell and Husk Ash on coconut shell increases and decrease in comparison with
the Geotechnical Properties of Lateritic Soil for Road the conventional concrete.
Works
 The compaction factor increased as the percentage of
coconut shell increases and increased in comparison
Author: Olugbenga O. Amu - Corresponding Author,
with the conventional concrete.
Opeyemi S. Owokade Senior Lecturer / Civil Engineering
 The specific gravity of coconut shell is low as compared
Dept., Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria,
to the coarse aggregate and the water absorption is high
Olakanmi I. Shitan
for coconut shell than coarse aggregate and hence the
Research Student / Civil Engineering Dept., Obafemi
strength decreased in comparison with the conventional
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
concrete.
Year of Publication: 2011  The slump of the concrete increased as the percentage of
coconut shell increases and decrease in comparison with
Merits: the conventional concrete.
 The compaction factor increased as the percentage of
 The plastic index of each sample reduces with the coconut shell increases and increased in comparison
addition of various percentages of CSHA, indicating a with the conventional concrete.
reduction in swelling potential and hence an increase in  The specific gravity of coconut shell is low as compared
strength properties. to the coarse aggregate and the water absorption is high
for coconut shell than coarse aggregate and hence the
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ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
strength decreased in comparison with the conventional universal testing machine (UTM) having capacity of
concrete. 300tonne was used.
 20% of cement replaced with fly ash and 10%, 20%,  Test for Split tensile strength of concrete cylinders: The
30% of coarse aggregate replaced with coconut shell universal testing machine (UTM) having capacity of
resulted that the compressive strength is reduced when 150tonne was used for the splitting tensile strength of
compared with the conventional concrete. the concrete cylinders.
 The compressive strength of the concrete reduced with  Test for Flexural strength of concrete beams:
increasing percentage of the coconut shell replacement.  The transverse bending test is most frequently
 The cube compressive strength of concrete at the age of employed, in which a rod specimen having either a
7 days resulted in marginal reduction with 10% and 20% circular or rectangular cross-section is bent until fracture
replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell. using a three point flexural test technique.
 The Split Tensile strength at 7days was reduced by 8%
with 20% replacement of fly ash and the 10% These tests were carried out at the age of 7 days, 14 days, 28
replacement of coarse aggregate with coconut shell days and 56 days.
when compared with conventional concrete.
 The strength of concrete decreased as the percentage of 3.3 Title: Experimental assessment on coconut shells as
replacement of the conventional material increased aggregate in concrete
 The reduction in compression strength is less in
comparison with the split tensile strength with the Author: Daniel Yaw Osei
replacement of conventional material. Department of Civil Engineering Cape Coast Polytechnic,
Cape Coast, Ghana
Experiments:
Year of Publication: 2013
 The mix proportion for M25 is 1: 1.18: 2.86 and W/C
ratio of 0.44 was casted. Merits:
 In general, fly ash is used at about 15-25% of the cement
content.  Increase in percentage replacements by coconut shells
reduced the strength and density of concrete.
Workability Test:  With the exception of complete replacement, 20%, 30%,
40%, and 50% replacement of crushed granite by
 Slump cone test: coconut shells can be used in producing lightweight
 The apparatus used for conducting the slump test  Concrete 18.5% replacement of crushed granite with
consists of slump cone. coconut shells can be used to produce structural concrete
 The internal surface of the mould is thoroughly per the requirements of concrete.
cleaned and free from moisture and adherence of  Coconut shells can be used as partial replacement of
any old set concrete before commencing the test. crushed granite or other conventional aggregates in
 Concrete is placed in the mould and is removed for reinforced concrete construction.
slump value.  Further studies should be carried out to ascertain the
possibility of using coconut shell concrete as a structural
 Compaction factor test: material.
 It consists of a rigid frame that supports two conical  Durability studies on coconut shell concrete should be
hoppers vertically aligned above each other and carried out to assess its behaviour in aggressive
mounted above a cylinder. environments.
 The top hopper is filled with concrete but not  Developing countries like Ghana should encourage the
compacted. use of agricultural wastes in construction as an
 The door on the bottom of the top hopper is opened environmental protection and cost reduction measure.
and the concrete is allowed to drop into the lower
hopper. Experiments:
 Once all of the concrete has fallen from the top
hopper, the door on the lower hopper is opened to  A concrete mix of ratio of 1:2:4 by volume, with a water
allow the concrete to fall to the bottom cylinder. cement ratio of 0.6 was used as control, to which the
 This mass is compared to the mass of fully properties of all other mixes were compared.
compacted concrete in the same cylinder achieved  Coconut shells were used to replace 20%, 30% 40%, and
with hand rodding or vibration. 50% and 100% of the granite by volume. In an
 The compaction factor is defined as the ratio of the experimental investigation, [9] found out that
mass of the concrete compacted in the compaction replacement of granite with palm kernel shells by
factor apparatus to the mass of the fully compacted volume produced a better performance concrete than
concrete. replacement by weight.
 Six different mixes were batched and 12 specimens of
Tests for Concrete: each mix were produced.
 After casting, the moulds were covered with plastic
 Test for Compressive strength of concrete cubes: To sheets to prevent water loss through evaporation. After
calculate the compressive strength of concrete cubes the

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ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
24 hours, the cubes were demoulded and immersed in a water absorption and fly ash as aggregate replacement
curing tank to cure for strength gain. did not show any marked difference with corresponding
 The curing process is beneficial to hydration of cement, CS replaced concrete.
while improving the physical and mechanical properties  Sorptivity of the concretes was higher than control
of concrete. concrete for all CS concretes. The maximum sorption
 On each day of testing, the specimens were removed was 0.18mm/s0.5 for the concrete having 20% CS and
from the tank and placed in the open air for about two 25% fly ash as cement replacement. Similar to
hours. The compressive strength of the concrete absorption, fly ash as cement replacement increased
specimen was determined by crushing after sorption and fly ash as aggregate replacement did not
determination of density. The results for the density and show any marked difference with corresponding CS
compressive strengths are the average of three tests. replaced concrete.

3.4 Title: Properties of Concrete with Coconut Shells as Experiments:

Aggregate Replacement
 Normal aggregate, that is, crushed blue granite of
Author: Amarnath Yerramalaa Ramachandrudu maximum size 20 mm was used as coarse aggregate.
Well graded river sand passing through 4.75 mm was
Year of Publication: 2012 used as fine aggregate. The specific gravities of coarse
and fine aggregates were 2.65 and 2.63 respectively.
Merits:  Coconut shells which were already broken into two
pieces were collected from local temple; air dried for
 Addition of CS decreases workability and addition of fly five days approximately at the temperature of 25 to
ash either as cement replacement or aggregate 30oC; removed fibre and husk on dried shells; further
replacement increases workability of CS concrete. broken the shells into small chips manually using
Increase in CS percentage decreased densities of the hammer and sieved through 12mm sieve.
concretes.  The material passed through 12mm sieve was used to
 With CS percentage increase the 7 day strength gain also replace coarse aggregate with CS. The material retained
increased with corresponding 28 day curing strength. on 12mm sieve was discarded. Water absorption of the
However, the overall strength decreased with CS CS was 8% and specific gravity at saturated surface dry
replacement when compared to control concrete. condition of the material was found as 1.33.
Furthermore, fly ash as cement replacement had  Coarse aggregate was then replaced with CS in 10 (M2),
negative influence when compared to corresponding CS 15 (M3), 20 (M4) percentages to study effect of CS
concrete and fly ash as aggregate replacement had replacement. Furthermore, a mix with both CS and fly
similar performance as that of corresponding CS ash (M5) was also employed, in which, 20% of CS was
replaced concrete. replaced with aggregate and 25% of fly ash was replaced
 Similar to compressive strength, the split tensile strength with cement.
also decreased with increase in CS replacement.  M6 mix contained 20% of coconut shells and 5% of fly
Furthermore, for 28 days of curing addition of fly ash as ash both replaced with aggregate. Free water to
cement replacement reduced overall split tensile strength cementitious ratio was maintained constant at 0.6 for all
of CS concrete and fly ash addition as aggregate concrete mixes.
replacement showed no major difference with  Extra water was added in the mixes depending on the
corresponding CS replaced concrete (M4). CS replacement to compensate water absorption of the
 The results demonstrated that, irrespective of CS CS particles.
percentage replacement there was good relationship  The concretes were mixed in a planetary mixer of 100 l
between compressive strength and split tensile strength. capacity. The mixing time kept to about 3 to 4 min.
The equation proposed by Raphael, 1984 [19] for Mixing of the materials was in a sequence: (i) portion of
normal concrete was over predicting at lower strengths design water poured into mixture drum; (ii) cement
for CS concretes. gently placed; and (iii) aggregate and CS was spread
 Increase in CS replacement permeable voids also over the cement and started mixing.
increased. With 10% CS replacement the permeable  During mixing, the remaining design water was poured
were 30 percent higher than control concrete. Similarly, into the mix for thorough mix of concretes. Specimens
the permeable voids were 88 percent higher than control were then prepared and left for 24 hours. The specimens
concrete for 20% CS replacement. Addition of fly ash as were demoulded after 24 hours and immersed in normal
cement replacement increased permeable voids with water for curing until the test age.
corresponding CS concrete (M4). However, addition of  The main objective of the present investigation was to
fly ash as aggregate replacement reduced permeable study the performance of CS concretes in terms of
voids. strength and transport properties with normal water
 The absorption characteristics show that the initial 30 curing and with no chemical admixtures in the mixes.
min absorption values for all the concretes were lower  Performance of the concretes was assessed through:
than limits commonly associated with good quality compressive strength, split tensile strength, water
concrete [21]. The maximum absorption was 2.3% for absorption and sorption. The specimens were tested for
the concrete having 20% CS and 25% fly ash as cement compression and split tensile strengths at 1, 7 and 28
replacement. Fly ash as cement replacement increased

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days. The strengths were obtained by considering the 3.6 Title: Stabilization of Poor Lateritic Soils with
average of two replicate specimens. Coconut Husk Ash
 However, if the variation of any individual value from
the average was greater than 10 %, a third specimen was Author: J.R. Oluremi, S. I. Adedokun, and O. M. Osuolale
tested. Absorption and sorption tests were conducted at
28 days of curing. These tests were also conducted on Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and
two replicate specimens and the average values were Technology,
reported.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, PMB 4000,
3.5 Title: Coconut Husk Ash as a Partial Replacement of Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Cement in Sandcrete Block Production
Year of Publication: 2012
Author: Oyelade, Olumide Akintoye
Civil Engineering and Environmental Department, Merits:
University of Lagos Nigeria
 The addition of coconut husk ash increases the plastic
Year of Publication: 2011 limit but reduces the plasticity index of the lateritic soil.
 California bearing ratio of the poor lateritic soil also
Merits: increases continuously with the addition of coconut husk
ash.
The compressive strength of the ordinary Portland cement  Coconut husk ash increases the California bearing ratio
/coconut husk ash sandcrete blocks generally decreases as and can therefore be used to improve soils with low
the percentage of coconut husk ash content increases CBR values.

Experiments: Experiments:

Oyekan (2008) carried out work on the use of sawdust and The poor lateritic soil was wet washed on sieve 425μm. The
sugar as admixtures in sandcrete blocks production. He retained sample was weighed and kept in the oven for
discovered that sawdust as an air entraining agents has no 24hours at a regulated temperature of 1050C. The samples
appreciable effect on the compressive strength of blocks. were then broken into smaller fragments, care being taken
The result on the use of sugar showed that sugar had a not to reduce the sizes of the individual particles.
significant effect on the compressive strength of the
blocks increasing it by 17% at 28 days. The coconut husk was dried and burnt in a controlled
environment until it completely turned to ashes. The product
Nimityongskul and Daladar (1995) conducted an experiment called coconut husk ash was mixed in 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%
to develop new kinds of pozzolana from other agricultural and 10% by mass of the soil sample with the oven-dried
wastes apart from rice husk and rice straw. The study samples of poor lateritic soil.
investigated the use of coconut husk, corn cob and peanut
shell ash as cement replacement materials. A series of tests Particle size analysis test, Atterberg limit test, British
were performed to determine the chemical composition of Standard (BS) compaction test, and California bearing were
coconut husk ash, corn cob ash and peanut shell ash which carried out on each of the natural and stabilized samples. In
are referred to as CHA, CCA and PSA respectively. The addition, chemical compositions of the Coconut husk ash
mechanical properties of paste and mortar containing were analyzed.
different percentages of ash replacement were investigated.
Experimental results revealed that coconut husk ash and corn This reveals that the coconut husk ash contains large
cob ash cannot be utilized as pozzolana while peanut shell percentage of K2O (62.43%) follows by SiO2 (17.9%),
ash is classified as Class C pozzolana according to ASTM which corroborate the fact that coconut husk ash is a
Standards. pozzolanic material.

Oyekan (2007) investigated the strength characteristics of 3.7 Title: Assessing the Mechanical Performance of
sandcrete blocks in which crushed waste glass is partially Ternary Blended Cement Concrete Incorporating
replaced with cement in sandcrete block production. Crushed Periwinkle Shell and Bamboo Leaf Ashes
waste glass was discovered to have significant effect on the
compressive strength of sandcrete blocks. At a mix Author: Akaninyene A. Umoh, Olasunkanmi Olabode Femi
proportion of 1:6 the compressive strength of the 450mm x - Building Department, Faculty of Environmental Studies,
150mm x 225mm blocks (at 28 days) increased by 39% over University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
the control value and by nearly 74% over the control value
for the 450mm x 225mm x 225mm blocks. Alake Olaniyi, Adewumi J. Babafemi - Building
Department, Faculty of Environmental Design and
Management, Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Year of Publication: 2013

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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
Merits: 4. Methodology
 The Periwinkle shell ash has the highest chemical
content of CaO while Bamboo leaf ash predominantly
content SiO2 thereby making the two mineral
admixtures a complementary cementing materials
suitable for ternary blended cement concrete.
 The relationship between tensile splitting strength and
compressive strength of the combined mixes of ternary
blended cement concrete had a higher value, n of 0.873,
which is greater than 0.75 for most normal weight
concrete.
 The correlation coefficient, R lies between 0.916 and
0.985 indicating a very strong linear relationship
between tensile splitting strength and compressive
strength of ternary blended cement concrete.
Experiments:
 Periwinkle shells and bamboo leaves were obtained and
taken to the laboratory where they were spread in an
open space for 12-14 days.
 The periwinkle shells and dried bamboo leaves were
calcined, each material separately, in a furnace to a
temperature of 600 degree Celsius for 20 minutes.
 The cement constituent was subsequently replaced with
percentage combination of periwinkle shell ash and
bamboo leaf ash.
 The cement, PSA, and BLA were measured and mixed Figure 4: Flow chart of the Experimental Work
together until a uniform colour was obtained.
 The blended mix was spread on already measured fine 5. Tests Conducted
aggregate placed on an impermeable flat form and
mixed thoroughly before the coarse aggregate and water The following tests were conducted to study the effect of
were added. coconut shell ash as cement for concrete.
 Workability test was conducted on the fresh concrete
with the aid of slump cone apparatus and the value  Sieve analysis
obtained range between 0-25mm.  Specific gravity for coarse aggregate
 After casting they were covered with wet woolen bags  Specific gravity for fine aggregate
and stored in a place not exposed to direct sunlight for a
 Slump test
day; de-moulded and immersed in water curing tanks
 Vee bee Consistometer test
until their testing ages.
 Compressive strength test
 The concrete specimens were tested for compressive
strength and tensile splitting strength in a compression 5.1 Sieve Analysis Test for Fine Aggregates
testing machine
The name given to the operation of dividing a sample of
aggregate into various fraction each consisting of particles of
the same size. The sieve analysis is conducted to determine
the particle size distribution in a sample of aggregate, which
we call gradation.

The aggregate used for making concrete are normally of the

maximum size 80mm, 40mm, 20mm, 10mm, 4.75mm,
2.36mm, 600micron, 300micron, 150micron and 75micron.

In the IS and AST standards, the sieve sizes are given in

times of the number of openings per inch is equal to the
square of the number of sieves. In the IS460-1962, the sieves
are designed by size of the aperture in mm.

6. Coconut Shell Ash as Partial Replacement

of OPC in Concrete Production
The high cost of construction materials like cement and
reinforcement bars has lead to increased cost of construction.
This coupled with the pollution associated with cement

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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
production, has necessitated a search for an alternative 8. Test Results
binder which can be used sorely or in partial replacement of
cement in concrete production. More, so disposal of Table 1 shows the oxide composition of CSA and OPC
agricultural waste materials such as rice husk, ground nut respectively, while table 2 is the result of average setting
husk, corn cob and coconut shell have constituted an times for various OPC-CSA mixes. Table 3 is the result of
environmental challenge, hence the need to convert them density and compressive strength test at 7, 14 and 28 days
into useful materials to minimize their negative effect on the respectively and table 4 give the pozzolanic activity index of
environment. Research indicates that most materials that are various mixes at 7, 14 and 28 days respectively.
in rich amorphous silica can be used in partial replacement of
cement. It has also been established that amorphous silica 9. Discussion of Results
found in some pozzolanic materials react with lime more
readily than those of crystalline form. Use of such Tables 1 show the oxide composition of CSA and OPC
pozzolanas can lead to increased compressive and flexural respectively. From table1, CSA contains 37.97% SiO2,
strengths. The American Society of testing materials 24.12% Al2O3 and 15.48% Fe2O3. This gives 77.57% of SiO2
(ASTM) defines pozzolans as siliceous or aluminous + Al2O3+Fe2O3 which is in line with ASTM C 618-78
materials which possess little or no cementitious properties requirement of 70% minimum for pozzolana. The LOI of
but will, in the presence of moisture, react with lime 11.94 nd SO3 of 0.71 all falls within agreeable limits. Table
[Ca(OH)2] at ordinary temperature to form a compound with 2 shows the average setting times of the various OPC-CSA
pozzolanic properties. Examples of pozzolans include class combinations. Table 2depicts the various percentage
C fly ash which contains more than 10% CaO, blast furnace replacements. The setting times increases with increase in
slag and silica fumes. ASTM C 618 – 78 specifies that any the amount of coconut shell ash. The initial setting time
pozzolana that will be used as a cement binder in concrete increases from 1 hour 5 minutes at 0% replacement to 3
requires a minimum of 70% silica, alumina and ferric oxides. hours 26 minutes at 30% replacement while the final setting
BS 3892:1965 parts 1&2 specify maximum loss on ignition time increases from 1 hour 26 minutes at 0% replacement to
of 12%, maximum MgO content of 4% and SO3 of 2.5% 4 hours 22 minutes at 30% replacement. However, BS12
respectively. (1978) recommends initials and final setting times to be not
more than 45 minutes and 10 hours respectively for which
The aim of this study is to determine the suitability of the CSA/OPC pastes passes in final setting time. From table
coconut shell ash for use in partial replacement of cement in 4, it can be seen that the average density decrease with
concrete production. The objectives include ascertaining the percentage replacement from 2525.5Kg/m3 for OPC to
optimum replacement level of Portland cement with CSA 2314Kg/ m3 at 30% replacement. This is expected, since the
that will still give required compressive strength as well as density of cement is higher than that of the CSA. Table 3
compare the setting times of OPC paste with OPC-CSA shows the pozzolanic activity index at various OPC-CSA
paste at various replacement levels. replacement levels and age. The index decreases with
increasing percentage replacement of OPC with CSA. There
7. Materials and Methods is a decrease of the pozzolanic activity index with increased
curing age at 15% and 30% replacement but no discenarable
The materials used during the study include: trend is observed with increase in curing age at 10,20 and
25% replacement levels. From Table 3, we notice a decrease
Coconut shell: This was obtained in hostel of Kamaraj in pozzolanic activity with increasing percentage
College of Engineering & Technology, Tamilnadu, India. replacement, which is expected, since the strength decrease
Cement: Dalmia cement, a brand of OPC available locally in with increasing percentage replacement of OPC with CSA.
Tamilnadu was used. The oxide composition is presented in The compressive strength decreases with increase in
table 1. percentage replacement of OPC with CSA. The 7 days
strength decreases from 13.78N/mm2 for OPC to 6.43N/mm2
Water: Portable water from the Department of Civil for 30% replacement with CSA. The strength after 28 days
Engineering, Kamaraj College of Engineering & Technology curing decreases from 34.22N/mm2 for OPC to 13.11 N/mm2
and was used both for the mixing of concrete as well as in 30% replacement with CSA. The optimal 28 days strength
curing of the cubes. The coconut shell was sun dried for 48 for OPC-CSA mix is recorded at 10% replacement (31.
hours to remove moisture from it. It was then subjected to 78N/mm2).
uncontrolled combustion using open air burning for 3 hours
and allowed to cool for about 12 hours. The burnt ash was References
collected and sieved through a IS sieve (75 microns). The
resulting ash, which has the required fineness, was collected [1] R.Nagalakshmi, Experimental study on strength
for use. The oxide composition of the ash was determined characteristics on M25 concrete with partial replacement
and the result is shown in table 1. Using a mix design ratio of of cement with fly ash and coarse aggregate with
1:2:4 and water binder ratio of 0.5, a total of 54 concrete coconut shell, International Journal of Scientific &
cubes of size 150mmx150mmx150mm were cast using Engineering Research, Volume 4,Issue 1, January-2013
varying OPC-CSA ratio of 100:0, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25 [2] Olugbenga O. Amu et al.,Potentials of Coconut Shell
and 70:30 respectively, i.e., 9 cubes per % replacement. The and Husk Ash on the Geotechnical properties of
cubes were cured and crushed after 7, 14, 28 days Lateritic Soil for Road Works, International Journal of
respectively and strength results are presented in table 4. Engineering and Technology Vol.3 (2), 2011, 87-94

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Paper ID: 020131260 www.ijsr.net 659
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064
[3] P.E. Imoisili et al., Effect of Concentration of Coconut Table 1: Composition of Cementitious substances
Shell Ash on the Tensile Properties of Epoxy Percentage concentration (%)
Composites, Engineering Materials Development
Institute, Akure, Nigeria, Volume - 13. Number 1. May Oxide CSA OPC
2012 (Spring)
SiO2 37.97 20.7
[4] Amarnath Yerramala et al., Properties of Concrete with
Coconut Shells as Aggregate Replacement, International Al2O3 24.12 5.75
Journal of Engineering Inventions ISSN: 2278-7461,
www.ijeijournal.com Volume 1, Issue 6 (October2012) Fe2O3 15.48 2.5
PP: 21-31 CaO 4.98 64
[5] Filipponi P, Polettini A, Pomi R, Sirini P. Physical and
mechanical properties of cement based products MgO 1.89 1
containing incineration bottom ash. Waste Management MnO 0.81 0.2
2003; 23(2): 145–156
[6] Dhir RK, Paine KA, Dyer TD, Tang MC. Value-added Na2O 0.95 0.6
recycling of domestic, industrial and construction
K2O 0.83 0.15
arisings as concrete aggregate. Concrete Engineering
International 2004; 8 (1): 43–48 P2O5 0.32 0.05
[7] Poon CS, Shui ZH, Lam L, Fok H, Kou SC. Influence of
moisture states of natural and recycled aggregates on the SO3 0.71 2.75
slump and compressive strength of concrete. Cement LOI 11.94 2.3
and Concrete Research 2004; 34(1): 31–36
[8] Khatib ZM. Properties of concrete incorporating fine Table 2: Setting Time
recycled aggregate. Cement and Concrete Research % Initial setting time Final setting time
2005; 35(4): pp.763–769 replacement (mins) (mins)
[9] Andrade LB, Rocha JC, Cheriaf M. Evaluation of
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concrete incorporating bottom ash as a natural
aggregates replacement. Waste Management 2007; 10 253 330
27(9): 1190–1199 15 275 375
[10] M. R. Jones, L. Zheng, A. Yerramala, K. S. Rao. Use of
20 289 401
Recycled and Secondary Aggregates in Foamed
Concretes. Communicated, Magazine of Concrete 25 305 425
Research, 2012 30 326 442
[11] E.A. Olanipekun, K.O. Olusola, O. Ata. A comparative
study of concrete properties using Coconut shell and Table 3: Pozzolanic activity index
palm kernel shell as coarse aggregates. Building and
%replacement Pozzolanic activity index
Environment 2006; 41(3):p297–301
[12] K. Gunasekaran, P.S. Kumar, M. Lakshmipathy, 7 days 14 days 28 days
Mechanical and bond properties of Coconut shell 0 0 0 0
concrete. Construction and Building Materials 2011;
25(1): p 92–98 10 90.35 93.3 92.87
[13] V.T. Markrose, Coconuts in India. Coconut 15 80.62 70.12 67.88
Development Board, Kerala, India, 20 62.84 66.1 57.8
http://www.bgci.org/education/1685/, accessed on 31-3-
2012 25 48.4 48.41 48.71
[14] IS: 12269-1987. Specification for 53 grade ordinary 30 46.81 46.07 37.31
Portland cement
[15] ASTM C 642–82. Test method for specific gravity, 403 Table 4: Compressive Strength of mortar cubes
absorption and voids in hardened concrete. Annual book %
of ASTM standards, vol. 04.02; 1995 replaceme Curing Average density Average strength
[16] IS: 516–1959 Method of test for strength of concrete nt age(days) (Kg/m3) (N/mm2)
7 2525.5 13.78
14 2522 18.82
0 percent 28 2514 34.22
7 2504.5 12.89
14 2517.5 17.56
10 percent 28 2514.5 31.78
7 2471.5 11.11
14 2475 14.89
15 percent 28 2456 23.23
20 percent 7 2450.5 8.66
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 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319‐7064

14 2427.5 12.44
28 2388 19.78
7 2357 6.67
14 2338.5 9.11
25 percent 28 2340.5 16.67
7 2314 6.45
14 2322.5 8.67
30 percent 28 2543 13.11

Author Profile
Vignesh Kumar Nagarajan received his B.E.
degree in Civil Engineering, M.E. degree in
Structural Engineering from Mepco Schlenk
Engineering College, Sivakasi in 2011 and 2013,
respectively. From 2013, he works as Assistant
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Kamaraj
College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar. He
has registered for Ph.D. in Anna University, Chennai by
January 2014 and he is pursuing his course work in
Coimbatore Institute of Technology under the guidance of
Dr. R. Sathyanarayan Sridhar.

Aruna Devi S is pursuing her final year B.E.

degree in Civil Engineering from Kamaraj
College of Engineering and Technology,
Virudhunagar, 2014.She has done this project
under the guidance of Mr. N. Vignesh Kumar,
Assistant Professor.

Manohari S P is pursuing her final year B.E.

degree in Civil Engineering from Kamaraj
College of Engineering and Technology,
Virudhunagar, 2014.She has done this project
under the guidance of Mr. N. Vignesh Kumar,
Assistant Professor.

Maria Santha M is pursuing her final year B.E.

degree in Civil Engineering from Kamaraj
College of Engineering and Technology,
Virudhunagar, 2014.She has done this project
under the guidance of Mr. N. Vignesh Kumar,
Assistant Professor.

Volume 3 Issue 3, March 2014

Paper ID: 020131260 www.ijsr.net 661