PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF COARSE AGGREGATE WITH COCONUT SHELL IN THE CONCRETE

Abstract

Concrete is an artificial material similar in appearance and properties to some natural lime stone rock. It is a manmade composite, the major constituent being natural aggregate such as gravel, or crushed rock, sand and fine particles of cement powder all mixed with water. The concrete as time goes on through a process of hydration of the cement paste, producing a required strength to withstand the load. The use of coconut shell as coarse aggregate in concrete has never been a usual practice among the average citizens, particularly in areas where light weight concrete is required for non-load bearing walls, non-structural floors, and strip footings. Although coarse aggregate usually take about 50% of the overall self-weight of concrete. The cost of construction materials is increasing day by day because of high demand, scarcity of raw materials, and high price of energy. From the standpoint of energy saving and conservation of natural resources, the use of alternative constituents in construction materials is now a global concern.