Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences

Volume 1 Issue 3

A Review on Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate With

Coconut Shell In The Concrete

Prof. Shrikant M. Harle

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Prof Ram Meghe College of Engineering and
Management, Badnera, Maharashtra, India
E-mail ID - shrikantharle@gmail.com

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. It is observed that the
Coconut Shells are more suitable as low strength-giving lightweight aggregate when used to
replace common coarse aggregate in concrete production. Trying to replace aggregate by
coconut shell partially is to make concrete structure more economic along with good strength
criteria. From one cube calculation bulk amount of shell replacement can be evaluated &
reduces over all construction cost. This can be useful for construction of low cost housing
society.

Keywords: coconut shell, lightweight aggregate, compressive strength, slump and density

INTRODUCTION it is consuming enormous quantities of

A research effort has been done to stone, sand and drinking water, but also
match society’s need for safe and two billion tons a year of Portland cement,
economic disposal of waste materials. which releases green-house gases
The use of waste materials saves natural leading to global warming [2].
resources and dumping spaces, and helps Nowadays most of the researchers have
to maintain a clean environment. The focus on use of the waste materials in
current concrete construction practice is concrete according to their properties. Fly
thought unsustainable because, not only ash, Rice husk, Slag and Sludge from the

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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treatment of industrial and domestic waste Literature Survey

water has been found suitable as partial Aggregates provide volume at low cost,
replacement for cement in concrete. The comprising 66 percent to 78 percent of
coconut shell is a material which can be a the concrete. Conventional coarse
substitute for coarse aggregate [3, 4]. aggregate namely gravel and fine
aggregate is sand in concrete will be
Coconut shell being a hard and not used as control. While natural material is
easily degrade material if crushed to coconut shell as course aggregate will be
size of sand can be a potential material to investigate to replace the aggregate in
substitute sand. At present, coconut shell concrete. In the study, three different
has also been burnt to produce charcoal concrete mixes with different the
and activated carbon for food and combination of natural material content
carbonated drink and filtering mineral namely 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%. The average
water use. However, the coconut shell is moisture content and water absorption of
still under utilized in some places [5]. crushed coconut shell was found to be
4.20% and 24% respectively. The fresh
The concrete obtained using coconut shell concrete density and hardened concrete
aggregates satisfies the minimum density after 28 days (under SSD
requirements of concrete. Concrete using condition) using coconut shell was found
coconut shell aggregates resulted in to be in the range of 1975-2110 kg/m3
acceptable strength required for and 1880-1930 kg/m3. The 28 days
structural concrete. coconut shell may compressive strength of coconut shell
offer itself as a coarse aggregate as concrete was found to be 24.21, 22.81 and
well as a potential construction material 21.80 for 10%, 20% and 30%
in the field of construction industries and replacement by coconut shell aggregate
this would solve the environmental under full water curing and it satisfies
problem of reducing the generation of the requirement for structural lightweight
solid wastes simultaneously. The concrete [7].
coconut shell cement composite is
compatible and no pre-treatment is By partial replacement using crushed,
required [6]. granular coconut shells as a substitute
for conventional coarse aggregate in
M20 grade concrete. The cube and

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
Volume 1 Issue 3

cylinder are casted, tested then physical with coconut shell to produce lightweight
and mechanical properties are concrete [10].
determined. The 28 days compressive
strength of coconut shell concrete was The paper aims at analyzing compressive
found to be 14.88 for 50% replacement by strength of concrete (M20-1:1.5:3)
coconut shell aggregate under full produced using coconut shell as substitute
water curing and it can be used for less for conventional coarse aggregate with
important work. Reduction in weight 0%, 25%, 50%, 100% partial replacement.
found to be 15% and 25% for Three sample cubes are prepared for M20
replacement by coconut shell aggregate grade concrete mix for each case another
25% and 50% respectively [8]. aim of the paper is to spread awareness
about use of coconut shell as construction
In order to determine the engineering material in civil engineering. The
properties for both normal concrete and maximum compressive strength in control
coconut shell concrete, different laboratory mix is 21.28 N/mm2 at 28 days, while the
tests like specific gravity, Water minimum strength at same days is 14.23
absorption, and Crushing strength etc. are N/mm2. Thus compressive strength
being conducted at 7, 14 and 28 days on decreased as percentage of coconut shell is
the collected samples and the basic increased [11].
properties are thus determined as per IS
codes 456:2000 and IS 10262:2009. The With CS percentage increase the 7 day
obtained results reveal that the significant strength gain also increased with
increase in different percentages of corresponding 28 day curing strength.
coconut shell increases the Compressive However, the overall strength decreased
strength value when compared to normal with CS replacement when compared to
concrete. It was observed that coconut control concrete. Increase in CS
shell concrete is showing 65% of replacement permeable voids also
compressive strength to that of normal increased. With 10% CS replacement the
concrete. The 28 -days air-dry densities of permeable were 30 percent higher than
coconut shell aggregate concrete are less control concrete. Similarly, the permeable
than 2000 kg/m3. The possibility exists for voids were 88 percent higher than control
the partial replacement of coarse aggregate concrete for 20% CS replacement.
Sorptivity of the concretes was higher

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
Volume 1 Issue 3

than control concrete for all CS defined what type of materials to be used.
concretes. The maximum sorption was The materials to be used are cement, fly
0.18mm/s for the concrete having 20% CS ash, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate,
and 25% fly ash as cement replacement coconut shells and water.
[12]. The present study requires preliminary
An optimum percentage replacement of investigations in a systematic manner:
coarse aggregate with coconut shell  Selection of type of grade of mix, mix
aggregate is determined from the study. design by an appropriate method, trial
Coarse aggregate made from coconut mixes, final mix proportions.
shells were used in proportions of 5%,  Estimating total quantity of concrete
10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% to required for the whole project work.
replace coarse aggregate in conventional  Estimating quantity of cement, fine
concrete. A constant water to cement ratio aggregate, coarse aggregate, coconut
of 0.5 was used throughout the study. shells required for the project work.
Tests were carried out to determine the  Testing of properties of cement, fine
compressive strength, split tensile strength aggregate, coarse aggregate and
and flexural strength using cube, cylinder coconut shells.
and beam specimens respectively.  Preparing the concrete cubes with
Together, 24 cubes, 21 cylinders and 21 coconut shells and gravel.
beam samples were tested. It was observed  Testing those cubes in compression
that when coconut shells aggregates in testing machine.
proportions of 15% was used in
conventional concrete, compressive Cement
strengths comparable to that of Ordinary Portland cement of C53 grade
conventional concrete can be obtained conforming to both the requirements of IS:
[13]. 12269 and ASTM C 642-82 type-I can be
used. There are different types of tests on
Theoretical content: cement, those are Normal Consistency,
Materials Initial and Final setting times,
The constituent materials to be used can be Compressive strength of cement, Specific
procured from local sources[1-5]. These Gravity and Fineness of cement. From the
materials are required by conducting test results obtained the conventional
various tests. Due to these results it can be

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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concrete can be designed according to
IS10262-82.
Coarse Aggregate
Normal aggregate that is crushed blue
granite of maximum size 20 mm can be
used as coarse aggregate [6-8]. There are
different tests on coarse aggregate are
Water Absorption Capacity, Specific
Gravity and Fineness Modulus of coarse
aggregate.
Fine Aggregate
Well graded river sand passing through
4.75 mm was used as fine aggregate. The
sand was air-dried and sieved to remove
any foreign particles prior to mixing.
There are different tests on fine aggregate
are Water Absorption Capacity, Specific
Gravity and Fineness Modulus of fine
aggregate.
Fly Ash
Fly ash consists of fine, powdery particles
that are predominantly spherical in shape,
either solid or hollow, and mostly glassy
(amorphous) in nature. The carbonaceous
material in fly ash is composed of angular
particles. The particle size distribution of
most bituminous coal fly ashes is generally
similar to that of silt (less than a 0.075 mm
or No. 200 sieve).
Coconut Shell
Coconut shells which were already broken
into two pieces can be collected from local
temple; air dried for five days
approximately at the temperature of 25 to
30 C; removed fiber and husk on dried
shells; further broken the shells into small
chips manually using hammer and sieved
through 12.5mm sieve. The material
passed through 12.5mm sieve can be used
to replace coarse aggregate with coconut
shells. The material retained on 12.5mm
sieve is discarded.

Fig No.1: Processing of Coconut Shell: (i) air drying at 25-30˚C (ii) breaking of coconut
shells (iii) sieved coconut shell through 12 mm sieve [12]

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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Water alkali, salt, sugar, silt, organic matter and

The quality of water is important because other elements which are detrimental to
contaminants can adversely affect the the concrete or steel.
strength of concrete and cause corrosion of
the steel reinforcement[9,10]. Water used The flowchart for the procedure and
for producing and curing concrete should testing of the concrete with partial
be reasonably clean and free from replacement of coarse aggregate with
deleterious substances such as oil, acid, coconut shell is shown below.

Fig No.2: Flowchart of work [2]

Results from Literature Survey In the study conducted, coarse aggregate is

The compressive strength, split tensile
strength and modulus of rupture were
evaluated for various percentages of CSA,
namely, 5%, 10 %, 15%, 20%, 25 %, 30 %
and 35 % by volume of coarse aggregate.
partially replaced by CSA of size ranging
from 8 to 16 mm in length. The following
table no. 2 shows the various results for
M20 grade of concrete.

Table No.1 : Results with 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% Replacement of Coconut Shell
Aggregate [13]
Mechanical property at 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
28 days
Compressive 24.6 20.4 20.9 21.2 21
2
strength(N/mm )

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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Split tensile strength 2.57 1.98 2.45 2.45 2.41

2
(N/mm )
Flexural strength 2.89 2.6 3.1 3.23 3.32
(N/mm2)

Table no.1 shows the observed values of concrete. The cement content was kept at
compressive strength, split tensile strength 383 kg/m3. The slight increase in the
and modulus of rupture of concrete when compressive and tensile strengths at 5%
5% coconut shell aggregate(CSA) was replacement could be compensated with an
used to replace coarse aggregate in increase in the cement content.

Table no.2: Comparison of results for density of concrete [6]

Sr. No. Mix Density (kg/m3)
1 Conventional Concrete 2365
2 10% CS + 0% FA 2186
3 20% CS + 0% FA 2061
4 10% CS + 10% FA 2027
5 10% CS + 20% FA 2023

From the above table it observed that as decreased. The following table no. 3
the percentage of coconut shell and fly ash shows the comparison of normal concrete
is increased then the density is also with coconut shell concrete.

Table No. 3: Comparison of normal concrete with coconut shell concrete [10]
Sl. Age of Curing Crushing Strength of Normal Crushing Strength of Coconut shell
No (days) concrete (N/mm2) concrete (N/mm2)
1 3 19.1 11.5
2 7 23.1 13.7
3 14 26.6 18
4 28 28.8 20.4

From the above table it is observed that the conventional concrete. The cost analysis
crushing strength observed to be increased per cubic meter of the concrete is shown in
as the age of curing is increased but it is the following table no.4.
lower as compared to as that of

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 Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
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Table No.4: Cost analysis for M20 grade of project – for 1m3 of concrete [2]
Material Rate (Rs.) Cost of concrete (Rs.)
P.C.C. 20% CS 30% CS 40% CS
replace replace replace
Concrete Concrete Concrete
Cement 6.4/kg 2080 2080 2080 2080
Fly Ash 0.5/kg - - - -
Crushed sand 2800/br 545 545 545 545
10 mm 2300/br 250 200 175 150
aggregate
20 mm 2300/br 305 305 305 305
aggregate
admixture 35/kg 113 113 113 113
Total (Rs.) 3293 3243 3218 3193

From the above table it is observed that as Relevance to the present national and
percentage of coconut shell is increased as global scenario of construction industry:
replacement to coarse aggregate the total The availability of coconut shell can be
cost per cubic meter is decreased[11-13]. observed from the following table no.5.

Table No.5: Availability of coconut shell [9]

Sr.No. Country Coconut Production 2012 (metric tonnes) % of World Total
1 Indonesia 18,000,000 t 30.0%
2 Philippines 15,862,386 t 26.4%
3 India 10,560,000 t 17.0%
4 Brazil 2,888,532 t 4.8%
5 Srilanka 2,000,000 t 3.3%

From the above it is clearly observed that Strength and weaknesses

the plenty of coconut shell is available in The strength of this type of concrete may
many countries. That can be used in the involve the following factors:
concrete and the waste shall be properly  Low density of concrete and
used. considered as light-weight concrete
 Cost reduced as compared to normal
concrete

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 Can be used for less structural
important structure
The weakness of such concrete has
following weaknesses:
 Can be used only in the areas having
availability of coconut shell
 Proper care to be taken while using the
coconut shells
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The research and development activities
may involve the following activities:
 Well grinded pieces of these wastes
should be checked for the replacement
of fine aggregates i.e. for sand in
concrete mix.
 Durability factor can be determined by
carrying some durability tests on the
CS cube specimens.
 Light weight construction units can be
made by using these wastes like panels
& block production, internal wall
casting, outdoor furniture etc.
 Other wastes like Sugarcane bagasse,
blast furnace slag & Plastic can be an
option for waste utilization
construction practices.
Field Applications
From the experimental results
discussion as per the literature review, the
coconut shell has potential as lightweight
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Journal of Recent Activities in Architectural Sciences
Volume 1 Issue 3
aggregate in concrete. Also, using the
coconut shell as aggregate in concrete can
reduce the material cost in construction
because of the low cost and abundant
agricultural waste. Coconut Shell Concrete
can be used in rural areas and places where
coconut is abundant and may also be used
where the conventional aggregates are
costly. Coconut shell concrete is also
classified as structural lightweight
concrete.
CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusion drawn from the
work:
 Increase in percentage replacement by
coconut shell reduces compressive
strength and split tensile strength of
concrete.
 The reduction in compression strength
is less in comparison with the split
tensile strength with the replacement of
conventional material.
 Using the coconut shell as coarse
aggregate in concrete can reduce the
in material cost in construction because
of the low cost.
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