Experiment of partial replacement of egg shell powder and coconut fibre in concrete

Abstract

India is in fifth position in the world annual egg production. About 1.61 million tons of egg shells are being waste annually by disposing it as a landfill, which attracts vermin due to attached membrane and causes problems to human health and environment.It is scientifically known that the eggshell is mainly composed of compounds of calcium. Calcium carbonate, (CaCO3), is the major composition of the eggshell, accounting for 93.70% of the total composition of the eggshell. Similarly, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), is the primary raw material in the production of cement. The produced OPC is composed of four main Calcium compounds in the forms of di calcium silicates, (C2S), tri calcium silicate, (C3S), tri calcium aluminate, (C3A), and tetra-calcium aluminoferite, (C4AF). It is, therefore, indicated that cement and eggshells have the same primary composition in calcium compounds. Calcium rich egg shell is a poultry waste with chemical composition nearly same as that of limestone. Use of eggshell waste instead of natural lime to replace cement in concrete can have benefits like minimizing use of cement, conserving natural lime and utilizing waste material. Eggshell waste can be used as fertilizer, animal feed ingredients and other such uses.