Impact of Partial Replacement of Cement by Coconut Shell Ash and Coarse Aggregate by Coconut Shell on Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Abstract

India is the third largest coconut cultivating country in the world. South India states are the predominant coconut cultivating area in India. Coconut shell (CS) and coconut shell ash (CSA) are unavoidable by-products from agricultural industry. As a part of solid waste management, the investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing cement by CSA and coarse aggregate by CS. The replacement level was considered as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% in both cement and coarse aggregate by CSA and CS respectively. Normal strength concrete was considered in this investigation. The density and mechanical properties of concrete such as 28 days cured compressive strength and flexural strength were determined. Using 3D graphical analysis, the optimum replacement of cement and coarse aggregate was predicated in this investigation.