Survey on applications of coconut timber, shell and coir in construction industry

Abstract

The frequent escalation in the price of conventional construction materials leads to the menace of global construction systems. These materials engender negative impacts on the environment, such as deforestation, desertification, landfilling etc. There is an urge to substitute conventional building materials with environment friendly and economically affordable materials, the demand for sustainable construction materials grows rapidly. Enormous coconut waste has been engendered during the customized ceremonies as well as in edible oil industries. This mini technical survey explores the applications of parts of the coconut tree as a sustainable, environment friendly and economical building construction material. From the structural perspective, it is noted that (i) the use of coconut fibre in producing bricks not only enhances bricks insulation strength against sound and temperature but also it offers higher resistance to bricks against cracks; (ii) coconut shell flooring tiles are light in weight compared to the conventional concrete flooring tiles; (iii) coconut shell flooring tiles reduces the self-weight of the floor resulting in the economic design of floor which supports the structural elements in the building design. As potential applications to construction industry, we record that (i) as a lightweight material, coconut shell aggregate concrete is used to make hollow blocks and other non-structural members; (ii) the coconut trees’ timber is technically processed to produce sustainable building materials such as, doors, rafters, windows, furniture etc.; (iii) coconut coir is utilized in laying roads, making of ropes, decorative items and bricks; (iv) as coarse aggregate, coconut shell is significantly utilised in making floor tiles.