Garba, M. J., et al.

, (2019) investigate the use of coconut shell ash (CSA) as

admixture in concrete and its effect on durability performance. The CSA used was

obtained by controlled burning of coconut shell in an incinerator to a temperature of

600–650ºC for 3 hours, air cooled, sieved through 75µm sieve and characterized by

using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical method. The compressive and splitting

tensile strengths of concrete were investigated at varying CSA additions of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8

and 10% respectively by weight of cement. A total of one hundred and forty-four of

100mm diameter by 200mm long cylinder CSA-concrete of 1:2:4 concrete mix and

water-cement ratio of 0.55 were tested for compressive and splitting tensile strengths at

3, 7, 28 and 56 days of curing in accordance with standard procedures. Eighteen

number 100mm cubes were tested for water absorption after curing for 28 days in

water. The resistance of concrete specimen exposed to attack from 2.5% concentration

of hydrochloric acid solution was investigated.

Based on the research carried out, the following conclusions were drawn,

1. The chemical composition analysis of Coconut shell ash

(CSA) showed that it is of high silicon dioxide (37.97%), aluminum oxide

(22.12%), iron oxide (12.4%), magnesium oxide (16.2%) and calcium

oxide (4.98%) respectively.

2. The addition of CSA increased compressive and splitting

tensile strengths of concrete. However, up to 2% was considered as

optimum to maintain concrete strength above 25N/mm2.

3. CSA addition slightly increased water absorption of

concrete.
 4. The weight retained of CSA-concrete after immersion in

acidic solution is higher than the weight retained of normal concrete at all

ages with addition of CSA of up to 2%.