Analyzing the Strength of Concrete Blocks Reinforced by Half Portion of Coconut Shell

Abstract

Concrete is the premier construction material around the world and is most widely used in all types of construction works, including infrastructure, low and high-rise buildings, and domestic developments. It is a man-made product, essentially consisting of a mixture of cement, aggregates, water and admixture(s). Inert granular materials such as sand, crushed stone or gravel form the major part of the aggregates. Traditionally aggregates have been readily available at economic prices and of qualities to suit all purposes. But the continued extensive extraction use of aggregates from natural resources has been questioned because of the depletion of quality primary aggregates and greater awareness of environmental protection. In light of this, the non-availability of natural resources to future generations has also been realized. Different alternative waste materials and industrial by products such as fly ash, bottom ash, recycled aggregates, foundry sand, China clay sand, crumb rubber, glass were replaced with natural aggregate and investigated properties of the concretes. Apart from above mentioned waste materials and industrial by products, few studies identified that coconut shells, the agricultural by product can also be used as aggregate in concrete. According to a report, coconut is grown in more than 86 countries worldwide, with a total production of 54 billion nuts per annum. India occupies the premier position in the world with an annual production of 13 billion nuts, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines.